HBO Max casts its streaming spell

On Thursday, HBO Max launched in the UK. This is six years after first launching in the US.

Ahead of the eagerly awaited launch, HBO Max dropped an official trailer for its Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone series, which debuts exclusively on the streamer this Christmas.



HBO Max had a complicated and protracted rollout as HBO has a storied history with Sky.

For years, Sky Atlantic has been the exclusive home to the award-winning Game of Thrones, The Last of Us, Westworld and many more prestige dramas from HBO. That said, if you're already a Sky or NOW (formerly NOW TV) subscriber, HBO Max Basic with Ads is bundled for free as an added value.

Currently, I'm subscribing to a discounted annual NOW Entertainment & HBO Max membership and am looking forward to checking out The Pitt on the HBO Max hub.

HBO Max needs to convince viewers to sign up for another subscription service amid a cost of living crisis, battling the likes of Netflix, Disney+, Paramount+ and Apple TV.

If you only want to watch Warner Bros. Discovery content, HBO Max offers 5 plans:

Basic with Ads - £4.99/month
Standard with Ads - £5.99/month
Standard - £9.99/month
Premium - £14.99/month
TNT Sports - £30.99/month

There are also annual saver plans.

HBO Max is available across all major devices, including select phones, tablets, computers, TVs, streaming players, set-top boxes, and game consoles. My initial impressions of watching TNT Sports on HBO Max are positive, and I won't miss discovery+.

The future of HBO Max is uncertain. Paramount outbid Netflix to buy Warner Bros. Discovery and, subject to regulatory approval, is looking to consolidate its brands. HBO Max has a greater brand awareness than Paramount+. Just saying.

Are you subscribing to HBO Max? Let me know in the comments below.

The End of Oak Street teaser trailer

An enigmatic teaser trailer for The End of Oak Street has dropped. The mysterious sci-fi thriller is produced by JJ Abrams (Super 8) and directed by David Robert Mitchell (It Follows).



Read the official synopsis:

"After a mysterious cosmic event rips Oak Street from suburbia and transports their neighborhood to someplace unknown, the Platt family soon discovers that their very survival depends on them sticking together as they navigate their now unrecognizable surroundings."

Starring Anne Hathaway and Ewan McGregor, THE END OF OAK STREET also stars Maisy Stella and Christian Convery. The film is written and directed by David Robert Mitchell and produced by JJ Abrams, Hannah Minghella, Jon Cohen, David Robert Mitchell, Matt Jackson and Tommy Harper. The executive producers are Chris Bender, Jake Weiner, Joanne Lee and Leeann Stonebreaker.

With its seemingly seventies setting, possible links to Abrams' Super 8 and Cloverfield (10 Cloverfield Lane starred McGregor's wife, Mary Elizabeth Winstead), and a score by Michael Giacchino, The End of Oak Street is right up my Spielbergian suburban street.

Are you looking forward to The End of Oak Street? Let me know in the comments below.

Ryan Gosling teases Star Wars: Starfighter

While promoting Project Hail Mary on BBC Radio, Ryan Gosling shared a story from the set of Star Wars: Starfighter.

“There is a thing that happened on Star Wars — I’m going to have to tread carefully — but I went to the creature shop early to see everything that they were building so that I could find ways to interact with them in the film because I didn’t want them to just be going by in the background,” Gosling said.

“And I found one very special one that was meant to be background, and I asked if I could have a scene [with it], and it ended up being one of the most fun scenes I’ve ever done.”

Gosling revealed: “As my wrap present, they made me a model. And so I have it in my house now.”

The upcoming film directed by Shawn Levy stars Ryan Gosling, Flynn Gray, Matt Smith, Mia Goth, Aaron Pierre, Simon Bird, Jamael Westman, Daniel Ings, and Amy Adams.

Star Wars: Starfighter, a standalone story set 5 years after Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, is due for release on 28th May 2027 to coincide with the 50th anniversary of George Lucas' space opera.

Are you looking forward to Star Wars: Starfighter? Let me know in the comments below.

Star Trek: Starfleet Academy cancelled

Star Trek: Starfleet Academy has been cancelled after only two seasons. The second season recently wrapped and has yet to be shown on Paramount+.

“We’re incredibly proud of the ambition, passion, and creativity that went into bringing ‘Star Trek: Starfleet Academy’ to life,” CBS Studios and Paramount+ said in a joint statement. “The series introduced audiences to a bold new group of characters, welcomed familiar faces, and expanded the ‘Star Trek’ universe in exciting new ways. We’re grateful to Alex Kurtzman, Noga Landau, Gaia Violo, and the entire cast and crew who pushed storytelling boundaries in the spirit of Gene Roddenberry’s vision. We look forward to sharing the upcoming second and final season with everyone, and continuing to celebrate the cast, crew, and all that was accomplished with this series.”

The cast included Sandro Rosta, Karim Diané, Kerrice Brooks, George Hawkins, Bella Shepard, and Zoë Steiner, along with heavy hitters like Holly Hunter, Paul Giamatti, Gina Yashere, Robert Picardo, and Tig Notaro. Tatiana Maslany even showed up in a guest role.

