As Netflix’s library of films ebbs and flows, finding the right movie to watch can feel like bailing out an ocean with a spoon. And if you’re looking for a quality horror movie in particular, the search only gets harder. With the reality that Horror is one of the cheapest genres to produce, streamers like Netflix are cluttered with a veritable tsunami of bloody titles that sometimes seem indistinguishable from one another.
If you’re looking for a good horror movie to watch on Netflix that will truly scare you, picking a final selection can prove a more daunting task than sitting through yet another “Haunting of Hill House” rewatch; with or without its beloved “Bly Manor” chaser. But while the streamer’s priorities seem to shift as quickly as its content selection grows, Netflix’s horror library remains a high point — with original triumphs, including Guillermo del Toro...
If you’re looking for a good horror movie to watch on Netflix that will truly scare you, picking a final selection can prove a more daunting task than sitting through yet another “Haunting of Hill House” rewatch; with or without its beloved “Bly Manor” chaser. But while the streamer’s priorities seem to shift as quickly as its content selection grows, Netflix’s horror library remains a high point — with original triumphs, including Guillermo del Toro...
- 5/7/2024
- by Wilson Chapman
- Indiewire
To say that few filmmakers love movies as much as Quentin Tarantino is a staggering understatement. Few people love movies as much as Quentin Tarantino, and the cinephile’s tastes continue to shape Hollywood. Today he turns 61, and so of course we had to share an updated list of Tarantino’s favorite movies that brings the total to 61.
The video store clerk-turned-director has spent decades dazzling interviewers and fans with his unparalleled knowledge of cinema history, with tastes that range from universally acclaimed classics to more obscure and even lowbrow fare. While his love of spaghetti Westerns and exploitation flicks has always been well-documented, Tarantino isn’t afraid to publicly embrace the modern or mainstream. He proudly championed “Top Gun: Maverick” in the summer of 2022, as did so many others. Not to mention, he’s a fan of rom-coms, particularly on long flights. (He once dubbed Kate Hudson “the queen...
The video store clerk-turned-director has spent decades dazzling interviewers and fans with his unparalleled knowledge of cinema history, with tastes that range from universally acclaimed classics to more obscure and even lowbrow fare. While his love of spaghetti Westerns and exploitation flicks has always been well-documented, Tarantino isn’t afraid to publicly embrace the modern or mainstream. He proudly championed “Top Gun: Maverick” in the summer of 2022, as did so many others. Not to mention, he’s a fan of rom-coms, particularly on long flights. (He once dubbed Kate Hudson “the queen...
- 3/27/2024
- by Wilson Chapman
- Indiewire
We live in strange times. This young century has been defined by harrowing disasters both natural and man-made, political tribalism, and existential threats to the future of the planet. What better time for documentary filmmaking?
Non-fiction cinema has been evolving since the birth of the medium while capturing a world in motion. From the actualités of the Lumière brothers in the late 19th century to the heavily manipulated ethnographic films of the 1920, from the vérité films of the Maysles brothers to the man-on-the-street agitprop popularized by Michael Moore, documentaries have naturally always been more responsive to their times than any other mode of filmmaking.
Not only do they reveal our world to us, but they shape how we view it, and the early years of the 21st century have proven that to be more true than ever before. On one hand, digital technology has infinitely expanded our range of vision,...
Non-fiction cinema has been evolving since the birth of the medium while capturing a world in motion. From the actualités of the Lumière brothers in the late 19th century to the heavily manipulated ethnographic films of the 1920, from the vérité films of the Maysles brothers to the man-on-the-street agitprop popularized by Michael Moore, documentaries have naturally always been more responsive to their times than any other mode of filmmaking.
Not only do they reveal our world to us, but they shape how we view it, and the early years of the 21st century have proven that to be more true than ever before. On one hand, digital technology has infinitely expanded our range of vision,...
- 3/27/2024
- by Wilson Chapman
- Indiewire
[Editor’s note: This list was originally published in 2017. It has since been updated many times.]
With everything going the way it is in the world right now, we’re laughing to keep less cheery emotions at bay. At least this bizarre, still-very-much-in-progress century has already produced a slew of spectacular, silly, snarky, and cynical comedies: ready to fire up whenever you need a serotonin burst or distraction thanks to the ever-growing cadre of streaming services.
The pandemic may be in the rearview for the U.S. federal government, but the specter of war, a tortured economy, and human rights issues across the globe have occupied the minds of many instead. So, in desperate need of some humor, we thought it was more important than ever to give our Greatest Comedies of the 21st Century list, originally published in 2017, yet another rethink. Since the list was originally published, we’ve expanded it to 90 entries, including titles released since then that deserved including and other titles we somehow overlooked the first time.
With everything going the way it is in the world right now, we’re laughing to keep less cheery emotions at bay. At least this bizarre, still-very-much-in-progress century has already produced a slew of spectacular, silly, snarky, and cynical comedies: ready to fire up whenever you need a serotonin burst or distraction thanks to the ever-growing cadre of streaming services.
The pandemic may be in the rearview for the U.S. federal government, but the specter of war, a tortured economy, and human rights issues across the globe have occupied the minds of many instead. So, in desperate need of some humor, we thought it was more important than ever to give our Greatest Comedies of the 21st Century list, originally published in 2017, yet another rethink. Since the list was originally published, we’ve expanded it to 90 entries, including titles released since then that deserved including and other titles we somehow overlooked the first time.
- 3/26/2024
- by Wilson Chapman
- Indiewire
[Editor’s Note: This list was originally published in May 2016 and has since been updated.]
So…what is sci-fi? It’s not the easiest question to answer when “sci-fi elements” permeate so many of the biggest blockbusters: thought-provoking genre concepts flattened into one-size-fits-all franchise fodder that make countless titles “feel” and, on occasion, even look the same.
Yes, science fiction is rooted in profound origins, examining humanity’s deep-seated fear of itself and the intimidating possibility of worlds unknown. But the last two decades have seen a metaphoric rush on sci-fi storytelling that’s left the once niche subgenre a supersaturated movie market. On the one hand, that’s produced an onslaught of sci-fi(ish) titles that aren’t always up to snuff. But on the other, it’s prompted some of the best sci-fi films ever made. Masterworks like “Everything Everywhere All at Once” and “Nope” both arrived in the past two years, and top our list at number five and number eight respectively.
So…what is sci-fi? It’s not the easiest question to answer when “sci-fi elements” permeate so many of the biggest blockbusters: thought-provoking genre concepts flattened into one-size-fits-all franchise fodder that make countless titles “feel” and, on occasion, even look the same.
Yes, science fiction is rooted in profound origins, examining humanity’s deep-seated fear of itself and the intimidating possibility of worlds unknown. But the last two decades have seen a metaphoric rush on sci-fi storytelling that’s left the once niche subgenre a supersaturated movie market. On the one hand, that’s produced an onslaught of sci-fi(ish) titles that aren’t always up to snuff. But on the other, it’s prompted some of the best sci-fi films ever made. Masterworks like “Everything Everywhere All at Once” and “Nope” both arrived in the past two years, and top our list at number five and number eight respectively.
- 3/5/2024
- by Wilson Chapman
- Indiewire
Every cinephile knows that “What was the best movie of the year?” and “What movie will win Best Picture at the Oscars?” are two entirely different questions. In 2023, the answer for both was arguably the same.
The Daniels’ “Everything Everywhere All at Once” — A24’s mind-bending mother-daughter story about life’s unexplainable questions and the lengths we will go for love — won over audiences and critics before taking home Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress (for Michelle Yeoh), Best Supporting Actor (for Ke Huy Quan), Best Supporting Actress (for Jamie Lee Curtis), and Best Original Screenplay at the 95th Academy Awards. Still, despite the film’s accolades, it has its critics — and you’re likely to find many a pundit who feels that the top prize ultimately should have gone to Todd Field’s chillier, less crowd-pleasing “Tár” instead.
