"Star Wars: The Last Jedi" hits theaters this weekend, and the movie is expected to pull in $440 million. Dan Victor, Editor of Popdust, and Julian Roman, MovieWeb Correspondent, join Cheddar to preview the film and predict what the franchise can do for Disney's future streaming platform.
Roman saw an early preview of the movie and says it's nothing like you've ever seen before. He says to throw out all your expectations because they are going to be blown out of the water. The director takes the movie in a totally different direction than expected and, because of that, Roman expects the film to make more than the projected $144 million opening weekend. Victor talks about the legacy of Carrie Fischer and the expectations for her last Star Wars film, before before her untimely death.
Plus, what does the success of the "Star Wars" franchise mean for Disney and its future streaming network? Roman says Netflix should be very concerned over the content Disney now has the rights to after buying Fox properties.
Members of the Kappa League mentoring program at Wyandanch Memorial High School in Long Island, NY are preparing for an educational trip to Ghana. Principal Paul Sibblies is on a mission to enrich his students' lives to put some of them in touch with their roots. "When you invest in young people, then it's the greatest investment you can make," he said.
A group of 15 students recently graduated from SANYS U., a six-week program held by the Self Advocacy Association of New York State. The course helps people with disabilities to advocate on their own behalf, learning more about their rights, legislation and issues that matter most.
The minivan is turning 40 years old this year. While it made up just 1.8 percent of the car market in 2022, that number could begin to tick up, as more families increase interest in the car's advantages. Cheddar News' senior reporter Michelle Castillo takes a deeper look at the minivan's lineage.
Cheddar News correspondent Shannon LaNier rings in the Thai New Year at 11 Tigers in the East Village neighborhood of Manhattan. The restaurant is one of the only locations in New York City to celebrate.