Latest news with #Chapter1
Digital Trends
25-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Digital Trends
Kevin Costner's ambitious Western is underrated — watch it now on HBO Max (July 25-27)
Several of Warner Bros.' biggest releases of 2025 are streaming on HBO Max. A Minecraft Movie, the third-highest-grossing movie of 2025, and Sinners, Ryan Coogler's critically acclaimed vampiric horror, are occupying the first two spots in the top 10. Beyond the top 10, there are a plethora of underrated movies worthy of your time. Kevin Costner's Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 is much better than the mixed reviews it received at the time of its release. This weekend, give Horizon and these two underrated movies a shot. Recommended Videos We also have guides to the best new movies to stream, the best movies on Netflix, the best movies on Hulu, the best movies on Amazon Prime Video, the best movies on HBO Max, and the best movies on Disney+. Music Box: Yacht Rock: A Documentary (2024) Christopher Cross. Michael McDonald, Kenny Loggins. Steely Dan. Toto. These five musicians and bands helped pioneer a genre of music that became known as yacht rock. Developed in the late '70s and early '80s, yacht rock is a West Coast sound that infused soulful vocals with easy-listening lyrics. Yacht rock is a combination of soft pop, jazz, R&B, and funk. Yacht rock's popularity exploded in the mid-1980s, but by the end of the decade, it began to lose its stranglehold on pop culture. That's when an unlikely ally — hip hop artists — began sampling yacht rock beats in their songs, which led to a resurgence in the genre. Yacht Rock: A Documentary is an informative exploration into a genre that deserves much more credit for its significant impact on the music industry. Stream Music Box: Yacht Rock: A Documentary on HBO Max. Blue Beetle (2023) Blue Beetle was one of DC's casualties in 2023. James Gunn and Peter Safran, the new heads of DC Studios, clearly wanted the 2023 slate — Shazam 2, The Flash, Blue Beetle, and Aquaman 2 — to disappear and make way for the new DC Universe. That being said, Blue Beetle displayed the most potential, which is probably why an animated series was greenlit. Cobra Kai's Xolo Maridueña as Jamie Reyes, a recent college graduate who becomes the Blue Beetle after fusing with the Scarab. The Scarab encases Jamie in an armored exoskeleton with superpowers, including flight, strength, and agility. Despite his initial hesitation, Jamie comes to accept his newfound abilities and embraces his new calling. On its surface, Blue Beetle is a superhero adventure, but the movie works best as a grounded family drama thanks to its terrific cast. Stream Blue Beetle on HBO Max. Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 (2024) Kevin Costner has become the butt of a lot of jokes for Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1. Costner personally funded $38 million of the $100 million budget shared by the first two films. His ambition may have gotten the better of him, considering Chapter 1 flopped at the box office, and Warner Bros. removed Chapter 2 from its release calendar. All that being said, I'm glad Horizon exists because there are moments in this film — including the Apache raid and Hayes' confrontation with Caleb — that are pure cinematic magic. A Western about life on the American frontier is in Costner's wheelhouse. Mr. Costner, please sell the rights to Netflix to release the next three chapters. Stream Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 on HBO Max.
Perth Now
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Alex Warren finds it's 'weird' getting to duet with idols like Ed Sheeran and Lana Del Rey
Alex Warren found it "a little f****** strange" duetting with his idols Ed Sheeran and Lana Del Rey. In April, the Ordinary hitmaker got to perform his mega-hit backstage with Lana at Stagecoach 2025, while he and Sheeran duetted on the earworm at Ed's pop-up venue, The Old Phone Pub, at Coachella. He told Rolling Stone of the surreal duets: 'I was like, there's no f****** way I'm singing Ordinary with Lana Del Rey a week after singing it with Ed Sheeran. 'I think it's just weird, like these people know who I am, which is a little f****** strange, considering growing up these were people who helped me out a lot." Warren credits Jelly Roll - who features on his song Bloodline - for turning people on to his music. The musician said: "He introduced me at the time and goes, 'This is Alex. He has the biggest song in the world.' And at the time, it wasn't the biggest song in the world. I think he put that into the air.' February's Ordinary spent 11 consecutive weeks at No.1 on the UK chart, marking the longest running No.1 in the UK by a US male solo act in more than 70 years and the joint longest running No.1 of the 2020s, tied with Ed Sheeran's Bad Habits. Warren's album You'll Be Alright, Kid is released on July 18. The collection features all of the tracks from the 24-year-old star's debut LP You'll Be Alright, Kid (Chapter 1) alongside newbies such as smash hit Ordinary and Bloodline with Jelly Roll. You'll Be Alright, Kid (Chapter 1) focused on "dealing with grief", while You'll Be Alright, Kid "turns the page with healing, resilience and optimism."