As long as there have been award shows, movie fans have...
The Daniels’ “Everything Everywhere All at Once” — A24’s mind-bending mother-daughter story about life’s unexplainable questions and the lengths we will go for love — won over audiences and critics before taking home Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress (for Michelle Yeoh), Best Supporting Actor (for Ke Huy Quan), Best Supporting Actress (for Jamie Lee Curtis), and Best Original Screenplay at the 95th Academy Awards. Still, despite the film’s accolades, it has its critics — and you’re likely to find many a pundit who feels that the top prize ultimately should have gone to Todd Field’s chillier, less crowd-pleasing “Tár” instead.
As long as there have been award shows, movie fans have...
- 3/2/2024
- by Wilson Chapman
- Indiewire
This year’s Independent Spirit Awards faced a major broadcast hurdle as a Pro-Palestinian protestor with a speaker and a prerecorded message blared out many of the presenters and winners onstage.
The protestor became obvious to at-home audiences when Jim Gaffigan presented “Jury Duty” the award for best ensemble cast in a new scripted series. The rhythm of Gaffigan’s introduction was stilted as microphones picked up the muffled messaging from outside.
The sound created a stir in the audience at the ceremony, as it was louder than the show itself, with some leaving the show to see what the commotion was. Several people, including security and producers, approached the man with the speaker and another man with him, but the protest didn’t stop. Security then moved a shuttle bus in front of the protestors, driving forward and in reverse to block them and try to muffle the sound.
The protestor became obvious to at-home audiences when Jim Gaffigan presented “Jury Duty” the award for best ensemble cast in a new scripted series. The rhythm of Gaffigan’s introduction was stilted as microphones picked up the muffled messaging from outside.
The sound created a stir in the audience at the ceremony, as it was louder than the show itself, with some leaving the show to see what the commotion was. Several people, including security and producers, approached the man with the speaker and another man with him, but the protest didn’t stop. Security then moved a shuttle bus in front of the protestors, driving forward and in reverse to block them and try to muffle the sound.
- 2/25/2024
- by William Earl
- Variety Film + TV
There’s something uniquely cinematic about romantic comedies — something that makes them a natural fit for the movies and vice-versa. There’s an intoxicating alchemy that allows us to believe in the magic of meet-cutes, happily-ever-afters, and all the agonizing contrivances that tend to pop up between the two. Love it seems gives storytellers permission to transpose the stuff of operas and fables into the fabric of real (or at least overly glossed but still recognizable) life.
On paper, a film like “Pretty Woman” might be a retrograde fairy tale about a sex worker with a heart of gold and the rich businessman who can afford it, but the chemistry between Julia Roberts and Richard Gere is so explosive that you surrender to the sentiment of it all. Literally nothing in Richard Curtis’ “Love Actually” makes sense if you stop and think about it for even a few seconds. The...
On paper, a film like “Pretty Woman” might be a retrograde fairy tale about a sex worker with a heart of gold and the rich businessman who can afford it, but the chemistry between Julia Roberts and Richard Gere is so explosive that you surrender to the sentiment of it all. Literally nothing in Richard Curtis’ “Love Actually” makes sense if you stop and think about it for even a few seconds. The...
- 2/14/2024
- by Alison Foreman
- Indiewire
The Current Debate is a column that connects the dots between great writing about topics in the wider film conversation.Crossroads.It was early last March when, after twenty-three years and over two thousand reviews, A. O. Scott announced he would resign from his post as film critic at the New York Times, leaving his readers to wrestle with some cataclysmic prophecies. “The current apocalypse,” he wrote on his way out,… is that streaming and Covid anxiety are conspiring to kill off moviegoing as we have known it, leaving a handful of I.P.-driven blockbusters and horror movies to keep theaters in business while we mostly sit at home bingeing docuseries, dystopias and the occasional art-film guilt trip. Am I worried? Of course I’m worried. The cultural space in which the movies I care most about have flourished seems to be shrinking. The audience necessary to sustain original...
- 1/25/2024
- MUBI
“One more time: animation is a medium, not a genre. Animation is film,” Guillermo del Toro said last year. IndieWire couldn’t agree more, and yet animation — an art form that requires the most precise control of the cinematic medium — is continually disrespected.
Infamously, 2022’s Best Animated Oscars presentation featured several jokes about the nominees that, in the words of Phil Lord and Chris Miller, framed “the five Academy Award nominees for Best Animated Feature as a corporate product for kids that parents must begrudgingly endure.” The directing duo called upon the Academy to do better by animation. And this year’s ceremony largely delivered, with less jokes that belittled animation as kiddy stuff and a sterling speech from del Toro himself for his acclaimed stop-motion feature adaptation of “Pinocchio.”
Pixar and Studio Ghibli tend to spring to mind first when discussing great animation, but there’s a world beyond those two giants.
Infamously, 2022’s Best Animated Oscars presentation featured several jokes about the nominees that, in the words of Phil Lord and Chris Miller, framed “the five Academy Award nominees for Best Animated Feature as a corporate product for kids that parents must begrudgingly endure.” The directing duo called upon the Academy to do better by animation. And this year’s ceremony largely delivered, with less jokes that belittled animation as kiddy stuff and a sterling speech from del Toro himself for his acclaimed stop-motion feature adaptation of “Pinocchio.”
Pixar and Studio Ghibli tend to spring to mind first when discussing great animation, but there’s a world beyond those two giants.
- 11/23/2023
- by Bill Desowitz and Wilson Chapman
- Indiewire
There’s no shortage of movies to stream on Netflix. Any subscriber that logs onto the platform these days will likely see a bunch of new releases, gruesome horror films, and sweet rom-coms. But with so many big, flashy studio films and Netflix originals to choose from, it can be difficult for the indie films that flood the streamer to stand out.
For sure, a place in Netflix’s library can be a great opportunity for independent cinema to find an audience it otherwise wouldn’t reach in theaters or on television. But for all the big starry auteur films that Netflix picks up and turns into major awards contenders (see “Marriage Story” or “I’m Thinking of Ending Things”), there’s an under-the-radar, overlooked pick that doesn’t have the names or prestige attached to it, and feels destined to serve as mere library filler as people look for the films they do know.
For sure, a place in Netflix’s library can be a great opportunity for independent cinema to find an audience it otherwise wouldn’t reach in theaters or on television. But for all the big starry auteur films that Netflix picks up and turns into major awards contenders (see “Marriage Story” or “I’m Thinking of Ending Things”), there’s an under-the-radar, overlooked pick that doesn’t have the names or prestige attached to it, and feels destined to serve as mere library filler as people look for the films they do know.
- 11/14/2023
- by Christian Zilko and Wilson Chapman
- Indiewire
Guillermo del Toro’s boundless imagination, from the gothic horrors of “Crimson Peak” to the creature-feature-inspired “The Shape of Water,” has been cultivated by a lifelong love of cinema. The Mexican filmmaker proudly wears his influences on his sleeves, while championing the past and future of moviegoing and movie-making. Just take his latest projects.
There’s the stunning, stop-motion “Pinocchio” reimagining, which is leagues better than Disney’s straight-to-streaming competitor — far too slick for its own good (no matter how much Tom Hanks tried). And, also at Netflix, there’s the “Cabinet of Curiosities“: an eight-part horror anthology that unfortunately does not include any directing from del Toro, but does feature his writing, producing, and a Rod Serling-like “Twilight Zone” style intro for each episode.
