For nearly two decades, Peter Jackson’s film adaptations of J.R.R. Tolkien’s work have shaped how fans and casual viewers imagine Middle-earth. The recent biopic Tolkien and Amazon’s sprawling series have only renewed interest in that world, but which of the six films in the two trilogies truly stands out — and which falls short? In … Read more

Booksmart (2019) Director: Olivia Wilde Screenwriters: Susanna Fogel, Emily Halpern, Sarah Haskins Starring: Kaitlyn Dever, Beanie Feldstein, Jessica Williams, Jason Sudeikis, Lisa Kudrow, Will Forte, Victoria Ruesga, Mason Gooding, Skyler Gisondo, Diana Silvers, Molly Gordon, Billie Lourd, Eduardo Franco, Nico Hiraga, Austin Crute, Noah Galvin Olivia Wilde’s debut feature, Booksmart, is a vibrant, witty coming-of-age … Read more

The magical world of Disney has been delighting children and adults with its animated stories since the early 20th century. From fawn-eyed forest creatures to cheerful dwarfs, Walt Disney’s films are often synonymous with childhood wonder. Yet beneath the cheery songs and bright colors, there are moments of genuine darkness. Disney’s long history of adapting … Read more

Cannes Film Festival 2019: Winners and Highlights Over an 11-day celebration of cinema, the Cannes International Film Festival drew filmmakers and journalists from around the world to the Mediterranean shores of southeastern France. Renowned directors including Quentin Tarantino, Xavier Dolan, Jessica Hausner and Terrence Malick screened new work alongside emerging talents, while festival-goers and critics … Read more

I love Star Wars (1977). A recent rewatch reminded me why it still stands as one of the most enduring and influential films in cinema. Its balance of mythic simplicity and emotional depth makes it endlessly rewatchable, while its technical achievements continue to inspire filmmakers. The characters, the story, and the dialogue have become cultural … Read more

FADE IN: A storm-swept night in Hillsboro, Oregon. In 2005, amid the constant rain of the Pacific Northwest, a new stop-motion studio launched and took its name from the first ill-fated dog in space: Laika. Since then, Laika has captivated and unsettled audiences of all ages with a distinct collection of five stop-motion feature films. … Read more

John Wick Chapter 3 — Parabellum: Film Analysis and Review I hadn’t revisited the earlier John Wick films before watching John Wick Chapter 3 — Parabellum, so I entered the theater nearly blind to the trilogy’s full context. My strongest recollections were the trigger incident—the death of his dog—the brutal tally of kills, and the … Read more

The Russo brothers pulled off a staggering feat with Avengers: Endgame, assembling dozens of heroes, weaving a time-travel story that revisits earlier films, and staging an epic battle that decides the fate of the world. Balancing fan service with emotional weight, juggling humor and sorrow, and providing meaningful conclusions to character arcs that span more … Read more

Robert Pattinson Reportedly Set to Lead Warner Bros’ The Batman Insiders close to Warner Bros have confirmed to reporters that Robert Pattinson is in advanced talks to play Bruce Wayne/The Batman in the studio’s reboot of the Batman franchise. The move comes after months of speculation following Ben Affleck’s exit from the lead role and … Read more

Romantic comedies have long reflected the mood of their times, using timely concepts, memorable stories and star-studded casts to define eras and cement actors in the public imagination. From classic studio-era love stories to modern indie successes, rom-coms have introduced trends, launched careers and kept audiences coming back for feel-good entertainment. In recent years, streaming … Read more