Tom's Guide
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
Netflix is losing a Western epic perfect for 'Yellowstone' fans — stream this movie now
Kevin Costner's 'Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1' is officially leaving Netflix U.S. on Tuesday, July 15, so if it's still sitting in your watchlist, now's the time to hit play. The three-hour Western epic got off to a rocky start in theaters, bringing in just over $38 million at the box office, roughly the same amount Kevin Costner personally invested into the first two chapters (which were filmed back to back). Considering the project reportedly cost around $100 million, it's safe to say things didn't go quite as planned. The lukewarm reception was enough to derail the theatrical release of Chapter 2, which was pulled from its original August 2024 slot. Though it premiered at film festivals, it never made it to theaters and still doesn't have a confirmed release date. It's a far cry from Costner's original vision: a sprawling four-part saga meant to redefine the modern Western. But despite the bumpy road, the first movie found new life on Netflix back in January. After being added to the platform, the movie quickly climbed the streaming charts, proving that there's still interest especially among 'Yellowstone' fans curious to see what Costner has poured his heart (and wallet) into. After briefly finding a second wind on Netflix, it's probably already slipped back into the shadows again. But if you're in the mood for an old-school Western with big ambitions (and a long runtime), 'Horizon: An American Saga' might be the perfect pick before it leaves Netflix. 'Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1' unfolds across the untamed western frontier during the Civil War era, weaving together the lives of settlers, soldiers, and Indigenous people whose paths converge in unexpected ways. Frances Kittredge (Sienna Miller) is a mother forced to flee her home with her children after a devastating attack, seeking refuge and a new beginning in an uncertain land. Meanwhile, Hayes Ellison (Kevin Costner), a rugged frontiersman with a complicated past, navigates dangerous territory as shifting power dynamics threaten the balance between settlers and Native tribes. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Marigold (Jena Malone), a fierce and independent woman, must fight for survival after a violent ambush leaves her stranded. At a nearby military outpost, First Lt. Trent Gephardt (Sam Worthington) tries to maintain control amid growing unrest, while Matthew Van Weyden (Luke Wilson), a community leader, attempts to guide a wagon train of families westward in search of promise and safety. Elsewhere, young Lusk (Owen Crow Shoe) finds himself caught between cultures, questioning his place in a world on the brink of transformation. As these characters forge ahead across treacherous landscapes, their stories begin to intersect. If you're someone who enjoys big, sprawling Westerns with a classic feel, and you don't mind settling in for a long runtime of three hours, 'Horizon: An American Saga' can be an interesting watch. You could even split it into two sessions to make the length more manageable. Breaking it up like that helps you stay absorbed in the story without feeling bored or distracted by the long runtime all at once. Costner's involvement both in front of and behind the camera shows in the movie's authentic sense of place and earnestness. There's a clear passion for the genre and the story he wants to tell. That said, it's definitely a slow burn. But it's important to note that the pacing is deliberate, and the movie leans heavily into atmosphere and character over quick thrills or tight plotting. If you want a fast-paced, action-packed Western, this probably isn't the one. Plus, since it's just the first chapter of a 'planned four-part saga' and the future of the sequels is uncertain, you might be left hanging. 'Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1' currently has 51% on Rotten Tomatoes, with audiences rating it higher at 70%. The site's critics consensus reads: 'Kevin Costner doesn't lack ambition as he sketches this frontier saga across the widest of canvases, but Horizon's first chapter proves too diffuse in scope for it to satisfy as a self-contained endeavor.' Chapter 1 is more of an experience than a