Entertainment
Outrageous Buddy Comedy With Massive Stars Being Hidden From New Fans
Odd couple pairings tend to make for some of the best viewing experiences in modern cinema, with hilarious, engaging, and downright shocking demonstrations of unexpected chemistry serving as the basis for plenty of exciting adventures. One such adventure includes The Man, a 2005 action comedy that is being hidden from new fans due to its lack of a presence on mainstream streaming services.
This film was a classic addition to my regular viewing rotation when I was younger, so I feel that it is an absolute crime that it’s so difficult to track down and watch today.
As stated, The Man (2005) offers a hilarious odd couple routine at its core, anchored by the performances of Samuel L. Jackson and Eugene Levy. Jackson stars as the grizzled and perpetually paranoid federal Agent Derrick Vann, while Levy takes on the role of a clueless, quiet suburbanite named Andy Fiddler.
For now, the only way to check this one out is by buying or renting a copy from digital retailers.
After Vann discovers that his recently deceased partner is dirty and assisting gang members in robbing weapons and ammunition from an ATF armory, he attempts to go undercover to find answers and clear his own name.
Through an awkward case of mistaken identity, however, Vann’s criminal contact mistakes Fiddler for the buyer, which forces Vann to enlist Fiddler as a proxy for his sting operation. The agent quickly comes to realize that this plan is flawed, as Fiddler has absolutely no street smarts, social awareness, or knowledge of a criminal enterprise, which serves as the breeding ground for numerous fish-out-of-water jokes.
As The Man (2005) builds to a shocking and hilarious conclusion, the abrasive officer and the clueless tourist eventually come to form a good team, and even start to absorb some positive qualities from one another along the way.
The Man (2005) comes complete with a number of laugh-out-loud set pieces, which would definitely make the film an appealing choice to the average Netflix subscriber. One memorable scene sees Vann pinning a street snitch into a chain link fence with his car, only to use hydraulic lifts in the vehicle to cheese-grater the snitch into confessing key plot details.
To this day, I wholeheartedly believe that hot sauce is a natural antiseptic worthy of spreading on a gun-shot wound for a quick fix, and I’m definitely not going to confirm that information with a Google.
The Man (2005) comes complete with a number of laugh-out-loud set pieces, which would definitely make the film an appealing choice to the average Netflix subscriber.
I have tons of positive memories of watching The Man (2005) with friends and family members after picking up a DVD copy of the film, even though critics didn’t seem to care for the buddy comedy. Today, the movie touts a downright embarrassing 12 percent critic score on Rotten Tomatoes, which may explain why the executives who own the rights to the film are hesitant to strike a deal with streamers such as Amazon Prime Video or even Tubi.
As far as I can tell, The Man (2005) should be under the Warner Bros umbrella, so it shouldn’t be impossible to throw it on Max and see if new fans flock to it. Both Samuel L. Jackson and Eugene Levy are much bigger names now than they were in 2005, so it stands to reason that their faces on the poster would bring in at least a small percentage of viewers.
For now, the only way to check this one out is by buying or renting a copy from digital retailers. While I’d personally give The Man (2005) a resounding thumbs up, it’s definitely not for everyone, so proceed with caution if you plan to spend your money.
Entertainment
Mike Flanagans Carrie gets its first trailer ahead of Oct. release
Horror’s favorite It girl is getting her television series debut, with the first trailer now out for Mike Flanagan’s (The Haunting of Hill House) adaptation of Stephen King’s Carrie.
The eight-episode miniseries follows Carrie White as she endures bullying at school and abuse at home from her fanatically religious mother, Margaret — all while discovering she has telekinetic powers. As the trailer shows, Flanagan’s version drags King’s 1974 novel into the present day, trading its original setting for a story steeped in social media and viral humiliation. The 2013 film adaptation made a similar leap into modern times, so here’s hoping this take sticks the landing.
It’s worth noting that technically, this isn’t Carrie‘s first trip to TV. A 2002 television movie, directed by David Carson and written by Hannibal‘s Bryan Fuller, starred Angela Bettis (Girl, Interrupted) in the title role — though Flanagan’s series marks the story’s first full episodic adaptation.