Before that, the 2021 show business noir “Nightmare Alley” saw del Toro loosely remake a 1947 classic, but he also imbued plenty of his own...
There’s the stunning, stop-motion “Pinocchio” reimagining, which is leagues better than Disney’s straight-to-streaming competitor — far too slick for its own good (no matter how much Tom Hanks tried). And, also at Netflix, there’s the “Cabinet of Curiosities“: an eight-part horror anthology that unfortunately does not include any directing from del Toro, but does feature his writing, producing, and a Rod Serling-like “Twilight Zone” style intro for each episode.
Before that, the 2021 show business noir “Nightmare Alley” saw del Toro loosely remake a 1947 classic, but he also imbued plenty of his own...
- 10/12/2023
- by Wilson Chapman, Christian Zilko and Alison Foreman
- Indiewire
“Maestro” director and star Bradley Cooper made an inconspicuous appearance at the New York Film Festival premiere, skipping press in solidarity with SAG-AFTRA.
Fitting for a film that focuses on legendary conductor Leonard Bernstein, the starry premiere marked a homecoming given its location: David Geffen Hall, home of the New York Philharmonic. On Sept. 23, 1962, Bernstein and the Philharmonic performed the inaugural concert at the venue. Bernstein served as the orchestra’s conductor from 1958 to 1969 and laureate conductor from 1969 to 1990.
Before the lights in the auditorium dimmed, Cooper was spotted sporting a buzz cut and chatting with notable guests, including Netflix’s Scott Stuber, Laura Dern, Shawn Levy and Jeremy Strong.
Carey Mulligan, who leads the film opposite Cooper as the conductor’s wife Felicia Montealegre, did not attend.
The NYFF premiere marks the first time Cooper has publicly supported the film, after skipping its world premiere at the Venice Film...
Fitting for a film that focuses on legendary conductor Leonard Bernstein, the starry premiere marked a homecoming given its location: David Geffen Hall, home of the New York Philharmonic. On Sept. 23, 1962, Bernstein and the Philharmonic performed the inaugural concert at the venue. Bernstein served as the orchestra’s conductor from 1958 to 1969 and laureate conductor from 1969 to 1990.
Before the lights in the auditorium dimmed, Cooper was spotted sporting a buzz cut and chatting with notable guests, including Netflix’s Scott Stuber, Laura Dern, Shawn Levy and Jeremy Strong.
Carey Mulligan, who leads the film opposite Cooper as the conductor’s wife Felicia Montealegre, did not attend.
The NYFF premiere marks the first time Cooper has publicly supported the film, after skipping its world premiere at the Venice Film...
- 10/2/2023
- by Angelique Jackson and BreAnna Bell
- Variety Film + TV
Like witches, vampires, and zombies, ghosts can be scary as hell. But there is something about the stories of lingering dead spirits that can be both awe-inspiring and spooky at once. The often invisible presence of ghosts allows filmmakers to explore the unsettling aspects of character psychology through the use of sound and space. Some of the best ghost stories aren’t scary at all; instead, they liberate directors from the restrictions of space and time to mine spiritual and existential depths. It’s a genre that has attracted some of the medium’s greatest artists to create some of their finest work.
One of the great aspects of ghost stories are their ambiguity, how their presence reflects more on the humans who see them then the spectral beings themselves. Maybe the great, definitive ghost story in the literary world is Henry James’ “The Turn of the Screw,” his 1898 novella...
One of the great aspects of ghost stories are their ambiguity, how their presence reflects more on the humans who see them then the spectral beings themselves. Maybe the great, definitive ghost story in the literary world is Henry James’ “The Turn of the Screw,” his 1898 novella...
- 9/30/2023
- by David Ehrlich, Alison Foreman and Wilson Chapman
- Indiewire
Ghosts are ubiquitous and zombies have had their moments of dominance, but of all the classic horror monsters, vampires have the strongest claim for the greatest film legacy. The vampire genre is nearly as old as cinema itself, with F.W. Murnau’s “Nosferatu” scaring up audiences in 1922, followed by the countless iterations that came in its shadow. Every era and every filmmaking country has since taken up its own spins on the myth of the vampire, from Universal Studios’ “Dracula” series beginning with Tod Browning’s Bram Stoker adaptation in 1931, all the way up to Iranian-American director Ana Lily Amirpour’s indie feminist twist “A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night” in 2014.
2023 though, has not exactly been a banner year for brilliant takes on the horror genre’s most iconic creatures of the night. Sure, there have been plenty of movies starring vampires; it’s just that most of them haven’t been very good.
2023 though, has not exactly been a banner year for brilliant takes on the horror genre’s most iconic creatures of the night. Sure, there have been plenty of movies starring vampires; it’s just that most of them haven’t been very good.
- 9/20/2023
- by Alison Foreman and Wilson Chapman
- Indiewire
“The clouds lifted” for cinema’s future recently. At least that was how Martin Scorsese felt after he saw “TÁR,” on which he lavished praise at the New York Film Critics Circle awards dinner in early January 2023.
That kind of praise means a lot. Scorsese is not just one of the greatest filmmakers of all time: he’s one of its greatest cinephiles. In recent years, he’s become known for the movies — or, as he might say of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, “theme parks” — he doesn’t enjoy. But the Oscar-winning director’s favorite films are as wide-ranging in genre, year of release, and national origin as you might imagine, from Ti West’s “Pearl” to the horror flicks of Val Lewton and the works of Senegalese master Djibril Diop Mambety. He’s such an avid-moving watching buff that, in a recent interview with Time Magazine, he admitted he...
That kind of praise means a lot. Scorsese is not just one of the greatest filmmakers of all time: he’s one of its greatest cinephiles. In recent years, he’s become known for the movies — or, as he might say of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, “theme parks” — he doesn’t enjoy. But the Oscar-winning director’s favorite films are as wide-ranging in genre, year of release, and national origin as you might imagine, from Ti West’s “Pearl” to the horror flicks of Val Lewton and the works of Senegalese master Djibril Diop Mambety. He’s such an avid-moving watching buff that, in a recent interview with Time Magazine, he admitted he...
- 9/13/2023
- by Alison Foreman and Wilson Chapman
- Indiewire
From blockbuster sequels to bold arthouse fare, plenty of recent films have provoked strong responses from their proponents and detractors. Sometimes a film boasts objectively great craftsmanship but divisive ideas, other times something is beloved by casual fans despite not being critics’ cup of tea. In other cases, a box-office smash with a plum CinemaScore is excoriated by critics, whose credibility in the eyes of said ticket buyers, who may be skeptical of reviewers, ebbs yet again.
Last year, Baz Luhrmann’s Oscar-nominated “Elvis” drew a deep line in the sand: The rock ‘n roll epic starring Austin Butler shook up more than $288 million at the global box office and an A- CinemaScore despite wildly mixed reviews dating back to its Cannes 2022 premiere. For a 2022 awards season contrast, Todd Field’s “TÁR” starring Cate Blanchett conducted its way to $29 million worldwide despite almost universally flat-out-stunned reviews.
The full-blown return of...
Last year, Baz Luhrmann’s Oscar-nominated “Elvis” drew a deep line in the sand: The rock ‘n roll epic starring Austin Butler shook up more than $288 million at the global box office and an A- CinemaScore despite wildly mixed reviews dating back to its Cannes 2022 premiere. For a 2022 awards season contrast, Todd Field’s “TÁR” starring Cate Blanchett conducted its way to $29 million worldwide despite almost universally flat-out-stunned reviews.
The full-blown return of...
