Ever since Frank Castle was announced to be on Marvel’s Daredevil‘s second season I was excited. Marvel had established that their Netflix lineup was the gritty, more grounded in the real world side of the television product. And it worked too, especially with the character choices.
Now, once Jon Bernthal was cast as Frank Castle/ Punisher he got nothing but rave reviews and high fives from the media and contemporaries. Time came for the public to get a glimpse of The Punisher in action and we were not disappointed in the least. Bernthal embodied the wild eyed, revenge obsessed, stone coldness of The Punisher, the criminal murdering anti-hero. He was absolutely captivating to the point that he owned every scene he was featured in. The performance left you wanting more and more we received.
Marvel’s The Punisher
This series picks up after Frank is presumed dead following the events that unfolded in Daredevil’s second season. He spends his days avoiding contact with human contact as much as possible and working at a construction site where he can focus his rage on demolition work. Periodically, visiting an old friend from the military (Curtis Doyle) that seems to be the only one who knows who he is and that he’s alive. Of course, This can’t last too long (as that would make for an extremely boring series). Frank soon finds himself knee deep in dead bodies, with a new partner in David Lieberman/ Micro, and in over his head in a government conspiracy.
To be honest, I wasn’t sure if The Punisher could make an all that interesting series. I knew that Bernthal had something with his portrayal of Castle but, a prolonged murder-fest wasn’t going to stay interesting for long. Luckily, the writers and Bernthal are able to add layers to a character that if not handled properly, can be overtly one dimensional. We see glimpses of the man that was before the brutal killings of his family. It is, frankly, a welcome surprise in the character’s development. Micro also is an interesting character that has a similar issue with his family being taken away from him. This parallel in backstory helps him connect with Frank in a love/hate type of relationship. The rest of the cast is decent in the limited time they get on screen but, Agent Madani shines brightest. She is obsessed with a case that lead to the death of her own friend and this leads to her crossing paths with Punisher. Amber Rose Revah plays Dinah Madani in a way that displays her characters flaws but, also shows her strengths. She’s hard with a soft side. Sure of herself yet, lost in the confusion of her situation. This contradiction is sure to produce more compelling moments through the remainder of the series.I also like the way they handled the issue of PTSD and how it affects the young men and women of our armed forces. It’s a touchy subject and must be handled carefully and I believe that the writers, director,and cast handled it well.
Marvel’s The Punisher
The action is there but not as plentiful as most would assume. That’s not so much a bad thing though as it allows for the great character development that I saw. The hand to hand portions are good but not great. Gritty and violent, up close and personal they made me wince a time or two. The gunfights are full of exploding heads and almost infinite shell casings. Seeing the heroes take their fair share of bullet wounds and left hooks make the fights seem all the more satisfying. This detail makes the human spirit in Frank give him a superhuman quality.
With this series I had a great deal of anticipation going in. I have nothing but unwavering confidence that this show will deliver on all levels. With grand performances, beautifully grimy action, and a compelling story I simply can’t wait to get to the conclusion of this one.
“The Electric State,” now streaming on Netflix, is a science fiction adventure directed by Anthony and Joe Russo. The screenplay, crafted by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, is loosely based on Simon Stålenhag’s 2018 illustrated novel of the same name. The film boasts a star-studded cast, including Millie Bobby Brown as Michelle, Chris Pratt as Keats, and features voices from Anthony Mackie and Woody Harrelson. With a runtime of 128 minutes, the movie transports viewers to a retro-futuristic 1990s America, where a teenage girl embarks on a quest to find her missing brother amidst a landscape populated by sentient robots.
Despite its ambitious premise and substantial $320 million budget, “The Electric State” has garnered predominantly negative reviews from critics. Many have pointed out the film’s lack of emotional depth and coherence. For instance, The Guardian described it as a “bogglingly expensive dud,” criticizing its soulless storytelling and lack of artistic merit. Similarly, Vulture labeled the film a “$320 million piece of junk,” highlighting issues with direction, character development, and overall execution.
The narrative follows Michelle, portrayed by Millie Bobby Brown, as she ventures into a dystopian version of the late 1990s, accompanied by Keats, a smuggler played by Chris Pratt. Their mission leads them into an exclusion zone inhabited by defeated robots, all in search of Michelle’s younger brother, Christopher. While the film’s special effects have been acknowledged for their quality, these visual achievements are overshadowed by a storyline that many found lacking in engagement and originality.
Audience reactions have been mixed, with some viewers appreciating the visual spectacle and performances, while others echo the critics’ sentiments regarding the film’s shortcomings. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a critic score of 17%, reflecting the overall negative critical reception.
In conclusion, “The Electric State” presents a visually impressive but narratively deficient experience. Despite the high-profile cast and substantial investment, the film struggles to deliver a compelling and cohesive story. Based on the critical consensus and audience feedback, I would rate this film a 4 out of 10.
Nicholas Cage is not the Dracula we deserve, but the Dracula we need!
