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Sharing a meal with family and friends is all well and good as far as Christmas celebrations go, but for the film lovers among us, it's the perfect time to hibernate in front of the television with a cozy blanket and mug of hot chocolate with a watch-list of some of the greatest Christmas films ready to go. While not every cinephile finds satisfaction out of the genre, it's a time so magical that everything from horror films, '80s action, and even German Impressionism can all find a place in Christmas films.

Ranging from the corny and ridiculous to generational classics, Christmas films have introduced to us some of cinema's most memorable characters. The traditional George Baileys and multiple Santa Clauses hit us in the feels and remind us of the season's merriment, while the Christmas-adjacent Gizmos and John McClanes grant us the space to clench, laugh, and gasp with festive cheer.

Michael Imperioli confessed he lied about his driving skills in order to get the much-coveted role of Christopher Moltisanti in HBO’s The Sopranos. The series, which aired from 1999 to 2007, starred the late James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano.

Credits: Michael Imperioli in The Sopranos / HBO

Imperioli has played several Mafia roles, but his first day on the set of the hit drama series did not go as well as planned. In fact, he thought he was going to get terminated on the spot after an accident happened on set.

Michael Imperioli Never Told Anyone He Couldn’t Drive Until He Crashed a Car on the Set of The Sopranos

One of the first scenes where Michael Imperioli appeared in The Sopranos was with James Gandolfini. It was supposed to be a normal scene where he would drive backward on the sidewalk while random people were standing at the back, but...

One of the most interesting parts of Vince Gilligan’s Breaking Bad is the character progression of Walter White. It is at the very center of the show and it acts as a slow-working poison that eventually consumes everything he touches. His character is one of the most famous examples of the good guy losing his way and turning into something horrid.

Vince Gilligan’s Breaking Bad | Credit: AMC

Only, one simply needs to look back from the very start to realize that a lot of Walter’s awful personality traits have existed from the very beginning. With how gradually it happens over the course of five seasons, one cannot help but wonder if Walter was planned out as a toxic character and his arc eventually soured, or if the writers had been planning his descent into evil very early into the series.

During an interview, Bryan Cranston revealed exactly this,...

There are plenty of contenders for the best Steven Spielberg movie, but "Catch Me If You Can" has always been my favorite. Maybe it's because of the lovely John Williams score, which was so memorable "The Simpsons" had to pause a regular episode to do an extended riff on it. Then again, maybe it's because I just love any story about a guy who can work his way through an impossible situation through sheer confidence and charisma. The movie also felt like a perfect fit for Spielberg, as Frank Abagnale's life story mirrored parts of his own. As Spielberg explained in a 2003 interview with Blackfilm.com:

"Some of this picture is important to me because it deals with what Frank and I both share, which is broken homes. I ran away from home when my parents got divorced; at the same age Frank ran away when his parents got divorced,...

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This December, Netflix is bringing you a lot of entertainment, from the highly anticipated second season of Squid Game to a thrilling action thriller film titled The Carry-On. However, for the purposes of this article, we are only including the films that are coming to Netflix this month and have an 89% or higher Rotten Tomatoes score. So, check out the five best films that are coming to Netflix in December 2024 with an 89% or higher Rotten Tomatoes score.

Zero Dark Thirty (December 1) Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91% Credit – Sony Pictures

Zero Dark Thirty is a political action thriller film directed by Kathryn Bigelow from a screenplay by Mark Boal. The 2012 film follows a CIA analyst and her team as they try to track down an infamous terrorist leader responsible for a grave terror attack on the United States. Zero Dark Thirty stars Jessica Chastain,...

Initially commenced as a dark comedy, as Breaking Bad progressed, Vince Gilligan’s creation would cement itself as one of the best crime dramas in the medium. But while at the core, Walter White’s story can easily be associated with a tragedy, given his fall from grace, even in the latter seasons, the show maintained its comedic chops, especially with the character of Saul Goodman.

Breaking Bad | Credit: AMC

But following the release of Better Call Saul, which is on par if not better than its predecessor, it’s easy to see Saul as a tragic hero, as his Saul Goodman facade only served as his way of coping with the events of Bcs. However, per Gilligan and Peter Gould’s original plans, the spin-off was originally pitched as a sitcom.

Better Call Saul Was Originally Intended To Be 70% Comedy Better Call Saul | Credit: AMC

While discussions regarding a...

Long before Game of Thrones traumatized the world with the brutal, divisive, and merciless slashing of on-screen favorites every other episode, HBO began the trend with The Sopranos. The darkly humorous series took a gritty storyline about mob life in New Jersey and turned it into a rendition of whack-a-mole with its characters.

With time, creator David Chase became infamous for the ruthless cruelty with which he disposed of his own beloved creations. Meanwhile, the show became the epicenter of much controversy and debate with its non-committal deaths, pitiless betrayals, and one very scandalous ending.

