I just finished Yakuza 0 last week, and I can safely say that it is one of the best games I’ve ever played. If you’ve ever wanted a game with far too many things to do, all of which are equally zany and good-natured, then this is the game for you. I’ve also got more than an inkling that it’ll be quintessential to…
Occasionally a TV show surprises you with something so unexpected you can’t stop thinking about it for hours, days, even weeks after an episode airs. The latest episode of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power did just that, offering up a moment that immediately etched itself onto my brain and has remained there…
Occasionally a TV show surprises you with something so unexpected you can’t stop thinking about it for hours, days, even weeks after an episode airs. The latest episode of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power did just that, offering up a moment that immediately etched itself onto my brain and has remained there…
You’re the toughest Helldiver in Super Earth’s arsenal, but even a super soldier capable of defeating a Bile Titan single-handedly requires the support of a well-equipped Destroyer. That’s where Ship Modules enter the fray. They’re passive upgrades—resource and credit sinks—that improve your in-mission capabilities,…
You’re the toughest Helldiver in Super Earth’s arsenal, but even a super soldier capable of defeating a Bile Titan single-handedly requires the support of a well-equipped Destroyer. That’s where Ship Modules enter the fray. They’re passive upgrades—resource and credit sinks—that improve your in-mission capabilities,…
The hits keep coming this week as word reaches the masses that John Amos, the beloved actor who played James Evans Sr. on Good Times, Cleo McDowell from Eddie Murphy’s 1988 comedy Coming to America, and much more, has passed away at 84.
Amos died on August 21 in Los Angeles of natural causes, his son, Kelly Christopher Amos, announced.
“It is with heartfelt sadness that I share with you that my father has transitioned,” he said in a statement. “He was a man with the kindest heart and a heart of gold… and he was loved the world over. Many fans consider him their TV father. He lived a good life. His legacy will live on in his outstanding works in television and film as an actor.”
With a promising football career ahead of him while playing at Colorado State University, Amos set his sights on training camp tryouts for the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs of the American Football League. While the gridiron life suited him, a career in film and television took precedence after scoring the role of WJN-TV weatherman Gordy Howard on The Mary Tyler Moore Show.
Audiences quickly warmed to John Amos, recognizing his talent and uncanny ability to transform into his characters. He earned an Emmy nod for his role as Toby, the adult version of Junta Kinte, in the 1977 miniseries Roots. In 1974, Amos joined the cast of Good Times, playing James Evans Sr. With Florida actress Esther Rolle at his side, the duo endeared themselves to audiences. Good Times, a show about a family living in an inner-city Chicago apartment, resonated with viewers, cementing Amos’ legacy for generations through reruns and discounted box sets.
Amos played James Evans Sr. for three seasons before discomfort with the material inspired him to quit the iconic sitcom. Amos felt the storylines around James and Florida’s oldest son, J.J. (Jimmie Walker), were silly and stereotypical. After bringing his criticism to the public, plans began to write James out of the series. So, at the start of season four, James Evans Sr. died in a car accident in a two-part episode, ending Amos’ run on the show. Fans of the show were left gutted when the episodes aired in 1976.
Beyond Good Times, Mary Tyler Moore, and guest roles on shows like Murder, She Wrote, One Life to Live, Hunter, The Love Boat, and more, audiences remember Amos for his brilliant role as Cleo McDowell in 1988’s Coming to America. Cleo, the owner of McDowell’s, a fast-food restaurant not unlike McDonald’s, gives Murphy’s Akeem his first job after relocating to Queens. Amos’ performance in the film is warm, slightly weasely, and unforgettable. Let’s not dismiss his brilliant roles in The West Wing and Men in Trees. The list of Amos’ solid performances goes on and on.
John Amos’ acting credits include 121 roles in films, television shows, and other media. His last feature role is in Terry Loane’s 2023 drama The Great Escaper, where he plays Lincoln Jefferson Adams.
John Amos is survived by his son, K.C., and his daughter, Shannon. We at JoBlo wish Mr. Amos safe passage to the Great Hereafter and our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and fans.
The post John Amos, who played the dad on Good Times, Cleo McDowell in Coming to America, and more, dies at 84 appeared first on JoBlo.
Baldur’s Gate 3 console players, rejoice. As of today, you’re patch current. Larian Studios has finally brought Patch 7, which was delayed for just under a month for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Mac players after launching on PC at the beginning of September. Now, no matter where you’re playing, you can do some…
Baldur’s Gate 3 console players, rejoice. As of today, you’re patch current. Larian Studios has finally brought Patch 7, which was delayed for just under a month for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Mac players after launching on PC at the beginning of September. Now, no matter where you’re playing, you can do some…
PLOT: Phillip (Jean-Claude Van Damme) comes face to face with a Russian-French terrorist who comes to exact vengeance on him for killing his brother.
