Author Archives: Keith Garlington

Five Big Announcements From Star Wars Celebration 2025

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Over the weekend Star Wars fans from across the globe converged on the Makuhari Messe Convention Center in Chiba City, Japan for the latest Star Wars Celebration convention. This year’s three-day event marked the 16th Celebration and (as usual) featured a number of big announcements, surprise appearances, and star-studded panels. To no surprise Star Wars fans were given plenty to look forward to. Here are the five biggest surprises, confirmations, and takeaways from Star Wars Celebration 2025.

Rumors had been swirling for a long time regarding a Star Wars movie from director Shawn Levy. But as Star Wars fans know all too well, rumors and even some early announcements doesn’t mean a movie is a sure-thing. Levy put that concern to rest by not only appearing at Celebration 2025, but by also bringing along his film’s star, Ryan Gosling. The two unveiled his movie’s title, “Star Wars: Starfighter”. Levy revealed that his story takes place after “Episode 9” and the Battle of Exegol making it the first Star Wars production set after the sequel trilogy. He also shared that “Starfighter” is officially in preproduction and will release Memorial Day 2027.

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While we all know that the next Star Wars movie to hit theaters will be “The Mandalorian and Grogu”, creative heads Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni revealed several cool tidbits as they prepare to make the jump from episodic streaming to the big screen. During their panel, Favreau and Filoni were joined by the series and film’s star, Pedro Pascal as well as a brand new member of the Star Wars universe, Sigourney Weaver! Rumors were out about her addition and now it’s confirmed that she’ll play a former Rebel pilot who serves the New Republic. An exclusive trailer was released for those in attendance and leaked (thankfully) for those of us online. This looks to be one grand Star Wars adventure.

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During the 20th Anniversary of Lucasfilm Animation panel, Dave Filoni dropped what is arguably the most exciting news of Star Wars Celebration 2025. Darth Maul will be returning in his own animated series titled “Maul – Shadow Lord”. The series will fill in some of the gaps between the character’s escape in the final episode of “The Clone Wars” series and his later appearance in “Star Wars Rebels”. Even better, the great Sam Witwer returns to voice the titular character as he builds his crime syndicate and takes on the underworld factions that oppose him. A trailer was shown to those in attendance but has yet to release for the rest of us. Hopefully soon. The series is currently in production and will debut on Disney+ in 2026.

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The first series of “Ahsoka” was a complex swirl of nostalgic joy and admitted frustration. The show had plenty of high points, none better than its terrific star, Rosario Dawson. The series did leave a lot of doors open leading to the expectation for another season. Dave Filoni confirmed it at Celebration 2025. “Ahsoka: Season Two” will be bigger in scale and scope. It is set to begin filming this week and releases on Disney+ in 2026. Among the many other bits of news was the big reveal that Hayden Christensen would return as Anakin Skywalker. Also Lars Mikkelsen will be back as the film’s antagonist, Grand Admiral Thrawn. We are even getting Admiral Ackbar! In more somber news, an emotional Filoni announced that Rory McCann would be taking over the role of Baylan Skoll following the sad passing of Ray Stevenson.

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We are literally one day away from the much anticipated premiere of “Andor: Season Two”. To gets fans even more hyped for the 12-episode second season, creator Tony Gilroy along with cast members Diego Luna, Genevieve O’Reilly, Adria Arjona, Denise Gough, Kyle Soller, and Alan Tudyk appeared to let fans know what we can expect. Luna was especially enthusiastic, revealing that “Season Two” will change the way we look at 2016’s “Rogue One”. Gilroy stated the second season would play out over four years with each three-episode drop covering one year. While the series was described as “wider, larger, and more ambitious“, Gilroy said the character’s would still be at the center as the story moves towards its intense conclusion.

REVIEW: “Sinners” (2025)

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Kudos to Warner Bros. Pictures. They have hit all the right notes in promoting their latest big release, “Sinners”. Now for many of us, the reteaming of writer-director Ryan Coogler and actor Michael B. Jordan was the only selling point we needed. But the studio made their latest collaboration even more enticing with a pair of killer trailers and a series of brilliant posters. Best of all, “Sinners” absolutely delivers, often in ways I never expected.

