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Food Network/Cooking Channel June Highlights

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Junk Food FlipPremiering Tuesday, June 2nd at 9:00pmET/6:00pmPT (COOKING CHANNEL)

Junk Food Flip hosts Nikki Dinki and Bobby Deen seek out the country’s favorite guilty pleasure foods and do their best to recreate the delicious items in a healthier way. In each episode, the team’s revamped creation then goes head-to-head against the original to see which version customers enjoy the most.

  • Premiering Tuesday, June 2nd at 9:00pmET/6:00pmPT – “The Jalapeno Popper Flip” – SERIES PREMIERE!

Bobby and Nikki travel to St. Augustine, Florida, to taste the famous Jalapeno Popper Burger at Gas Full Service restaurant. This beast of a burger has two beef patties stuffed with cream cheese, cheddar cheese and jalapenos, then gets deep-fried for the ultimate decadent delight! After biting into this indulgent 1,600-calorie burger, Bobby and Nikki challenge Gas owners Ben and Lindy Loose to a food flip, where they will make a healthier version of the dish. If the people choose Bobby and Nikki’s burger, then Gas has to put it on the menu, but if Ben and Lindy win, they get bragging rights and $1,000. Will their take on the burger be delicious enough to beat the Jalapeno Popper Burger in the showdown? Or will the locals stick with the deep-fried favorite?

  • Premiering Tuesday, June 9th at 9:00pmET/6:00pmPT – “The Unidentified Flipping Object”

If a tostada, taco and burrito had a baby, it would be the U.F.O. This decadent 1,500-calorie burrito is the creation of Nicholas and Robin Kimball, owners of the SoCal-inspired A1A Burrito Works Taco Shop in St. Augustine Beach, Florida. Flipping a burrito seems like an easy challenge, but Bobby and Nikki soon learn that the customers who come to A1A Burrito are not looking for just a burrito; they require calorie-laced fuel to eat before surfing, riding or running all day. Bobby and Nikki attempt to come up with something that matches the U.F.O in flavor, and becomes a healthy source of fuel for the active people who eat it. With bragging rights and cash on the line, will they successfully flip the U.F.O. or will Nicholas back up his smack talk with a winner?

  • Premiering Tuesday, June 16th at 9:00pmET/6:00pmPT – “The Drunken Cubano Flip”

It is a junk food journey down South to Bobby’s home state of Georgia, to take on a legendary BBQ sandwich called ‘the Drunken Cubano’ at Southern Soul Barbeque in St. Simons Island. It is a Cuban sandwich with slow-smoked pulled pork, cheese and pickles, but Southern Soul make this sandwich even more decadent by serving it inside a bowl of creamy beer cheese soup! Nikki and Bobby challenge owners and pit-masters, Griffin and Harrison to the ultimate Junk Food Flip. They attempt to create healthier versions of the sandwich, first going head-to-head with each other in a street taste test. Nikki and Bobby finally merge their creations into a sandwich to challenge the local BBQ favorite. Will Bobby and Nikki take these pitmasters down, or are they about to get smoked?

  • Premiering Tuesday, June 23rd at 9:00pmET/6:00pmPT – “The Southern Comfort Flip”

Husband and wife team, Sean and Keely Mendes of Roadside Seafood in Charleston, South Carolina have created “The Southern Comfort” – creamy lobster mac n’ cheese, four slices of crispy bacon and two fried green tomatoes between two slices of buttered Texas toast. When Bobby and Nikki taste the 1,420-calorie sandwich, they challenge Sean to a Food Flip, but Sean does not think they stand a chance. Bobby and Nikki attempt to recreate those comforting Southern flavors with two very different, but leaner recipes. Once the winning sandwich is chosen in a taste test, Bobby and Nikki join forces to create a worthy challenger. Find out if Bobby and Nikki have what it takes to take down a Charleston favorite.

