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Hafsa Fathima

Friday

'The Creator' is based on big ideas — and a lot of spare parts

John David Washington as Joshua in The Creator. 20th Century Studios hide caption

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20th Century Studios

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

'The Creator' is based on big ideas — and a lot of spare parts

In the new movie The Creator, humanity is at war with artificial intelligence. It stars John David Washington as a former soldier who's been recruited to find and kill the creator of a powerful AI weapon. Directed by Gareth Edwards, the film's big themes involve the role of AI, the brutality of war, and the building blocks of life and society.

'The Creator' is based on big ideas — and a lot of spare parts

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Wednesday

In 'Cassandro,' a gay luchador finds himself, and international fame

Gael García Bernal stars in Cassandro. Amazon Prime Studios hide caption

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Amazon Prime Studios

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

In 'Cassandro,' a gay luchador finds himself, and international fame

In the new film Cassandro, Gael García Bernal plays the real-life Mexican-American wrestler who came to international stardom by adopting the persona of the flamboyant Cassandro, the Liberace of Lucha Libre. It's the story of a queer man who challenges a macho and homophobic system through sheer showmanship – and earns the respect of his fellow wrestlers and audiences.

In 'Cassandro,' a gay luchador finds himself, and international fame

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Thursday

In 'Starfield', human destiny is written in the stars

Bethesda's new game Starfield features over 1000 planets. Bethesda Softworks hide caption

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Bethesda Softworks

Pop Culture Happy Hour

In 'Starfield', human destiny is written in the stars

Starfield is one of the biggest and most anticipated video game releases of the year. It's a massive open world game set in humanity's future, when we've settled on star systems throughout the galaxy. There's over 1000 planets to explore, multiple factions to join, spaceships to pilot and quests to go on. But does Starfield live up to the hype?

In 'Starfield', human destiny is written in the stars

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Tuesday

'The Other Black Girl' explores identity and unease

Sinclair Daniel and Ashleigh Murray in The Other Black Girl. Hulu hide caption

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Hulu

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

'The Other Black Girl' explores identity and unease

Part blistering workplace satire, part creepy thriller, Hulu's The Other Black Girl packs a lot of punches. Nella (Sinclair Daniel) is a young editorial assistant who forms a fast-friendship with her new-coworker, Hazel (Ashleigh Murray) as they both navigate working in a mostly white publishing company. Hazel is confident, a bit mysterious, and full of secrets. The Other Black Girl is based on the novel by Zakiya Dalila Harris.

'The Other Black Girl' explores identity and unease

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Friday

The Fall movies, TV and music we can't wait for

Cailee Spaeny stars in Priscilla. A24 Films hide caption

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A24 Films

Pop Culture Happy Hour

The Fall movies, TV and music we can't wait for

Today we offer up a guide to some of the most exciting movies, TV, and music you can check out this fall.

The Fall movies, TV and music we can't wait for

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Friday

'My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3' heads for the homeland

Nia Vardalos stars as Toula and John Corbett stars as Ian in My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3. Focus Features hide caption

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Focus Features

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

'My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3' heads for the homeland

The family comedy My Big Fat Greek Wedding was a very big hit back in 2002. So it was inevitable that the movie spawned a couple of sequels – thus, we now have My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3. Writer and director Nia Vardalos is back as Toula, John Corbett is back as her husband, and this time, they're headed to Greece for a family reunion.

'My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3' heads for the homeland

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Wednesday

For The Eras Tour, Taylor Swift takes a lucrative, satisfying victory lap

Taylor Swift performs onstage on the first night of her Eras Tour at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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AFP/Getty Images

Pop Culture Happy Hour

For The Eras Tour, Taylor Swift takes a lucrative, satisfying victory lap

Taylor Swift's Eras Tour is on pace to become the biggest and most lucrative concert tour in history. Each night's show offers up a career-spanning three-hour epic, with a sprawling setlist that includes a nightly assortment of surprises. But what made the tour such a juggernaut this summer?

For The Eras Tour, Taylor Swift takes a lucrative, satisfying victory lap

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Thursday

NewJeans is a new kind of K-pop juggernaut

NewJeans released a new EP titled Get Up earlier this summer. ADOR hide caption

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ADOR

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

NewJeans is a new kind of K-pop juggernaut

In a little more than a year, NewJeans has become huge in the world of K-pop, with a reputation for upending industry conventions. They've become the fastest K-Pop act ever to reach one billion streams on Spotify, and their new EP, Get Up, just hit number one on the Billboard charts. Plus, their single "OMG" went viral on TikTok, spawning dance challenges and memes.

NewJeans is a new kind of K-pop juggernaut

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Friday

High school comedy 'Bottoms' is violent, bizarre, and a hoot

Ayo Edebiri stars as Josie and Rachel Sennott as PJ in Bottoms. Orion Pictures Inc. hide caption

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Orion Pictures Inc.

