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FILM: From Borderlands to Megalopolis: A Sneak Peek At 2024’s Biggest Films

CINCINNATI HERALD — The pressure is on for the 2024 box office to restore Hollywood to financial stability after the combined challenges of the pandemic and the fight to give its workers fair wages. The first four months of 2024 are fairly sparse on new releases, in large part because prolonged labor negotiations set timelines back for films scheduled in the early part of the year.
The post FILM: From Borderlands to Megalopolis: A Sneak Peek At 2024’s Biggest Films first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

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2 years ago

February 27, 2024

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By Sofia Voss | The Cincinnati Herald

It’s safe to say that 2023 was a revolutionary year for film, reflected by the historic Writers Guild of America and Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists strikes. With the two strikes overlapping, Hollywood effectively shut down for roughly half the year, delaying or otherwise impacting dozens of film and television projects. As of November, both strikes have ended, and many of the affected productions are on track to hit theaters in 2024.

Marvel, which originally planned for a record-breaking six new films to come out in 2024, is now expecting only four. Among those 2024 releases are “Madame Web,” the first-ever female-led “Spider-Man” spinoff film, and the third installment of the “Venom” franchise. Renowned production company A24 has a full 2024 slate, including Mia Goth’s return to horror in “MaXXXine,” Ti West’s follow-up to “X” and “Pearl.” New offerings from renowned directors like Luca Guadagnino and George Miller are also forthcoming.

The pressure is on for the 2024 box office to restore Hollywood to financial stability after the combined challenges of the pandemic and the fight to give its workers fair wages. The first four months of 2024 are fairly sparse on new releases, in large part because prolonged labor negotiations set timelines back for films scheduled in the early part of the year. There are, however, a few prospective big hits in those months, including high-profile films like “Argylle” and “Dune: Part Two.” The “Mean Girls” musical, which premiered in January 2024, lived up to its anticipation—garnering a $28M box office debut and the number one spot after just three days.

Suffice it to say, 2024 is not only an incredibly important year for the future of the film industry but also quite an exciting one in terms of its cinematic offerings. To give audiences more insight into what to expect, Casino Bonus CA looked ahead at movies coming out in 2024 and highlighted the most buzzed-about titles.

Blitz

– Director: Steve McQueen

“Blitz” takes its name from the World War II German aerial bombing campaign known as the “blitzkrieg,” and follows a group of civilians in London during the years 1940 and 1941. The film is written and directed by Steve McQueen, the British filmmaker best known for his Academy Award-winning drama “12 Years a Slave.” “Blitz” marks McQueen’s first narrative feature film since 2018’s “Widows,” and stars acting talents like Saoirse Ronan, Stephen Graham, and Harris Dickinson.

Borderlands

– Director: Eli Roth

“Borderlands” is based on the popular video game of the same name, which follows a team of hunters as they travel to the dystopian planet Pandora in search of mysterious alien vaults. The feature film adaptation has horror filmmaker Eli Roth at its helm, and follows up his 2023 slasher “Thanksgiving.” While many plot details are still hidden, Roth has said that the film will loosely adhere to the Borderlands game, but isn’t precious about the specifics.

Challengers

– Director: Luca Guadagnino

Originally slated to premiere on the opening night of the prestigious Venice Film Festival in 2023, Luca Guadagnino’s “Challengers” is now set for theatrical release on April 26, 2024. “Challengers” is a romantic drama that follows three young tennis stars as they contend with the price of winning and continued relevance. The film stars Zendaya, Mike Faist, and Josh O’Connor in a convoluted love triangle that caused an internet meltdown after the release of the trailer.

Civil War

– Director: Alex Garland

“Civil War” marks Alex Garland’s third directorial collaboration with A24, following 2022’s “Men” and 2014’s “Ex Machina.” The film depicts a desolate and divided near-future United States, caught in the midst of a civil war after 19 states secede from the Union. Kirsten Dunst stars as a journalist trying to survive alongside her family. “Civil War” also features rising star Cailee Spaeny, whose performance in Sofia Coppola’s 2023 film “Priscilla” won the Volpi Cup for Best Actress at the Venice Film Festival.

