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The Roses Review: Hilarious, Charming, & Tons Of Fun

Movies

Tessa Smith

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August 25, 2025

The Roses Review: Hilarious, Charming, & Tons Of Fun

The Roses perfectly delivers a blend of laugh-out-loud humor and sweet, heartwarming moments in a way everyone can relate to.

The Roses movie review — Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch in THE ROSES. Photo by Jaap Buitendijk, Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures. © 2025 Searchlight Pictures All Rights Reserved.

The Roses is one of those movies that you should go to with a group of friends and just have a good time. It is off-the-wall ridiculous at times, which makes it laugh-out-loud funny. There are also heartwarming and, yes, some purposefully cringy moments. It sometimes feels as if you are watching something you really shouldn’t be, peeping in on private moments that are meant to be just that, private.

The Roses Synopsis: Life seems easy for picture-perfect couple Ivy (Olivia Colman) and Theo (Benedict Cumberbatch): successful careers, a loving marriage, great kids. But beneath the façade of their supposed ideal life, a storm is brewing — as Theo’s career nosedives while Ivy’s own ambitions take off, a tinderbox of fierce competition and hidden resentment ignites. The Roses is a reimagining of the 1989 classic film The War of the Roses, based on the novel by Warren Adler.

The Roses Boasts Stellar Performances By The Entire Cast

While Ivy and Theo are at the center of The Roses, it wouldn’t work nearly as it does without the incredible performances by the supporting cast. Andy Samberg and Kate McKinnon portray close friends of the Roses. Their lives aren’t perfect either, which allows them to see the underlying issues that the Roses have. Some of the funniest moments come from their interactions.

McKinnon, as always, knows how to lean into uncomfortable comedy. She constantly puts Theo in situations that he does not want to be in, and does so with a straight face, making it that much more hilarious. While Samberg plays more of the straight man than we might be used to, his character is one of the standouts – especially during the scene at the shooting range.

Ncuti Gatwa and Sunita Mani, who play employees of Ivy’s, are the icing on the cake, constantly giving viewers comedic moments they will not forget, but at the same time bringing in the heart, especially when they tell Ivy the things she needs to hear. Jamie Demetriou and Zoe Chao have their moments to shine as well. Trust me, you will not forget the conversations had around the table at THAT dinner.

Benedict Cumberbatch & Olivia Colman Have Phenomenal Chemistry

Even with a great supporting cast, a movie can fail if it lacks believability and chemistry between the lead actors. I have to admit, going into The Roses I was unsure how it was going to be between Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman. Don’t get me wrong, I think both of them are phenomenal actors, but I just could not picture the chemistry between them. Boy, was I wrong.

These two serve up chemistry like I have never seen before. When they are supposed to be in love, things are hot and heavy, but when they are angry with one another, the tension could be cut with a knife. I left the theater wanting to see so much more of them working together. They left no crumbs, as the kids say.

Overall Thoughts on The Roses

The Roses is a dark comedy. It is unafraid to go there. But that is what makes it so relatable. We have all had moments of self-doubt and also moments where we honestly feel great about our accomplishments. As a working mother, some moments hit me right in the gut, nearly bringing me to tears, but I was always pulled out of it thanks to some ridiculous, bonkers, off-the-wall comment or comedic moment.

Some viewers will be annoyed with the ending, but (without spoilers) I felt it to be perfect for the story being told. The Roses comes to theaters on August 29th, and if you like fun mixed with a littel crazy, you do not want to miss out.

NEXT: Nobody 2 Director Timo Tjahjanto Talks Bob Odenkirk & The Future Of The Franchise

Upload Cast Shares Their Reactions To The Final Season (SPOILERS)

Tessa Smith

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August 25, 2025

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Upload Cast Shares Their Reactions To The Final Season (SPOILERS)

Robbie Amell, Andy Allo, Kevin Bigley, and Allegra Edwards share their emotional reactions to reading the final scripts for Upload.

Upload Season 4 Review: Brilliant, Touching, & Satisfying

Mama’s Geeky had the honor of attending San Diego Comic-Con 2025 where we participated in a roundtable interview with the cast of Upload for the fourth and final season. Series stars Robbie Amell (Nathan), Andy Allo (Nora), Kevin Bigley (Luke), and Allegra Edwards (Ingrid) were all on hand to discuss the show’s final four episodes.

We spoke with the cast about the series finale, their characters’ emotional journeys, and the hilarious-but-horrific “hug suit.” They also discussed their favorite memories from the past four seasons. For a deeper dive into everything, be sure to watch the full video interview for more details!

Upload Cast On Their Reactions to Reading the Final Scripts

Robbie Amell: “The table read was fun because you get to get a little bit of the emotion out there. And you know when Luke sacrifices himself, you’re already getting choked up. And then the goodbye scene with Nathan and Nora… It was one of those scenes where instead of having to try to cry, I’m trying not to cry and not to be a mess just because it’s such an honest scene and it’s written so well. I think the whole arc of Nathan. Him starting off as this arrogant douchebag and learning from Nora and falling in love with her. And by the end, he’s just been through so much. I think he just wants… it’s that whole, ‘If you love something enough you let it go.’ He just wants Nora to be free and give her a chance to live her life and have something that he can’t give her. He got everything that he could get from her and from that relationship, and he just wants her to be free and be able to live her own life.”

Andy Allo: “I think it was heartbreaking but hopeful. And I think for Nora, just getting to… I think season 3 she really got to experience what it’d be like to have a dream, especially like being a lawyer and getting a taste of that, like, ‘Oh, I can do something else.’ And I think Nathan got to see that, and then for this last season, her almost getting his approval of, like, ‘Hey, you can have a life. It doesn’t have to be all about me or whatever, you know, and don’t let our love hinder you.’ I think that was really special and I think so relatable in a lot of ways. Sometimes that’s not possible or the timing is off or whatever. I think it’s just so relatable and heartbreaking but hopeful.”