But it was one episode in Season 2 of The Sopranos that started it all.

The Sopranos Blows Up With a Season 2 Death The Sopranos Season 2 finale Funhouse marks the death of Salvatore Bonpensiero (left) [Credit: HBO]

The Sopranos allowed David Chase, creator of the HBO crime drama, to play God over his own domain. Judging without bias...

The Sopranos may just be one of the most celebrated shows on earth. With its explosive plot, chaotically charged characters, blinding betrayals, and divisive ending, the HBO show easily ranks high among an elite group of shows fit for kings. However, despite the fancy ratings and the golden reviews, the behind-the-scenes account of the making of the show was most troubling.

The Sopranos [Credit: HBO]

The Sopranos was not the average HBO project. It marked the beginning of a revolution that radically changed the face of the television industry for the better. The mob crime drama not only dramatically altered the narrative structure of television projects but also had an impact on their tone, dialogue, cinematography, and grounded realism. Meanwhile, something else about the cast stood out in The Sopranos, too.

The Sopranos Cast Draws Inspiration from Real-Life Tony Sirico as Paulie in The Sopranos [Credit: HBO]

Considering the level of charisma, devotion, and...

James Gandolfini found worldwide fame and recognition for his portrayal as Tony Soprano in the iconic HBO show The Sopranos. Alongside an ensemble cast, the actor and the show reached newer heights of success.

James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano in The Sopranos | Credits: HBO Entertainmenet

Portraying an equally charismatic and iconic role, James Gandolfini was one of the best actors that the world had the chance to meet. Even his co-star Drea de Matteo agreed that Gandolfini had one of the best appeal on the sets.

James Gandolfini Had a High Appeal While Filming The Sopranos

Throughout the series, James Gandolfini’s character went through a lot of ups and downs. Working alongside different co-stars and actors that became family, Gandolfini had one of the toughest jobs on-set during The Sopranos.

Drea de Matteo as Adriana La Cerva in a still from The Sopranos | Credits: HBO Entertainment

Drea de Matteo...

The Sopranos was a beloved show for a reason. Possessing the heart of iconic films like The Godfather and Scarface, it was very easy for a show like this to feel like a mockery of the genre. However, it managed to completely redefine it when it comes to television through its excellent quality in every aspect, making a reputation for itself as not only a success but also one of the most beloved and highly-rated shows of all time.

A still from The Sopranos | Credit: Max

With this in mind, it is not surprising that the actors gave it their all when they were starring in the series. However, at times it can be difficult to always be satisfied with one’s performance. For example, it would seem that Drea de Matteo did not like one aspect of her character.

The Sopranos and Accents

The Sopranos is a series that...

Michael Gandolfini’s star rose sharply with his appearance in 2021 The Sopranos prequel The Many Saints of Newark as a young Tony Soprano, the fictitious crime boss immortalized by his late father James Gandolfini.

The role saw him splashed across the culture and entertainment pages at home and worldwide, after a series of youthful, smaller parts including alongside Tom Holland in Cherry.

Gandolfini has since racked up credits on half a dozen features and series including Cat Person, Beau Is Afraid and Bob Marley: One World and is soon to be seen in Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza’s Iraqi War drama Warfare and upcoming Disney+ series Daredevil: Born Again, for which he is confirmed in season 2.

A serendipitous outcome of The Many Saints of Newark was his friendship with producer and actor Gabriella Piazza, who played Joanne Moltisanti in the show, who in turn introduced him to emerging director Blake Rice.

Vince Gilligan created many nuanced characters for his show Better Call Saul and these complex characters came with a lot of grey shade. Howard Hamlin, the CEO of Hhm, was one such character whom viewers initially considered one of the antagonists of the series. However, as the series progressed, Howard showed us that he was more than the smug and privileged lawyer he was portrayed to be.

Patrick Fabian as Howard Hamlin in Better Call Saul | Credits: AMC

Fans came to realize that he was just another ordinary human, largely misunderstood by both people on and off-screen. Howard’s final fate was to become a pawn in the destructive scheme of Jimmy McGill and Kim Wexler. At the end of all the scheming against him, not only was the innocent Howard’s reputation ruined but he was also killed off mercilessly.

Howard Hamlin Confronting Jimmy McGill In Better Call Saul...

The world of Breaking Bad has never disappointed the fans when it comes to delivering peak television via epic storylines. Gripping, intense, tragic, jarring, and sensational, the series has remained at the apex of television entertainment ever since Netflix adopted it into its streaming model. But The Sopranos left an impression on fans long before Bryan Cranston ever stepped into the ring.

The Sopranos – Drea de Matteo and Michael Imperioli [Credit: HBO]

Now, fans find themselves divided between the two giants – The Sopranos and Breaking Bad – in terms of their respective highest-rated episodes – Long Term Parking and Ozymandias. Both these storylines feature a major shocking turning point, forever altering the direction in which the shows were headed.