With Nosferatu dominating the box offices with all its gothic, avant-garde glory you may need something a little more light-hearted to cleanse the palette. 2023’s Renfield is a fantastic recipe of dark comedy, satire, and not a small amount of heart (beating or otherwise). Renfield has recently been added to Netflix UK’s menu; for us all to feast upon!
Both Nick (Hoult and Cage respectively) give fantastic performances as master and long-suffering servant, proving that toxic relationships take many forms. Renfield (Nicholas Hoult) has been in the service of Dracula (Nicolas Cage) for ninety years. Renfield does everything short of cleaning the count’s iconic cape (it’s dry-clean only apparently) and he’s quite frankly sick of it.
After ninety years the duo’s options, and bank account, have become quite limited. This is why they are holed in an abandoned hospital in New Orleans. Renfield leaves most evenings to supply the ancient vampire with victims to drain blood, preferably of the pure variety. Hoult’s Renfield is a charming soft boy, a 6 ft 2 soft boy, who has some reservations about killing innocent people. He cleverly gets around this moral quandary by joining a support group for the victims of narcissistic abuse held in a local church and eh…dispatching the group members’ abusers to bring to his master. This works well until one night he gets tangled up with the criminal underworld on a ‘routine’ dispatching.
Awkwafina plays the pint-sized police officer with a foul mouth and a strict(ish) moral compass; Rebecca Quincy. Rebecca and Renfield cross paths and it’s up to them to save the city from both criminal and supernatural corruption. This results in many impressively choreographed fight scenes and not a small amount of blood, gore, and sarcasm! It’s strangely heartwarming to watch Renfield try to break the cycle of Dracula’s narcissistic abuse and create a place for himself in the world. As Rebecca states: sometimes you just fall under the thrall of a vampire for a few decades!
Nicholas Cage is every bit as fabulous and camp as you’d expect of a truly iconic Dracula performance. His delivery is as cutting and precise as his debonair velvet suits. One of the best things about the film is you can tell the cast is having fun with their characters, particularly Cage, I would bet my own soul that a lot of his lines were ad-libbed. Special shout-out goes to Brandon Scott Jones who played the painfully sincere narcissistic survivor group leader. Jones proves there is no part too small to make an impact!
Renfield takes the usual Dracula tropes and puts a hilarious spin on them. Asking the real questions like; do vampires need a verbal invite or will a ‘welcome’ mat suffice to enter a home? Quick someone page Buffy!
Even with the gratuitous gore and violence Renfield manages to be touching at times and ironically breathes fresh life into the reanimated corpses of both Dracula and Renfield.
Three and a half stars.
The much-anticipated film Arjun S/O Vyjayanthi, produced by NTR Arts and Ashoka Creations, is all set to unveil its official teaser on March 17, 2025. Featuring Nandamuri Kalyan Ram in the lead role and veteran actress Vijayashanthi making a powerful comeback, the film is expected to deliver a gripping action-packed family drama.
The Arjun S/O Vyjayanthi teaser launch event is scheduled for:
Date: March 17, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM IST
Venue: AAA Cinemas (Screen 1), Hyderabad, India
Fans who cannot attend in person can watch the teaser across YouTube, Twitter (X), and other social media platforms, as it will be released online simultaneously.
Pre-Teaser Hints at High-Octane Action
Ahead of the teaser launch, the makers released a gripping pre-teaser, which showcased Kalyan Ram in an intense look—seated on a boat, shirt bloodied, signaling an impending storm of action. Complemented by Ajaneesh Loknath’s electrifying background score, the clip has already generated significant buzz online.
Directed by Pradeep Chilukuri, Arjun S/O Vyjayanthi promises to blend action, family drama, and strong emotional elements, making it a highly awaited release for Telugu cinema fans. With Vijayashanthi portraying a powerful IPS officer, the film is expected to bring a strong narrative backed by stellar performances.
Nandamuri Kalyan Ram’s New Action Avatar Vijayashanthi’s Comeback in a Fierce Role High-Quality Production Backed by NTR Arts Intense Pre-Teaser That Has Raised Expectations
Stay Updated on Arjun S/O Vyjayanthi For the latest updates, teasers, trailers, and exclusive insights into Arjun S/O Vyjayanthi, follow NTR Arts’ official pages and stay tuned for March 17!
The electric state
Renfield; A Fangtastic Time
Nandamuri Kalyan Ram’s Upcoming Film Builds Massive Hype
The Resurrection of ‘Jennifer’s Body’
Hanuman – A Visual Spectacle and a Mythological Triumph
With the tragic news of Michelle Trachtenberg’s death, we at That’s My Entertainment wanted to pay tribute.
The Resurrection of ‘Jennifer’s Body’
Renfield; A Fangtastic Time
In Memoriam: Gene Hackman (1930–2025) – Celebrating a Legendary Career
Nandamuri Kalyan Ram’s Upcoming Film Builds Massive Hype
Comic-Con 2024: Arthur C Clarke’s Venus Prime TV series
Comic-Con 2024: Max Collins’s TRUE NOIR
Comic-Con 2024: Will Wight’s Cradle
Interview With Heroes & Villains Creative Director Doug Johnson
Thatsmye Interviews: Les Weiler on Henchin’: the Series
