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‘The Photograph’ Review: an Invigorating Story Of Life and Love

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The Photograph, Universal’s latest romantic drama, premieres this week just on time for Valentine’s Day. Written and directed by Stella Meghie, the film stars Insecure‘s Issa Rae and Y’lan Noel, Atlanta’s Lakeith Stanfield, and Roxanne Roxanne‘s Chante Adams.

The Photograph takes us on a journey of two love stories – one set in the past, the other – in the present. Mae Eames (Rae), a successful Queens Museum curator and estranged daughter of a famed photographer Christina Eames (Adams), struggles with her mother’s sudden passing. Mae is especially hurt about not knowing that she was sick. Her life takes a turn when she discovers a letter, written by her mother, chronicling her life in Louisiana. There is one man whose name keeps coming up in those letters, Isaac (Noel), Christina’s big love. The man she chose to leave behind to pursue her dreams in New York.

While Mae is going through her discoveries about her mother, journalist Michael Block (Stanfield) is doing a story on the now aged Isaac in Louisiana. Block learns about Christina’s work and decides to interview her daughter, Mae, back in New York. They meet, they fall in love. But the question is – is love really enough? As both professionals navigate their careers and love lives, they are forced to choose one over the other… or could they find a way to make this work after all?

Rae and Stanfield are great together, they have beautiful chemistry. The romantic scenes are beautifully set and shot. The verbal and non-verbal interactions are sweet and believable. The supporting cast also does an amazing job. The happily married couple Asia and Kyle (played by LilRel Howery and Teyonah Parris) are adding a great layer to the story. Both successful with two kids, the Blocks are an example of black marriages we need to see more of on the big screen.

The Photograph is refreshing. It moves at a comparatively slower pace – tracking shots, dialogues that are not rushed, the music ( a topic which, by the way, deserves a whole separate article) that instantly pulls you into Michael, Mae, Isaac and Christina’s worlds and ads so much soul.

The Photograph inspires with its simple yet captivating story of two successful black people who meet and fall in love. It is a modern-day saga that echoes some of our favorite on-screen stories of black romance such as Love Jones (1997), Love and Basketball (2000), and If Beale Street Could Talk (2018). If you loved any of these, you’ll enjoy The Photograph.

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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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