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Honoring AAPI Month Through the Power of Martial Arts Cinema

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May marks Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month , a time dedicated to reflecting on the diverse histories, cultures, and contributions of AANHPI communities across the United States. Nearly 50 years ago, this began as just a single week in May. Since then, it has evolved into a month-long celebration observed nationwide, featuring events and storytelling that both honor heritage and engage with the ongoing struggles faced by these communities. Today, AANHPI Heritage Month isn’t just about cuisine, traditions, or fashion, though those are essential parts of AANHPI culture. It’s also a time to acknowledge these communities by engaging in meaningful conversations about their grief, resilience, activism, and the pursuit of justice. The rise in anti-Asian hate during the COVID-19 pandemic only deepened the urgency for these conversations and reminded us why visibility and representation matter more than ever. One of the most powerful ways to highlig...

In Memoriam: Joe Don Baker (1935–2025)

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Here at Multicom, we are saddened by the news of Joe Don Baker's passing on May 7th, 2025 . Baker was an important figure in American film and a familiar face in many beloved titles in our collection. His family announced last week that he passed away at the age of 89. Joe Don Baker made a mark on Hollywood with his unmistakable Texan presence and his commanding presence. Whether playing lawmen, outlaws, or something in between, he brought an intensity to his roles that audiences never forgot...including making memorable appearances in multiple James Bond films. He rose to fame in the early 1970s with back-to-back hit performances: first, in Junior Bonner (1972) , directed by Sam Peckinpah, where he starred as the ambitious younger brother of Steve McQueen’s aging rodeo rider. Then, in Don Siegel’s Charley Varrick (1973), he turned heads as Molly, a mob enforcer who chillingly stalks Walter Matthau’s character.  But Baker’s lead role in Walking Tall (1973) catapulted him to th...

2025 Summer Movie Season is Officially Here!

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The weather is getting warmer, which can only mean one thing: Summer movie season is upon us! And it’s already making waves at the box office. The action-packed launch of Ryan Coogler’s Sinners has kicked things off , pulling in impressive numbers during its debut weekend. Meanwhile, early reviews for Marvel’s Thunderbolts look strong, implying that audiences may be in for a hit. And in a blast from the past, the re-release of Revenge of the Sith is drawing big crowds, reminding everyone why Star Wars nostalgia never falters.  This Summer, Hollywood is giving us franchise finales and unexpected genre mashups . Ethan Hunt may be facing his final mission in Mission: Impossible 8 , and a new actor is donning the cape in DC’s reboot of Superman . Adam Sandler returns in a new light with Happy Gilmore 2 , this time as a golf dad. And Pedro Pascal is having a summer moment, appearing in a romantic drama, a superhero film, and a mind-bending A24 thriller directed by Ari Aster.  Ma...