Breaking Bad Goes Up Against The Sopranos

For the fans of Vince Gilligan’s AMC crime drama, Breaking Bad, nothing encapsulates Heisenberg’s saga so well as the third to last episode of the series – Ozymandias.

The Sopranos is often considered to be one of the greatest shows of all time. The crime series centered around mafia boss Tony Soprano and his journey in the criminal world. The HBO show lasted six seasons, with its finale being widely appreciated at the time. However, it also spawned a lot of questions about the fate of Tony Soprano.

While David Chase confirmed that Tony was indeed dead and the abrupt cut to black was to honor the iconic character, actress Lorraine Bracco seemed to have her own theory. The actress who played Dr. Jennifer Melfi, Tony’s therapist, reportedly hated the ending and criticized Chase for sealing the fate of the legendary character.

Lorraine Bracco Hated David Chase’s Ending For The Sopranos A still from The Sopranos | Credits: HBO

Actress Lorraine Bracco played Tony Soprano’s (James Gandolfini) therapist Dr. Jennifer Melfi in The Sopranos. The actress...

The Sopranos creator David Chase had a clear vision of what he wanted his characters to be. He was very strict about his storylines and the dialogue of the characters. However, he admitted that he once had to concede to the demand of an actor on the show. The demand came from Tony Sirico, who played Paul Gualtieri aka Paulie Walnuts, and Chase believed that Sirico’s demand was fair.

Tony Sirico as Paulie Walnuts in The Sopranos | Credits: HBO

David Chase revealed that Sirico wanted to remove the word ‘bully’ from another actor’s line about his character. Chase revealed this rather sensitive side of Sirico in the wake of his passing in 2022. Sirico also had major roles in Goodfellas and several Woody Allen films including Mighty Aphrodite.

The Sopranos Actor Tony Sirico Wanted David Chase To Remove One Description of Him Tony Sirico in a still from The Sopranos...

The cultural impact of The Sopranos remains unparalleled to this day as the New Jersey mob and their daily shenanigans forever altered the course of television history. The ripple effect of the HBO show can be found in modern prestige shows like Mad Men, Breaking Bad, The Wire, and even Game of Thrones. But it’s the real-life mobsters who remain at the top of the list.

The Sopranos [Credit: HBO]

Taking a page out of fiction’s greatest mob stories, David Chase crafted a perfect story about the Italian-American Mafia based out of New Jersey. With James Gandolfini in the lead, the series introduced a golden age of television that left the audience wide-eyed with fascination and wonder.

But no amount of lessons from The Godfather and Scarface could prepare Chase and Gandolfini for what came next.

The Sopranos Gets a Life Lesson from a Real Gangster Tony Soprano hosts a...

Jon Hamm is one of the most iconic actors of all time, jumping from masterpiece to masterpiece and delivering performances that have made him the recipient of numerous major accolades over the years. He has starred in multiple genres on TV and the big screens – his recent project being Landman – over his nearly 3-decade-long career and never once left fans disappointed.

Jon Hamm. | Credits: Fargo / FX.

Even then, it seems like the 18-times Emmy-nominated heartthrob has lost out on a major genre — that he notably wants to tackle even at the age of 53 — considering how he hasn’t been cast in it to date: The superhero genre. To say the least, Hamm even became a part of Taylor Sheridan’s series, thinking it would paint him in a superhero role, but only to end up disappointed.

Jon Hamm Thought Landman Was a Superhero Role

Over the years, Jon Hamm has...

Vince Gilligan, Bryan Cranston, and Aaron Paul left behind an incontrovertible legacy with the world of Breaking Bad. Bob Odenkirk followed shortly after with the spin-off legal drama, Better Call Saul, plucking a seemingly unimportant pawn from the AMC parent series and turning it into arguably one of the best television shows in pop culture history.

Better Call Saul [Credit: AMC]

It was only natural for the audience, the actors, and everyone involved with the making of the show to expect a grand bow out at the end of its final chapter. Contrary to that belief, however, Odenkirk refused to walk the same path as his predecessor. While Breaking Bad went out guns a-blazin’, Better Call Saul explored a more demure and sensible ending befitting its anti-hero.

Bob Odenkirk’s Thoughts on Better Call Saul’s Ending Bob Odenkirk as Saul Goodman in Better Call Saul Season 6 [Credit: AMC]

The chaotic and smooth-talking lawyer...

The Breaking Bad universe has some unforgettable and gut-punching moments, but no one could’ve predicted what Better Call Saul would pull off with the death of one particular character. Bob Odenkirk’s journey as the morally ambiguous lawyer was addictive for fans, but it was the sudden emotional twists that set the series apart.

Bob Odenkirk as Saul Goodman in Better Call Saul | AMC

Even today, fans recall the one death scene that didn’t belong to a drug kingpin or a DEA agent, but one character whose life seemed untouchable. After his demise, fans were stunned in disbelief, and the specific moment left an impact on every viewer.