Deadpool & Wolverine

– Director: Shawn Levy

One of the Marvel films impacted by the Hollywood strikes, “Deadpool & Wolverine” will hit theaters on July 26 after getting pushed back from its original May 2024 release. With filming happening as recently as November 2023, Ryan Reynolds will reprise his role as Deadpool. This installment will also include Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, Emma Corrin as the new lead villain, and “Succession” star Matthew Macfadyen in a still-unknown role.

Dune: Part Two

– Director: Denis Villeneuve

The first installment of Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune” project in 2021 was a massive success, earning over $400 million in the global box office—and if Villeneuve has anything to say about it, “Dune: Part Two” will be even bigger. At a press conference, the director was quoted as saying that the sequel is a “much better” movie than Part One, reaching “an intensity and a quality of emotions” that he hadn’t quite attained in the first film. Like several films on this list, its release date has been shuffled due to the strike but is currently slated for March 1.

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga

– Director: George Miller

Charlize Theron originated the character Furiosa in 2015’s critically acclaimed “Mad Max: Fury Road,” a spinoff film of the classic “Mad Max” series starring Mel Gibson. In “Furiosa,” Anya Taylor-Joy will play the titular role in the “Fury Road” prequel, following a younger version of the character on an odyssey to get back home after being kidnapped by Warlord Dementus (Chris Hemsworth). With George Miller once again at the helm, “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” has an expected release of May 24.

Here

– Director: Robert Zemeckis

Robert Zemeckis is the director behind blockbuster hits including 1985’s “Back to the Future,” 1994’s “Forrest Gump,” 2000’s “Cast Away,” and 2012’s “Flight,” so it is safe to say there’s buzz surrounding his upcoming film “Here.” Starring frequent collaborator Tom Hanks, reuniting with his “Forrest Gump” co-star Robin Wright, “Here” follows the lives of people who occupied the same room at various points over the course of centuries. The film harnesses Metaphysics Live, an AI tool, to de-age actors on set in real time without the need for postproduction digital effects. The film is based on a graphic novel of the same name written by Richard McGuire.

Horizon: An American Saga

– Director: Kevin Costner

Kevin Costner is no stranger to Westerns—he’s the star of the hit television show “Yellowstone,” as well as 1990’s “Dances with Wolves,” 1994’s “Wyatt Earp,” and the 2003 film “Open Range,” among other films. Now, the actor is writing and directing his own series of Western films titled “Horizon: An American Saga.” This two-part film project is said to explore the topic of Westward expansion, centered around the years before and after the Civil War.

Inside Out 2

– Director: Kelsey Mann

In 2015, Disney and Pixar’s animated film “Inside Out” was released to great critical and commercial acclaim, snagging the Best Animated Feature Oscar in 2016. Where the first film explores the mind of 11-year-old Riley, the sequel promises to explore her teenage emotions, which includes the addition of Anxiety, voiced by Maya Hawke. While Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, and Lewis Black will return as Joy, Sadness, and Anger, respectively, Bill Hader’s Fear and Mindy Kaling’s Disgust have been replaced.

Joker: Folie à Deux

– Director: Todd Phillips

While Batman adaptations abound, “Joker: Folie à Deux” promises an entirely new look into the world of Gotham. Following the box office success of 2019’s “Joker,” which starred Joaquin Phoenix as the titular character, joined by Zazie Beetz and Robert De Niro, the sequel introduces Lady Gaga as notorious Batman villain Harley Quinn. Gaga’s portrayal will no doubt differ significantly from previous depictions of the character, such as Margot Robbie’s, particularly because “Joker: Folie à Deux” will be a musical.

Maria

– Director: Pablo Larraín

Pablo Larraín has established himself as director of some of the most high-profile biopics of the last decade, including 2016’s “Neruda” and “Jackie,” as well as 2021’s “Spencer,” which featured Kristen Stewart as Princess Diana. His next film, “Maria,” will follow legendary Greek American opera singer Maria Callas, played by Angelina Jolie, in the last few days of her life. Even though the production signed an interim SAG agreement in order to begin filming during the strike, there is no set release date. “Maria” is reportedly still in postproduction.