Kevin Bigley: “The ending for my character was perfect because he always wanted to live for something and fight for something. And here he has erected this man onto a pedestal as well as his friends. And now he has something to die… he has a second chance to die in a show that’s about trying to prolong and not mourn and not die. So here he can sacrifice himself for someone and something and everything so much bigger than himself. So he gets the actual soldier’s passage which feels very profound and thematically complete for this character.”

Allegra Edwards: “I feel like from the beginning it’s felt like Nathan and Ingrid have been doomed. I think that their happy ending is happy, but it’s not what either of them pictured, I don’t think. I think there is still a cost in the loop of it all. And I do think Ingrid would still probably have her own grief about real Nathan. I think all of these characters have found a way to separate the two Nathans as two individual people. So they’ve all suffered a loss. I don’t know if it’s totally happy, but it’s better than she certainly deserves, and maybe she deserves it by now.”

All episodes of Upload are now streaming on Prime Video. Be sure to check out our full video interview for more from the cast!

NEXT: Nyaight of the Living Cat Cast Shares What They Love About the Series

The Conjuring: Last Rites Interview: A Terrifying Look Behind the Curtain with Madison Lawlor and Orion Smith

Tessa Smith

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August 25, 2025

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The Conjuring: Last Rites Interview: A Terrifying Look Behind the Curtain with Madison Lawlor and Orion Smith

Madison Lawlor & Orion Smith discuss The Conjuring: Last Rites, scares, and their favorite horror movie moments in this interview.

The Conjuring: Last Rites, the latest and final installment of the iconic horror franchise, is releasing in theaters on September 5, 2025. While fans are eager to see Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson return as the legendary couple, they’ll also get a glimpse into the Warrens’ past, with Madison Lawlor and Orion Smith portraying young Lorraine and Ed, respectively.

In this interview, Mama’s Geeky sits down with Lawlor and Smith to discuss what it was like stepping into such beloved roles. We discuss their own experiences with the franchise, including the challenges and joys of portraying the young Warrens, and what fans can expect from this thrilling new chapter.

Reactions To Watching The Conjuring Films For The First Time

Mama’s Geeky: What was your experience like when you first watched The Conjuring movies?

Madison Lawlor: I was terrified. I think they do a really effective job of being super scary, but I loved them too because I love that they have the relationship that you really get invested in between Ed and Lorraine, but then they have these amazing, epic scares and it takes you on a ride. I was terrified.

Orion Smith: Yeah, absolutely. I mean, especially the clap in the first one. That’s a classic. I mean, yeah, definitely. Whenever I’m in my house alone and hear something, it’s like, oh, no, they’ve come. It’s tough. I think, yeah, to Madison’s point too, just like the first one, obviously incredible. But then as it continues to progress, just like, yeah, getting even deeper in the characters and deeper in their world and deeper in their relationship, it’s just a good watch all around. Typically, I’m OK with scary movies, but they can really get me sometimes.

Stepping Into The Conjuring Universe

Mama’s Geeky: What was it like for you joining the franchise?

Madison Lawlor: I feel like aside from extreme excitement and just being super stoked and grateful to join the Conjuring universe, I was really excited to get a peek behind the curtain and see how they did all these things. I had so many questions. I’m like, how did you guys do this? It was really fun to see how they execute these scary moments and just the worlds that they create, the sets, everything. My initial thought was curiosity and then it all just exceeded expectations.

Orion Smith: Being able to peek behind the curtain was so cool. I had this like moment of realization when I was working with Michael Chaves and we were talking through these scenes, and he’s like, okay, so this moment, that’s when the audience is going to be scared. I’m like, oh, he’s thinking of it already. Like he knows each moment what’s going to happen. And just being able to be like, okay, so that’s what we’re creating and being able to lean into that was a very cool experience.

A Love Story In The Middle Of Pure Terror

Mama’s Geeky: You have this adorable little love story in the middle of terror. So what is it like bringing that to life?

Madison Lawlor: I feel like their connection is so important, and it is the heart of the movie. And it’s one of the reasons I love The Conjuring so much because it has depth to it and you really care about their relationship and their connection. For us, it was just like clocking in with each other and being present with each other. And I felt so supported and safe working with Orion to do and go to all these crazy places. So I feel like it was just really being present with each other and just enjoying each other’s company because they seem to so much.

Orion Smith: Yeah, I totally agree. I think while the camera’s rolling and while it’s not rolling, just like being there for each other and sitting in the little tent on the stage while we wait for lights to be set up, and just sitting there in between these super intense takes and these super intense moments and just being able to sit and just be present and be like, “Hey, how’s it going? How do you feel?” It just goes a long way.

The Conjuring: Last Rites Set Was Haunted?

Mama’s Geeky: Do either of you have a moment that you can talk about that was really memorable for you while filming?

Orion Smith: There’s this moment that was on set. It’s like probably the most like haunted, spooky moment that happened on set. It was our first take while we were filming. This door that wasn’t supposed to move at all at just like the most opportune moment, it was like, “Pause,” door creaks open. And everyone on set was like, “What just happened?” Like, are you serious? And, you know, we looked around like, “No, okay, the PAs didn’t do it. Nobody was around this door.” So they put a sandbag behind it. We’re like, “All right, we just got to keep going. Nothing we can do.” But that was definitely a memory to take away for sure.

Madison Lawlor: Goosebumps.

Reading the Script for the First Time

Mama’s Geeky: Without spoilers, what was your reaction when you first read the script?

Madison Lawlor: I think when you know that you’ve gotten cast in it, you’re like, “Whoa, we’re going to do all of this.” And so for me, it’s sort of this, “Oh, wow.” Oh, wow, we’re going to do this. I am so curious to see how this is going to be executed. But also I was just really excited to bring it to life.

Orion Smith: Yeah, I agree. Because kind of similar, just like talking about the horror movie genre, it is so different than a rom-com. Like there is so much more like action in between. And there are aspects of like, “Oh, how are we going to pull that off? Like what is this going to look like on set?” So really, yeah, reading it from that perspective was kind of a new experience for me.

Cast Teases Connections To Past Films

Mama’s Geeky: Is there one thing that you can talk about that you’re most excited to see like come to life or that you can tease?