- 9/12/2023
- by Ryan Lattanzio and Alison Foreman
- Indiewire
With the possible exception of food purchased in jam band parking lots, nothing pairs better with weed than a good film. It’s a substance that can make bad movies seem good and good movies seem downright incredible. Anyone who has attended a midnight screening of a cult classic knows that the thick haze of marijuana smoke is all part of the experience. And smoking a joint from the comfort of your own home while watching your favorite movie for the umpteenth time remains one of the most elite forms of relaxation known to man.
Certain films have a brilliance to them that can’t be truly understood until you watch them while indulging in your favorite strain of cannabis. Slightly dulling your focus in exchange for heightening your senses (including humor) is often a hell of a bargain. If a film doesn’t require excessive focus on a meticulous plot,...
Certain films have a brilliance to them that can’t be truly understood until you watch them while indulging in your favorite strain of cannabis. Slightly dulling your focus in exchange for heightening your senses (including humor) is often a hell of a bargain. If a film doesn’t require excessive focus on a meticulous plot,...
- 9/12/2023
- by Wilson Chapman, Alison Foreman and Christian Zilko
- Indiewire
Editor’s Note: This story was originally posted on July 23, 2017, and has been updated multiple times since.
Few cinematic moments can burn themselves into an audience’s psyche better than a good sex scene. They can shock, arouse, or simply capture human beauty in ways that cinema is uniquely positioned to do. Sex scenes don’t have to define the movies they appear in, but they’re often the parts you remember the most.
The nature of sex scenes are constantly evolving, as the prevalence of intimacy coordinators and increased concern for performers’ safety in Hollywood is hopefully making regrettable sex scenes a thing of the past. That has allowed sexy cinema to flourish, with plenty of tantalizing movies hitting the multiplex in recent years. With that in mind, it felt like the right time to compile some of the best additions to the sexy film canon.
Our list of...
Few cinematic moments can burn themselves into an audience’s psyche better than a good sex scene. They can shock, arouse, or simply capture human beauty in ways that cinema is uniquely positioned to do. Sex scenes don’t have to define the movies they appear in, but they’re often the parts you remember the most.
The nature of sex scenes are constantly evolving, as the prevalence of intimacy coordinators and increased concern for performers’ safety in Hollywood is hopefully making regrettable sex scenes a thing of the past. That has allowed sexy cinema to flourish, with plenty of tantalizing movies hitting the multiplex in recent years. With that in mind, it felt like the right time to compile some of the best additions to the sexy film canon.
Our list of...
- 8/17/2023
- by Christian Zilko, Samantha Bergeson and Alison Foreman
- Indiewire
In this time of geekery and craft reigning supreme, film critics and academics no longer reject horror movies with the knee-jerk certainty some once did. But even now the specter of “elevated horror” (see that concept’s lambasting in Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett’s “Scream 5”) looms over discussions of artier explorations of dread and terror — Ari Aster’s “Midsommar,” Luca Guadagnino’s “Suspiria,” Rose Glass’ “Saint Maud” — that are clearly distinguished from, well, non-elevated horror. The general gist is that these exceptions to the “horror is bad” rule engage your brain more than just showing brains: eaten by zombies or splattered against the wall.
How can films that fire your adrenal glands, send shivers down your spine, raise goosebumps, and quicken your breath — that inspire such an intense physical reaction — also be cerebral experiences? The answer is obvious enough. Viewers forget all the time that, as Anna Karina...
How can films that fire your adrenal glands, send shivers down your spine, raise goosebumps, and quicken your breath — that inspire such an intense physical reaction — also be cerebral experiences? The answer is obvious enough. Viewers forget all the time that, as Anna Karina...
- 8/10/2023
- by Alison Foreman
- Indiewire
With his latest film “Oppenheimer,” Christopher Nolan has returned to war; World War II, specifically. Although the J. Robert Oppenheimer biopic doesn’t feature any scenes of soldiers heading into battle, it’s a war movie at its heart, with the conflict in Europe and Asia motivating the morally reprehensible actions of the Manhattan Project in the States. “Oppenheimer” makes, in some ways, a good companion piece to Nolan’s 2016 hit “Dunkirk”: a more conventional (relatively speaking) depiction of the war, from the perspectives of the ordinary soldiers during the Dunkirk evacuation.
From the moment it ended, World War II has proven fertile ground for hundreds of directors, as Hollywood stars have geared up to fight some Nazis. But, perhaps due to the relative recency and large scope of the conflict, the war has also invited an unexpected level of nuance and diversity of perspectives. One of the earliest...
From the moment it ended, World War II has proven fertile ground for hundreds of directors, as Hollywood stars have geared up to fight some Nazis. But, perhaps due to the relative recency and large scope of the conflict, the war has also invited an unexpected level of nuance and diversity of perspectives. One of the earliest...
- 8/3/2023
- by Kate Erbland and Wilson Chapman
- Indiewire
It’s the shock of seeing Norman Bates, knife in hand, clad in his mother’s clothes, grinning maniacally in the swinging lamplight. It’s a supposedly dead husband rising from a bathtub with terrifying saucer contact-lenses. It’s finally connecting “I see dead people” with Bruce Willis being shot at the beginning of “The Sixth Sense.” When movies pull the rug out from under us, it’s one of the greatest thrills that cinema can provide.
As Hollywood continues to reboot countless old properties, it’s easy to think that the days of original and surprising storytelling are long behind us. But these films prove that Hollywood still has a few tricks up its sleeve, ones that have kept us talking for years, and have cemented their place in film history.
Beware of spoilers! Here are the best plot twists of the 21st century.
Samantha Bergeson, Christian Blauvelt, Jude Dry,...
As Hollywood continues to reboot countless old properties, it’s easy to think that the days of original and surprising storytelling are long behind us. But these films prove that Hollywood still has a few tricks up its sleeve, ones that have kept us talking for years, and have cemented their place in film history.
Beware of spoilers! Here are the best plot twists of the 21st century.
Samantha Bergeson, Christian Blauvelt, Jude Dry,...
- 7/28/2023
- by Wilson Chapman and Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
For as long as there have been horror movies, there has been body horror — and it’s not hard to see why the subgenre is unlikely to ever go out of style. Great horror movies tap into the darkest corners of our subconscious minds to poke at our deepest fears, and few emotions are more human than the fear of bodily harm. The human tendency to identify with our own bodies is so strong that watching transformations and mutilations can evoke the feeling that characters are being stripped of their very humanity.
While early filmmakers explored these themes in projects like “Invasion of the Body Snatchers,” the second half of the 20th century saw body horror elevated to the level of high art. Nobody deserves more credit for that shift in public perception than David Cronenberg, whose films like “Videodrome” and “The Fly” contained as much scientific and social commentary as blood and guts.
While early filmmakers explored these themes in projects like “Invasion of the Body Snatchers,” the second half of the 20th century saw body horror elevated to the level of high art. Nobody deserves more credit for that shift in public perception than David Cronenberg, whose films like “Videodrome” and “The Fly” contained as much scientific and social commentary as blood and guts.
- 7/23/2023
- by Christian Zilko
- Indiewire
What makes a sex scene sexy? More to the point, what makes a sex scene good? That’s become an especially thorny question in recent years, with detailed accounts of what goes on behind the scenes of movies we love complicating our relationship with their most memorable moments. And though we’re ever so slowly moving away from the male gaze serving as the default perspective on love, sex, and everything between, there’s still a long way to go.
That is, if sex scenes still appear in movies at all. They do, but with greater infrequency, certainly in Hollywood studio productions. Though many think-pieces have been written about “the death of the sex scene” there’s still been a lot to celebrate over the last 23 years. A number of sex-positive, LGBTQ-friendly, and otherwise forward-thinking filmmakers have directed scenes that are as steamy as they are moving. There’s nothing...