What makes “Sinners” even more appetizing (especially for genre fans like me) is the crazy way it mixes the arthouse with the grindhouse. It’s a richly imagined movie dripping with cultural flavor and possessing a keen sense of time and place. It’s also a movie with a lot on its mind, using fairly obvious metaphors to make some equally obvious points. At the same time, “Sinners” turns into a blood-bathed vampire movie reminiscent of Robert Rodriguez’s “From Dusk till Dawn”.

Many will be surprised by how much time Coogler puts into building up his story and his characters. Well over half of the movie focuses on introducing characters, defining relationships, and immersing us in the vibrant period setting. By far this is when the movie is at its strongest. It’s a much different story for the inevitable payoff. The final siege is fittingly bloody and chaotic. But it’s also rushed – at times frantically edited and lacking logic in spots.

Image Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

Set in Jim Crow-era 1932, the story takes place over the course of an eventful 24 hours in the rural town of Clarksville, Mississippi. Jordan mesmerizes with his dual lead performances. He plays Smoke and Stack, identical twin brothers who return to their hometown after some time in Chicago where they hustled, ran prostitution rings, and killed for mob boss Al Capone. With a pocket full of cash, Smoke and Stack buy an old mill from a shady businessman believed by some to have ties with the Ku Klux Klan. The brothers plan on turning the mill into a blues-centered juke joint, custom-made for the local black community.

The twins waste no time getting ready for their big opening night, hiring several local friends to chip in. They get food and a sign from a Chinese couple who owns a local grocery store, Grace and Bo Chow (played by Li Jun Li and Yao). Smoke convinces his estranged wife Annie (Wunmi Mosaku) to cook. They hire the brawny Cornbread (Omar Benson Miller) to man the door. Aged blues musician Delta Slim agrees to handle the music. And they bring along their young cousin Sammie (Miles Caton), a talented guitar player who dreams of becoming a blues singer despite the wishes of his preacher father.

As the joint opens and the raucous party gets underway, a few more key characters enter the mix. Namely the sultry Pearline (Jayme Lawson), a married woman who Sammie is instantly attracted to, and Mary (Hailee Steinfeld), a white woman who has a special relationship with Stack. Coogler infuses the club scenes with a raw yet infectious energy, oscillating between harmonious to hedonistic. The music soon becomes the centerpiece and it remains a key piece of the story throughout.

Image Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

But the night takes a turn with the appearance of Remmick (Jack O’Connell), a smooth-talking Irish immigrant who says he was drawn to their shindig by Sammie’s hypnotic singing. In reality, Remmick is hiding a vicious secret. He and his two companions are actually vampires and he desperately wants inside to join the party. But if you’re remotely familiar with vampire movies, you know the rules. A bloodsucker can’t enter unless they’re invited. And that sets up a cultural/supernatural standoff that really ramps up the tension.

From the very start, it’s hard not to be absorbed in the period Coogler recreates. The locations, production design, costumes – it all feeds the movie’s striking authenticity. It’s all captured through Autumn Durald Arkapaw’s alluring lensing and surrounded by the scintillating music from Oscar-winning composer Ludwig Göransson. And everything is enhanced by the performances from a truly superb ensemble. It all begins and ends with Jordan who brings distinct intensity and personality to both Smoke and Stack.

But it’s Coogler’s uninhibited style and craftsmanship that makes “Sinners” a soulful, sumptuous, sexy, and sinister experience all its own. His story is rich and layered while his characters are fully formed and often complex with most living up to the film’s title. Yet while Coogler’s statements on America’s history are clear and insightful, some of his other points remain hazier and less impactful. Still, “Sinners” shows why Ryan Coogler is such an important filmmaker. And it once again shows the kind of magic he can muster whenever he connects with Michael B. Jordan.”Sinners” is in theaters now.

VERDICT – 4 STARS

First Glance: “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” Full Trailer

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Could the Marvel Cinematic Universe be getting back on track? I don’t want to get my hopes up, especially after the steady flow of sub-par movies and streaming shows. But “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” has the potential to be something we haven’t seen from Marvel Studios in a while – a really good MCU superhero production. The film’s earlier released teaser left me more curious than excited. Well now we have the first full trailer, and despite some lingering concerns, “First Steps” looks like it could be the movie many of us have been waiting for.