  • Premiering Tuesday, June 30th at 9:00pmET/6:00pmPT – “The French Toast Frankie Flip”

The “French Toast Frankie” contains roughly 80% of recommended daily calories, a fact of which “Perfectly Franks” owner Perry Cuda could not be more proud. When Bobby and Nikki roll into Summerville, South Carolina to take on this decadent dog, they think they have it easy flipping a 1,700 calorie dish, but the people of Summerville have very discerning taste buds. They love their rich, decadent food and any attempt to mess with tradition could spell certain defeat! Bobby and Nikki soon find themselves going head-to-head with a local hero in an arena filled with a hometown crowd, but they bring a strong challenger to the game. Does Bobby and Nikki’s dog have what it takes to take down this junk food heavyweight?

 

Craziest Restaurants in AmericaPremiering Wednesday, June 3rd at 10pm – SERIES PREMIERE! (FOOD NETWORK)

Craziest Restaurants in America travels coast to coast to count down the most unique, most outrageous, most outstanding, and even the most bizarre food establishments that dish out delicious meals and memorable dining experiences. From an underwater cafe to a zombie-themed bistro, these are the restaurants that leave customers saying, “Wow!”

 

Food Network Star – Premiering Sunday, June 7th at 9pm (FOOD NETWORK)

Long-running hit primetime series Food Network Star returns for season eleven with twelve talented hopefuls competing for the ultimate prize: their own Food Network show. Culinary superstars Giada De Laurentiis and Bobby Flay are back to host the new season with guest mentors joining the action throughout the season. Tune in to find out who possesses the personality and kitchen chops to be the next Food Network Star.

  • Premiering Sunday, June 7th at 9pm – “Food Network Star Festival'” – SEASON PREMIERE!

In the season premiere, the twelve hopefuls arrive in Los Angeles and are introduced to food icons Giada and Bobby.  Each finalist must produce a 30-second introductory video and make their signature dish for a food festival to be held the next day.  At the festival, attended by a crowd of Food Network fans, each video is screened and their signature dish is tasted by a judging panel including Giada, Bobby, Food Network executives Susie Fogelson and Bob Tuschman, and People Deputy Editor J.D. Heyman. For one finalist, their dream ends, while the remaining eleven continue on their journey

  • Premiering Sunday, June 14th at 9pm – “Savory Baking”

Knowledge and the ability to adapt are key qualities to becoming a star, and the finalists must create an inspiring dish using only ingredients and leftovers that can be found in an average family’s refrigerator then perform a camera challenge for Giada, Bobby and guest judge Melissa d’Arabian.  Then the finalists use their imaginations to create a savory dish inspired by the world of desserts, with Iron Chef Alex Guarnaschelli joining Giada and Bobby at the judge’s table.

  • Premiering Sunday, June 21st at 9pm – “Trendy Dinner”

Keeping up with the latest food trends is imperative, so the contestants are tasked to create and photograph trendy “tiny” foods.  They are then split up into two teams for a challenge to create a five-course meal where each course corresponds with a buzzword. Sunny Anderson and Geoffrey Zakarian join the selection committee this week to decide who will be go home.

  • Premiering Sunday, June 28th at 9pm – “Fourth of July Cookout”

A Food Network Star has to be able to win over a crowd – so to celebrate the Fourth of July, the finalists are split into teams to develop a cohesive menu, shop for ingredients and feed a crowd of hungry families at a holiday cookout.  Guest judge Bobby Deenjoins Bobby and Giada to determine which team has the best performance, and one finalist from the lowest performing team is sent home.

 

Daphne Dishes – Premiering Sunday, June 7th at 11:30am – SEASON PREMIERE! (FOOD NETWORK)

Mom, wife, and home cook, Daphne Brogdon, brings a fresh, fun and humorous approach to feeding the family. Whether it is for a PTA meeting or a gals’ night in, Daphne cooks up a storm with simple recipes that will feed a crowd and bring the family together.

 

Outrageous Wedding Cakes – Premiering Saturday, June 13th at 9pm – SPECIAL! (FOOD NETWORK)

Here comes the cake! Wedding season is here and Food Network is serving up a second helping of extravagant, ornate, enormous and downright outrageous cakes! From six-tier masterpieces floating in midair to thousands of sugar-winged butterflies, from optical illusions to show-stopping cakes masquerading as life-size topiary swans, this all-new one-hour special will raise the bar in cake confections at weddings across the nation.