The Brutal Death of Howard Hamlin: A Tragic End in Better Call Saul Patrick Fabian as Howard Hamlin in Better Call Saul | AMC

Howard Hamlin played by Patrick Fabian was a slick but principled lawyer in Better Call Saul that people never expected to die,...

Alongside being a comedian, Seth Rogen has starred in his fair share of movies and projects. Similar to the star, Bob Odenkirk (known for his role as Saul Goodman) has also appeared in some comedic roles.

Seth Rogen in Superbad. Credits: Columbia/TriStar

However, what seems to be an iconic case of coincidence is that both stars auditioned for the same project! The characters auditioned for the role of regional manager and assistant “to” the regional manager.

When Bob Odenkirk and Seth Rogen Auditioned For The Office

The Office (U.S.) version is known for having an iconic cast of Steve Carell, John Krasinksi, Ed Helms, and more. Being one of the funniest sitcoms of all time, people are still in love with the series even after a decade.

Bob Odenkirk as Saul Goodman in Better Call Saul | Credits: Crystal Diner

Steve Carell played a fantastic role as Michael Scott...

After embodying one of the most popular Batman villains in the 2022 film The Batman, Colin Farrell returned as Oswald Cobb in the HBO crime drama The Penguin. As the show made its way to the HBO premiere with rave reviews, it also drew comparisons to David Chase’s iconic crime drama The Sopranos.

Colin Farrell in The Penguin | Credit: HBO

However, the star of the show doesn’t seem to be bothered much by such comparisons and critics’ remarks as he said that the parameter for his success is based on whether the audience likes his work or not.

Colin Farrell Remains Unfazed by The Penguin And The Sopranos Comparisons

With the release of HBO’s new crime drama The Penguin, comparisons to The Sopranos quickly emerged. From the show’s tone and Colin Farrell’s performance in the titular role to even some specific scenes, there have been constant comparisons between the two shows.

The Penguin comes to an end on HBO and Max on Sunday, Nov. 10. After watching one of the best gangster/mob stories we've seen in a long time, we know fans are going to be looking for something else to watch!

We've already watched The Batman, the film that inspired The Penguin, quite a few times. And, we also have a long time to wait until The Batman Part 2 hits theaters in 2026. Luckily, there are more than enough good crime shows for The Penguin fans to watch until The Batman Part 2.

And, we're also hearing some promising news about The Penguin season 2. We don't know for sure if the series is coming back for season 2, but there's some hope, according to a report from The Direct.

While we wait to find out the fate of The Penguin, let's get the list of crime shows to watch started with the best TV show of all time,...

There have been talks that the character of Colin Farrell’s Oswald Cobb has been inspired by notable characters like Vito Corleone, Tony Soprano, and more. Naturally, The Penguin and The Sopranos fandoms are not on good terms.

Colin Farrell in a still from The Penguin | Credits: DC Studios

Well, there is one connection between the two very different shows that will unite the fandoms for good. An iconic actor has been a part of The Sopranos as well as The Penguin and she is remarkable.

The Sopranos‘ connection The Penguin Connection

Created by David Chase, the iconic 1999 show starred legendary actor James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano. Following the story of the Italian-American mafia head, The Sopranos is probably one of the finest series in television history.

James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano in The Sopranos | Credits: HBO

Following on similar notes (but being completely different) is Colin Farrell’s The Penguin.

When you think of killer TV dramas, Breaking Bad and The Sopranos are always in the ring, ready to rumble. But here’s the lowdown from Vince Gilligan himself: he’s got a secret sauce that makes Breaking Bad stand out. While Tony Soprano’s all about that morally gray life, Gilligan’s got a different vibe.

Vince Gilligan | Image by Magnus Manske, licensed under Cc By-sa 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

He dives straight into the crazy transformation of Walter White—from mild-mannered teacher to full-on drug lord. It’s all about watching the chaos unfold as Walter makes some seriously bad choices. That clear-cut moral compass? It keeps us hooked.

Why Vince Gilligan Believes Breaking Bad Triumphs Over The Sopranos James Gandolfini in the final scene of The Sopranos | Credits: HBO Entertainment

When it comes to TV dramas, Breaking Bad and The Sopranos are like the heavyweight champs of the ring,...

The Sopranos is frequently remembered by TV fans as being one of the greatest crime shows ever. The series delved into the life of an angsty mobster Tony Soprano and his day-to-day struggle as he reluctantly agreed to go to therapy.

James Gandolfini transitioned from a movie star to featuring on the small screen, but it was not an easy road to success. The actor had to face several inconveniences and struggled a lot during the filming period. One interview revealed that he wanted to quit the hit show daily until he managed to find the strength to appear in front of the camera again.

Commit, Quit, Reappear: The repeated cycle

Tony Soprano became a legendary character due to his convoluted personality and relatable life struggles. Few fans, however, are aware of the actor’s rocky journey when he started The Sopranos and struggled under the weight of the fame.

