“Gladiator II” takes place 16 years after the first film. It follows Lucius, the son of Lucilla, played by Connie Nielsen, and Maximus, played by Russell Crowe. Lucius is played by Academy Award nominee Paul Mescal. Estranged from his family for over a decade, Lucius coincidentally ends up reconnecting with his mother after his home is attacked by the Roman Army. He is taken by the army to become a slave-turned-gladiator like his father, and quickly rises to greatness, also following in his father’s footsteps. The film is packed with well-done action sequences, effective gore and a compelling story as Lucius fights to restore the Roman Republic – a dream his father wished to carry out. 

What do “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” and “Twisters” have in common? Both are big box office hits that are successful because they capitalize on decades of nostalgia and invite audiences back into the comforting embrace of the pop culture properties of yesteryear.     

“Joker: Folie à Deux” was painfully disappointing. Unfortunately for the sequel, the first movie was phenomenal, setting incredibly high expectations that “Joker: Folie à Deux” fails to meet. The title translates to “madness for two,” implying double the chaos – something this film seriously lacks.

In recent years, only a few science fiction films come to mind that are both as exhilarating and as much of a masterclass of creativity and perfection as “Dune: Part Two.” Returning to direct, write and produce, Denis Villeneuve once again amazes audiences with breathtaking visuals, gorgeous cinematography, unique sound design, wonderful production design and amazing worldbuilding.