Latest news with #J.J.Abrams'
Los Angeles Times
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Orbital slides, space shuttle at Exposition Park are almost ready for a big reveal
Along with the stars on Hollywood Boulevard and the Universal Studios theme park, a new celestial attraction is set to debut in Los Angeles. The Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center at Exposition Park is expected to complete construction this year, according to its architects, only three years after the first shovels broke ground. That would make the center ready in time for when Los Angeles hosts visitors from around the world to see the 2026 World Cup, the 2027 Super Bowl and the 2028 Olympics. One of the aspects that makes this place special is its showcase, the Space Shuttle Endeavour. The spacecraft stands in a stack position, meaning it's standing — complete with boosters and a rare fuel tank — as if it were ready to launch. It's the only shuttle in the nation to feature such a feat. Jeffrey N. Rudolph, president and chief executive of the California Science Center, and Ted Hyman, partner at architectural firm ZGF, which designed the air and space center, recently shared updates with The Times, including news of an exclusive partnership with director/producer J.J. Abrams' production company Bad Robot. That silver cylindrical colossus that is easily seen from the freeway houses the stacked space shuttle. The Endeavour was meticulously placed there in January 2024 as much of the museum was built around it. As for the 20-story diagrid, or shuttle housing building, the museum's construction crew is about 80% finished wrapping a stainless-steel skin exterior around the shuttle, according to an estimate from Mark Piaia, a ZGF project architect. The shiny view comes courtesy of 4,247 panels and 1,074 diagonal strips that would stand 7,862 feet tall if lined up. Rudolph said building construction is expected to be completed this year. He would not provide an official opening day but noted that artifact and exhibit installations would still need to be completed. The museum is expected to house about 20 planes and jets, including a Boeing 747. There are also plans for a 45-foot slide that imitates the feeling of entering the atmosphere with a radiating orange glow, two sonic booms and the 'S' turns a shuttle would make upon reentry. Rudolph was excited about what he's calling 'the reveal.' He exclusively told The Times that a pair of introductory films are being produced by directing/producing titan J.J. Abrams' Bad Robot. That's the same production company responsible for some of the latest 'Star Wars' and 'Mission:Impossible' movies. The first film will greet visitors as they walk into the museum and will focus on the entire air and space exhibits. The second will screen at a mini theater at the entrance to the space shuttle exhibit. It is a five-minute film that focuses on the history and inspiration behind the space shuttle. The film ends with a simulated launch, during which steam rises from the floor and through hallway doors and fills the theater. As the steam impairs a guest's vision, the screen is removed and visitors get a surprise: a full, 'envelope' view of the stacked 20-story space shuttle. 'It is an amazing experience and we want to really build it up,' Rudolph said. 'It's not just about the hardware, but about the people and the educational aspects.' The delicate nature of the shuttle makes that impossible. 'There's no way,' Rudolph said. 'The hatch is very small and it's very fragile.' There is, however, a mock-up of the flight deck — an area designed to carry cargo — that visitors can toy with to get a feel that only shuttle astronauts once got. We'll continue to follow the progress of the air and space museum as we head toward opening day. Have a great weekend, from the Essential California team Jim Rainey, staff writerDiamy Wang, homepage internIzzy Nunes, audience internKevinisha Walker, multiplatform editorAndrew J. Campa, reporterKarim Doumar, head of newsletters How can we make this newsletter more useful? Send comments to essentialcalifornia@ Check our top stories, topics and the latest articles on
Tom's Guide
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
HBO Max just canceled this J.J. Abrams crime thriller after one season — despite 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes
It turns out not even good reviews can save a doomed show. Earlier this year, HBO Max finally released the debut season of J.J. Abrams' crime thriller "Duster" after five years of development and production. But less than a week after last week's season 1 finale, the streaming service has already canceled the show (h/t Deadline). For those who might have missed it, "Duster" starred Rachel Hilson as Nina Hayes, the FBI's first Black woman agent. She teamed up with Jim (Josh Holloway), a talented getaway driver, to take down a crime syndicate boss named Ezra Saxton (Keith David). The premise was promising, and there was plenty of talent there to make it work. It's not like the show totally missed the mark either. On Rotten Tomatoes, season 1 scored a 92% "fresh" rating from critics and a still respectable 83% from audiences. We even praised the show, with our streaming managing editor Kelly Woo calling it "just the entertaining, action-packed ride I need right now." But none of this was enough to save the show from cancellation. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. HBO Max did not give any specific reasoning behind the cancellation: 'While HBO Max will not be moving forward with a second season of Duster," the company told Deadline in a statement, "we are so grateful to have had the chance to work with the amazingly talented co-creators J.J. Abrams and LaToya Morgan, and our partners at Bad Robot and Warner Bros. Television." Low viewership could be a culprit; it's never cracked the Nielsen Streaming TV Top 10 for original series. Or, with HBO Max moving away from the Max brand, maybe HBO saw the chance to get rid of another Max original, which, as a brand, has largely fallen flat aside from "The Pitt" and "Hacks." It's possible the show was always doomed from the start, having to survive COVID-19 and multiple strikes. Regardless, "Duster" is officially dusted. Malcolm has been with Tom's Guide since 2022, and has been covering the latest in streaming shows and movies since 2023. He's not one to shy away from a hot take, including that "John Wick" is one of the four greatest films ever made. Here's what he's been watching lately:
Tom's Guide
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
7 top new TV shows to stream this week on Netflix, Apple TV Plus and more (May 12-18)
The TV gods are showing off this week, and honestly? We're not mad about it. This week's TV lineup is stacked, with new shows premiering on Netflix, Prime Video and other streaming services, as well as broadcast and cable TV. Several highly anticipated new shows make their debuts: "Murderbot" introduces a sardonic android who'd rather be left alone but keeps saving humans anyway, while J.J. Abrams' "Duster" rolls onto the scene with 1970s grit, car chases and questionable decisions. In the reality TV realm, "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" and "Welcome to Wrexham" unveil new seasons filled with drama, intrigue and conflict. Who would've thought MomTok and English football had so much in common? And after two tension-filled seasons, "Andor" drops its series finale, so prepare for breathtaking action and intense emotional moments as the story leads up to "Rogue One." Here are our top picks for new TV shows to watch this week. Tom Segura unleashes his most unhinged ideas in a dark comedy that's part 'Black Mirror,' part 'Chappelle's Show' and totally twisted. From conjoined twins and penis pills to deranged gym bros and baffled Peruvian moms, this sketch-comedy series turns intrusive thoughts into disturbingly funny cinematic tales. Segura co-wrote, co-directed, and stars in the series, which features a powerhouse cast (Shea Whigham, Dan Stevens, 'Sopranos' alum Rob Iler). 'Bad Thoughts' is comprised of genre-hopping, jaw-dropping shorts with A-list visuals and zero chill. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. All 6 episodes premiere Tuesday, May 13 at 3 a.m. ET on Netflix The best 'Star Wars' show comes to an end with a bang. Cassian's (Diego Luna) transformation from a small-time hustler to a key part of the Rebellion is complete, setting the stage for the events of 'Rogue One.' The stakes are massive, the action is relentless and the emotional punches land hard. 'Andor' isn't your typical Star Wars — it's raw, intense and incredibly timely for the current political climate. The final three episodes tie it all together in what's sure to be a galactically epic conclusion. Episodes 10-12 premiere Tuesday, May 13 at 9 p.m. ET on Disney Plus Secrets. Swings. Cease-and-desists.'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' is back for a second season of even more #MomTok mayhem. Old scandals resurface, friendships begin to crack and a surprise return from an OG swinger turns up the drama to 11. Taylor, Demi, Jen and the gang are juggling babies, betrayals, and TikTok fame, all while trying to keep their group from totally imploding. Newcomer Miranda storms in to 'set the record straight,' but not everyone's buying it. Can the sisterhood survive the chaos, or is it every mom for herself? All 10 episodes premiere Thursday, May 15 at 12 a.m. ET on Hulu The animated anthology returns for a fourth volume that's as wonderfully weird and wild as ever. Expect dino gladiators, messianic cats, and string-puppet rock gods leading the charge. Tim Miller and David Fincher present 10 more shorts that fuse horror, sci-fi, fantasy and pitch-black humor into a chaotic cocktail of jaw-dropping visuals from some of the most talented animators on the planet. Each episode is its own little fever dream — one moment you'll laugh at burnout appliances, the next you'll be questioning reality. All 10 episodes premiere Thursday, May 15 at 3 a.m. ET on Netflix Co-creators by J.J. Abrams and LaToya Morgan unveil this crime thriller set on the dusty backroads of the 1970s Southwest. Abrams reunites with 'Lost' alum Josh Holloway, who stars as a getaway driver caught between a ruthless crime boss (Keith David) and a sharp young FBI agent (Rachel Hilson) who wants to burn it all down. Into that fraught situation, 'Duster' throws in muscle cars, bad decisions and mismatched allies. Think 'Bullitt' meets 'The Godfather' with a splash of 'Butch Cassidy.' It's about two people from opposite worlds forced to work together, whether they like it or not. (Narrator: They don't.) Episode 1 premieres Thursday, May 15 at 9 p.m. ET on Max Things are heating up in Wrexham as Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds take their Hollywood-meets-footy adventure to the next level. Season 4 finds the club in EFL League One for the first time in two decades and the pressure's on to see if they can win promotion yet again, this time to the Championship League. The wins are bigger, the rivals sharper (looking at you, Tom Brady) and the price tag? A punch in the gut. With Humphrey Ker making bold moves and a Ukrainian family building a new life in town, this season's got the usual grit, heart and heaps of charm. Episodes 1-2 premiere Thursday, May 15 at 9 p.m. ET on FX (via Sling or Fubo) and next day on Hulu Murderbot isn't here to make friends. It's a security robot that's hacked its own system, hates feelings and just wants to binge its favorite space soap in peace. But instead, it's stuck babysitting a crew of idealistic scientists while pretending it's still under corporate control. Alexander Skarsgård brings deadpan brilliance (and serious robot suit patience) to this series based on Martha Wells' cult-favorite books. It's 'The Office' meets 'Blade Runner' — if the office was in space and the intern was a sarcastic killing machine with a heart (it swears it doesn't have). Episodes 1-2 premiere Friday, May 16 at 12 a.m. ET on Apple TV Plus