Saul Goodman did not get to headline his own show without good reason. The superstar lawyer from the Breaking Bad universe who found his niche in the morally grey no man’s land was simply too good to be true. But now it seems as though the universe has finally found a real-life alter ego for the character played by Bob Odenkirk in Young Thug’s lawyer, Brian Steele.

Bob Odenkirk as Saul Goodman [Credit: AMC]

Young Thug was recently released from prison and the terms of his release were nothing short of miraculous. Even more fantastical was the fact that the rapper’s lawyer almost gambled away his client’s whole life and career on a move that could have, for all we know, gone very wrong at the last minute.

The Universe Delivers a Real-Life Saul Goodman Better Call Saul [Credit: AMC]

Lawyers have been glorified since the era of Boston Legal.

House of the Dragon features a talented ensemble cast, with several actors delivering mindblowing performances in their respective roles. Actor Ewan Mitchell plays one of the most complex characters in the show in the form of Aemond Targaryen. However, Mitchell took inspiration from a surprising actor’s most iconic performance.

Ewan Mitchell plays Aemond Targaryen in House of the Dragon (Credit: HBO).

During an interview, Mitchell admitted to drawing inspiration from the legendary James Gandolfini. The actor explained how he was inspired by the latter’s turn as Tony Soprano in the hit HBO drama The Sopranos. At the same time, Mitchell also highlighted a parallel between his and Gandolfini’s character. Here is how James Gandolfini inspired Ewan Mitchell’s House of the Dragon role.

House of the Dragon Ewan Mitchell Was Inspired By James Gandolfini’s Tony Soprano

Actor Ewan Mitchell rose to prominence with his performance in...

Imagine Mad Men without Jon Hamm’s brooding Don Draper—impossible, right? Well, it nearly happened. And oddly enough, his devastatingly good looks were the problem. Studio execs fretted that Hamm might be too handsome for viewers to buy him as the complex, troubled ad man, fearing his charm could overshadow the gritty 1960s narrative.

Credits: Jon Hamm in The Morning Show | Credits: Kerry Ehrin Productions

As if that weren’t enough, The Sopranos icon James Gandolfini almost sealed the show’s fate before it aired, as his powerhouse performance left everyone questioning if another morally gray lead could ever work. The combo of Hamm’s looks and Gandolfini’s shadow nearly killed the series, but luckily, Mad Men managed to break through—proving that charm, danger, and a killer suit could redefine TV drama.

How Jon Hamm’s Star Power and a Risky Casting Decision Shaped Mad Men‘s...

Drea de Matteo and James Gandolfini portrayed the role of Adriana La Cerva and Tony Soprano in the iconic HBO show The Sopranos. However, de Matteo and another crew member soon developed a crush on the lead star.

Michael Imperioli and Drea de Matteo in The Sopranos | Credits: HBO

Having a crush on a film or TV star is completely normal. However, the ballsy joke that Drea de Matteo and her friend made every time they walked by Gandolfini was quite a daring flirt.

Drea de Matteo Used to Make Faucet Sounds With James Gandolfini

A weird way to flirt but it is a way to flirt for sure. The Sopranos ran for 8 years before airing its controversial finale in 2007. During that time, the cast and crew of the show had bonded quite well and James Gandolfini and Drea de Matteo had become good friends.

James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano...

Created by David Chase for HBO, The Sopranos has been one of the most prestigious shows ever created for television. Starring James Gandolfini, Michael Imperioli, Tony Sirico, and Edie Falco among others, the series not only embedded the viewers into the lives of the Soprano family but also made them invested in their day-to-day comings and goings like no other show did.

The Sopranos [Credit: HBO]

Without a basis for a mob drama and with only the Martin Scorsese movies as a reference point, The Sopranos quickly became a household favorite among the audiences of the new century. Amid the chatter of late-night television and the laugh tracks of countless sitcoms, The Sopranos hit a home run with its grounded and unique storyline.

The Sopranos Contains a Huge Meta Reference The Sopranos Season 4 Episode 10 – Christopher’s intervention “The Strong, Silent Type”[Credit: HBO]

The Sopranos might have redefined television drama, elevating the medium to...

Bob Odenkirk, the mastermind behind Better Call Saul, found himself wrestling with a familiar feeling—one that echoed James Gandolfini’s struggles with the iconic Tony Soprano. Imagine carrying the weight of a character whose moral compass spins wildly; it can get heavy!

Bob Odenkirk as Saul Goodman in Better Call Saul | Credit: Sony Pictures

Odenkirk understood the desire to escape the shadows of such complex personas, realizing that sometimes, walking away isn’t just a choice—it’s a necessity for one’s sanity. Let’s unpack how these two brilliant actors grappled with their roles and the fine line between art and personal truth.