I wasn't expecting to enjoy the latest Star Trek spin-off series as much as I have! From Jeff Russo's opening theme, which pays homage to Jerry Goldsmith, to a shiny San Fransico and flying robots, it's the most fun and inclusive Star Trek has been since the first season of Star Trek: Discovery.

Series showrunners Alex Kurtzman and Noga Landau released the letter below to the cast and crew of Starfleet Academy, republished in Variety.

"It’s been my and Noga’s joy and privilege to help carry Gene Roddenberry’s extraordinary vision forward with Starfleet Academy, thanks to the hundreds of hardworking humans who pour every ounce of their talents into the work daily with imagination and reverence. We are in post-production now on what will be the second and final season. We’re so proud of what we’ve accomplished together on this show, and the world will get to see the work of these extraordinary artists when season two airs. We will finish strong.

Whether you’re working on Star Trek or part of the marvel that is Star Trek fandom — its very heart, soul, and conscience —the joy comes from adventuring across boundaries of time, space, and the humanly possible in service to Roddenberry’s transformative vision of the future. That incomparable vision was fueled by an inexhaustible optimism. Star Trek places its bet on the best in human nature. It dares to imagine a society of “infinite diversity in infinite combinations,” free of war, hate, poverty, disease, and repression, and dedicated to the spirit of scientific inquiry and respect for all life, whether carbon or silicon-based, green-skinned or blue.

But make no mistake: Gene Roddenberry wasn’t some starry-eyed dreamer. He was a decorated Army bomber pilot in the Pacific Theater. He had seen first-hand the grim consequences of the worst of human nature. And his vision of the future wasn’t just a promise of hope. It was also a warning. In a fraught, frightening time of intolerance and violence, Star Trek said: Look! We made it! But just barely. First, we had to put all those ancient scourges behind us. It said that what makes us glorious as a species, and gives us hope for the future and the galaxy is inextricably linked to what makes us dangerous to each other, to this one world we presently inhabit, and to ourselves. That dual message—of hope and of warning—isn’t just a pretty dream but a call to action, to think about who we are in a different way.

Please don’t take our word for it. Take Gene’s:

“Star Trek was an attempt to say that humanity will reach maturity and wisdom on the day that it begins not just to tolerate, but take a special delight in differences in ideas and differences in life forms. […] If we cannot learn to actually enjoy those small differences, to take a positive delight in those small differences between our own kind, here on this planet, then we do not deserve to go out into space and meet the diversity that is almost certainly out there.”

With enduring hope that his vision of the future is possible, for our children, their children, and every future cadet in Starfleet Academy: Live Long and Prosper."

A mix of toxic fandom and media ownership means many of our favourite franchises, including Doctor Who and Star Trek, are facing an uncertain future. Before the announcement, I'd cancelled my annual subscription to Paramount+. Like many, I'm suffering from subscription fatigue amid a cost of living crisis.

Are you disappointed that Star Trek: Starfleet Academy has been cancelled? Will you be cancelling Paramount+? Let me know in the comments below.

50 years ago in a galaxy far, far away...

50 years ago, in the middle of a salt flat on the edge of North Africa’s Sahara Desert, an independent movie produced by Lucasfilm and financed by 20th Century Fox began principal photography. Its working title was The Star Wars, directed by George Lucas (American Graffiti).

The rest is cinematic history...

Buffy star Nicholas Brendon dies

It's been a tough time for Buffy fans (myself included). Hulu has cancelled the pilot for a revival series, and most tragically, Nicholas Brendon, who played Buffy's best friend Xander Harris in the Scooby Gang, has died aged 54.

Brendon's family confirmed in a statement on social media that "he passed in his sleep of natural causes."

His family added: "He was passionate, sensitive, and endlessly driven to create. Those who truly knew him understood that his art was one of the purest reflections of who he was.

"Most people know Nicky for his work as an actor and for the characters he brought to life over the years. In recent years Nicky has found his passion in painting and art."

Brendon was open about his health struggles, including a heart attack, and underwent two spinal surgeries for cauda equina syndrome, a rare condition that can affect movement as well as bladder and bowel function.

The actor also lived with a stutter, later advocating the cause as a spokesperson for the Stuttering Foundation of America.

The late actor had also opened up about his struggles with substance addiction, alcoholism and mental health issues.

His family told The Hollywood Reporter (THR): "While it's no secret that Nicholas had struggles in the past, he was on medications and treatment to manage his diagnosis and he was optimistic about the future at the time of his passing."

Sarah Michelle Gellar, who played the titular slayer, paid tribute to Brendon with one of Xander's quotes: “They'll never know how tough it is … to live so near the spotlight and never step in it. But I know. I see more than anybody realizes because nobody's watching me." She added: "I saw you Nicky. I know you are at peace, in that big rocking chair in the sky.”

Buffy the Vampire Slayer, arguably one of the greatest television series of all time, is long overdue for a rewatch on Disney+.

LEGO Icons Project Hail Mary

Launch into the realm of cinematic science fiction with the LEGO Icons Project Hail Mary spaceship model kit for adults.