That is, if sex scenes still appear in movies at all. They do, but with greater infrequency, certainly in Hollywood studio productions. Though many think-pieces have been written about “the death of the sex scene” there’s still been a lot to celebrate over the last 23 years. A number of sex-positive, LGBTQ-friendly, and otherwise forward-thinking filmmakers have directed scenes that are as steamy as they are moving. There’s nothing...
- 7/20/2023
- by Ryan Lattanzio, Christian Zilko and Wilson Chapman
- Indiewire
No filmmaker has ascended to the apex of Hollywood — and stayed there — without surviving the occasional flop. Everyone from Steven Spielberg and Quentin Tarantino to Martin Scorsese and Denis Villeneuve has released a film that, for whatever reason, didn’t resonate with audiences during its initial release. Filmmaking is a fickle industry, and if you make enough movies, one of them is bound to go wrong.
Many, many movies flop because they’re outright bad. In fact, if a blockbuster or big franchise movie goes wrong at the box office, it’s safe to assume that bad reviews and poor word-of-mouth is what scared audiences away. 2023 has given us plenty of examples of big-budget flops that flopped because of poor quality, like “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania”. Considering the slew of terrible superhero and action movies able to eke out a profit on name recognition alone, those are usually the most catastrophic and memorable failures.
Many, many movies flop because they’re outright bad. In fact, if a blockbuster or big franchise movie goes wrong at the box office, it’s safe to assume that bad reviews and poor word-of-mouth is what scared audiences away. 2023 has given us plenty of examples of big-budget flops that flopped because of poor quality, like “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania”. Considering the slew of terrible superhero and action movies able to eke out a profit on name recognition alone, those are usually the most catastrophic and memorable failures.
- 7/19/2023
- by Wilson Chapman
- Indiewire
Few filmmakers working today have an aesthetic that’s as instantly recognizable as Wes Anderson’s. His filmography has taken viewers from roadside motels in Texas to lavish European resorts and on the occasional detour to animated worlds where dogs and foxes can talk. But no matter where Anderson sets a movie, you can always tell you’re watching one of his films from the attention to detail, twee color palettes, and impeccable interior design: an effect so inviting it’s been mimicked by countless professional copycats and emulated by fans in a surprisingly sweet TikTok trend.
Anderson’s indie film superstardom has prompted critics and audiences to inquire about his influences for years. And while Anderson isn’t as outspoken about his cinephilia as some of his fellow auteurs, he has been known to occasionally opine about his favorite movies when asked — and tends to surprise when he does.
Anderson’s indie film superstardom has prompted critics and audiences to inquire about his influences for years. And while Anderson isn’t as outspoken about his cinephilia as some of his fellow auteurs, he has been known to occasionally opine about his favorite movies when asked — and tends to surprise when he does.
- 6/12/2023
- by Christian Zilko and Wilson Chapman
- Indiewire
Sometimes you have to go through hell to make a great movie. Just ask Alexander Skarsgård, who said that the grueling shoot for Robert Eggers’ “The Northman” left him “so exhausted that you want to cry.”
Like “Jaws,” “Apocalypse Now,” and “Titanic” before it, “The Northman” overcame filming hardships to earn rave reviews, and the brutal production anecdotes only added to its legacy. But not every movie with a hellish production history can be so lucky. Just ask the casts and crews of films like “Heaven’s Gate” and “Waterworld,” who were put through hell only for their films to become notorious box office flops.
Movie shoots can be painful for myriad reasons: difficult actors, loopy directors, dangerous conditions, and even acts of God can impact what ends up on screen. Something that sounded like a good idea during pre-production (Noel Marshall’s idea to use real tigers and lions on “Roar” seemed awesome!
Like “Jaws,” “Apocalypse Now,” and “Titanic” before it, “The Northman” overcame filming hardships to earn rave reviews, and the brutal production anecdotes only added to its legacy. But not every movie with a hellish production history can be so lucky. Just ask the casts and crews of films like “Heaven’s Gate” and “Waterworld,” who were put through hell only for their films to become notorious box office flops.
Movie shoots can be painful for myriad reasons: difficult actors, loopy directors, dangerous conditions, and even acts of God can impact what ends up on screen. Something that sounded like a good idea during pre-production (Noel Marshall’s idea to use real tigers and lions on “Roar” seemed awesome!
- 6/6/2023
- by Christian Zilko and Wilson Chapman
- Indiewire
It’s been a four-year long wait, but Ari Aster has finally made his return. The director’s third film “Beau is Afraid” journeyed into theaters April 14, bringing surrealist comedy to audiences through the auteur’s famously punishing perspective. The film, which is as loved as it is disliked by critics and audiences, stars Joaquin Phoenix as the title character: a repressed man making a grueling odyssey back home to see his mother.
The film’s title and premise comes from Aster’s 2011 short film “Beau.” One of several shorts he made as a student at the American Film Institute Conservatory — the most infamous being the viral incest drama, “The Strange Thing About the Johnsons” — the original “Beau” was a much smaller production than the director’s latest, focusing on the title character (played by the late Billy Mayo) as he’s locked in his apartment following the disappearance of his keys.
The film’s title and premise comes from Aster’s 2011 short film “Beau.” One of several shorts he made as a student at the American Film Institute Conservatory — the most infamous being the viral incest drama, “The Strange Thing About the Johnsons” — the original “Beau” was a much smaller production than the director’s latest, focusing on the title character (played by the late Billy Mayo) as he’s locked in his apartment following the disappearance of his keys.
- 4/28/2023
- by Alison Foreman, Christian Zilko and Wilson Chapman
- Indiewire
Fans’ hearts were melting.
On Sunday night, “Everything Everywhere All at Once” took home the Oscar for Best Picture, and during the celebratory moment, a big reunion occurred.
Read More: Ke Huy Quan Wins Oscar In An Inspiring Hollywood Comeback
Presenting the final award of the night was Harrison Ford, who gave his “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” co-star Ke Huy Quan a big hug as he got on stage with the rest of the “Everything Everywhere” cast and crew.
Indiana Jones & Short Round
Harrison Ford And Ke Huy Quan
1984 & 2023#Oscars pic.twitter.com/uVqKBXTN8i
— Geek Zone #Oscars #Oscars95 (@GeekZoneGZ) March 13, 2023
“Indiana Jones” fans were loving the emotional moment, bringing the two actors back together after nearly 40 years.
Harrison Ford and Ke Huy Quan- Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images
The two actors seemed genuinely happy to see each other onstage at the Oscars.
On Twitter, fans were...
On Sunday night, “Everything Everywhere All at Once” took home the Oscar for Best Picture, and during the celebratory moment, a big reunion occurred.
Read More: Ke Huy Quan Wins Oscar In An Inspiring Hollywood Comeback
Presenting the final award of the night was Harrison Ford, who gave his “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” co-star Ke Huy Quan a big hug as he got on stage with the rest of the “Everything Everywhere” cast and crew.
Indiana Jones & Short Round
Harrison Ford And Ke Huy Quan
1984 & 2023#Oscars pic.twitter.com/uVqKBXTN8i
— Geek Zone #Oscars #Oscars95 (@GeekZoneGZ) March 13, 2023
“Indiana Jones” fans were loving the emotional moment, bringing the two actors back together after nearly 40 years.
Harrison Ford and Ke Huy Quan- Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images
The two actors seemed genuinely happy to see each other onstage at the Oscars.
On Twitter, fans were...
- 3/13/2023
- by Corey Atad
- ET Canada
Editor’s Note: This story was originally posted on July 23, 2017, and has been updated multiple times since.
