The first part of Stranger Things season 5 strongly suggests that the Upside Down is enclosed by a massive wall, with Hawkins Lab positioned right in the middle. As Dustin and his friends investigate the lab’s connection to this wall, they uncover important information about the Upside Down – its origins, its purpose, and what it actually is.
As a movie lover, I always say box office numbers don’t tell the whole story about a film’s worth. But let’s be real, studios need to make money when a movie hits theaters. Sadly, 2025 saw a lot of big releases that just didn’t perform well. We generally consider a movie a success if it earns twice its production budget back, and based on that, here are some of the year’s biggest disappointments.
At the start of Stranger Things season 5, Volume 2, the characters are still separated into different groups—some are in Hawkins, some in the Upside Down, and others are trapped inside Vecna’s mind. While Max and Holly search for a way to return to their bodies, the groups in the Upside Down are uncovering surprising new information. Meanwhile, the team in Hawkins is working to figure out Will’s abilities and how his connection to the hive mind could help them defeat Vecna.
Ross Duffer revealed, “Sadly, Talisman is no longer at Netflix, so we’re not involved.”
The release of Volume 2 makes it clear that the final season of Stranger Things isn’t strong enough to justify multiple release dates, especially around major holidays. Critics are being asked to cover a series that’s plagued with technical issues, while dedicated fans are more anxious about potential character deaths than enjoying the holidays. Even more concerning, many casual viewers aren’t invested enough to pause their family celebrations for predictable storylines and infrequent exciting moments. Netflix is heavily relying on Stranger Things to deliver a success, but Volume 2 feels like a major setback – its second strike.
I have to say, when Heated Rivalry first came out at the end of November, it immediately grabbed my attention with its introduction of two young hockey players: Shane, played by Hudson Williams, and Connor Storrie as Iya. The movie sets them up as fierce rivals – the marketing really pushed that angle with the Montreal Metros and Boston Raiders facing off. They definitely played up the animosity on the ice, lots of physical play and intense stares. But it quickly became clear there was something more going on beneath the surface, a definite spark of attraction that hinted at a deeper connection.
Vince Gilligan, the creator and showrunner, and the episode’s writers, Alison Tatlock and Gordon Smith, were questioned by The Hollywood Reporter about whether the experiment ultimately failed, or if Carol Sturka (played by Rhea Seehorn) stopped it before they could know the outcome.
Beyond incredible fight sequences – some of the best ever filmed for television – the live-action adaptation of Last Samurai Standing, created by Kento Yamaguchi and Michihito Fujii, is a beautifully made historical drama and a truly inspiring story of courage. It easily ranks among the top Netflix shows of 2025, regardless of genre.
As a film lover, I always enjoy revisiting Dirty Dancing. It stars the amazing Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey, who you might remember from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. The story centers around Baby, a young woman who finds herself on summer vacation with her family in the Catskills back in the early 60s. Honestly, she wasn’t thrilled about the trip at first, but everything changes when she meets Johnny, a charismatic and somewhat rebellious dance teacher at the resort.
Though both are incredibly popular and beloved figures, Dolly Parton and Buffy the Vampire Slayer have a surprising connection. For over twenty years, Dolly Parton quietly played a key role in the making of Buffy the Vampire Slayer – working behind the scenes rather than on screen.