A stellar LEGO gift for sci-fi fans (myself included) based on the blockbuster movie, adapting Andy Weir’s best-selling novel, starring Ryan Gosling.

Buy LEGO Icons Project Hail Mary on LEGO AU, CA, UK and US (affiliate links).

Will you be adding the LEGO Icons Project Hail Mary to your collection? Let me know in the comments below.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day official trailer

Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures have dropped an official trailer for Spider-Man: Brand New Day, starring Tom Holland as the titular web-slinger.



Read the official synopsis:

"After the record-breaking global success of Spider-Man: No Way Home, Spider-Man: Brand New Day marks an entirely new chapter for Peter Parker and Spider-Man. Four years have passed since the events of No Way Home, and Peter is now an adult living entirely alone, having voluntarily erased himself from the lives and memories of those he loves. Crime-fighting in a New York that no longer knows his name, he's devoted himself entirely to protecting his city — a full-time Spider-Man — but as the demands on him intensify, the pressure sparks a surprising physical evolution that threatens his existence, even as a strange new pattern of crimes gives rise to one of the most powerful threats he has ever faced."

When Spider-Man: Brand New Day wrapped filming last December, director Destin Daniel Cretton (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings) published an open letter on social media praising Holland. The director thanked him for his “kind, generous leadership on and off screen, for your relentless work ethic, your fearless performances and for your friendship.”

“I’m so deeply grateful for the people who walked with me through the biggest, most rewarding film I’ve ever been a part of,” Cretton added. “To our amazing cast, for breathing so much life into these beloved characters and moving us every day. To our unbelievable crew, who worked tirelessly with unmatched creativity and craftsmanship, who made me laugh so hard my stomach never stopped hurting. I love you all so much and can’t wait for the world to see your stunning work on the big screen.”

Spider-Man: Brand New Day swings into cinemas on 31st July, 2026.

Are you looking forward to Spider-Man: Brand New Day? Let me know in the comments below.

The Mandalorian and Grogu at the Oscars

Grogu stole the show at the Oscars on Sunday night when he appeared alongside Oscar nominee Kate Hudson. Sigourney Weaver and Pedro Pascal took to the stage, where Weaver reprised her famous line from Aliens.



The Mandalorian and Grogu, based on the fan-favourite characters from The Mandalorian on Disney+, embark on their most thrilling mission yet in The Mandalorian and Grogu, an all-new family-friendly Star Wars adventure filmed for IMAX and opening exclusively in cinemas on 22nd May 2026.

Are you looking forward to The Mandalorian and Grogu? Let me know in the comments below.

Hulu stakes Buffy reboot!

As a Buffy fan, I didn’t see this coming. Hulu has cancelled the reboot starring Ryan Kiera Armstrong (Star Wars: Skeleton Crew).

“I am really sad to have to share this, but I wanted you all to hear it from me,” Sarah Michelle Gellar revealed the news on Instagram. “Unfortunately, Hulu has decided not to move forward with ‘Buffy: New Sunnydale.’ I want to thank Chloé Zhao because I never thought I would find myself back in Buffy’s stylish, yet affordable boots, and thanks to Chloé, I was reminded how much I love her and how much she means, not only to me, but to all of you. And this doesn’t change any of that. And I promise if the apocalypse actually comes, you could still beep me.”

Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the spin-off series Angel, Star Trek, and The X-Files sustained me during the 1990s and early 2000s before Doctor Who returned in 2005. For seven seasons, I adored the adventures of the Scooby Gang (Heat magazine printed my letter in 1999) and have cherished memories of watching the series with my late mum. After mum died in 2007, I haven't been able to watch The Body.

Armstrong, who was set to be the new vampire slayer mentored by Gellar, has reacted to the news that the show is not moving forward at Hulu.

“I’m sure many of you have already heard the news by now. I wanted to come on here and say thank you for all the support you guys have given me and the show throughout the past couple months. It’s been really special. I’m really proud of what we did. I’m sad that you guys won’t be able to see it, but it doesn’t take away from the amazing experience that I had,” the actress said in a video message on her Instagram.

“I wanna say thank you to Sarah, the Zuckerman sisters, Chloé. I love you guys. I also wanna say thank you to all the fans and all the people that believed in this new chapter and who believed in me. So, thank you, guys. Thank you to the cast that I worked with, you guys are awesome,” she continued.

“I guess all I want to say is, you know, we brought this back for you guys and, you know, Buffy is such a big part of all of our lives, and it’s not going anywhere. So, who knows what the future will hold?” Armstrong concluded.

Zhao, the Oscar-winning director of Hamnet, responded to the cancellation of the pilot for Buffy the Vampire Slayer: New Sunnydale.

“I had an incredible, incredible time with Sarah [Michelle Gellar], with all the cast and crew doing this. And we, first and foremost, see ourselves as the guardians of the original show,” Zhao said. “Our priority for Sarah and for us has always been to be truthful to the show, to be truthful to our fans. So, things happen for a reason, and we keep our hearts open and we welcome the mystery. And what this might lead us to.”

Are you disappointed that the Buffy reboot has been cancelled? Let me know in the comments below.