Summer H. Howell leads the new cast as Carrie White, alongside Samantha Sloyan as Margaret, Siena Agudong as Sue Snell, and Matthew Lillard as Principal Grayle, with Alison Thornton, Thalia Dudek, Amber Midthunder, Josie Totah, Arthur Conti, and Joel Oulette rounding out the ensemble. Flanagan serves as writer, showrunner, and director on four of the eight episodes.
Carrie premieres on Prime Video October 7.
Entertainment
Ryan Gosling to star in MCUs Ghost Rider film
After years of rumors and on-again, off-again flirtation between Ryan Gosling (Project Hail Mary, Barbie) and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it’s now confirmed: the actor will play Johnny Blaze, aka Ghost Rider, in an upcoming film.
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For those unfamiliar with the character, Ghost Rider is the demonic alter ego of stuntman Johnny Blaze, who strikes a deal to sell his soul to the demon Mephisto in order to save his father’s life. Blaze’s soul is then bonded to Zarathos, the Spirit of Vengeance, transforming him into a leather-jacketed, motorcycle-riding, flame-skulled avenger. Thus, Blaze is forced to punish the wicked and evil whenever Mephisto needs him to.
Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige introduced Gosling to a packed Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con to roaring applause. The titular film will be directed by Shawn Levy, who previously helmed Deadpool & Wolverine, and is slated for release in 2028. It marks the first film adaptation of the supernatural antihero since 2007’s Ghost Rider, starring Nicolas Cage, and its 2012 sequel, Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance.
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On the television side, Gabriel Luna played the Robbie Reyes variant of Ghost Rider in the fourth season of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. That appearance was meant to lead into a solo spin-off slated for 2020, but a “creative impasse” in late 2019 led to the project’s cancellation.
Gosling and Levy are already collaborators. The two are currently working together on Star Wars: Starfighter, due out in May 2027, and reportedly spent downtime on that set trading ideas for a Ghost Rider film.
Alongside the reveal of Gosling at Hall H, Feige also announced Black Panther III as a part of the MCU’s 2028 slate. The film will star David Jonsson (Alien: Romulus, Industry) as the titular Black Panther, aka T’Challa II. The last we saw of T’Challa II was his introduction as a small boy in Wakanda Forever, revealed to be the son of Chadwick Bosman’s T’Challa with Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o).
Not much is known about the plot for Ghost Rider, but given the character’s ties to Mephisto, it won’t be a surprise to see Sacha Baron Cohen reprise the role from Ironheart.
Entertainment
Get lifetime ad blocking for up to 9 devices for $11
TL;DR: Protect up to nine devices with the AdGuard Family Plan Lifetime Subscription for $11 (reg. $169.99) through July 26 at 11:59 p.m. PT.
It doesn’t matter if your household has two devices or 20, keeping everyone’s online activity protected can quickly become complicated. The AdGuard Family Plan simplifies things by covering up to nine devices with a single lifetime subscription. Through July 26 at 11:59 p.m. PT, new users can get it for $11 (reg. $169.99).
The Family Plan is designed specifically for households rather than individual users. In addition to blocking intrusive ads across supported devices, it helps reduce online tracking, warns about phishing sites, and adds another layer of protection against malware. That means fewer distractions while browsing and more peace of mind when the whole family is online.
Mashable Deals
One great feature is the parental controls. Parents can restrict access to inappropriate or adult content while still giving kids access to the sites and apps they know and love. Combined with privacy protection that helps hide browsing activity from trackers, the plan focuses on creating a safer online experience for everyone using the family’s devices.
The Family Plan works across desktop and mobile platforms, making it easy to protect laptops, phones, and tablets under a single subscription. Since it’s a lifetime plan, you won’t have to worry about monthly renewals or annual subscription costs after the initial purchase.
This offer is available to new users only, it covers up to nine devices, and you have to redeem your code within 30 days of purchase.
Mashable Deals
If you’re looking for an easy way to protect multiple devices without juggling separate subscriptions, the AdGuard Family Plan Lifetime Subscription is price-dropped to $11 (reg. $169.99) through July 26 at 11:59 p.m. PT.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
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