Amy Adams’ New HBO Series Breaks Into The Boys Club Of Dark TV Drama
The days of the watercooler show may be numbered, but Sharp Objects suggests that prestige drama could still develop into something new.
The Hot New Hollywood Genre Is The Human Extinction Fantasy
Projects like Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, Westworld, and War for the Planet of the Apes suggest humanity is getting what it deserves. (Spoilers for the end of Fallen Kingdom.)
The Scammers In “Ocean’s 8” And “Solo” Can’t Keep Up With Real Life
In this summer of scamming, IRL grift is easily outpacing the current big-screen visions of cons, heists, hustling, and fraud for sheer escapist satisfaction.
In This Year’s Scariest Movies, Family Is Everything
Between the poisonous trauma of Hereditary and the oppressive solidarity of A Quiet Place, horror in 2018 has become a family affair.
I’m Addicted To Old Console Games, And It’s All My iPhone’s Fault
Years after leaving the PlayStation behind, I've found my way back into video games — or maybe they've found their way back to me.
Who Gets To Be At The Center Of #MeToo Stories?
Jennifer Fox’s powerful new film The Tale is a reminder of how many #MeToo narratives have been centered on the men accused, rather than the people who have spoken up against them. (Warning: This essay contains descriptions of child sexual assault, and spoilers.)
Diablo Cody's Midlife Crisis Movies Are Actually Dark AF
Don’t get fooled by the lighthearted marketing — Tully, like Young Adult, is actually a serious look at women in crisis. Spoilers for Tully below!
After Years Of Playing The Friend, Sandra Oh Is Finally The Star
After years of playing supportive besties, Oh's finally the lead in Killing Eve — alongside a character intent on making it all up to her by being her scariest fan.
“Billions” Has Become TV’s Sharpest Critique Of Toxic Masculinity
In its third season, Showtime's Billions has snapped into focus from being a blurry series about power to an infinitely sharper one about gender. Spoilers through last night's episode, "Hell of a Ride," below.
Orientalism Is Alive And Well In American Cinema
The rage directed at critics of Wes Anderson’s Isle of Dogs is a reminder of how many people don’t want to believe that an homage can also slight the culture it's putting onscreen.
“Ready Player One” Is An Accidental Horror Movie About Fandom
Steven Spielberg has made a darker movie than he seems to realize — a cautionary tale about burying ourselves in pop culture while the world burns. SPOILERS ABOUND.
The Myth Of Traveling Light
Packing the bare minimum has always made leaving and coming back seem easier. But the older I get, the more I feel the weight of the miles between me and everyone I love.
“A Wrinkle In Time” Has Become An Argument Instead Of A Movie
The real question for A Wrinkle in Time has never been what it means for the film industry if it’s a success, but what will happen if — or when — it’s not.
Is Hollywood Already Done Being Angry?
At the 90th Academy Awards, the film industry seemed anxious to put the #MeToo moment behind it. Are audiences ready to do the same?
Natalie Portman’s New Sci-Fi Movie Is Going To Frustrate The Hell Out Of People
But that doesn't mean Annihilation isn’t worth watching. Some spoilers (sort of — it's not a very spoilable movie) below.
Difficult Men Meet Their Match In “Fifty Shades” And “Phantom Thread”
The Best Picture nominee and the erotic trilogy don’t banish the aspirational fairy tale of what happens to women who marry powerful men, but they do both hold it up to a new light. Spoilers below!
A Netflix Movie Doesn’t Need To Be Good — It Just Needs To Be There
Netflix is using its budget and reach to stake out an alternate movie universe, where a title that would flop in theaters — like The Cloverfield Paradox — can be repositioned as a win for streaming.
The Most Daring Movies Made By Women May Not Be Coming To A Theater Near You
At this year's Sundance Film Festival, everyone waited for the #MeToo moment to lead to money on the table for women directors.
14 Movies You Should Know About From The Sundance Film Festival
It was a quieter year at the annual film festival in Park City, Utah, but there were still plenty of powerful, moving, and surprising films worth talking about.
What Should We Do With Hollywood’s Rotten Apples?
Being an ethical consumer of media is always going to be more involved than just dumping any title that's been touched by a seemingly boundless supply of bad men.