Megalopolis

– Director: Francis Ford Coppola

As the title indicates, “Megalopolis” features an impressive roster of megastars including Adam Driver, Forest Whitaker, Laurence Fishburne, Shia LaBeouf, and Aubrey Plaza, just to name a few. Not much information about the film’s plot and characters is publicly available, but it is rumored to explore a destroyed New York City and an architect determined to rebuild it. “Megalopolis” is apparently a passion project for Coppola—so much so that he self-financed most of the nearly $100 million production—and he’s taking his time to get it right, pushing the film back from its initially expected 2023 release date.

Mufasa: The Lion King

– Director: Barry Jenkins

Barry Jenkins is best known for his Best Picture Oscar-winning drama “Moonlight” and “If Beale Street Could Talk.” Now he’s lending his talents to Disney for the upcoming film “Mufasa: The Lion King,” which will serve as a prequel to Jon Favreau’s 2019 remake of “The Lion King.” The 2019 movie broke ground with its photorealistic animation style, an aesthetic “Mufasa” will also adopt. In the aftermath of the Hollywood strikes, the release date was pushed from July to Dec. 20.

Nosferatu

– Director: Robert Eggers

The first-ever “Nosferatu” came out all the way back in 1922 as a silent film directed by F.W. Murnau. The film centers around the evil vampire Count Orlok as he terrorizes an unsuspecting young couple. The new “Nosferatu” is written and directed by Robert Eggers, whose past films—including 2015’s “The Witch” and 2019’s “The Lighthouse”—showcase the director’s aptitude for eerie horror. Starring Bill Skarsgård and Lily-Rose Depp, Eggers’ “Nosferatu” is slated for a Christmastime release.

They Follow

– Director: David Robert Mitchell

David Robert Mitchell’s 2014 film “It Follows” was the low-budget indie horror hit that no one saw coming, garnering over $20 million at the global box office. Nearly a decade later, the sequel, “They Follow,” was announced, with lead actress Maika Monroe committed to return. While there are no plot details available, it’s likely that the sexually transmitted monster capable of shifting its appearance at any time will return as an antagonist.

Additional research by Luke Hicks. Story editing by Eliza Siegel. Copy editing by Tim Bruns.

This story originally appeared on Casino Bonus CA and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.

The post From Borderlands to Megalopolis: A sneak peek at 2024’s biggest films appeared first on The Cincinnati Herald.

The post FILM: From Borderlands to Megalopolis: A Sneak Peek At 2024’s Biggest Films first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

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Study: Waiting Lists for Child Care Assistance Nearly Doubled

BLACKPRESS USA NEWSWIRE — “Since the expiration of tens of billions of dollars in federal child care funding in 2023 and 2024, an already fragile child care system has been pushed even closer to the brink.”
The post Study: Waiting Lists for Child Care Assistance Nearly Doubled appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

4 days ago

June 8, 2026

Oakland Post

By National Women’s Law Center

The National Women’s Law Center released its annual State Child Care Assistance Policies report, finding that the number of children placed on waiting lists for federally funded child care assistance nearly doubled between 2024 and 2025 — and that number has only continued to grow.

The report serves as a key resource for state lawmakers, advocates, and policymakers by tracking state child care assistance policies and identifying where states are strengthening support for families and early educators — or falling behind.

“This deeply troubling increase in the number of children on child care waiting lists is the result of a failure to invest in this crucial sector,” said Karen Schulman, senior director of state child care policy and author of the report. “Since the expiration of tens of billions of dollars in federal child care funding in 2023 and 2024, an already fragile child care system has been pushed even closer to the brink.”

Key findings in the report related to waiting lists for child care assistance include:

• 17 states had waiting lists or a freeze on intake for child care assistance in February 2025, up from 13 states in February 2024.

• Approximately 106,700 children nationwide were added to waiting lists between February 2024 and February 2025, bringing the total to 225,500 children in February 2025 — a 90 percent increase compared to February 2024.