Bob Odenkirk Reflects on the Emotional Toll of Playing Saul Goodman in Better Call Saul James Gandolfini in The Sopranos | Credits: HBO

Bob Odenkirk dropped some serious truth about the emotional grind of playing Saul Goodman in Better Call Saul. In a raw chat with the New York Times,...

Heard of strange Hollywood feuds? The Sopranos had one of its own. James Gandolfini didn’t just play a tough guy on the 1999 drama series—he was one, on and off-screen. But while he faced fictional foes on set, he was also wrestling with real-life demons.

James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano in The Sopranos | Credits: HBO Entertainment

And here’s the kicker: Gandolfini’s personal struggles took a surprising toll, sparking an unexpected grudge against a certain co-star. The reason? Odd as it gets!

Behind-the-Scenes Battles: James Gandolfini’s Addiction Sparked Tension with Edie Falco on The Sopranos Set James Gandolfini in the final scene of The Sopranos | Credits: HBO Entertainment

James Gandolfini wasn’t just The Sopranos’ brooding mob boss; behind the scenes, he was wrestling with real-life demons that bled into his work. Turns out, Gandolfini’s struggle with addiction led him to clash with his on-screen wife,...

The Sopranos is often praised for kickstarting the Second Golden Age of Television or Prestige TV. An extensive section of viewers and critics even consider it the greatest TV show ever. Even Steve Buscemi, the Tony B actor and one of the show’s significant directors, agreed to it. But he claimed that the HBO show had to end early as it took a toll on the late James Gandolfini.

James Gandolfini with Steve Buscemi in The Sopranos | Creative: HBO

It is notable that The Sopranos, with 86 episodes, is bigger than shows like Breaking Bad (62) and Game of Thrones (73). Still, many viewers wondered what forced the show to end when most of the co-stars wanted to continue the show. Steve Buscemi confessed that it was due to the late Tony Soprano actor who thought he had done more than enough with The Sopranos.

The late James Gandolfini could not withstand...

The Sopranos is one of the most critically acclaimed TV shows in history, ending its grand run in 2007 with season 6. Throughout its run, it set a benchmark for how crime drama series were supposed to be, enticing, chilling, exhilarating, and exasperating all at the same time.

Led by James Gandolfini as mob boss Tony Soprano, its finale still continues to spark debate and speculation despite all this time. A drama that ran successfully for six seasons, blending themes of brutal crime with deep psychological and family themes, The Sopranos was never destined for a seventh season it seems.

The Sopranos | Credit: HBO

The creator David Chase always had a clear vision of how the series was supposed to end despite the common belief that HBO might have something to do with its end. The series apparently had run its course and had reached its peak, so continuing it would have potentially negatively impacted the narrative.

Is “Shōgun” about to pull a “Succession” at the 2025 Golden Globes?

Currently at Gold Derby, the FX historical epic leads three top categories in our Golden Globe predictions: Best Drama Series, Best Drama Actor for Hiroyuki Sanada, and Best Drama Actress for Anna Sawai. If it also manages to pull off a fourth victory in a supporting race, it would match “Succession’s” total of four from last year.

For its final season, HBO’s family drama won the series prize at the Golden Globes and it also took home trophies for lead actors Kieran Culkin and Sarah Snook, plus supporting player Matthew Macfadyen.

If “Shōgun” rides off with only the three top categories for series, lead actor, and lead actress, it would still be in good company indeed, as only a handful of dramas have done so. Besides “Succession” in 2023, “The Crown” most recently accomplished this feat in 2020. Before that,...

Notable for penning some of the finest pieces of television with The Sopranos and Boardwalk Empire, writer Terence Winter is once again excelling in the small screen with Sylvester Stallone’s Tulsa King. Although on the surface level, Stallone’s Dwight and James Gandolfini’s Tony Soprano might not seem much different, given their history with the mob, this couldn’t be further from the truth.

The Sopranos | Credit: HBO

Irrespective of their criminal history, writer and executive producer Winter detailed why the two are substantially different.

Sylvester Stallone’s Dwight Is More Rational and Reasonable Per Writer Sylvester Stallone as Dwight | Credit: Paramount+

While The Sopranos doesn’t shy away from highlighting Tony’s sociopathic tendencies, in Dwight’s case, Terence Winter added that he’s more of a rational and reasonable guy instead of being a bully.

Related “People so hellbent on treating it like Cowboy Sopranos”:...

Over the years, Quentin Tarantino has built quite a reputation for being an amazing filmmaker, screenwriter, and even actor. Although he will go down in history for his work on films like Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill, and more, those movies were not what should be considered his original cult classic hit. In fact, before Tarantino became a household name with his work, his passion for storytelling and a knack for writing sharp, gritty dialogue paved the way to success.

Quentin Tarantino | Image by Gage Skidmore, licensed under Cc By-sa 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Over the years, many fans have realized that the genesis of his career began with a story he sold to fund his debut film, Reservoir Dogs. This original cult hit was True Romance, a script that Tarantino wrote and sold, which became a stepping stone that enabled him to make his directorial debut.