Madison Lawlor: I think that there’s a lot of nuggets that Conjuring fans, which I am one of, will really enjoy and will be really satisfying. So I’m excited to see all of those moments come to life.

Orion Smith: I mean, just the whole thing, you know, seeing it, especially like on IMAX, I remember one of my friends got a movie on IMAX and I was like, “I gotta get there.” So like seeing this movie in a setting like that on such a big screen, it’s going to be such a cool experience. That’s really what I’m looking forward to.

Check out the full video interview for more spooky secrets and behind-the-scenes moments! The Conjuring: Last Rites arrives in theaters on September 5, 2025.

NEXT: Nyaight of the Living Cat Cast Shares What They Love About the Series

Ghost Complex Haunts Oklahoma with a Star-Studded Cast

Movies

Tessa Smith

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August 22, 2025

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New indie film, Ghost Complex, boasting stars from Descendants, Stranger Things, and Dark Winds, heads into production in Oklahoma.

Brenna D’Amico, Genny Wick, Clayton Royal Johnson, Courtney Dietz & Luke Barnett set for Indie Drama Ghost Complex

An exciting new indie drama, Ghost Complex, is officially heading into production in Tulsa, Oklahoma, this August. The film, a Freefall Productions project, has assembled a talented cast of stars, including Brenna D’Amico (Descendants), Genny Wick (Say Less), Clayton Royal Johnson (Stranger Things), Courtney Dietz (My Dead Dad), and Luke Barnett (Dark Winds).

This project marks the feature film debut for writer and director Jeremy Stewart, an NYU Tisch School of the Arts graduate. The film follows a college dropout who returns home, only to discover that the past is a ghost that refuses to let go. In a statement, Stewart described Ghost Complex as an independent drama that offers “a comedic and unique look at grief.”

Stewart is also producing the film alongside star Brenna D’Amico, as well as Katherine Myers, Caroline Kelly, and Peter Roumeliotis from Popternative Pictures. D’Amico, best known for her role in Disney’s Descendants franchise, previously collaborated with Stewart on the short film First Time.

The cast brings a wealth of experience to the project. Genny Wick recently starred in the feature Say Less, which premiered at Cinequest this year.

Clayton Royal Johnson, known for his work as Andy on Netflix’s Stranger Things, recently appeared in Todd Wiseman’s The School Duel, which won the Canal+ Special 50th Anniversary Jury Prize.

Courtney Dietz has starred in multiple features, including Pedro Correa’s My Dead Dad.

Luke Barnett can be seen in the recent Sundance drama Sunfish (& Other Stories on Green Lake) and will appear in the upcoming fourth season of AMC’s hit thriller Dark Winds.

The film’s visual style is in good hands with cinematographer Alyssa Brocato, who previously worked on the indie feature Pretty Problems, which won the SXSW Narrative Spotlight Audience Award in 2022.

The production is partnering with The Oklahoma Film + Music Office, which is excited to welcome the project.

“We look forward to working with the filmmakers of Ghost Complex and appreciate that they’ve chosen Oklahoma as their production destination where our skilled workforce, businesses and communities are primed to set the scene for this unique story,” said Oklahoma Film + Music Office Director Jeanette Stanton.

With a promising cast and a compelling premise, Ghost Complex is one to watch as it begins its journey from script to screen.

Casting was handled by producers Roumeliotis, Myers, Kelly, and Jamie Castro from Castro Casting.

NEXT: Universal Studios Hollywood Halloween Horror Nights 2025 Food & Drink Guide

Stray Kids Karma 4th Album Review

Music
K-Pop

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August 22, 2025

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Stray Kids have released their 4th album, Karma. With banger after banger, this album features lots of catchy, unforgettable songs.

As someone who is new to the world of K-Pop, but has also jumped in headfirst without a life vest, I have been eagerly awaiting the chance to go to the store first thing in the morning for a day of release. Three months later, that time has finally come thanks to Stray Kids.

The boy group released their 4th album, Karma, today, so I jumped in the car and drove to Target, picking up the exclusive vinyl and the exclusive CEREMONY version of the CD. Target gives you an extra photocard, so it’s more than worth getting it there, right?

There have been teases of some of the featured songs and concept photos to get fans hyped. Last night, the music video for CEREMONY dropped, allowing fans to hear the entire song for the first time. I knew that if the rest of the songs were even half as good, I was going to be happy with my purchase.

Stray Kids Karma Tracklist

Stray Kids Karma has eleven songs. Well, sort of. There are three versions of CEREMONY, and if you ask me, each of them is great. Below is the full tracklist.

BLEEP
CEREMONY
CREED
MESS
In My Head
Half Time
Phoenix
Ghost
0801
CEREMONY (Festival Version)
CEREMONY (English Version)

Karma Initial Thoughts

I made sure to listen to the full album from start to finish the first time. Then, I went back and listened while reading the lyrics, so that I could further dive into all the different songs and what they were saying. I immediately noticed how cohesive the album felt to me. Each song feels like a part of the same story, which I appreciate.

Sure, there are some that stand out – In My Head and Ghost are currently at the top of my list, especially lyric-wise – but all of them are great, if I am being honest. This is an album with no skips, in my opinion.

While it does seem like a combination of genres are blended together here, I am not mad about it. I like an album to have variety, and as long as the songs work back to back, there is nothing to complain about. In My Head immediately brought me back to my punk rock pop days, while CERMONY and BLEEP had me dancing around.

I also really enjoy how much this album leans into Felix’s deep voice. As a very new STAY, it is hard to say how much they have done this in the past, but he is featured brilliantly in nearly every song. His is the only voice I am able to pick out so far, but I don’t think it will be long before I know the rest. That said, all the vocals blend well and complement each other throughout this album.

My initial thought after completing my first listen was that I cannot wait to see these songs live. I know that Stray Kids just finished up a tour, but I will absolutely be seated should they decide to do a Karma tour. These bangers will be incredible on stage, I just know it.

