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Smoke Review: A Slow-Burn Thriller with Standout Performances

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Each of the episodes of Smoke — a nine-episode crime drama that debuted on Apple TV+ on June 27, 2025 — is a gripping exploration of arson, trauma, and moral ambiguity. Developed by Dennis Lehane and adapted from the Firebug podcast, the series follows arson investigator Dave Gudsen (Taron Egerton) and detective Michelle Calderon (Jurnee Smollett) as they search for two serial arsonists through the fictional Pacific Northwest town of Umberland. Featuring a terrific array of characters and a generally cool smoky look, Smoke generates a good deal of interest but does not quite seem to achieve full narrative traction.

Set against a chilling and atmospheric backdrop, the series is a riveting, twisting, and insidious mystery that will have readers on the edge of their seats until the finale. The show explores themes such as guilt, narcissism, and self-deception through the use of fire as a metaphor for moral and emotional decay. It begins as a typical cop show, but evolves into a twisty narrative that challenges expectations, though some plot turns sometimes feel abrupt or underdeveloped.

Smoke
Taron Egerton as Dave Gudsen and Jurnee Smollett as Michelle Calderon in SMOKE / source: Apple TV+

The ensemble is a highlight. Taron Egerton is excellent as the former firefighter-turned-investigator Dave Gudsen, a man of entangled desires and weaknesses. Jurnee Smollett is right there with him as Michelle Calderon, channeling steely resolve and emotional complexity into a detective wrestling with her own history. Supporting players like Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine, who portrays the enigmatic Freddy Fasano, and Greg Kinnear, as the fire chief, are also doing a brilliant job. As a lonely soul in agony, Mwine gives us something frighteningly real.

Smoke is a worthy binge for those who enjoy character-driven crime dramas, tinged by Egerton and Smollett’s riveting performances. Although its sleek execution and psychological richness keep it compelling, the show doesn’t always fulfill the promise of its early episodes, stumbling into an overly repetitive, overly ambitious storytelling scope. Yet, it’s a strong addition to Apple TV+’s expanding roster of prestige dramas, ideal for those who like their mysteries slow-burning and a bit dark.

Smoke is available on Apple TV+. New episodes drop weekly through August 15, 2025.

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Film & TV

Chadwick Boseman Honored With a Star On Hollywood walk of Fame (Photos)

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Thursday, Nov. 20 – ‘Black Panther’s Chadwick Boseman received a posthumous star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The late actor’s wife, Simone Ledward-Boseman, accepted the honor on his behalf.

Boseman, best known for his roles as King T’Challa in ‘Black Panther,’  Jackie Robinson in ’42,’ and James Brown in ‘Get On Up,’ died in 2020 at the age of 43 after a private battle with cancer. The news of his passing was sudden and came as a shock to many, including Boseman’s collaborators and close friends, who revealed they did not know of his illness.

Ryan Coogler, who directed Boseman in “Black Panther,” and Davis, who co-starred opposite him in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” spoke at the ceremony. Both spoke candidly of who Chadwick was as a human, an actor, and a friend.

Boseman’s co-stars Letitia Wright and Michael B. Jordan also attended the ceremony, as well as Chadwick’s brothers, Kevin and Derrick.

See photos from the star unveiling ceremony below.

  • Chadwick Boseman
  • Boseman
  • Chadwick Boseman star
  • Chadwick Boseman star
  • Ryan Coogler
  • Chadwick Boseman star
  • Chadwick Boseman star
  • Chadwick Boseman star
  • Chadwick Boseman star

For those who wish to visit and pay their respects, the star is located at 6904 Hollywood Blvd., across from the TCL Chinese Theatre.

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Film & TV

Peacock To Release a New Docuseries “Tiffany Haddish Goes Off”

Inspired by the film “Girls Trip,” the series follows Tiffany Haddish and her childhood friends on their vacation across the continent of Africa

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Peacock’s new docuseries “Tiffany Haddish Goes Off,” which will premiere on Thursday, November 13, follows Emmy Award-winning comedian and actress Tiffany Haddish (Girls Trip, Haunted Mansion) as she journeys to Africa on a four-week-long girls trip with her three closest childhood friends: Selena Martin, Shermona Long, and Sparkle Clark.

On the trip, Tiffany and her friends travel to multiple locations across Africa: Cape Town, South Africa; Victoria Falls and Harare, Zimbabwe; and Zanzibar, Tanzania.

The six-episode docuseries is produced by Jeff Jenkins Productions, in association with 3BMG, Will Packer Media, Glass Slipper Pictures, Haddish’s She Ready Productions, and 1oneninety5.

All episodes of the series will be available at once, exclusively on Peacock.

Watch the official trailer below.

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Film & TV

 Issa Rae Sued Over “One of Them Days”

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Issa Rae One of Them Days

Three Los Angeles-based screenwriters, Tyrone Perry, Shon Oku, and Joshua Isaacson, filed a lawsuit on July 30, 2025, alleging that Issa Rae-produced “One of Them Days” copied their original screenplay titled “One of Those Days.” The lawsuit claims copyright infringement, idea theft, and conversion. 

Specifically, the writers allege that there are 29 similarities in character arcs, plot structure, and overall tone between the film and their script. They shared their script with producer Xavier Charles, who had previously worked with Issa Rae on her HBO series, “Insecure.” After Charles declined to produce their project, Rae’s company announced “One of Them Days” shortly thereafter. The lawsuit claims this proximity in timing, coupled with Charles’s connection to Rae, points to unauthorized use of their material. 

one of them days

The released buddy comedy film, starring Keke Palmer and SZA, centers on best friends and roommates Dreux (Palmer) and Alyssa (SZA), who find themselves in a chaotic race against the clock to avoid eviction. 

The central conflict arises when Alyssa’s boyfriend blows their rent money on a bad investment. Faced with the threat of being evicted from their Los Angeles apartment, the duo goes to extreme lengths to find the necessary funds before their landlord’s deadline. The film is filled with comical situations and highlights the strength and quirks of their friendship as they navigate the challenges of their “one of those days” scenario.

To support their claims, the writers hired veteran screenwriter John Brancato, who reviewed both scripts and concluded that the similarities were “substantial”. 

The lawsuit names Issa Rae’s company ColorCreative, Sony Pictures, TriStar, and screenwriter Syreeta Singleton. It seeks a jury trial, damages, and attorney’s fees. Representatives for Rae and Sony have not yet commented publicly on the allegations. 

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