Welcome to Movies That Matter, where we look at three movies worth knowing about this weekend.
Spider-Man is swinging back into theaters, Christopher Nolan is still ruling the box office, and Woody and Buzz just joined the billion-dollar club.
(Countdown Video)
What’s new?
The first standalone Spider-Man movie since 2021’s No Way Home opens this weekend: Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
(Spider-Man clip)
Tom Holland returns as Spider-Man alongside Zendaya and a cast that includes Sadie Sink.
Holland might be wearing the suit again for the first time in nearly five years – but this weekend, he could also be competing… against himself.
(The Odyssey clip with Tom Holland – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ox_O4QGQ82k)
That’s Tom Holland again. Hope you like him this weekend.
There’s also Matt Damon.
(The Odyssey clip with Matt Damon)
Let’s talk about director Christopher Nolan, because The Odyssey remained number one during its second weekend, earning approximately $87 million domestically.
So now, it has already earned nearly $290 million domestically and approximately $640 million worldwide.
That’s a lot of money – and speaking of which…
(Toy Story 5 clip)
Even after more than a month in theaters, Toy Story 5 remained third at the domestic box office last weekend.
It has now passed $1 billion worldwide.
Woody and Buzz have been around for more than 30 years – and their newest movie just became the biggest movie of 2026.
(Toy Story 5 clip)
That’s this weekend’s Movies That Matter – there should be something waiting for you at the movie theatresr. Now, let’s get the extra butter popcorn going.
(Movies That Matter Still)
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Welcome to Music That Matters with 3, 2, 1 New Music Monday.
This week, we’ve got Charli xcx turning the page on BRAT, The Strokes returning with their first album in six years, and Shania Twain bringing back country-pop royalty.
Plus, KATSEYE goes wild, Martin Garrix teams up with U2, and David Bowie’s Blackstar is back on vinyl.
(Countdown Video)
3 major album drops.
First up – After the lime-green world of BRAT, Charli xcx easily could have tried to do the same thing again, but in another color.
(“Rock Music” clip)
Instead, this album – Music, Fashion, Film – leans into something more rock-influenced.
It’s 11 songs in just over 30 minutes, and it very much sounds like Charli being very Charli
(“Wink Wink” clip)
Next, The Strokes are back with their 7th album, Reality Awaits.
Once again, they brought in Rick Rubin to produce.
(“Going Shopping” clip)
The Strokes are still sounding like they’re slightly annoyed you showed up.
And then we have Shania Twain with her new album: Little Miss Twain.
(“Little Miss Twain” clip)
The title track goes all the way back before she was Shania – back when she was young Eilleen Twain, singing in bars as a kid while her mother dreamed she might become the next Tanya Tucker.
And now, Tanya Tucker is actually on the song.
(more “Little Miss Twain” clip)
2 new singles.
Let’s go with KATSEYE and their song “Animal.”
(“Animal” clip)
The global girl group gets a little wild on this one, and the music video even brings in Demi Moore for some extra star power.
(More “Animal” clip)
Also new this week: Martin Garrix and U2 are together with “Fireflies.”
(“Fireflies” clip)
This is not their first connection – Martin Garrix previously worked with Bono and The Edge on “We Are the People” for Euro 2020.
(Record Scratch video)
And finally, 1 vinyl pick.
Released in 2016 on Bowie’s birthday, Blackstar became David Bowie’s final studio album just two days before his death.
So yes, this is more than just a reissue.
(“Blackstar” clip)
That’s your 3 albums, 2 singles, and 1 vinyl for the week.
This has been 3, 2, 1 New Music Monday
Until next time.
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to the old-school fans who were there from the beginning.
Quick sidenote:
before it became a No. 1 hit…
the riff apparently got approved by their weed dealer.
So thank you…whoever you are.
(Music Cut #4)
LYRIC OF THE DAY: “Have you ever made out in dark hallways Displayed a kiss that made your day or say Play a track from your record collection It’s your mix, congratulations.” – 311
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