NEXT: ATEEZ Rocks The Stage In LA Two Nights In A Row With In Your Fantasy 2025 Tour

Upload Season 4 Review: Brilliant, Touching, & Satisfying

Television

Tessa Smith

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August 22, 2025

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Upload Season 4 might only be four episodes, but it delivers a brilliant, touching, bittersweet ending that will leave fans satisfied.

It might have taken forever to get here, but Upload Season 4 is ready to hit streaming, and trust me when I say, it is more than worth the wait. Unfortunately, the season is wrapped up in only four episodes, which has fans wondering if that is enough to tell the story. Let’s just say that there are no loose ends waiting to be tied up.

Thanks to the brilliant writing, incredible performances, and emotional moments, viewers might still be begging for more, but at least they will be satisfied.

Are Four Episodes of Upload Season 4 Enough?

I am not going to lie, as soon as I learned that the final season of Upload was only going to consist of four episodes, I was worried. Even with Robbie Amell letting me know the final episodes were beautifully written, I had my concerns. Not only did it leave off on a massive cliffhanger, there were muitple storylines to tie up involving lots of characters.

When a show does not have a lot of time to wrap thing up, and especially when it is cut shorter than the creators and showrunners intended, all too often things fall through the cracks and/or feel rushed. Thankfully Greg Daniels knew exactly how to accomplish everything that was necessary for the series to end up feeling full and complete, even if some parts are going to hit longtime viewers hard.

Without spoilers, the short answer is yes, four episodes is enough to wrap things up. The way this last season plays out is actually brilliant. It is not only emotional, it continues the themes that have been weaved throughout the entire series.

Upload is about how billionaires will almost always try to take from the less fortunate rather than help them. When Nathan (Robbie Amell) got close to creating a virtual afterlife where people could upload for free, the larger companies took him out – literally. Over the course of the four seasons, everyone has gone through a lot. Characters have grown and evolved, and become better people than ever anticipated – especially Ingrid.

This season touches slightly on AI, although it is very much a side story and glossed over a bit. That said, it is a really fun and hilarious addition to what is otherwise a very heartwrenching season that explores grief and depression. The finale of season three ended with the death of one of the Nathans, and while the aftermath is very emotional, it all plays out beautifully in the end.

Overall Thoughts On Upload

Prime Video’s Upload is one of the best series to ever grace the small screen. It is funny, emotional, touching, and delivers some impactful messaging as well. Thankfully each character has their time to shine through the final four episodes. It is tough to say goodbye, and I would watch many more episodes, but I am content with how things ended. A truly brilliant job by the showrunners, writers, and actors. Bravo.

NEXT: Upload’s Robbie Amell Talks Playing Two Nathans In Season 3

About Upload Season 4

Upload completes with an explosive conclusion! In the four-part series finale event, sentient AI rapidly turns evil, threatening to wipe out Lakeview (and the world!). On top of greedy executives, lingering mysteries, plus heartbreak in VR and IRL, our characters are tested like never before. The only way they can get through it all and save humanity from deletion is by teaming up one last time.

Upload Season 4 comes to Prime Video on August 25th.

Universal Studios Hollywood Halloween Horror Nights 2025 Food & Drink Guide

Tessa Smith

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August 21, 2025

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Universal Studios Hollywood Halloween Horror Nights 2025 Food & Drink Guide

Universal Studios Hollywood Halloween Horror Nights 2025 reveals an all-new menu and introduces a dining pass for the first time ever.

Universal Studios Hollywood Halloween Horror Nights 2025 Food Guide & More — Based on the popular Japanese manga and anime series, “Chainsaw Man: The Chaos” makes its Hollywood debut exclusively at Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights

Universal Studios Hollywood Halloween Horror Nights Reveals All-New Menacing Menu, Introduction of Anime Short Film “Chainsaw Man: The Chaos”

Universal City, CA, August 21, 2025 – The countdown to Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood begins now with the destination’s final slate of announcements, including a menu of terrifying treats curated by Executive Chef Julia Thrash, the eagerly-awaited introduction of Halloween Horror Nights Dining Pass and the reveal of the anime horror short film, “Chainsaw Man: The Chaos,” based on the hit Japanese manga and anime series.

Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood launches on Thursday, September 4 and runs select nights through Sunday, November 2, 2025. Tickets are available for purchase here.

Halloween Horror Nights 2025 Food & Drink Guide

The specially curated food and beverage items available at Halloween Horror Nights rank among the most indulgent offerings at the event, and for good reason. Executive Chef Julia Thrash and her culinary team bring the same level of details to these treats as Universal’s entertainment team brings to the haunted houses.

This year’s added bonus includes the arrival of a Halloween Horror Nights Dining Pass, inviting guests to feast on select food and beverage options for a single price. The Dining Pass is available for purchase here and at participating theme park restaurants. Each Dining Pass entitles guests to six items, consisting of two eligible entrée items and four eligible side, snack, dessert or beverage items. All eligible menu items will be designated by a Universal Studios Dining Pass logo on the restaurant menu boards. The Dining Pass is redeemable at participating food and beverage locations only and is valid on the selected visit date. Additional restrictions apply.

The following highlights a sampling of the horror-inspired foods available during Halloween Horror Nights, inclusive of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free items. Guests must be 21+ and have a valid photo ID to purchase and consume alcoholic beverages.