• The numbers climbed even further between February 2025 and summer/fall 2025, with more than 175,000 additional children added to state waiting lists in just a few months — a 78 percent increase.

• At least seven states newly began placing families on waiting lists or freezing intake, while at least 10 additional states saw their waiting lists grow, after February 2025.

The report also includes state-by-state data on key child care assistance policies, including income eligibility limits, parent copayments, provider payment rates, and eligibility policies for parents searching for work.

Click the link to learn more: Warning Signs: State Child Care Assistance Policies 2025.

The post Study: Waiting Lists for Child Care Assistance Nearly Doubled appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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Venus Williams Calls a Sabalenka Exit a Tragedy

ROLLING OUT — Crucially, Williams did not read the comment as a real farewell. She said she did not believe Sabalenka truly wanted to leave, calling such an outcome a loss for both the player and the sport.
The post Venus Williams Calls a Sabalenka Exit a Tragedy appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

5 days ago

June 7, 2026

Oakland Post

The seven-time major champion read frustration, not a real goodbye, in the world No. 1’s words

By David Kesiena | Rolling Out

When the world’s top-ranked player said she wanted to walk away from the sport, Venus Williams chose empathy over alarm.

Aryna Sabalenka’s blunt remark after her French Open quarterfinal collapse rattled plenty of fans, but Williams heard something different in it. The seven-time Grand Slam champion treated the comment as the raw reaction of a hurting athlete rather than a serious signal about her future.

The collapse that triggered the comment

Sabalenka looked headed for a routine win over Diana Shnaider. She took the opening set 6-3 and built a commanding lead in the second, climbing to 4-1 and later serving for the match at 5-4 while sitting just two points from victory.

Then everything unraveled. Shnaider stormed back to steal the second set 7-5 and bageled the world No. 1 in the third, with Sabalenka dropping 12 of the final 13 games in gusty conditions that reached around 26 mph. The 3-6, 7-5, 6-0 result sent Shnaider into her first Grand Slam semifinal and extended Sabalenka’s long wait for a maiden Roland Garros title.

In the aftermath, Sabalenka did not soften her feelings. She told reporters she had no thoughts and no emotions left and felt like quitting on the spot. She described being stuck in a deep, dark mental hole during the match, unable to find her way back.

What Venus Williams said about Sabalenka

Williams reacted with understanding. She admitted the moment made her sad and said she had been swept up in Sabalenka’s emotions, feeling a surge of empathy for her. She praised the Belarusian for laying everything bare on court, where every feeling shows.

Crucially, Williams did not read the comment as a real farewell. She said she did not believe Sabalenka truly wanted to leave, calling such an outcome a loss for both the player and the sport. Rather than scold her, Williams offered a gentle observation about the rhythm of professional tennis. She suggested players might benefit from a little more time to gather themselves before stepping in front of the cameras, a quiet acknowledgment that athletes are routinely asked to dissect painful defeats before the sting has faded.

Sabalenka walks it back

The story did not end on that bleak note. Within days, Sabalenka signaled she was not actually quitting, framing the press-conference outburst as heat-of-the-moment honesty rather than a plan. At the time of the loss she had also left the door open, saying she would see how she felt in a few days and hoped to get back on track mentally. The walk-back lined up with how Williams had read the situation from the start.

It is not the first time a Paris quarterfinal has pushed Sabalenka to her limit. In 2024 she exited at the same stage and skipped her press conference entirely because of illness, with the tour later releasing her quotes on her behalf. The pattern underscores how heavily this particular tournament has weighed on her despite deep runs in recent years.

For now, attention shifts to the grass. Wimbledon offers Sabalenka a quick chance to reset, and a strong showing there would turn this French Open meltdown into a footnote rather than a turning point.

Originally published by Rolling Out — https://rollingout.com.