Few cinematic moments can burn themselves into an audience’s psyche better than a good sex scene. They can shock, arouse, or simply capture human beauty in ways that cinema is uniquely positioned to do. Sex scenes don’t have to define the movies they appear in, but they’re often the parts you remember the most.
The nature of sex scenes are constantly evolving, as the prevalence of intimacy coordinators and increased concern for performers’ safety in Hollywood is hopefully making regrettable sex scenes a thing of the past. That has allowed sexy cinema to flourish, with plenty of tantalizing movies hitting the multiplex in recent years. With that in mind, it felt like the right time to compile some of the best additions to the sexy film canon.
Our list of...
Few cinematic moments can burn themselves into an audience’s psyche better than a good sex scene. They can shock, arouse, or simply capture human beauty in ways that cinema is uniquely positioned to do. Sex scenes don’t have to define the movies they appear in, but they’re often the parts you remember the most.
The nature of sex scenes are constantly evolving, as the prevalence of intimacy coordinators and increased concern for performers’ safety in Hollywood is hopefully making regrettable sex scenes a thing of the past. That has allowed sexy cinema to flourish, with plenty of tantalizing movies hitting the multiplex in recent years. With that in mind, it felt like the right time to compile some of the best additions to the sexy film canon.
Our list of...
- 2/4/2023
- by Christian Zilko, Samantha Bergeson and Alison Foreman
- Indiewire
[Editor’s note: This gallery was originally published in November 2018 and has been updated accordingly.]
With multiplexes dominated by Marvel movies with increasingly hyphenated titles, it’s tempting to lament the film industry’s loss of creativity and apparent determination to push out the most monotonous films imaginable. But while the bulk of Hollywood’s content might be increasingly generic, there are always a few bold, exciting movies that make it through the studio system every year.
The independent film industry is an essential incubator for original ideas, but sometimes a filmmaker just needs the resources of a major studio to bring their vision to life. And when they succeed, the results are nothing short of movie magic. From big, original adult dramas like “Babylon” and “Ad Astra” to bold takes on existing franchises like “Mad Max: Fury Road” and “Blade Runner 2049,” keep reading for 30 of the boldest movies made by Hollywood studios this century.
Zack Sharf contributed to this story.
With multiplexes dominated by Marvel movies with increasingly hyphenated titles, it’s tempting to lament the film industry’s loss of creativity and apparent determination to push out the most monotonous films imaginable. But while the bulk of Hollywood’s content might be increasingly generic, there are always a few bold, exciting movies that make it through the studio system every year.
The independent film industry is an essential incubator for original ideas, but sometimes a filmmaker just needs the resources of a major studio to bring their vision to life. And when they succeed, the results are nothing short of movie magic. From big, original adult dramas like “Babylon” and “Ad Astra” to bold takes on existing franchises like “Mad Max: Fury Road” and “Blade Runner 2049,” keep reading for 30 of the boldest movies made by Hollywood studios this century.
Zack Sharf contributed to this story.
- 1/29/2023
- by Christian Zilko
- Indiewire
After last year’s cancelled in-person fest, the Sundance Film Festival has returned to (pretty much) normal for the first time since the pandemic arrived in 2020. Although the bulk of the films are available to watch online in the days following their premieres, the usual blend of cinema buffs, industry professionals and press took over Park City for the Jan. 19 opening night.
“Long time no see,” one happy festival-goer exclaimed to another while waiting to get into the Eccles, one of Sundance’s main hubs. There seemed to be an eagerness for things to return to “normal,” for Sundance to pick back up where it left off more than two years and two virtual iterations ago.
Unfortunately, Covid was still the talk of the town, as attendees gossiped about winter illnesses that ripped through their friend groups back home, as well as lamenting the recent rise in cases of the new Covid-19 subvariant,...
“Long time no see,” one happy festival-goer exclaimed to another while waiting to get into the Eccles, one of Sundance’s main hubs. There seemed to be an eagerness for things to return to “normal,” for Sundance to pick back up where it left off more than two years and two virtual iterations ago.
Unfortunately, Covid was still the talk of the town, as attendees gossiped about winter illnesses that ripped through their friend groups back home, as well as lamenting the recent rise in cases of the new Covid-19 subvariant,...
- 1/20/2023
- by William Earl and Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Editor’s Note: This story was originally published in 2019 and has been updated multiple times since.
The crisp creepiness of October may be behind us, but with the colder months comes a new sort of setting perfect for watching horror movies. With the punishing wind whipping chill into the air outside — and the promise of snow keeping our blankets and fireplaces at the ready — winter is just the right time for inviting fear into your home and snuggling up with something spooky.
Fortunately for indie movie fans, there are dozens of low-budget chillers waiting to be streamed on Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Peacock, AMC+, Showtime, Amazon Prime Video, and a variety of other streaming platforms right now. From contemporary horror classics (see Robert Eggers’ “The Witch” or Bryan Bertino’s “The Strangers”) to beloved horror anthologies and non-English language movies (“Train to Busan”), the major streaming platforms offer no shortage...
The crisp creepiness of October may be behind us, but with the colder months comes a new sort of setting perfect for watching horror movies. With the punishing wind whipping chill into the air outside — and the promise of snow keeping our blankets and fireplaces at the ready — winter is just the right time for inviting fear into your home and snuggling up with something spooky.
Fortunately for indie movie fans, there are dozens of low-budget chillers waiting to be streamed on Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Peacock, AMC+, Showtime, Amazon Prime Video, and a variety of other streaming platforms right now. From contemporary horror classics (see Robert Eggers’ “The Witch” or Bryan Bertino’s “The Strangers”) to beloved horror anthologies and non-English language movies (“Train to Busan”), the major streaming platforms offer no shortage...
- 11/14/2022
- by Ryan Lattanzio and Alison Foreman
- Indiewire
With everything going the way it is in the world right now, we’re laughing to keep less cheery emotions at bay. At least this bizarre, still-very-much-in-progress century has already produced any number of great comedies that you can fire up any time you need a serotonin burst, thanks to the ever-growing cadre of streaming services. The pandemic may be starting to recede but the specter of war and a tortured economy have occupied our minds instead: so, in desperate need of some humor, we thought it was more important than ever to give our Greatest Comedies of the 21st Century list, originally published in 2017 (and last updated in August 2021), a rethink.
We’ve added 25 new films to the Top 50 list we unveiled in August. At that time, we dropped a number of titles from the original list that are funny, but not necessarily comedies. And we’ve added some...
We’ve added 25 new films to the Top 50 list we unveiled in August. At that time, we dropped a number of titles from the original list that are funny, but not necessarily comedies. And we’ve added some...
- 11/13/2022
- by Samantha Bergeson, Christian Zilko and Alison Foreman
- Indiewire
What’s a horror story without a boogeyman, a nefarious presence, a stone-cold killer with a plan, the bad guy just around the corner? Horror movies live and die on the strength of their baddies, from masked murderers and supernatural beings to raging psychopaths and even the odd killer disease or two. Just who is knocking on your front door this spooky season? And why the hell would you answer?
There are clusters of killers that immediately come to mind when curating a best villains list. Take a look at the horror history books and you’ll quickly stumble onto the Universal monster movie headliners: Frankenstein, Dracula, the Mummy, and so on. Look further and you’ll find yourself amid the late ’70s and mid-80s slasher staples: Freddy, Jason, Leatherface, Michael. Continue on to the champions of the late ’80s and early ’90s: Chucky, Hellraiser, Candyman. These days, many...