Fallout (located on the Upper Lot)

Loaded Cram Fries – crispy chili-glazed spam served over pub fries
Brahmin Burger – all-beef burger topped with smoked brisket, pickles and BBQ sauce
Roasted Radroach Legs – blackened turkey wings served with pub fries
Roasted Stingwing – plant-based meatloaf served with insta-mash and mushroom gravy
Gulper Stew – creamy clam chowder topped with green onions and crispy bacon
Iguana on a Stick – cheesy cornflake crusted corn dog
Yum Yum Deviled Eggs – coconut panna cotta filled with Chamoy pineapple bits and topped with mango topping and tajin
Vault Dwellers Wedding Cake – red velvet sponge cake with cream cheese mousse

Rad Away – chipotle pineapple brown sugar lemonade served in a blood bag (non-alcoholic)
Sunset Sarsaparilla – hot honey root beer topped with sweet cold foam (non-alcoholic)
Quantum Fizz – blue raspberry Sprite with a sour blue raspberry rim (non-alcoholic)
The Nuclear Blast – vodka, peach schnapps, blue curaçao, orange and lemon juice, simple syrup and Sprite soda tapped with a dehydrated lemon wheel

Five Nights at Freddy’s (located on the Lower Lot)

Freddy Fazbear Pizza – classic cheese pizza or cheese pizza topped with tasty pepperoni

Terrifier (Clown Cafe cart located adjacent to the “Terrifier” haunted house)

Sunflower Glasses – lemon raspberry cookie sandwich
Art’s Delight (served at Mulligan’s and VIP Restaurant as part of the RIP Tour) – vodka, lemonade, vanilla syrup and lemon juice with a black sugar rim, topped with whipped cream and a strawberry drizzled marshmallow
Art’s Bloody Masterpiece Donut – Vanilla donut with raspberry filling, black and white sprinkles and a red chocolate drizzle

Jason Universe Barbecue (located on the Lower Lot)

Pamela’s Smoked Brisket Mac and Cheese – creamy mac and cheese topped with smoked brisket and BBQ sauce
Camp Creamy Gouda Fondue – gouda and Angry Orchard fondue served in a sourdough bread bowl with sliced apples
Crystal Lake Campfire Dog – 22” all-beef hot dog topped with smoked beef brisket, Angry Orchard fondue and crispy onions served with chips

Mess Hall Turkey Leg – smoked seasoned turkey leg served with chips
Jason Universe Mask S’more – fire-roasted marshmallow, graham cracker, milk chocolate and blood splatter
Mommy’s Special Margarita – Angry Orchard Crisp Apple, tequila, honey and lime juice with a salted rim and lime wheel
Pam’s Punch – Angry Orchard Crisp Apple, white rum, black cherry syrup and lemon juice topped with a dehydrated apple chip

SLASH Bar (located on the Lower Lot by “Jurassic World—The Ride”)

Chicken Satay Tacos – coconut turmeric chicken topped with pickled carrot and onion drizzled with a creamy turmeric sour cream and cilantro
Thai Beef Tacos – Thai marinated beef topped with pickled carrot and onion drizzled with a creamy turmeric sour cream and cilantro
Thai Curry Tacos – Thai curry plant-based steak tips topped with pickled carrot and onion drizzled with a creamy turmeric sour cream and cilantro
Slash’s Top Hat – vanilla bean sponge cake with mango habanero gelee, pineapple compote and a crisp honey crunch

Slash’s Snake Pit – raspberry ginger Coca-Cola or Coca-Cola Zero Sugar with a gummy snake (non-alcoholic)
Night Train – vodka, spiced rum, blue curaçao, lemon juice and Sprite, topped with a Cabernet Sauvignon float
The Danse of the Dead – whiskey, blackberry syrup, lemon juice and old fashioned mix topped with a mint sprig and fresh blackberries
Beautiful Dangerous – gin, aperol, lemon juice, simple syrup, grenadine and Mediterranean tonic water with a pink sugar rim and rosemary sprig

Chucky’s Dive Bar (located behind Animation Studio Store)

Playtime’s Over – tequila, watermelon puree, habanero, lime juice and agave with a chamoy and tajin rim and chamoy gummy bears
Friend Till the End – vodka, blue curaçao, lemon juice, simple syrup and Sprite with orange boba popping pearls, topped with cotton candy
The Charles Lee Ray – bourbon, fire whiskey, pumpkin puree and ginger ale topped with dehydrated mangos

Dia de Los Muertos (located in Universal Plaza)

Carne Asada Nachos – tortilla chips topped with carne asada, pico de gallo, queso fresco and guacamole
Beef Birria Tacos with Red Sauce – Beef birria topped with onions and cilantro on a corn tortilla and served with red consomé sauce
Esquites – Corn off the Cob – corn sliced off the cobb topped with grated cotija cheese, cilantro and tajin
Fried Cinnamon Tortilla Chips – fried tortilla chips tossed in cinnamon sugar
Pineapple Spears – pineapple spears with chamoy
The Drowned Bride – citrus vodka, blue curaçao, vanilla and lemonade with lemon popping boba pearls
La Muelona Margarita – tequila, cherry, lime juice and agave with a red sugar rim, dehydrated lime and maraschino cherries
La Siguanaba Gin Mule – gin, blue curaçao, dessert pear, blood orange and ginger beer with a black sugar rim and black licorice laces
Muerte Mango Michelada – Modelo Especial or Modelo Negra, mango michelada mix with a chamoy and tajin rim
Don Julio Margarita – Don Julio Reposado, Smirnoff Spicy Tamarind vodka, Jameson orange whiskey, lime juice and agave with a black sea salt rim and a dehydrated lime wheel
Pepino Margarita – tequila, triple sec, lime juice, agave and sparkling cucumber with a chamoy, tajin rim and fresh cucumber slices
Spicy Jalapeno Margarita – tequila, jalapeno, lime juice and agave with a chamoy. tajin rim and sliced jalapenos
Familia Frozen Strawberry Margarita – Don Julio Blanco frozen strawberry margarita with a Don Julio Reposado float, chamoy and tajin rim

Universal Tower Snack Bar (located near Universal Plaza)

FRITOS® Scoops!® The Walking Taco – topped with beef chili and cheddar cheese served over FRITOS Scoops
Tostitos® Salsa Verde The Walking Taco –Beef birria, red consomé, red onion and green onion served over Salsa Verde Tostitos® chips
CHEETOS^® FLAMIN’ HOT^® Fire Dog – 22” all-beef hot dog topped with chili and cheese served in a CHEETOS FLAMIN’ HOT coated bun

Fans and guests can gear up for Halloween Horror Nights with a hauntingly stylish array of new products inspired by this year’s most anticipated haunted houses and horror icons. From eerie t-shirts and hoodies to sinister drinkware and headwear, every piece is crafted to bring the horror home. Additionally, guests can purchase one-of-a-kind popcorn buckets, including HamiKuma, based on an original character from Universal Studios Japan, and the popular collaboration Hello Kitty Chucky.

