Two years after the upheaval of lockdowns and endless video calls, the film industry is still feeling the effects of the global shutdowns. Cinema chains and festivals were forced to close, and box office returns remain muted. Only three films crossed the $1 billion mark worldwide in 2022—around one third of the number that did … Read more

Comic book movies have long offered a form of fantasy escapism in a world that often feels fractured and overwhelming. Over the past two decades they have become cultural touchstones, providing audiences with stories about power, responsibility and identity—tales that let us imagine control and meaning in uncertain times. Yet 2022 was a challenging year … Read more

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) Director: David Hand Screenwriters: Dorothy Ann Blank, Richard Creedon, Merrill De Maris, Otto Englander, Earl Hurd, Dick Rickard, Ted Sears, Webb Smith Starring: Adriana Caselotti, Lucille La Verne, Harry Stockwell, Roy Atwell, Pinto Colvig, Otis Harlan, Scotty Mattraw, Billy Gilbert, Eddie Collins, Jimmy MacDonald, Moroni Olsen, Stuart Buchanan … Read more

Avatar: The Way of Water (2022) Director: James Cameron Screenwriters: James Cameron, Rick Jaffa Starring: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Kate Winslet, Cliff Curtis, Joel David Moore Thirteen years after the original blockbuster, James Cameron returns to Pandora with Avatar: The Way of Water (2022), the first of multiple sequels planned for … Read more

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005) is a witty, self-aware pastiche of the spy thriller. Part satire, part homage, it simultaneously mocks genre conventions and delivers a satisfying, twisty detective story. It isn’t flawless, but Shane Black’s debut as director hits many of the key beats—damsel in distress, shootouts, and a memorable bald villain—while flipping expectations … Read more

When a sarcastic Renée Zellweger, the suave Hugh Grant, and the swoon-worthy Colin Firth meet against a Christmas backdrop with an upbeat Motown soundtrack, you get a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. More than two decades ago, the clumsy, charming, and sharp-witted Bridget Jones stepped off the page and onto the screen, securing her place among the most … Read more

Keep him out of the light. Do not give him water. And never, ever feed him after midnight. Those are the three simple rules Billy (Zach Galligan) must follow when his parents, Lynn (Frances Lee McCain) and Randall (Hoyt Axton), give him a Mogwai named Gizmo (voiced by Howie Mandel) for Christmas. After they bond … Read more

Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio (2022) Directors: Guillermo del Toro, Mark Gustafson Screenwriters: Guillermo del Toro, Patrick McHale Starring: Ewan McGregor, David Bradley, Gregory Mann, Christoph Waltz, Tilda Swinton, Ron Perlman, Finn Wolfhard, Cate Blanchett, Burn Gorman, John Turturro, Tim Blake Nelson Adaptations of Pinocchio seem to arrive in clusters—after long waits, several notable versions appear … Read more

The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)Director: Brian HensonScreenwriter: Jerry JuhlStarring: Michael Caine, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, Jerry Nelson, Frank Oz, Steven Mackintosh, Meredith Braun, Robin Weaver, Raymond Coulthard The opening of The Muppet Christmas Carol carries a bittersweet tone even after thirty years. The film’s immediate dedication to Jim Henson, creator of the Muppets, and Richard … Read more

The Polar Express (2004) Director: Robert Zemeckis Screenwriters: Robert Zemeckis, William Broyles Jr. Starring: Daryl Sabara, Tom Hanks, Eddie Deezen, Michael Jeter, Josh Hutcherson, Nona Gaye Christmas movies provoke strong opinions. With glittering lights, falling snow, sweeping scores, and a sense of childhood wonder, the ingredients for a successful holiday film often feel obvious. Yet … Read more