REVIEW: It’s important to meet a film on the same level that it’s presenting itself to you. Going into an A24 movie and expecting a heartfelt family romp may not be the best choice. And going into a JCVD in 2024, you have to expect little story, rough acting, and plenty of action. Sure, can something surprising happen? Absolutely, and those days are glorious. But more often than not, the action is what matters and everything else is off to the wayside. And then there are times where nearly nothing works and it just leaves you going: how did this even get made? Sadly, that accurately describes Kill Em All 2.
The film picks up shortly after the first film, with the deceased villain’s brother, Vlad, on a mission to take out Van Damme’s Phillip. The majority of the story is just about various assassins trying to kill Phillip, and Vlad getting angry about it. Phillip is too busy hanging out with his daughter and trying to find a house in Europe to seemingly care. I love this old curmudgeon character that JCVD seems to play in just about everything post-2010. Despite his heart of gold, there’s always a look on his face that says “I’m too old for this sh*t.” While the narrative certainly revolves around his character, he’s not as active in the story as you’d think.
Phillips’s daughter Vanessa (Jacqueline Fernandez) acts as his sidekick and doesn’t bring much to film outside of awkward delivery. Villainous Vlad is the right amount of comically evil, with his girl licking up blood from his chest and killing lackeys for failure. His sole focus on revenge is really the only thing driving the story forward. Andrei Lenart looks shockingly similar to Yellowjackets star Warren Kole, so I suppose that’s something to glean entertainment from. Because otherwise you aren’t really getting it here. But the biggest disappointment is easily Peter Stormare, who is usually a highlight in any film he does. But it looks like this set was the last place he wanted to be and it results in a tepid character.
The acting is fairly rough, but I feel like most are accustomed to that with these kinds of Euro/American action movies. And I can be forgiving of this when the action and effort are there. But nearly everyone is phoning it in here. Sometimes actors feel like they’re in completely different spaces. There are times when it almost feels like lines have been translated into English. Unless I just missed when the phrase “Hey do you have some smoke?” became a thing. Apparently, ChatGPT still hasn’t quite gotten dialogue figured out.
I can forgive a lot of bad if the action is still competent but Kill Em All 2 seems to forget it’s an action movie half of the time. Using kinetic editing tricks and moving the camera around doesn’t make up for the lack of actual exciting action. They like to build up to scenes that are over in an instant. It’s like there’s a threat of action more than actually having something happen in the frame. And as much of a JCVD fan as I am, unless the scenes are well-directed, his age is definitely showing. And here he just looks like an old man doing a choreographed exchange with a stuntman. The man can still provide a great performance (as evidenced by Darkness of Man) but in this his action is rather limited. I’m not sure why they made a sequel to Kill Em All, and after watching it, I’m not sure the filmmakers knew why either.
KILL EM ALL 2 IS AVAILABLE DIGITALLY AND ON DEMAND NOW.
The post Kill ‘Em All 2 Review: JCVD deserves (a lot) better appeared first on JoBlo.
We’re a few weeks away from hitting the dance floor with Tom Hardy’s salivating symbiote when Venom: The Last Dance waltzes into theaters. The anticipated threequel aims to make a splash when the dynamic duo, Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) and Venom, attempt to thwart an oncoming invasion as a new villain lurks in the shadows. In addition to promoting Fandango’s advanced tickets and exclusive bundle for Venom: The Last Dance, we’ve learned the film’s runtime is 110 minutes. That’s almost two hours’ worth of blood, carnage, and surprises for the symbiote’s final bow.
Today, tickets are available on Fandango for Venom: The Last Dance, premiering in theaters on Friday, October 25. To make the film’s launch more exciting, Fandango offers audiences the “We Are Venom” bundle to kick the moviegoing experience up a notch for $99.80. The exclusive package includes two tickets to Venom: The Last Dance, an exclusive Venom Collector’s Cup, the Complete Venom Trilogy on Digital, and an exclusive poster.
Channel your inner saboteur and grab the “We Are Venom” package for your friends AND foes here!
“In Venom: The Last Dance, Tom Hardy returns as Venom, one of Marvel’s greatest and most complex characters, for the final film in the trilogy. Eddie and Venom are on the run. Hunted by both of their worlds and with the net closing in, the duo are forced into a devastating decision that will bring the curtains down on Venom and Eddie’s last dance.”
Hardy is reprising the role of Eddie Brock and Venom for the sequel. Juno Temple (Ted Lasso), Clark Backo (Letterkenny), and Chiwetel Ejiofor (Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness) also star as primary cast members. Official details on the new characters remain a mystery. Still, Ejiofor is not playing his Doctor Strange character, Baron Mordo, since the Venom movies are in a different universe than the Marvel Cinematic Universe films. The upcoming finale also features Knull, the King in Black, a villain created by Donny Cates and Ryan Stegman.
What do you think about Fandango’s “We Are Venom” package for Venom: The Last Dance? If you could find a friend to go to the movies with, it’s not a bad deal. Let us know if you plan to see Venom’s last dance in the comments below.
The post The runtime for Venom: The Last Dance gets revealed as advanced tickets and special offers go on sale appeared first on JoBlo.