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Eddie Murphy’s ‘Coming 2 America’- Movie Review

by Betty Halsell

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Coming 2 America unearthed bejeweled life lessons, sewn in with the fabrics of true love. It touched on blended families, racism, feminism, and just a touch of true passion and diplomatic change. Paramount Pictures, New Republic Pictures, Eddie Murphy Productions, and  Misher Films carefully groomed this sequel to sit on the throne as the next American classic.

Coming 2 America is the true royal oat to the 1988 narrative. The movie picks up 30 years later, back in Zamunda. The future king Akeem (Eddie Murphy) and his beloved wife, Lisa (Shari Headley), arise to their three daughters wishing them a happy anniversary. It is important for there to be a male heir to carry out the patriotic rule of the country in royal families, this was something Prince Akeem assumed he failed at accomplishing. However, to his surprise, a royal oat was sewn, Lavelle Johnson (Jermaine Fowler) sprouted back in the land of Queens.

Prince Akeem soon becomes king, and with the new crown, comes new weight. Coming 2 America presented real scenarios like a blended family, Queen Lisa and Levelle’s mother (Leslie Jones) were vastly different but found common ground.

The movie touched on the rule of tradition that overshadows the change for the future, as Meeka (Kiki Lane) eldest royal daughter, watched her dreams of being Queen fade away as soon as there was talk of a son. Women in Zamunda spoke of owning their own business, but solemnly knew according to Zamunda Law, it was not possible. The sequel presented each problem smoothly – they were serious issues, without political heaviness.

Getting into the design and feel of Zamunda, one could assume the wealth of this country is on the highest scale. They pulled from both African and African-American cultures. The entrances of General Izzy (Wesley Snipes) paralleled ‘stepping’ from Black fraternities/sororities (think stomp the yard every time General Izzy entered the scene.) The costumes were curated by Oscar award-winning Ruth E. Carter, who was the designer behind Wakanda’s sense of fashion.

Although there wasn’t an official breakdown of what African tribes inspired Carter, she is known to pull from South Africa, using African lace, symbols, and their traditional headdress as statement pieces. Each character presented a unique style, Prince Lavelle interpreted the royal stride and attire to fit his personal taste of swag and cadence. All the intricate nuances that make up Black culture were joined with the vivacious origins of African heritage, which was a beautiful marriage of its own. Also, the athletic brand Puma was spotted making their renditions of African-inspired gear in the movie.

The sequel upheld the presence of being over the top like the 1980s original, with a dash of new flavor, giving it a different soulful bite. There were quick peeks into places that made the classic movie the crowned jewel that it is, such as McDowell’s fast food eatery, adding “healthier options.” The ingenious characters Murphy created were peppered throughout the film effortlessly.

Nostalgic cameo appearances throughout the journey were made the singing royal announcer Oha (Paul Bates), Morris and Clarence from the barbershop(Arsenio Hall and Murphy), the womanizing pastor Reverend Brown (Hall), the arranged betrothed Imani Izzy (Vanessa Bell Calloway), and Randy “Sexual Chocolate” Watson (Murphy) all played into the new story of royalty.

Love expanded as the root of the story, planting different seeds where it was needed. The affection between a son and his mother who raised him, the love of tradition and family honor, and how love can also be the seed for change. Throughout the movie, Prince Akeem once again evolves to another version of himself, bringing along his country to a new level of progression.

The credits had a few sparks as well, with much-wanted bloopers and an unexpected musical artist doing the cover of the endearing serenade, ” She’s Your Queen.” Much like the 1988 original, the sequel was light-hearted but tackled some of the most tangible issues that America is facing today, Coming 2 America brought back a much-needed smile and feel-good reality that the nation is looking to get back to.

Available March 5 exclusively on Amazon Prime.

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Film & TV

‘Paradise’ Renewed for Season 2 at Hulu: Everything You Need to Know

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Paradise season 2

Hulu’s gripping political thriller Paradise has officially been renewed for Season 2, an exciting new for the fans of the Sterling K. Brown-led series. With its mix of high-stakes drama, unexpected twists, and a stellar cast, the show has quickly become a standout hit for the streaming platform. The news came on February 20, 2025, just ahead of the Season 1 finale. Here’s everything you need to know about Paradise Season 2, including what’s next for the series, its performance so far, and how you can catch up.

Why Did ‘Paradise’ Get Renewed For Season 2

Paradise season 2
Sterling K. Brown and James Marsden in “Paradise” (source: Disney)

Since its debut on January 26, 2025, Paradise has become a fan favorite with its intricate storytelling and genre-blending narrative. Created by Dan Fogelman—known for the emotional powerhouse This Is Us—the series follows Secret Service agent Xavier Collins (Sterling K. Brown) as he unravels a web of secrets following the mysterious death of President Cal Bradford (James Marsden). What started as a political thriller quickly became a dystopian territory, revealing a world of underground cities and hidden truths.