There are clusters of killers that immediately come to mind when curating a best villains list. Take a look at the horror history books and you’ll quickly stumble onto the Universal monster movie headliners: Frankenstein, Dracula, the Mummy, and so on. Look further and you’ll find yourself amid the late ’70s and mid-80s slasher staples: Freddy, Jason, Leatherface, Michael. Continue on to the champions of the late ’80s and early ’90s: Chucky, Hellraiser, Candyman. These days, many...
- 10/22/2022
- by Alison Foreman
- Indiewire
Why do horror movies still feel undervalued? One thing’s for certain: In this age of geekery and craft reigning supreme, critics and academics no longer dismiss the genre as disreputable with the kneejerk regularity some once did. But even now there’s talk of “elevated horror” (see that concept’s lambasting in “Scream 5″) appearing in artier explorations of dread and terror — Ari Aster’s “Midsommar,” Luca Guadagnino’s “Suspiria,” Rose Glass’ “Saint Maud” — that are clearly distinguished from, well, non-elevated horror. The idea being that they engage your brain more than just showing brains…eaten by zombies or splattered against the wall.
How can films that fire your adrenal glands, send shivers down your spine, raise goosebumps, and quicken your breath — that inspire such an intense physical reaction — also be cerebral experiences? We forget all the time that, as Anna Karina’s “Pierrot Le Fou” character Marianne Renoir says,...
How can films that fire your adrenal glands, send shivers down your spine, raise goosebumps, and quicken your breath — that inspire such an intense physical reaction — also be cerebral experiences? We forget all the time that, as Anna Karina’s “Pierrot Le Fou” character Marianne Renoir says,...
- 9/16/2022
- by Samantha Bergeson, Christian Zilko and Alison Foreman
- Indiewire
The Venice Film Festival audience were enraptured with “The Banshees of Inisherin”.
Writer-director Martin McDonagh’s latest received a rapturous 13-minute standing ovation for stars Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Kerry Condon, and McDonagh.
Read More: Colin Farrell Says ‘We’re So Quick To Cancel Now’ At ‘Banshees Of Inisherin’ Venice Press Conference
According to Variety, the ovation was the “longest and loudest reception” of any film screened, including a six-minute ovation for “The Whale”, which brought star Brendan Fraser to tears earlier in the fest.
#VeniceFilmFestival standing ovation scorecard.
– Banshees of Inisherin (13 min)
– Bones and All (8.5 min)
– The Whale (6 min)
– Tar (6 min)
– Bardo (4 min)
– Don't Worry Darling (4 min)
– White Noise (150 seconds)
Full fest coverage on @Variety: https://t.co/iy0HOaNw9g
— Zack Sharf (@ZSharf) September 5, 2022
Heading to TIFF this month, “The Banshees of Inisherin” reteams the “In Bruges” director and stars for the story of a life-long friendship that abruptly comes to an end.
Writer-director Martin McDonagh’s latest received a rapturous 13-minute standing ovation for stars Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Kerry Condon, and McDonagh.
Read More: Colin Farrell Says ‘We’re So Quick To Cancel Now’ At ‘Banshees Of Inisherin’ Venice Press Conference
According to Variety, the ovation was the “longest and loudest reception” of any film screened, including a six-minute ovation for “The Whale”, which brought star Brendan Fraser to tears earlier in the fest.
#VeniceFilmFestival standing ovation scorecard.
– Banshees of Inisherin (13 min)
– Bones and All (8.5 min)
– The Whale (6 min)
– Tar (6 min)
– Bardo (4 min)
– Don't Worry Darling (4 min)
– White Noise (150 seconds)
Full fest coverage on @Variety: https://t.co/iy0HOaNw9g
— Zack Sharf (@ZSharf) September 5, 2022
Heading to TIFF this month, “The Banshees of Inisherin” reteams the “In Bruges” director and stars for the story of a life-long friendship that abruptly comes to an end.
- 9/6/2022
- by Rachel West
- ET Canada
Christopher Nolan has emerged over the last two-plus decades as one of Hollywood’s most intrepid filmmakers working at the studio level. That has a lot to do with his technically accomplished collaborators, from cinematographers Wally Pfister and Hoyte van Hoytema to editor Jennifer Lame. Pfister is a four-time Oscar nominee and one-time winner thanks to his work with Nolan, while van Hoytema picked up an Oscar nomination for his work on “Dunkirk” and since shot “Tenet” and, next up, he serves as cinematographer on Nolan’s atomic bomb epic “Oppenheimer.” Nolan, Pfister, van Hoytema, and all their collaborators have collectively crafted some of the most memorable images in 21st-century filmmaking.
“Oppenheimer” centers on Cillian Murphy as J. Robert Oppenheimer, father of the atomic bomb, and his role in the Manhattan Project. This time around, for the movie opening July 21, 2023, Nolan is now under the stewardship of Universal Pictures, whom...
“Oppenheimer” centers on Cillian Murphy as J. Robert Oppenheimer, father of the atomic bomb, and his role in the Manhattan Project. This time around, for the movie opening July 21, 2023, Nolan is now under the stewardship of Universal Pictures, whom...
- 8/26/2022
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
As if. While the ‘90s may still be linked with a wide variety of dubious holdovers — including curious slang, questionable fashion choices, and sinister political agendas — many of the decade’s cultural contributions have cast an outsized shadow on the first stretch of the 21st century. Nowhere is that phenomenon more obvious or explicable than it is at the movies.
The ’90s began with a revolt against the kind of bland Hollywood product that people might kill to see in theaters today, creaking open a small window of time in which a more commercially viable American independent cinema began seeping into mainstream fare. Young and exciting directors, many of whom are now major auteurs and perennial IndieWire favorites, were given the resources to make multiple films — some of them on massive scales. Meanwhile, the industry establishment responded to the sudden influx of new talent by entrusting its biggest tentpoles to...
The ’90s began with a revolt against the kind of bland Hollywood product that people might kill to see in theaters today, creaking open a small window of time in which a more commercially viable American independent cinema began seeping into mainstream fare. Young and exciting directors, many of whom are now major auteurs and perennial IndieWire favorites, were given the resources to make multiple films — some of them on massive scales. Meanwhile, the industry establishment responded to the sudden influx of new talent by entrusting its biggest tentpoles to...
- 8/15/2022
- by David Ehrlich, Kate Erbland and Eric Kohn
- Indiewire
So…what is sci-fi? It’s not the easiest question to answer when “sci-fi elements” permeate so many of the biggest blockbusters: thought-provoking genre concepts flattened into one-size-fits-all franchise fodder that make countless titles “feel” and, on occasion, even look the same.
Yes, science fiction is rooted in profound origins, examining humanity’s deep-seated fear of itself and the intimidating possibility of worlds unknown. But the last two decades have seen a metaphoric rush on sci-fi storytelling that’s left the once niche subgenre a supersaturated movie market. On the one hand, that’s produced an onslaught of sci-fi(ish) titles that aren’t always up to snuff. But on the other, it’s prompted some of the best sci-fi films ever made. Masterworks like “Everything Everywhere All at Once” and “Nope” both arrived this year, and top our list at number five and number eight respectively.
Simply put: In...
Yes, science fiction is rooted in profound origins, examining humanity’s deep-seated fear of itself and the intimidating possibility of worlds unknown. But the last two decades have seen a metaphoric rush on sci-fi storytelling that’s left the once niche subgenre a supersaturated movie market. On the one hand, that’s produced an onslaught of sci-fi(ish) titles that aren’t always up to snuff. But on the other, it’s prompted some of the best sci-fi films ever made. Masterworks like “Everything Everywhere All at Once” and “Nope” both arrived this year, and top our list at number five and number eight respectively.
Simply put: In...