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

High school comedy 'Bottoms' is violent, bizarre, and a hoot

Hollywood loves a movie about horny teens desperate to lose their virginity, and the smart new comedy Bottoms is a welcome addition to the canon. Ayo Edebiri and Rachel Sennott star as unpopular best friends who start a fight club in hopes of seducing the cheerleaders of their dreams. Bottoms was co-written by Sennott and Emma Seligman, who also directs. They previously collaborated on the movie Shiva Baby.

High school comedy 'Bottoms' is violent, bizarre, and a hoot

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Tuesday

'Strays' leads the pack for R-rated dog comedies

Reggie (Will Ferrell), Maggie (Isla Fisher), Hunter (Randall Park) and Bug (Jamie Foxx) in Strays. Chuck Zlotnick/Universal Pictures hide caption

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Chuck Zlotnick/Universal Pictures

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Pop Culture Happy Hour

'Strays' leads the pack for R-rated dog comedies

In the raunchy new comedy Strays, four talking dogs embark on an incredible journey. Reggie (voiced by Will Ferrell) doesn't realize his owner Doug (Will Forte) is desperate to abandon him on the streets. But when Doug's intentions become clear, Reggie's motivation shifts from a reunion to revenge. Strays' voice cast also features Jamie Foxx, Isla Fisher and Randall Park.

'Strays' leads the pack for R-rated dog comedies

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Friday

Will 'Red, White & Royal Blue' be your cup of tea?

Taylor Zakhar Perez as Alex Claremont-Diaz and Nicholas Galitzine as Prince Henry in Red, White & Royal Blue. Jonathan Prime/Prime Video hide caption

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Jonathan Prime/Prime Video

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Will 'Red, White & Royal Blue' be your cup of tea?

The new film Red White & Royal Blue is a classic enemies-to-lovers rom-com, though in this case the rom is queer, and the com arises out of the fact that there are huge geopolitical stakes involved. That's because the two lovers in question are Alex (Taylor Zakhar Perez), the son of the American president and Henry (Nicholas Galitzine), the prince of England. Directed by Matthew López, the movie is based on Casey McQuiston's wildly successful and much-loved novel.

Will 'Red, White & Royal Blue' be your cup of tea?

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Friday

'Mutant Mayhem' reboots the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and does it well

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Nickelodeon Movies/Paramount Pictures

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Pop Culture Happy Hour

'Mutant Mayhem' reboots the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and does it well

The fun new animated movie Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem reboots the iconic series. It's directed by Jeff Rowe (The Mitchells vs. the Machines), who co-wrote the script with Seth Rogen and others. The formula is familiar — an ooze turns four baby turtles into ninja-fighting warriors who must save humanity and find acceptance along the way. The film is bolstered by its funny pop-culture references and a strong voice cast, including Jackie Chan, Ice Cube and Ayo Edebiri.

'Mutant Mayhem' reboots the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and does it well

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Wednesday

'This Fool' is an odd-couple comedy with L.A. flair

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Hulu

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

'This Fool' is an odd-couple comedy with L.A. flair

The Hulu comedy series This Fool is set in South Central Los Angeles and follow an odd couple of cousins named Julio and Luis. They bicker, help each other out and try to figure out what's next for themselves. Star and co-creator Chris Estrada, who plays Julio, based a lot of the show on his standup.

'This Fool' is an odd-couple comedy with L.A. flair

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Friday

'Haunted Mansion' is grave

Chase Dillon as Travis and Rosario Dawson as Gabbie in Haunted Mansion. Walt Disney Studios hide caption

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Walt Disney Studios

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

'Haunted Mansion' is grave

In Disney's Haunted Mansion, a rag-tag group of paranormal experts attempt to get rid of ghosts that haunt a crumbling New Orleans mansion. Based on the beloved theme park experience, the film stars Rosario Dawson, LaKeith Stanfield, Owen Wilson, Danny DeVito and Tiffany Haddish — who band together to confront the dangers of the unseen world. But despite its star power, does the movie live up to its supernatural premise?

'Haunted Mansion' is grave

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Thursday

'They Cloned Tyrone' is a funky and fun sci-fi mystery

Teyonah Parris as Yo-Yo, Jamie Foxx as Slick Charles and John Boyega as Fontaine in They Cloned Tyrone. Netflix hide caption

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Netflix

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

'They Cloned Tyrone' is a funky and fun sci-fi mystery

The Netflix movie They Cloned Tyrone is a thrilling, quirky sci-fi comedy about a drug dealer, a sex worker, and a pimp who uncover a vast government conspiracy against their community. It's got a great cast: starring John Boyega, Teyonah Parris, and a very flamboyant Jamie Foxx.

'They Cloned Tyrone' is a funky and fun sci-fi mystery

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