The renewal comes as no surprise, given the show’s impressive performance. Paradise launched with 7 million global views in its first week across Hulu in the U.S. and Disney+ internationally, outpacing even The Bear Season 3’s debut numbers. Its consistent presence on Hulu’s Top 15 list and critical acclaim have cemented its status as one of 2025’s must-watch shows. With Season 1 still unfolding—new episodes drop every Tuesday, culminating in the finale on March 4, 2025—Hulu’s early renewal reflects strong faith in the series’ staying power.

What to Expect in the upcoming season

Sterling K. Brown with his on-screen children, played by Aliyah Mastin and Percy Daggs IV

While specific plot details for Season 2 remain under wraps, Fogelman has hinted at a grand vision for the series. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, he revealed that he has a three-season arc planned, with Season 1 designed to answer key questions while setting the stage for bigger mysteries. The Season 1 finale promises to resolve the question of “who killed the president,” which launches a fresh journey for Xavier and the residents of the titular underground city.

The latest episode (Episode 6, “You Asked for Miracles,” released February 18, 2025) dropped a bombshell: Xavier’s wife, Teri, presumed dead in the surface cataclysm, might still be alive. This revelation, coupled with Xavier’s rebellion against the controlling Samantha “Sinatra” Redmond (Julianne Nicholson), sets up a Season 2 filled with personal stakes and societal upheaval. Will Xavier uncover the whole truth about Paradise’s elite? Could the habitable surface, a secret kept from the citizens, play a larger role? We shall see.

The ensemble cast—including Sarah Shahi as Dr. Gabriela Torabi and Nicole Brydon Bloom as the enigmatic Jane Driscoll—will likely return, with potential new faces joining to expand the story. Fogelman has teased “big moves ahead,” suggesting a pivot that keeps the narrative fresh yet “follow-able” for viewers.

How to Watch ‘Paradise’ Season 1—and Season 2 Prep

Hulu

Now’s the perfect time if you haven’t jumped into Paradise yet. Season 1 is currently streaming on Hulu in the U.S., with new episodes airing Tuesdays at midnight ET. Internationally, Disney+ subscribers can follow along, making it a global phenomenon. ABC will air the entire first season starting April 7, 2025, at 10:00 PM ET/PT for those without Hulu, a rare move that broadens the show’s reach.

When Will Season 2 Premiere?

Paradise season 2
Hulu

No official release date for Season 2 has been announced, but fans might expect it in early 2026 based on typical production timelines. Season 1’s rapid renewal suggests Hulu is eager to keep the series rolling, and Fogelman’s clear roadmap could streamline the process. Stay tuned for updates as production ramps up post-finale.

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Will Smith Teases ‘Hancock’ Sequel & Collab with Zendaya

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Will Smith Teases Hancock Sequel With Zendaya

Will Smith hinted at the long-awaited sequel to his 2008 superhero film, “Hancock,” and expressed his eagerness to collaborate with Zendaya during his recent appearance on xQc’s live stream on Twitch.

Fans and industry insiders have discussed the prospect of a sequel for years. The original film grossed over $624 million worldwide—the fourth highest-grossing film that year. Now, it seems that the project may finally come to fruition.

Will Smith Teases 'Hancock' Sequel

“There’s a really cool Hancock 2 idea,” Smith said during the stream. “We haven’t even talked about it.”

Smith added, “I’m going to give you one little piece. Zendaya [is] being approached for a role in Hancock 2.”

The original film, helmed by Peter Berg, follows Hancock (Smith), a scruffy superhero who protects the citizens of Los Angeles while leaving horrendous collateral damage in the wake of every well-intentioned feat. The movie also starred Charlize Theron, Jason Bateman, and Eddie Marsan.

In 2012,  Berg told Comicbookmovie there was an ongoing conversation about the sequel, but the schedules needed to align.

“We’ve been talking about the sequel between us, Will Smith, [producers] Michael Mann and Akiva Goldman, and myself. We’re all interested, but we literally just have trouble getting into the same room at the same time,” the director explained. “We did have a series of meetings last year and started to hash out an idea for sequel — and Will Smith actually had the idea — so I think it will happen, it’s just a question of timing.”

Stay tuned for more updates!

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‘Surface’ Season 2 Moves Its Setting From San Francisco to London

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Surface

Gugu Mbatha-Raw returns as Tess Caldwell, a woman suffering from amnesia after mysteriously jumping off a ship, in the sophomore season of Apple TV+ psychological thriller ‘Surface.’

From Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine, the first season of the mystery series was set in San Francisco but shifts across the pond for its forthcoming episodes.

While in season 1, Caldwell spent time remembering her real identity, as she had been referring to herself as Sophie Ellis, in season 2, she is ready to find out more and return to where it all started. To do that, she must immerse herself in elite British society. There, she reconnects with an heiress who may know more about her than she lets on. However, Caldwell’s investigation is sidetracked when a journalist seeks her assistance exposing the scandals of those she’s gotten close to. As much as she still has to discover, staying alive proves half the battle.

The returning cast includes Oliver Jackson-Cohen and Millie Brady. Phil Dunster, Gavin Drea, Rupert Graves, Tara Fitzgerald, Nina Sosanya, Joely Richardson, and Freida Pinto are joining the cast this season. 

‘Surface” will return Friday, February 21, with eight new episodes. Watch the trailer for Season 2 below.

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