traditional, tightly wrapped story. If you're okay with it feeling unfinished, its grand scale and sweeping visuals are sure to wow you. 'Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2' holds a 54% rating on Rotten Tomatoes following its premiere at the 81st Venice International Film Festival. While not a significantly stronger score than the first chapter, much of the criticism centers on its episodic structure and lengthy runtime of 3 hours (again). If it does eventually get a wider release, at least you'll already be familiar with the story by having seen the first installment. Aaron Neuwirth from We Live Entertainment said: 'This second chapter improves upon what has come before it and holds onto my excitement for what's next with this series.' Despite some positive reviews, the future of this franchise doesn't look very promising given the poor box office performance and the shelving of Chapter 2's theatrical release. Still, as mentioned before, 'Horizon' is more about the experience (the sprawling visuals and immersive storytelling) than a guaranteed long-running saga. For fans of Costner, Westerns, or epic historical dramas, it's a chance to watch something ambitious and heartfelt before it leaves Netflix. Remember, you have until July 15 to watch 'Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1' before it leaves the streamer.
Perth Now
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Alex Warren taps BLACKPINK star ROSÉ for On My Mind
Alex Warren and ROSÉ have released their surprise collaboration, On My Mind. The Ordinary hitmaker had been teasing fans about teaming up with the BLACKPINK star on his social media accounts and the pair have now delivered a swoon-worthy love ballad. The track is a new addition to Warren's album You'll Be Alright, Kid. Set for release on July 18, the collection features all of the tracks from the 24-year-old star's debut LP You'll Be Alright, Kid (Chapter 1) alongside newbies such as smash hit Ordinary and Bloodline with Jelly Roll. You'll Be Alright, Kid (Chapter 1) focused on "dealing with grief", while You'll Be Alright, Kid "turns the page with healing, resilience and optimism." February's Ordinary spent 11 consecutive weeks at No.1 on the UK chart, marking the longest running No.1 in the UK by a US male solo act in more than 70 years and the joint longest running No.1 of the 2020s, tied with Ed Sheeran's Bad Habits. On the viral success of the TikTok hit, Warren told Variety: 'I am so forever grateful for all the support and will never stop saying thank you. 'I wouldn't have any of this if it weren't for my fans, so I am so appreciative.' Recounting how quickly Ordinary came to fruition, he shared: 'We wrote 'Ordinary' in December last year, started teasing it in January, and released it in February. 'In the music industry, that's a crazy fast turnaround, but we did that because we knew immediately how good it was. I've never had a song so quickly 'click' and I just had to put it out as soon as possible.'
UPI
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- UPI
Watch: Small town terror continues in 'The Strangers: Chapter 2'
1 of 3 | Madelaine Petsch attends the premiere of the horror film "The Strangers: Chapter 1" in 2024. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo June 24 (UPI) -- Lionsgate has released a trailer for horror sequel The Strangers: Chapter 2, which picks up right where Chapter 1 left off. The trailer, released Tuesday, finds Maya (Madelaine Petsch) continuing to be terrorized by the trio of masked assailants in a small town where she and her boyfriend, Ryan (Froy Gutierrez), became stranded. The sequel finds Maya fleeing from the attackers while trying to unravel the mystery of their identities. Director Renny Harlin returns to helm the second film in the trilogy. All three movies were filmed back-to-back. Petsch previously said the sequels would delve deeper into the identities and motivations of the titular villains. "Some questions will be answered, of course, to get inside the machinations of 'the strangers,'" she told UPI in May 2024. "But we are not going to lose the innate terror that is so visceral within the original. We are aware of it." The Strangers: Chapter 2 releases in theaters Sept. 26. The film series starring Petsch is a remake of the 2008 movie starring Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman.
