
"The Penguin" and "The White Lotus" push HBO to Emmy nominations record
Why it matters: It's the most Emmy nominations for HBO in a single year, thanks to a slew of big hits over the past year, including "The White Lotus," "The Last of Us" and "The Penguin."

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Boston Globe
a few seconds ago
- Boston Globe
Sterling K. Brown in ‘Washington Black,' LL Cool J hosts a docuseries, and the return of ‘Happy Gilmore'
Advertisement From left: Brittany Snow and Malin Akerman in "The Hunting Wives." Kent Smith 'The Hunting Wives,' Monday on Netflix: The wave of female-driven psychological thrillers a la ' 'Hip Hop Was Born Here,' Tuesday on Paramount+: 'NCIS: Los Angeles' cast member, rapper, and Grammy-winner LL Cool J hosts the original five-part docuseries about hip-hop's history, its music, and culture. The New Yorker, born James Todd Smith, sets the genre's birthplace squarely in New York City. After joining Def Jam Records, he got his bona fides by creating 10 consecutive platinum-selling albums. Interviewing legends Method Man, Big Daddy Kane, Remy Ma, and Jadakiss, among many others, the host uses an anecdotal approach to access the roots of the multi-generational movement. Advertisement 'Match Game,' Tuesday on ABC at 9 p.m. then streaming on Hulu: The game show reboot and resurgence continues with can't-stop-won't-stop 'Only Murders in the Building' star Martin Short as host. Not much has changed except that the purse is larger, and the boundaries of acceptable TV speech have been expanded. 'Match Game,' which first aired in 1962 with Gene Rayburn as host and Johnny Olson as announcer, premiered in black and white. Short will lead a gaudier weekly version. At stake is $25,000 as four contestants battle to 'match' the answers of six celebrities with fill-in-the-blank questions straight off a naughty SAT cheat sheet. 'Hurricane Katrina: Race Against Time,' Friday on National Geographic: With raging storms and flash floods in Texas, North Carolina, and New Jersey, the lessons of Louisiana's 2005 Hurricane Katrina still resonate. Armed with two decades of hindsight, the docuseries, directed by Oscar nominee Traci A. Curry, delivers a play-by-play of that catastrophic event, debunking myths, examining political and social repercussions, and offering insights to fuel future preparedness. Advertisement Thelma Adams is a cultural critic and the author of the best-selling historical novel 'The Last Woman Standing,' about Josephine Marcus, the Jewish wife of Wyatt Earp.


San Francisco Chronicle
an hour ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
‘Heavy stuff': Gavin Newsom discusses Menendez brothers case ahead of parole hearing
Before the hit Netflix drama on the Menendez brothers case aired, showrunner Ryan Murphy warned Gov. Gavin Newsom over lunch that the series would likely create a stir. Newsom and Murphy discussed the lunch — and the controversial case — on the latest episode of the governor's podcast, 'This is Gavin Newsom.' 'You start talking to me about this and you all but said, 'I'm sorry,'' Newsom recalled on the 45-minute episode. He added, with a chuckle: 'I didn't fully appreciate how right you were to be sorry.' 'Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story,' which premiered last September, put a spotlight yet again on the case of the two brothers, who were convicted of first-degree murder in 1996 and sentenced to life in prison for the 1989 shotgun deaths of their parents in the family's Beverly Hills mansion. In May, a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge resentenced them to 50 years to life, making them eligible for parole. Their parole hearing is set for Aug. 21 and 22. If the parole board recommends their release, Newsom will make the final decision on whether to grant them parole. 'That's heavy stuff,' Murphy said on the podcast episode. 'Heavy stuff,' Newsom replied. The governor said he has been tempted repeatedly to watch the series, but he has purposely avoided it because the matter could soon land on his desk. 'I don't want to be persuaded by something that's not in the files,' Newsom said. Murphy recalled that during the writing of the show, and even when he and Newsom had lunch, he was not convinced that the brothers deserved freedom, but his outlook evolved, he said, particularly after conversations with Kim Kardashian, a collaborator of Murphy's who watched the show before it was released. 'She was really obsessed with it and then went to visit them,' Murphy said. The reality TV star, who completed her law studies in May, told Murphy she believed they deserved parole, stressing that both brothers were under the age of 25 at the time of the brutal killings. Studies show the prefrontal cortex, responsible for functions like planning, decision-making and impulse control, doesn't fully develop for men until their mid- to late 20s. Murphy also cited the brothers' family support and positive behavior in prison. 'I guess it just begs the question: If not now, when?' Murphy asked. 'What benefit to society do we have by keeping them there if they can come out of prison and actually serve some good? I think that's a powerful thing.' Newsom countered with the argument he said he's heard from others: 'What good can come from sending a message that you can kill both of your parents and be released?' At the same time, Newsom said, other inmates have been granted parole for similar or worse crimes and spent less time in prison. He noted that psychiatric evaluations and risk assessments are meant to determine suitability for parole based on what he called 'well-established' criteria, such as inmates' behavior in prison. Newsom also discussed parole decisions he's made in the cases against convicted killers who were followers of cult leader Charles Manson, including Leslie Van Houten, who was released from prison on parole in 2023. Newsom had rejected her parole recommendation but was overruled by a state appeals court. 'The last rejection was overturned by the court that felt we were abusing our discretion in our parole office and they're tough,' Newsom said. 'It's a very slippery slope,' Murphy said, 'and it's a really hard road and I feel for you.' He suggested Newsom watch the show over Labor Day weekend. 'I'm going to see if I made the right decision.' Newsom replied.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Netflix's new psychological thriller movie is a twist-filled pressure cooker with an ending you won't see coming