Universal CityWalk Hollywood celebrates the terrifying time of year with a selection of food and beverage items at The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen, NBC Sports Grill & Brew, VIVO Italian Kitchen, Antojitos Cocina Mexicana, Voodoo Doughnuts and Jimmy Buffett’s® Margaritaville.

Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights Houses

With eight all-new and returning haunted houses, the infamous Terror Tram, multiple scare zones and live entertainment, Halloween Horror Nights is Southern California’s scariest Halloween event inspired by the biggest names in horror.

At a glance, Halloween Horror Nights 2025 at Universal Studios Hollywood features the following:

“Fallout” will take guests into the post-apocalyptic wasteland of Prime Video’s critically acclaimed series.
“Five Nights at Freddy’s,” based on Blumhouse’s hit movie where nothing is as it seems at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizzeria.
“Terrifier,” inspired by the slasher film franchise that brings the twisted world of Art the Clown to life.
“WWE Presents: The Horrors of The Wyatt Sicks” immerses guests in the world of WWE, going head-to-head with Uncle Howdy in an experience that features The Wyatt Sicks and honors the legacy of Bray Wyatt.
“Jason Universe” features horror movie icon Jason from the infamous Friday the 13^th films.
“Poltergeist, based onAmazon MGM Studios’ supernatural cult horror classic, will bring guests “into the light.”
“Scarecrow: Music by SLASH” puts retribution at the forefront in which Mother Nature seeks vengeance on the homesteaders for their sins of the past that will be carried out by farmland scarecrows. SLASH’s original score will deliver an unnerving sense of fear as guests navigate the ominous corridors of the haunted house.
“Monstruos 3: The Ghosts of Latin America,” the final chapter where three ghostly legends of Latin America await.
“Terror Tram: Enter the Blumhouse” enables guests to disembark the Studio Tour tram and set off on foot to encounter some of the most iconic villains from Blumhouse’s popular horror franchises over the past 15 years.
“The Purge: Dangerous Waters,” a live stunt show that takes visitors on a fiery, rock-fueled adventure while they fight to survive the night.
“Chainsaw Clownz,” a troop of chainsaw killers confront guests in this scare zone as they enter the event.
“Carnival of Carnage,” an all-new scare zone featuring a maniacal fun house.
“Noche de Brujas,” a scare zone that extends the terror from “Monstruos 3: The Ghosts of Latin America.”
“Murder of Crowz,” the popular scare zone returns with a flock of menacing crows doing anything – and everything – to defend their nest.

About Chainsaw Man: The Chaos

“Chainsaw Man: The Chaos” makes its Hollywood debut exclusively at Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights within the DreamWorks Theatre. This all-original horror anime short film arrives directly from Universal Studios Japan based on the popular Japanese manga and anime series streaming now on Crunchyroll.

The film will play in-language and recounts the tale of Denji and the Devil Hunters as they battle the Halloween Horror Nights Devil and his army of zombies. Denji, resurrected into Chainsaw Man, a devil-human hybrid with protruding chainsaws from his body, ultimately takes control in a quest to combat the Devils. It’s an extreme showdown that dares guests to survive a chaos of screams and blood.

About Halloween Horror Nights

A variety of Halloween Horror Nights ticket options for Universal Studios Hollywood are available, including General Admission, Universal Express, After 2 P.M. Day/Night, the Early Access Ticket,which provides entry to select haunted houses beginning at 5:30 p.m. (subject to change), in advance of the scheduled 7:00 p.m. event opening time, the R.I.P. Tour and popular passes, Frequent Fear Pass and Ultimate Fear Pass, which enable guests to experience the scares again and again.

Click here to purchase tickets and for Terms and Conditions.

NEXT: Nyaight of the Living Cat Cast Shares What They Love About the Series

Critical Role Announces Campaign 4 Cast, New World & Format

Gaming

Tessa Smith

-

August 21, 2025

0

Critical Role Announces Campaign 4 Cast, New World & Format

A new era for Critical Role is here. Campaign 4 features a new world, a rotating cast, and a new GM with a West Marches-style campaign.

Critical Role Campaign 4 Cast — An exciting new campaign led by Game Master Brennan Lee Mulligan, featuring rotating tables of players, premieres October 2 at 7PM Pacific

Critical Role is shaking up its formula for Campaign 4, promising fans a new world, a new cast structure, and a fresh take on its beloved tabletop roleplaying game.

They announced today that their highly anticipated next campaign will feature a new setting, a West Marches-style of gameplay, and an expanded cast that includes some new faces alongside the original founders.

A New World and an Expanded Cast

The new campaign will be set in the world of Aramán, a completely new setting outside of the familiar world of Exandria. While the eight founders – Laura Bailey, Taliesin Jaffe, Ashley Johnson, Matthew Mercer, Liam O’Brien, Marisha Ray, Sam Riegel, and Travis Willingham – are returning, they’ll be joined by Luis Carazo, Robbie Daymond, Aabria Iyengar, Whitney Moore, and Alex Ward. This large cast will be led by guest Game Master Brennan Lee Mulligan.

The campaign will use the updated Dungeons & Dragons (2024 rules), with additional homebrew content from Darrington Press’s own Jeremy Crawford and Chris Perkins.

An Innovative Gameplay Structure

Breaking from its traditional single-table format, Campaign 4 will use a West Marches-style structure. The first four episodes, or “Overture,” will bring all 13 cast members together in intersecting scenes. After that, the story will split into three rotating tables: the Soldiers, the Schemers, and the Seekers. This approach will allow the campaign to explore overarching themes and genres from multiple perspectives.

“When creating the worlds that we build and explore in all of our content at Critical Role, we have always held strong to the belief that we should use the system that best supports the story we want to tell,” said Marisha Ray, Creative Director, co-founder, and cast member of Critical Role. “We are certainly spoiled for choice when it comes to TTRPG systems that the cast knows and loves, so we are very excited to explore more of both Daggerheart and Dungeons and Dragons in our near (and hopefully distant) future.”