In the film, Marvel’s first family live in a 1960s-inspired retro-futuristic New York city located on a parallel Earth. Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby), Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn), and Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) are beloved by the people of their planet. But their role as Earth’s defenders is challenged with the appearance of a world-consuming being known as Galactus. The slick style of the world is an immediate draw and seeing all four team members in action is exciting. On the flipside we get our first look at Julia Garner’s Silver Surfer and it leaves a lot to be desired. That aside, the new trailer is a blast and here’s hoping the movie is too.

“The Fantastic Four: First Steps” soars into theaters July 25th. Check out the trailer below and let me know if you’ll be seeing it or taking a pass.

First Glance: “The Roses”

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Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman star in the upcoming black comedy “The Roses” from director Jay Roach. Perhaps known best for the “Austin Powers” movies and “Meet the Parents”, “The Roses” is Roach’s first feature film since 2019’s “Bombshell”. It’s said to be a reimagining of the 1989 film “The War of the Roses” which was an adaptation of Warren Adler’s 1981 novel of the same name. Yesterday Searchlight Pictures dropped the first trailer and this could be a lot of fun.

Theo (Benedict Cumberbatch) and Ivy (Olivia Colman) appear to be the perfect couple. Both have successful careers (he’s an architect, she’s a chef) and wonderful children. But it’s all a facade. Their marriage is actually a toxic tinderbox that eventually explodes for all to witness. Andy Samberg, Kate McKinnon, and Allison Janney also star. The script is from Tony McNamara who surprised with “Cruella” and frustrated with “Poor Things”. But this material is pretty ripe with potential and who can turn down an on-screen Cumberbatch/Colman union?

“The Roses” comes to theaters August 29th. Check out the trailer below and let me know if you’ll be seeing it or taking a pass.

REVIEW: “Star Wars: Skeleton Crew”

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It has been nearly six years since a new Star Wars movie has been released on the big screen. During its absence, the Galaxy Far, Far Away has made a temporary shift to streaming television – a move that has resulted in several highs and a few unfortunate lows. Arguably its biggest misfire was last year’s “The Acolyte”, a mess of a series surrounded by outside noise but with significant flaws that stood out despite the ongoing drama.

For reasons that are completely unfair, following right behind “The Acolyte” was an unenviable spot for any new series. Such was the scenario for “Skeleton Crew”, a new Star Wars installment from the creative minds of Jon Watts and Christopher Ford. Sadly it seems “Skeleton Crew” felt the effects of its streaming predecessor, falling below the viewership numbers of every previous Star Wars series. That’s unfortunate because there’s a lot to like about this charming and spirited adventure.

“Skeleton Crew” is every bit a coming-of-age tale that takes its inspiration from such classic kid-driven 80s movies as “The Goonies”, “E.T.”, and “Explorers”. It’s also very much a Star Wars adventure, albeit one that is very comfortable existing as a self-contained story. That’s not to say there aren’t things introduced that will explored in future Star Wars projects. “Skeleton Crew” features many things familiar to franchise fans and it expands established lore in some interesting ways. But it can also stand on its own with no trouble whatsoever.

Set roughly five years after the fall of the Galactic Empire, “Skeleton Crew” shares a point on the Star Wars timeline with other streaming series, most notably “The Mandalorian”. The story begins on the intentionally hidden planet of At Attin. Considered to be a myth by most in the galaxy, At Attin is shrouded by a huge gaseous cloud that gives it the appearance of a toxic and uninhabitable world.

But underneath is a peaceful and domesticated society with all the markings of a highly developed utopia. Its people live in comfortable, well-manicured subdivisions. The adults all contribute to something they call “The Great Work” while their children attend school until graduation after which they join their parents in their planetary duties. In reality, the people of At Attin have lived under a technocracy for generations. They are essentially a brain-washed workforce who believe their perceived safety and security is worth being cut off from the galaxy.

