A controversial figure from late-1990s and early-2000s American pop culture, Michael Bay remains difficult to define precisely. Once the unmistakable face of glossy, schlocky Hollywood blockbusters, Bay now stands as both a relic of a particular studio era and an artist undergoing critical reassessment. His signature excess—often called “Bayhem”—has long divided critics and audiences, but … Read more

Black Dog (2024)Director: Hu GuanScreenwriters: Rui Ge, Hu GuanStarring: Eddie Pang, Tong Liya, Jia Zhangke, Zhang Yi, Zhou You, Yuan Hong, Vision Wei, Wang Yanhui, Hu Xiaoguang Winner of the 2024 Cannes Film Festival Un Certain Regard award, Black Dog is a quietly powerful piece of social realism that interweaves everyday hardship with moments of … Read more

Strange Darling (2023)Director: JT MollnerScreenwriter: JT MollnerStarring: Willa Fitzgerald, Kyle Gallner, Barbara Hershey, Ed Begley Jr. Serial killer films and true crime stories have long held a firm grip on popular culture, and while the market is crowded, filmmakers can still find new ways to engage audiences. Strange Darling, written and directed by JT Mollner, … Read more

The Crow (2024)Director: Rupert SandersScreenwriters: Zack Baylin, William SchneiderStarring: Bill Skarsgård, FKA twigs, Danny Huston Remakes and reimaginings are cinematic lightning: rare, unpredictable, and often unsuccessful. Occasionally, a new version of a familiar story captures fresh energy or vision and justifies its existence. Examples exist across genres and decades, from contemporary reinterpretations of classic novels … Read more

Incoming (2024)Directors: Dave Chernin, John CherninScreenwriters: Dave Chernin, John CherninStarring: Mason Thames, Ali Gallo, Isabella Ferreira, Ramon Reed, Raphael Alejandro, Bardia Seiri, Bobby Cannavale Incoming follows four freshman boys as they enter high school full of excitement, insecurity, and hormones. Benj (Mason Thames), Connor (Raphael Alejandro), Eddie (Ramon Reed) and Koosh (Bardia Seiri) arrive eager … Read more

More than six decades after its release, the beloved Robert Stevenson musical Mary Poppins (1964) remains a timeless favourite for audiences of all ages. Born from Walt Disney’s ambition to produce prestige pictures and inspired by P.L. Travers’ books about a magical nanny, the film endures because of its memorable songs, inventive visuals, distinctive characters … Read more

For decades writers, directors, producers and critics have attempted to pin down Batman’s shadowy figure. He has been portrayed as a masked vigilante, a brutal force, a tragic recluse and, for fans, a symbol of justice, determination and survival. Batman is not a one-note archetype; he is a moral emblem shaped by profound tragedy. Many … Read more

A man and a woman meet in wartime; their brief love creates a suspended moment amid devastation. She is married, and the affair is contained largely within a single piece of music. This film is not Casablanca. The Fountain premiered on 23 August 1934 and received praise for its fidelity to Charles Langbridge Morgan’s novel, … Read more

Imagine being unable to read or write, unable to communicate effectively or even find your way home. Picture not being able to use a smartphone or computer to order items, research topics, or enjoy entertainment. Imagine not being able to count reliably, to handle money, or to picture the future—to imagine, envision, or anticipate. For … Read more

Thank you for taking part in The Film Magazine’s Alien Movie Quiz. Follow @thefilmagazine on social media—especially Facebook, Instagram and X (Twitter)—for more quizzes and film features. Be sure to tell us your score in the comments or on the relevant posts. What do the aliens in Toy Story (1995) say when they are saved … Read more