How to Watch Critical Role Campaign 4

Critical Role Campaign 4 will premiere on October 2 and be available with instant access on Beacon.tv. The episodes will also stream on Critical Role’s YouTube and Twitch channels, with the video-on-demand (VOD) available for everyone the following Monday.

For those who prefer podcasts, episodes will be released in two parts: the first a week after the premiere, and the second the following Tuesday. Beacon members will also get exclusive access to Critical Role Cooldown, where the cast’s post-show reactions are captured.

NEXT: Nyaight of the Living Cat Cast Shares What They Love About the Series

‘Eenie Meanie’ Review – A Tale Of Two Movies Led By Samara Weaving

Movies

Hunter Bolding

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August 21, 2025

0

‘Eenie Meanie’ Review – A Tale Of Two Movies Led By Samara Weaving

Eenie Meanie is still a serviceable actioner with a mix of drama. Samara Weaving carries the entire film on her back.

Eenie Meanie is really a tale of two movies. It’s got parts of an action heist film and other parts of a dramatic, romantic relationship movie. Both parts conflict a bit with one another, especially with the pacing of the film, but through an absolutely electric performance from Samara Weaving, the film ends up working. Eenie Meanie comes from writer/director Shawn Simmons and it tells the story of Edie “Eenie Meanie” (played by Samara Weaving). She’s been in trouble with the law for her whole life and comes from a background as a getaway driver. When it looks like her life is turning a corner, Edie gets back involved with the criminal enterprise because her unreliable ex-boyfriend runs into some trouble.

Her boyfriend, John (played by Karl Glusman) ends up on the bad side of crime boss Nico (Andy Garcia), he owes him $3 million for the death of a card counter. That leads everyone to the heist of a poker tournament’s winnings or else John is going to face a fate worse than death. Along the way we meet other characters including the members of their own team, a rogue getaway driver named Perm (played awesomely by Marshawn Lynch), and we learn about Edie and John’s relationship.

So without further ado, let’s dive into the good, the bad, and the ugly of Eenie Meanie.

The Good Of Eenie Meanie

When Eenie Meanie is moving a mile a minute and really humming along, that’s where the movie is at its best. These characters are the interesting part of the whole thing. The criminal aspect of the film and how all these parts fit together is where I was really invested. Nico is an interesting antagonist/criminal boss because he’s slightly inept, or at least he plays off like he doesn’t know much. The team that Edie and he bring together for the job is also equally as interesting. Nico’s motivations are also quite intriguing because you never know what he’s going to do.

Samara Weaving is the reason to see this film, though. Her performance is layered, and she’s equally as great in the more action-heavy scenes as she is in the dramatic heavy stuff. How she deals with all of this frenetic energy around her is really compounded with the ending of the film. It’s a swing from Shawn Simmons and it mostly works for me.

Steve Zahn has a small role as Edie’s Dad, but as usual, he’s fantastic. The way you’re led to believe his character is and then how he actually turns out is quite shocking. Marshawn Lynch also, is amazing. He’s part of some of the best action scenes in the film and his verbal battle with John in the middle of the film works quite well.

The humor of the film also shines at points with some touching moments, shocking ones, and even some jokes at Tesla’s expense.

The Bad And Ugly Of Eenie Meanie

John just did not work for me. He’s played off like a loveable loser by Karl Glusman, but he just felt like a loser throughout. The relationship between Edie and John is supposed to be lopsided; she’s stuck with him for this long because he’s saved her life plenty of times. But it just feels kind of forced. Glusman’s performance shines through, especially in the ending of the film, but his character and their relationship just didn’t work for me.

The wild swings in tone throughout the film also didn’t work as well as they could have. Like I said before, the movie feels like it’s trying to do two things and while it’s thrilling when there’s plenty of action, the more drama-heavy moments don’t shine as much. Nico also makes a somewhat strange out-of-left-field decision in the third act that makes little sense.

Overall, Eenie Meanie is still a serviceable actioner with a mix of drama. Samara Weaving carries the entire film on her back.

Eenie Meanie releases on Hulu on August 22nd.

KPOPPED EPs On Crafting The Perfect Musical Mashups

Tessa Smith

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August 21, 2025

0

KPOPPED EPs On Crafting The Perfect Musical Mashups

Apple TV+’s KPOPPED executive producers Moira Ross & Jake Hong discuss the show’s inspiration, unique format, and how they created the perfect artist pairings.

Apple TV+ is diving headfirst into the vibrant world of K-Pop with its exciting new series, KPOPPED. This groundbreaking show brings together legendary Western music icons with some of today’s hottest K-Pop acts for electrifying collaborations and surprising stage performances.

Forget simple covers; KPOPPED throws these artists into the creative deep end, tasking them with reimagining each other’s iconic hits in spectacular fashion. With dazzling visuals, unexpected pairings, and a palpable sense of musical camaraderie, KPOPPED promises to be a must-watch for fans of all genres.

Mama’s Geeky had the incredible opportunity to sit down with the executive producers behind this innovative series, Moira Ross and Jake Hong. We delve into the inspiration behind the show’s unique format, the challenges and triumphs of bringing together such diverse talent, and gain some intriguing insights into the creative process that shaped the unforgettable musical moments. Plus, they reveal this is only the beginning.

The Inspiration Behind KPOPPED

Mama’s Geeky: Can you talk about the initial inspiration behind KPOPPED?

Jake Hong: 2021, November. CJ, Vice Chairman, Ms. Vickie Lee, sat around the table with the legend, Mr. Lionel Richie. They were talking about the great, well, Lionel Richie spoke about how impressed he was with the young K-Pop talents and what they’re showing to the world. And they shared a common belief in the global power of music, where the music crosses cultures, languages, and generations. And then they came to an idea, would it be possible to make a TV show to show the world how great the young K-Pop talents meet, collaborate with the original legendary Western pop artist? And then we eventually learned that Apple TV+ was interested in a big K-Pop show with big artists, and the goals aligned. And that’s when we started to creatively develop this format with Apple TV+ and our great production partner, Eureka, to make this show happen.