The Quentin Tarantino script that...

Jeremy Strong said in a recent interview with The Times of London that playing Kendall Roy on HBO’s “Succession” for four seasons “fucked me up.” The actor won an Emmy and a Golden Globe for the role, but he has no interest in returning to the world of “Succession” because he “sometimes lost touch with joy” while having to stay in Kendall’s tortured mindset.

“That show was an incalculable gift. The material a banquet. So I miss that. But Kendall’s struggle was difficult to carry for seven years,” Strong said. “And there’s just so much more I want to do.”

When asked about a Kendall Roy spinoff series, Strong responded: “It’s not something I have any wish to do any longer. I’m aware it is one of the main chapters of my life, but I don’t miss it.”

Strong went on to say...

Taylor Sheridan can easily be the prominent face behind the iconic Yellowstone Universe. But when it comes to the American crime show Tulsa King, actor Sylvester Stallone has had a much bigger impact on the Paramount series, than the creator Sheridan himself. The same revelation was made by the show’s writer and executive producer Terence Winter.

Sylvester Stallone in Tulsa King 2 | Credits: Paramount+

While Winter exited the first season of the show due to several creative differences. After these issues were resolved he made a comeback for the second season, which was released in September of this year. And in a recent interview, had nothing but good words to add for the Rocky actor.

Terence Winter Detailed How Sylvester Stallone Played a Pivotal Role in Shaping Tulsa King 2

Terence Winter has had several decades of experience in the writing field. And has penned some of the most iconic shows out there.

We’re about to enter another busy weekend with way too many new releases, but “Joker: Folie à Deux” isn’t likely to win a second week either way, as another clown bursts into theaters. Read on for Gold Derby’s box office preview.

Before we get to the new movies, we need to examine whether Todd Phillips‘ “Joker: Folie à Deux” can possibly stay atop the box office after such horrible reviews and a terrible opening weekend. On Sunday, Warner Bros. estimated a $40 million opening, but actually, it was lower with just $37.8 million. Its “D” CinemaScore makes it likely to drop 65% to 70% or even more in its second weekend, which would knock it down to $11.5 million or less. That sets up a scenario where DreamWorks Animation’s “The Wild Robot” can capitalize on its great word-of-mouth and general lack of family films to beat it by Sunday, even if...

The Office fans will forever remember the way the show tried to fill the tremendous void left by Steve Carell, when he quit his role as Michael Scott, after seven seasons. Although writers initially tried to focus the show on prominent ancillary characters like Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson), they quickly realized that the series needed a new boss.

Steve Carell as Michael Scott in The Office | image: NBC

That’s when James Spader was plucked from the “Search Committee” episode to play Robert California and become the actual replacement for Steve Carell. However, before Spader was cast, Ryan Howard actor B.J. Novak revealed how he and the rest of the cast members had an unexpected actor in mind, as a replacement for Carell’s Michael Scott.

The Office Cast Had an Unexpected Replacement for Steve Carell

Following Steve Carell‘s heartbreaking departure from The Office, James Spader took on the...

Edward Norton still has the honor of starring in the only solo Hulk movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but he is also one of the few actors to have their role replaced in the series that spans over 30 movies and 10 canonical shows. Ruffalo began his MCU journey a dozen years ago in the first Avengers blockbuster; where he “incredibly” captured the duality of Banner/Hulk better than any prior performer. Ruffalo managed to pull off the feat in a team-up event, whereas Norton, and a pre-mcu Eric Bana, had an entire feature dedicated to the hero.

Ruffalo immediately connected with audiences more than any of his predecessors, which raised the bar for how compelling this hero could be in live-action, while also rounding out the Avengers ensemble wonderfully. He gave the Marvel Cinematic Universe a big green hand to help lift the franchise to stratospheric heights. Without individual projects to focus on,...

Whether you think it was a hilarious exercise in creative chaos or just a bunch of dumb bullshit, you can’t deny that Francis Ford Coppola’s dubiously guided epic Megalopolis was a box-office disaster. Having brought in only about $4 million, it had the worst opening weekend of any widely released film with a budget over $100 million in history.

How did this happen? Well, being a man, Coppola spends a lot of time thinking about the Roman empire. He’s wanted to make a movie about it set in modern-day New York City since the 1970s, but almost as if the universe was trying to tell him something, life always got in the way. A string of box-office failures meant he had to focus on the surefire hits, like *consults notes* 1996’s Jack. Actors who had been cast years earlier had aged out of their roles. An entire 9/11 happened. These are what we call “signs.

Actor Idris Elba stepped foot in Baltimore for the first time after he was cast in The Wire. But when he first arrived in the city, he couldn’t believe what he was seeing.