The post Venus Williams Calls a Sabalenka Exit a Tragedy appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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COMMENTARY: Using Art, Healing, And Community to Transform Mental Health Dialogue

THE CAROLINIAN — Operating at the intersection of the arts and mental health, Darkness RISING uses music, storytelling, wellness programming, and community engagement to inspire healing while addressing barriers that have historically prevented many Black Americans from accessing mental health support.
The post COMMENTARY: Using Art, Healing, And Community to Transform Mental Health Dialogue appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

5 days ago

June 7, 2026

Oakland Post

By Judaea Ingram | Special to The Carolinian

RALEIGH, N.C. – Music filled the air as families danced through the crowd, children gathered around activity stations, and community members explored wellness resources from local organizations. Black-owned businesses lined the streets while people stopped for chair massages, conversations, and moments of connection inside the wellness suite.

At the center of the event stood a simple but powerful reminder:

“You Matter.”

For Darkness RISING, those words represent far more than a slogan. They reflect the organization’s mission to break the stigma surrounding mental health in the Black community while creating spaces centered on healing, honesty, and hope.

Operating at the intersection of the arts and mental health, Darkness RISING uses music, storytelling, wellness programming, and community engagement to inspire healing while addressing barriers that have historically prevented many Black Americans from accessing mental health support.

The organization hosts a variety of programs and events throughout the year, including block parties, wellness workshops, mixers, kickoff events, community classes, and Darkness RISING: Live — a free annual arts and wellness festival now celebrating its ninth year.

The festival combines entertainment with healing-centered resources, featuring live music, dancing, singing, food trucks, Black vendors, children’s activities, mental health resources, wellness spaces, and opportunities for open conversations about mental health.

While the events may feel celebratory on the surface, organizers say the deeper purpose is creating safe spaces where people can feel comfortable discussing mental health without fear of judgment.

Darkness RISING also provides free nationwide resources, including a Black Mental Health Resource Packet, a Black Mental Health Provider Database, and its “Find Me a Therapist” initiative, which helps connect individuals with culturally competent care.

The organization’s work is rooted in addressing longstanding inequities that continue impacting mental health access within Black communities.

Historically, segregation, redlining, racial discrimination, incarceration, poverty, and unequal healthcare access have contributed to higher rates of behavioral health challenges while simultaneously limiting access to proper treatment and support. Darkness RISING approaches those issues through what organizers describe as a transformative justice lens, focusing on healing rather than punishment and creating equitable wellness opportunities for marginalized communities.

Its REBUILD program specifically supports justice-involved and formerly incarcerated people of color through free therapy and wellness support, while the REBUILD Youth program focuses on young people impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences, also known as ACEs.

For Rudolph, therapy became life-changing after decades of incarceration and years of rejection after returning home.

“Came home in 2015, started my own computer company, investing in real estate, did the normal thing and got some jobs here and there and was met with rejection after rejection and people telling me I am not a good person,” Rudolph shared. “Even had a rejection in church.”

He said one of the hardest battles became overcoming the mental barriers created during incarceration.

“I got in touch with a couple of friends, and they explained to me how I had to get over the mental hurdles and get rid of the way my prison mindset was in order to survive and become successful,” he said.

Rudolph later moved to North Carolina hoping for a fresh start, but the struggle continued.

“Things were looking bad,” he said. “Could not get a job. The struggle was real.”

Eventually, therapy and support through organizations like Darkness RISING helped begin his healing process. He said working alongside other justice-involved men through therapy gave him the ability to rebuild mentally while finding community with people who understood his experiences.

Stories like Rudolph’s reflect the foundation behind Darkness RISING’s mission: ensuring people feel seen, supported, and worthy of healing regardless of their background or circumstances.

Community members who attend the organization’s events often describe them as emotionally transformative.

Some participants say Darkness RISING encouraged them to seek therapy for the first time, while others say the organization gave them a safe space to openly discuss struggles they previously kept hidden.

“I have been encouraged by the beautiful, generous, brave and open individuals who come together and use their talents to create art, share personal experiences and provide hope to those who may be struggling with mental health,” one participant shared.

By combining art, wellness, education, and community outreach, Darkness RISING continues changing how mental health conversations happen within the Black community.

Not through silence.

But through healing, honesty, connection, and joy.

Originally published by The Carolinian — https://caro.news.

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