- 7/28/2022
- by Kate Erbland, Chris O'Falt and Alison Foreman
- Indiewire
It wouldn’t necessarily be accurate to call Denis Villeneuve, Lynne Ramsay, Bennett Miller, Yorgos Lanthimos, and Todd Haynes horror film directors, but they’ve all made at least one terrifying movie. Halloween is right around the corner, and if you’ve had your fix of “The Shining,” “The Exorcist,” and other go-to scary films, then why not try a non-traditional horror movie that’s still bound to give you a nightmare? That’s where Villeneuve’s “Prisoners,” Ramsay’s “We Need to Talk About Kevin,” Lanthimos’ “The Killing of a Sacred Deer,” and Haynes’ “Safe” come into play. Dare we say these films are far more terrifying than many of the contemporary horror films released today?
Check out a list of 25 terrifying non-traditional horror movies below.
Zack Sharf also contributed to this article.
Check out a list of 25 terrifying non-traditional horror movies below.
Zack Sharf also contributed to this article.
- 6/12/2022
- by Christian Zilko
- Indiewire
[Editor’s note: The following list was originally published in June 2019 but has been updated accordingly.]
The history of cinema is filled with stories of bold directorial debuts that introduced the world to exciting new voices. But there are far fewer tales of excellent second films. Lightning seldom strikes twice in the same place, so when a director is able to follow up a dazzling debut with something equally remarkable, people tend to notice. A bad second film is not always a career death sentence, as many directors have rebounded from the so-called “sophomore slump.” But when a filmmaker is able to avoid it altogether, it is usually a sign of some serious talent.
One filmmaker with a beloved second film took Cannes 2022 by storm. Lukas Dhont premiered his film “Close” at the festival and shared the Grand Prix with Claire Denis’ “Stars at Noon.” That’s the second year in a row that a second film made a huge impact at Cannes. Julia Ducournau’s second feature,...
The history of cinema is filled with stories of bold directorial debuts that introduced the world to exciting new voices. But there are far fewer tales of excellent second films. Lightning seldom strikes twice in the same place, so when a director is able to follow up a dazzling debut with something equally remarkable, people tend to notice. A bad second film is not always a career death sentence, as many directors have rebounded from the so-called “sophomore slump.” But when a filmmaker is able to avoid it altogether, it is usually a sign of some serious talent.
One filmmaker with a beloved second film took Cannes 2022 by storm. Lukas Dhont premiered his film “Close” at the festival and shared the Grand Prix with Claire Denis’ “Stars at Noon.” That’s the second year in a row that a second film made a huge impact at Cannes. Julia Ducournau’s second feature,...
- 5/30/2022
- by Christian Zilko
- Indiewire
Judd Apatow has become so many different things in the comedy world — producer, showrunner, kingmaker, figurehead — that it can be easy to forget he used to be a filmmaker above all else. That isn’t meant to be a backhanded compliment or a swipe against his recent movies, it’s only to say that Apatow’s hand is felt in so many different projects on screens large and small that it now feels mildly unexpected whenever he decides to direct one himself.
Apatow probably likes it that way; he’s always seemed perfectly happy to be thought of as more of a facilitator than an auteur, and it could be argued that many of his movies belong less to him than they do to the actors they minted as stars. But the fact of the matter is that Apatow is more than just a generous host and a generational eye for talent.
Apatow probably likes it that way; he’s always seemed perfectly happy to be thought of as more of a facilitator than an auteur, and it could be argued that many of his movies belong less to him than they do to the actors they minted as stars. But the fact of the matter is that Apatow is more than just a generous host and a generational eye for talent.
- 4/4/2022
- by David Ehrlich and Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
Firstly, it seems like something of a miracle that any film will be premiering at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival. Like, in-person, in theaters, in Park City. After launching an ambitious — and quite popular — hybrid festival for its 2021 edition, the annual event is preparing for a slightly more traditional event in 2022. As announced earlier this year, online screenings will still take place in 2022, but Park City is readying to mount a larger in-person event as well.
And while we can’t wait for that, there’s a whole pack of other eager would-be Sundance attendees feeling a very different kind of anticipation these days: the filmmakers. While the end of November spells the start of holiday time for most, it also comes with a particular anxiety for those who have submitted their film to the fest. As we approach the inevitable lineup announcements, we’ve done our usual scouting around to...
And while we can’t wait for that, there’s a whole pack of other eager would-be Sundance attendees feeling a very different kind of anticipation these days: the filmmakers. While the end of November spells the start of holiday time for most, it also comes with a particular anxiety for those who have submitted their film to the fest. As we approach the inevitable lineup announcements, we’ve done our usual scouting around to...
- 11/22/2021
- by Kate Erbland and Eric Kohn
- Indiewire
While the majority of 2020’s film festivals opted for virtual or hybrid affairs — and some were even cancelled, as was the case for both Cannes and Telluride — this year sees the world creeping, quite cautiously, back into seeming normalcy. Cannes went off without a hitch (albeit in an un-traditional July slot), while both Venice and Telluride are gearing up for in-person editions in the coming days. The Toronto International Film Festival and the New York Film Festival are both going ahead with hybrid events that will likely offer less virtual options for audiences than they did last year, with NYFF even announcing that it would not screen any films on a virtual platform, though some other events will be available that way.
So, no, this year’s packed fall festival season doesn’t look quite the same as it did even two years ago, but 2021 promises to feel more like old times than 2020 ever did.
So, no, this year’s packed fall festival season doesn’t look quite the same as it did even two years ago, but 2021 promises to feel more like old times than 2020 ever did.
- 8/27/2021
- by Kate Erbland, David Ehrlich and Eric Kohn
- Indiewire
After more than a year of pushed-back release dates, ever-evolving release plans, and a raft of virtual festivals and other in-home viewing pivots, the release date calendar is looking a touch more normal these days. While many things are still in flux, the fall of 2021 is shaping up to offer one of the more stacked seasons in recent memory. From festival favorites to awards contenders, scrappy indies and dark horses, this autumn might still contain its own surprises, but one thing is for sure: movie-goers are in for some serious treats at the multiplex and beyond.
Some of these titles were moved off of 2020, including “No Time to Die,” “Top Gun: Maverick,” “Dune,” “Eternals,” and other big budget blockbusters, while other films have only recently emerged as major contenders, but all of them hint at a stacked season with offerings sure to appeal to everyone. Streamers like Netflix and Amazon...
Some of these titles were moved off of 2020, including “No Time to Die,” “Top Gun: Maverick,” “Dune,” “Eternals,” and other big budget blockbusters, while other films have only recently emerged as major contenders, but all of them hint at a stacked season with offerings sure to appeal to everyone. Streamers like Netflix and Amazon...
- 8/12/2021
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
Consider it a celebration with something of an asterisk: in-person film festivals are back! But so are virtual components, making some of the year’s biggest cinematic events both safe and accessible for an even wider audience to enjoy them. After a cancelled 2020 edition and a delayed 2021 event, the Tribeca Festival is bellying up for a hybrid event with a major in-person edge, with lots to watch, no matter in which manner you choose to consume it.
In March, the festival announced that it would “transform prominent locations into an expansive 12-day multi-screen outdoor celebration” held this month, and is believed to be first major North American film festival to mount such an in-person event.
Director Jon M. Chu’s long-awaited “In the Heights,” adapted from Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, will open the 20th anniversary edition of Tribeca on June 9. The festival will also celebrate the world...
In March, the festival announced that it would “transform prominent locations into an expansive 12-day multi-screen outdoor celebration” held this month, and is believed to be first major North American film festival to mount such an in-person event.
Director Jon M. Chu’s long-awaited “In the Heights,” adapted from Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, will open the 20th anniversary edition of Tribeca on June 9. The festival will also celebrate the world...
- 6/7/2021
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
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