But it’s all disrupted by four curious kids, Wim (Ravi Cabot-Conyers), Fern (Ryan Kiera Armstrong), KB (Kyriana Kratter), and Neel (Robert Timothy Smith). They discover a buried hatch which Wim is convinced leads to a Jedi temple like the ones in his storybooks. But after opening the hatch the foursome quickly learn they’re in an old starship. And after some very kid-like antics, they accidentally trigger the auto-launch which rips the ship from the ground, sends it soaring through the defensive orbit, and racing through hyperspace.

From there the show turns into the kids trying to find their way back home. In the process, Watts and Ford whisks them (and us) away to under-explored reaches of the vast Star Wars galaxy. And in vintage Star Wars fashion, we’re introduced to a number of characters, none more compelling than a mysterious force-sensitive pirate named Jod Na Nawood (Jude Law). He takes the kids under his wing, agreeing to help them get home. But does his real interest lie in helping the kids or in discovering the secrets of At Attin?

The eight episodes are helmed by an interesting collection of directors. The strongest installments come from Star Wars regular Bryce Dallas Howard and Watts. The weakest come from the Oscar-winning duo the Daniels and also Watts. Filling out the group is David Lowery, Lee Isaac Chung, and Jake Schreier. Even with the slow-moving setup of the opener and a lone filler episode later on, the series builds a strong story arc and surrounds it with some solid worldbuilding.

Even better is the evolution of the characters. The four kids fit into some pretty familiar archetypes. There’s the starry-eyed dreamer, the assertive tough-talker, the all-business tech guru, and the timid but loyal best fried. But the performances are delightful and each character is a very different person by the story’s end. It also helps to have Jude Law – a stabilizing anchor who immediately feels right at home in the Galaxy Far, Far Away. “Skeleton Crew” is now streaming on Disney+.

VERDICT – 3.5 STARS

REVIEW: “The Amateur” (2025)

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Who said all action stars have to have the brawn of Dwayne Johnson, the intimidating snarl of Liam Neeson, or the bone-cracking agility of Jason Statham? Case in point – Rami Malek in his new film “The Amateur”. He plays an unassuming but extremely intelligent CIA cryptographer who sets out to avenge his wife after she is killed in a London terrorist attack.

In truth, “The Amatuer” isn’t a full-blown action movie. Based on author Robert Littell’s 1981 novel of the same name, this adaptation from director James Hawes has more in common with an espionage thriller. Malek plays Charlie Heller, a brainiac for the CIA who works on encryption and analysis. He’s a quiet homebody who stays consumed with his work which leads him to turn down an offer from his wife Sarah (Rachel Brosnahan) to accompany her on a business trip to London.

Image Courtesy of 20th Century Studios

But Charlie’s life is shattered when he is informed by CIA Deputy Director Frank Moore (Holt McCallany) that Sarah has been killed during a terrorist attack at her London hotel. The higher-ups assure Charlie that they’re on top of it. But after days of being put off and left in the dark, Charlie decides to take matters into his own hands. He looks to his own “particular set of skills” to track down and pay back the people who took his wife’s life.

But Charlie uncovers incriminating evidence against Director Moore that puts him in the crosshairs of his powerful bosses. So as he travels the globe to find his wife’s killers, he also has to dodge CIA operatives sent by the very agency he works for. They include Robert “Hendo” Henderson (Laurence Fishburne), Charlie’s alleged mentor turned assassin. Filling out the movie’s terrific cast is Caitríona Balfe, Jon Bernthal, Michael Stuhlbarg, Julianne Nicholson, and Adrian Martinez.

Image Courtesy of 20th Century Studios

“The Amatuer” gets off to a strong start and does a good job setting the table for a compelling espionage thriller. The first half nicely opens up Charlie, defining his strengths and weaknesses, both of which will come into play throughout the movie. But the second half gets bogged down in its efforts to get from one point to the next. And while Malek’s performance remains steady, he gets caught in the slow-turning gears of the plot. The character development mostly stalls as the story ushers him from country to country.

That said, “The Amateur” is both competently and confidently made. The locations (namely London, Marseille, and Istanbul) are well shot and well incorporated into the story. Malek is a good choice for such a unique protagonist and the handful of action sequences fit well with the character he’s playing. But it’s not without its flaws. A tighter second half and more Jon Bernthal would have done wonders for this entertaining but drawn-out feature.

VERDICT – 3 STARS