 

Top 5 Restaurants – Premiering Monday, June 15th at 10:30pm – SERIES PREMIERE! (FOOD NETWORK)

For the first time ever, Food Network is naming America’s top five burger spots, the ultimate five steakhouses, the best five BBQ joints and more! From pizza and ice cream to tacos and fried chicken, each episode is taking on one of America’s favorite foods and telling you exactly where to get the best. We’ll meet the makers and culinary masterminds behind these ultimate food creations as the battle for top spot is finally crowned.

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Review of “Good Bad Ugly”

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Director: Adhik Ravichandran 

Starring: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Das, Trisha, Simran

Genre: Action / Crime Drama

Rating: 4.5/5


“Good Bad Ugly” centers on Red Dragon (Ajith Kumar), a notorious gangster who chooses to surrender himself in the hopes of turning over a new leaf and reuniting with his estranged son. However, when unforeseen threats emerge, Red Dragon is forced to step back into the dangerous underworld to protect the only family he has left.

“Good Bad Ugly” plays to the strengths of Ajith Kumar, delivering a fan-pleasing portrayal of both his vintage villainy and his matured emotional depth. Ajith’s powerful screen presence, coupled with his iconic voice, shines against Arjun Das’s brooding and intense new-age antagonist, creating an electric old-school versus new-school dynamic. The nostalgic return of Simran is a clever nod to longtime fans, bringing heart and familiarity. Trisha brings a strong, grounded performance as the moral compass in Red Dragon’s life, helping move the emotional threads of the story. The film smartly balances action, comedy, and sentimental fan-service moments.

While the film delivers on fan expectations, its narrative could have benefited from tighter pacing and deeper character development for its supporting cast. Some plot conveniences and an overreliance on nostalgia may limit broader audience appeal beyond the fanbase. Certain dramatic beats felt rushed, leaving little time for emotional resonance to fully land.

The ambition to blend high-octane action with heavy emotional stakes sometimes leads to tonal inconsistencies. At moments, the shift from gritty underworld drama to lighter fan moments feels abrupt. Additionally, though Ajith Kumar’s effort to showcase his dancing skills is commendable and welcomed by fans, it slightly disrupts the otherwise darker tone the film establishes.

“Good Bad Ugly” is a tribute to Ajith Kumar’s enduring legacy, offering vintage thrills while teasing new dimensions to his craft. It’s a solid entertainer that successfully taps into fan nostalgia while hinting at an exciting evolution for AK. While not without its flaws, the film’s heart, energy, and performances make it a must-watch for fans and a compelling action-drama for broader audiences.

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Presence: A Horror Movie For People That Don’t Like Horror Movies

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In these uncertain times, you can’t beat a good old-fashioned horror movie. Unfortunately, Presence is not an old-fashioned horror movie. Yet, as I discovered, this is a good thing!

When I heard about the premise of this movie, I was intrigued. The stylishly subtle trailer was, appropriately, haunting.  And was that Lucy Liu? A haunted house movie from the perspective of the ghost? As a seasoned horror movie buff, I was all in!

Like the majority of people I missed the films brief theatrical release. Luckily I was able to catch it on streaming. Visually the film is easy to enjoy from your own home, as it’s rather cosy looking. I never thought I’d be describing a horror movie as ‘cosy’ looking but it’s true! This is not a James Wan type creepy, dusty, decrepit house harbouring a haunting. No, this is a 100 year old jewel toned, oak finished colonial style home. 

Despite this the story follows the beats we are all familiar with: troubled family of four move into a new house. The big deviation from the trope is we, the audience, are seeing events unfold from the POV of the ghost or presence. 

Director Steven Soderbergh (Ocean’s Eleven) chose to film the entire piece using a small (14mm) hand-held digital camera. Soderbergh himself acted as the ‘presence’ following the actors around. From the audiences perspective it is like watching the family through a barrier or pane of glass. Cleverly, windows and mirrors are hugely prominent and integral throughout.