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. How much you'll get out of Netflix's new Korean thriller 'Wall to Wall' depends on your tolerance for slow-burning tension in the most mundane of settings. The movie follows an office worker who finally buys his dream apartment, only to discover that the real nightmare isn't outside but within the building itself. Strange, persistent noises from neighbors above and below begin to chip away at his sanity. If the idea of neighborly torment and creeping psychological dread in close quarters sounds like your kind of thriller, 'Wall to Wall' might just hook you in. It's actually refreshing to watch a thriller that doesn't rely on the supernatural. Instead, it leans into the claustrophobia of urban living. Thin walls, cramped spaces, and suffocating silence all become weapons in a slow-burning psychological war. The movie's real strength lies in turning all-too-familiar frustrations, like noisy neighbors, financial strain, and apartment life stress, into a gripping exploration of mental unraveling and social isolation. Now that 'Wall to Wall' is streaming on Netflix, here's everything to know about this slow-burn thriller and why it stands out in the increasingly crowded world of psychological suspense. What is 'Wall to Wall' about? 'Wall to Wall' follows Woo-sung (Kang Ha-neul), a diligent office worker who finally achieves his dream of buying a modest apartment in a bustling South Korean city. To afford it, he drains his savings, takes on loans, and even sells his family's garlic farm. But the joy of homeownership quickly fades as Woo-sung becomes tormented by mysterious, incessant noises from his neighbors above and below. Desperate to find peace, Woo-sung allies with his upstairs neighbor Jin-ho (Seo Hyun-woo), while the building's apartment representative, Eun-hwa (Yeom Hye-ran), tries to keep the fragile community calm. As the noise worsens, the relationships between neighbors unravel, revealing hidden fears and suspicions. 'Wall to Wall' is more than just the annoyance of noisy neighbors You wouldn't be wrong in assuming that 'Wall to Wall' is all about the experience of living with disrespectful neighbors, based on the premise alone. Even though the central idea is about a man being tormented by loud noises every night, this thriller aims to shed light on real-world issues in South Korea, particularly around housing and mental health. At its core is the claustrophobia of cramped apartment living, a reality for much of the country's population, where 84-square-meter units are the norm and housing costs continue to soar. Hence why the movie is actually called '84 Square Meters' in its native country. Woo-sung is desperate enough to use all of his savings, and even sell his mother's farm to get an apartment. 'Wall to Wall' zeroes in on the mental toll of inter-floor noise, a surprisingly common source of tension in Korean apartment blocks. As Woo-sung's dream of homeownership begins to fall apart, the story also shows the crushing financial pressures tied to property ownership and the illusion of upward mobility. Of course, this type of psychological warfare wouldn't be nearly as effective without Ha-neul's incredible performance. Known for playing Kang Dae-ho in 'Squid Game,' I already expected him to bring a commanding presence to this thriller, and he absolutely delivers. In every scene, you can see his frustration building without the need for much dialogue. Director Kim Tae-joon also knows exactly how to portray that kind of psychological torment. Most of the movie is set in darkness, since Woo-sung refuses to turn on the lights to save on electricity. The same goes for water as dishes pile up, empty bottles clutter the floor, and he even reuses the same bathwater for days. He's constantly sweating and sleeping on the hard floor, with all of it tied to his financial struggles. The first half of 'Wall to Wall' is especially effective at building tension. I found myself genuinely frustrated on Woo-sung's behalf once the noise started and neighbors began randomly blaming him. It's a tense, well-executed setup, and one that kept me watching, if only to figure out what was really going on inside that apartment complex. Unfortunately, the second half of the movie has less impact. There are plenty of twists thrown in to keep things engaging, and they're definitely compelling, but this claustrophobic thriller strays a bit too far from what makes it … well, claustrophobic. Director Tae-joon shifts into action territory, and while those scenes add intensity, they feel somewhat out of place. It's understandable why the movie leans into action in the third act (since many viewers may prefer that over the slow-burn unraveling of Woo-sung's mental state), but I actually found that quieter tension far more effective. I would've preferred the movie to stay focused on Woo-sung's spiraling paranoia and the way the noises became increasingly unbearable. That said, the ending is undeniably wild, and I'm sure many viewers will be surprised by how things unfold. I just wish it had a more satisfying conclusion and stuck to one genre. As it stands, it falls into the same trap as many modern thrillers: doing too much with a concept that was already strong on its own. You can stream 'Wall to Wall' on Netflix now You can stream 'Wall to Wall' on Netflix now, and it's well worth checking out if you're after something that has plenty of tension and a uniquely grounded sense of unease. It's not a perfect psychological thriller, but it adds a fresh layer by focusing on a fear that feels incredibly real, including what happens when your home no longer feels safe. The performances, especially from Ha-neul, carry much of the emotional weight, and the movie's cinematography does a great job making the apartment space feel both intimate and threatening. While the final act may not stick the landing for everyone, the journey there is gripping enough to make it a compelling watch. For those who appreciate slow-building psychological tension with a socially conscious edge, 'Wall to Wall' might just burrow under your skin in all the right ways. Stream "Wall to Wall" on Netflix. More from Tom's Guide 7 new Netflix shows and movies I'd stream this week Creators say 'Wednesday' season 2 will bring real stakes and fear Netflix just got Prime Video's most overlooked crime drama