What Idris Elba liked about Baltimore Idris Elba | Stephane Danna/Getty Images

Elba was alredy familiar with living in America by the time he was cast as The Wire’s Stringer Bell. He’d lived in New York City for four years where he had a difficult time getting stable work as an actor. Being cast as drug dealer and business man Stringer Bell gave the actor a stable income and noticeable attention in the film industry. But being on The Wire also introduced Elba to another side of the country he hadn’t experienced before. The Wire would be the first time Elba visited Baltimore, which was a new world compared to New York.

“Well,...

Thanks to the movies, superheroes are a cultural force. That glut hasn't exactly come with critical respect for the genre, though. On one hand, it's because these are innately simple stories for children. The other reason, I feel, is because the people who make these movies are embarrassed by that fact. Sometimes that manifests like in the "X-Men" films, where the movies run as far away from the comics as possible to "elevate" the story. Then there's the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which undercuts all its weirdness with "self-aware" humor about how none of its own world makes sense. Some rare filmmakers take superheroes seriously enough without trying to make them into something they're not (e.g. Sam Raimi) but it's rare.

The latest example of this is "The Penguin" showrunner Lauren LeFranc downplaying the series' Batman roots. No, this is a serious crime drama, hence why Oz (Colin Farrell) can't...

Jon Hamm had a tough start in the industry, but with his zest and hard work, he became one of the most promising actors of his generation. But in his slew of projects, Mad Men played a very special role for the actor. Initially, the creators were hesitant to cast him in the project, but with his acting talent, he got on board to play Don Draper.

Jon Hamm in Mad Men | Credits: AMC+

This character in itself had a lot of complexities, but Hamm played the role to the best of his abilities for not just one but seven seasons.

His portrayal brought a lot of attention to Draper, with some fans even wanting to be like him in real life. However, even Hamm cannot understand this obsession of the viewers and detailed exactly why being like Draper won’t be such a great idea.

Jon Hamm Thinks His...

HBO’s “The Sopranos” has one of the most divisive series finales of all time. Since it aired in 2007, it’s caused heavy debate and interpretation among fans over the years. Now, star Lorraine Bracco, who played Tony Soprano’s therapist Dr. Jennifer Melfi, is revealing her thoughts on the controversial ending.

“The Sopranos” ended with an abrupt cut-to-black scene that implied the sudden death of protagonist Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini). The final scene shows Tony seated in diner booth as he awaits his family. The door to the restaurant opens, but we never get a glimpse of who enters when all of a sudden the show cuts to black and ends — sparking controversy ever since over its lack of closure. Throughout the show, Melfi and Tony developed a close bond; the psychiatrist was aware of his crimes as a mobster but continued to meet with him as a therapist.

Mad Men became one of the most critically acclaimed shows during its seven-season run on AMC. Created by Matthew Weiner, the series revolved around Don Draper, an advertising executive at Sterling Cooper Advertising Agency. The series also features Christina Hendricks as Joan Holloway, the office manager at the agency with ambitious career plans who slowly climbs up the corporate ladder.

Christina Hendricks played Joan Holloway in Mad Men (Credit: AMC).

During an interview, Weiner revealed that the original plans for the character were much different as she was only meant to play a small part. However, the showrunner admitted that Hendricks’ casting in the role led him to realize that the character could have a more significant role in the story and later played a part in exploring some complex ideas. Here is what Weiner had originally planned for Hendricks’ character and why he changed it.

Mad Men Showrunner Revealed...

When it comes to iconic TV characters, only a few have left as indelible a mark as the anti-heroes brought to life by actors like Bryan Cranston and James Gandolfini. From the morally complex Walter White in Breaking Bad to the iconic Tony Soprano in The Sopranos, these figures have continued to captivate audiences.

The Sopranos | Credit: HBO

However, the actors behind these roles often grapple with the weight of their characters, as revealed by Jon Hamm, who masterfully portrayed the chain-smoking, booze-guzzling high-profile ad exec Don Draper in the period drama, Mad Men.

Jon Hamm Reflected on the Burden of His Mad Men Character

Jon Hamm took on the role of the advertising executive Don Draper in 1960s New York, who tries to balance his personal and professional life, in Mad Men. While it’s been quite popular, Hamm has not been too pleased with how his character has...

The latter days of Upn, before it merged with The WB to become The CW, weren’t marked by many critical hits, but Everybody Hates Chris was one of them. The titular Chris was Chris Rock, who narrated the single-camera comedy about his life, starting when he turned 13, moved with his parents from New York housing projects to the Brooklyn neighborhood Bed-Stuy, and started attending a better school, far away in an all-white neighborhood. The show wasn’t coy about its influences: its title was a play on that of another long-running sitcom with a standup comic at its center, and the device of a sitcom narrator commenting on scenes of his childhood from later in life had been done decades earlier on The Wonder Years. When the time came for Everybody Hates Chris to end its run, it stole from the best, with a final scene directly inspired by...