The presence mainly follows and tries to interact with the daughter of the family, Chloe (Callina Liang), who has recently suffered the trauma of her best friend dying suddenly. Through Soderbergh’s experimental filming, we feel the dysphoria and frustration the ‘ghost’ is feeling at trying to affect the world around it, particularly during the anxiety-inducing final scene!

However, in what could be yet another mismarketing of a film, the trailer promised to be the ‘scariest movie you will see this year’ and ‘terrifying’; instead, they delivered this subversive, character-driven, family drama. If you are expecting jump scares and dramatic music stings, this is not your movie. I could understand if someone was disappointed that the only seemingly scary thing is the mother’s and son’s relationship, right up until the gut-punch of the final scene. 

Presence is definitely a slow burn, tension building until the final scene, and the unveiling of the ‘presence’ giving us a new understanding of the whole story. The ending is disturbing and stays with you as you re-analyse earlier scenes. 

My one complaint is that the character Ryan (West Mulholland) with his Chesney Hawkes hair, perhaps needed more subtlety. The rest of the cast was completely solid and believable as a family with so many unspoken issues. 

I wouldn’t recommend this film for everybody but maybe be as so bold to say it’s a horror movie for people that don’t like horror movies. It’s well-lit and cerebral with realistically flawed characters.

Presence is available to stream.

Three and a half stars.

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Anime Review: Fog Hill of the Five Elements (Wu Shan Wu Xing)

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Genre: Action, Fantasy, Martial Arts, Historical
Runtime: Each episode runs approximately 20-30 minutes
Director: Lin Hun (also the Creator)
Studio: Samsara Animation Studio
Main Voice Actors (Chinese Cast):Liu Zhi Shi as Wen Ren Yu Xuan Zhou Qi as Shen Nong Fang Yuan as Xuan


Overview

Fog Hill of the Five Elements is a breathtaking Chinese anime (donghua) that merges traditional Chinese ink-painting aesthetics with high-intensity martial arts action. Created and directed by Lin Hun, this series delivers a spellbinding visual experience that rivals, and in many ways surpasses, mainstream Japanese anime. Produced by Samsara Animation Studio, the anime is a labor of love, known for its hand-drawn animation and meticulous detail.

Set in a mythological world where elemental beasts roam free, the series follows the Five Elemental Envoys tasked with protecting humanity. The story focuses on Wen Ren Yu Xuan, the Fire Envoy, whose actions set off a chain of events threatening the delicate balance between humans and beasts. The tale is steeped in Chinese folklore and myth, weaving a complex narrative of duty, power, and sacrifice.

Without question, Fog Hill of the Five Elements is one of the most visually stunning animated series in recent memory. The blend of traditional Chinese ink wash painting with modern dynamic action scenes is masterful. Every frame looks like a moving scroll painting, with fluid character movements and kinetic fight choreography that puts many mainstream series to shame.

The characters are deeply tied to traditional archetypes found in Chinese legends but are fleshed out with emotional depth and conflict. Voice acting by Liu Zhi Shi, Zhou Qi, and Fang Yuan brings authenticity and gravitas to their respective roles. The dialogue is steeped in poetic language, enhancing the mythic feel of the story.

The soundtrack complements the epic visuals with traditional Chinese instrumentation mixed with modern elements. The sound design heightens the impact of every battle and emotional moment.


Rating: 9/10

Fog Hill of the Five Elements earns a 9 out of 10 for its groundbreaking animation style, deep mythological storytelling, and heart-pounding action. The only downside is its limited number of episodes and slow release schedule, which leaves fans craving more.


Pros

  • Unparalleled hand-drawn animation
  • Unique art direction inspired by traditional Chinese painting
  • Rich mythological lore
  • Epic fight choreography

Cons

  • Sparse episode release
  • Story pacing can be uneven at times

Final Verdict 9/10

If you’re an anime enthusiast or a fan of animation artistry, Fog Hill of the Five Elements is a must-watch. Its fusion of stunning visuals, martial arts action, and mythological storytelling makes it one of the standout titles in modern animation. Whether you’re into Japanese anime or Chinese donghua, this series deserves a spot on your watchlist.

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