Showcasing Individual Talent

Mama’s Geeky: I loved how you get to see the groups out of their element in a way where they’re split up. Because you don’t get to see that very often, and I feel like you get to showcase a little bit more of their individual skills.

Moira Ross: It is. And Jake will testify this. It is authentic to these K-Pop groups in terms of they do divide up and go into their units and show their individual talents. So in terms of the format, we do authentically lean into what is a very big K-Pop experience in itself. Isn’t that right, Jake?

Jake Hong: You’re exactly right. On our end, we wanted to make sure we captured the essence of both K-Pop and global pop culture. So we really leveraged our three decades of K-Pop expertise to come up with the idea of splitting K-Pop groups into groups for competition. Since unit groups are a big concept in K-Pop, we just knew it would be a fun television moment for the same K-Pop group to go head-to-head in a friendly competition.

Mama’s Geeky: Were these episodes filmed in the order that we see them, or did you guys arrange the order of release, and what factors went into that?

Moira Ross: We changed the order in terms of the filming schedule. I can’t remember how much we’d moved it around, but lots of different factors play into that, and in terms of post-production and delivering the episodes technically, et cetera. So we played around with some of the record, but yeah, everybody gets their moment.

Collaborating With ATEEZ

Mama’s Geeky: As a big ATEEZ fan, I have to know what it was like bringing them on and working with them.

Moira Ross: Yeah, I mean, they were incredible to work with. It was a great privilege and there was a lot of learning in terms of for us from the West and seeing how they so professionally execute. So I’d say that in terms of our production side of things. And then, you know, look, it’s an interesting thing, isn’t it? Jake could talk a little bit more about it in terms of the mix with Kylie, the gender mix was an interesting experiment, wasn’t it, in terms of Kylie and ATEEZ?

Jake Hong: Yes, very much. I think the ATEEZ episode was very special. I believe the ATEEZ & J Balvin performance was our first recording. It was such an epic moment across cultures, both Latin and Korean, as you saw. They danced with Korean fans, and it was such an iconic snapshot.

The Art of Perfect Pairing

Mama’s Geeky: How did you decide who you were going to pair with whom, or was it mostly just about schedules?

Moira Ross: Oh, no, you cynic, Tessa. It was a very complicated process that touched on lots of different elements. Yes, schedules, obviously, because these are all global superstars with massive world tours and recording schedules and all of those things. That played a part. But also, there would come requests. So, for instance, J Balvin and ATEEZ had a history anyway from Coachella, and a friendship. So that’s very natural. And Kylie is a huge fan of ATEEZ. That’s all perfect, and the dates worked and everything aligned. In other things, there were considerations in terms of Kep1er having two rappers and Vanilla Ice being a rapper. Brilliant synergy. So lots of different elements come into play.

What’s Next For KPOPPED?

Mama’s Geeky: I love this show. I’m hoping there’s more. Stray Kids would be cool. MONSTA X would be fun. Can I just give you a list of great groups to bring in? No, but seriously, would you want to do more?

Moira Ross: Yeah, definitely. I think it’s just the beginning. That’s definitely how we feel. There’s many more great collaborations to come. It’s endless. You can come to the next records.

Mama’s Geeky: Oh, my God. Absolutely.

KPOPPED Episode List:

Megan Thee Stallion. Patti LaBelle. Billlie.
Spice Girls (Emma & Mel B). ITZY.
Vanilla Ice. Taylor Dayne. Kep1er.
Eve. Kesha. JO1.
Kylie Minogue. J Balvin. ATEEZ.
Boy George. TLC. STAYC.
Ava Max. Jess Glynne. KISS OF LIFE.
Boyz II Men. BLACKSWAN.

KPOPPED will premiere globally on Friday, August 29, exclusively on Apple TV+.

MAMA'S GEEKYAll Things Entertainment For Movie, TV, & Music Geeks

MAMA'S GEEKYAll Things Entertainment For Movie, TV, & Music Geeks

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Upload Cast On Their Reactions to Reading the Final Scripts

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Reactions To Watching The Conjuring Films For The First Time

Stepping Into The Conjuring Universe

A Love Story In The Middle Of Pure Terror

The Conjuring: Last Rites Set Was Haunted?

Reading the Script for the First Time

Cast Teases Connections To Past Films

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Brenna D’Amico, Genny Wick, Clayton Royal Johnson, Courtney Dietz & Luke Barnett set for Indie Drama Ghost Complex

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Stray Kids Karma Tracklist

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Are Four Episodes of Upload Season 4 Enough?

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About Upload Season 4

Universal Studios Hollywood Halloween Horror Nights Reveals All-New Menacing Menu, Introduction of Anime Short Film “Chainsaw Man: The Chaos”

Halloween Horror Nights 2025 Food & Drink Guide

Fallout (located on the Upper Lot)

Five Nights at Freddy’s (located on the Lower Lot)

Terrifier (Clown Cafe cart located adjacent to the “Terrifier” haunted house)

Jason Universe Barbecue (located on the Lower Lot)

SLASH Bar (located on the Lower Lot by “Jurassic World—The Ride”)

Chucky’s Dive Bar (located behind Animation Studio Store)

Dia de Los Muertos (located in Universal Plaza)

Universal Tower Snack Bar (located near Universal Plaza)

Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights Houses

About Chainsaw Man: The Chaos

About Halloween Horror Nights

NEXT: Nyaight of the Living Cat Cast Shares What They Love About the Series

A New World and an Expanded Cast

An Innovative Gameplay Structure

How to Watch Critical Role Campaign 4

NEXT: Nyaight of the Living Cat Cast Shares What They Love About the Series

The Good Of Eenie Meanie

The Bad And Ugly Of Eenie Meanie

The Inspiration Behind KPOPPED

Showcasing Individual Talent

Collaborating With ATEEZ

The Art of Perfect Pairing

What’s Next For KPOPPED?

KPOPPED Episode List:

NEXT: ATEEZ Rocks The Stage In LA Two Nights In A Row With In Your Fantasy 2025 Tour

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