“A Star Is Born” May Not Get Pop Music Right, But It Gets That It Matters
Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga have remade A Star Is Born as a tender, conflicted love story for the age of poptimism. (Spoilers, if you haven’t caught any of the three previous versions of this movie.)
Is “Life Itself” Too Real For White Male Critics, Or Is It Just Really Bad?
No one could blame Dan Fogelman for being upset about the critical reaction to his new movie, but the director’s self-defense is more cynical than any of the reviews.
This Fall’s Oscar Movies Take A Hard Look At The Not-So-Perfect Son
Beautiful Boy, Ben Is Back, and Boy Erased each offer a different take on the idealized white suburban son whose parents fail to see him as he really is.
John Krasinski Wants To Play Red-State Heroes Without Getting Political
Cubicle drone Jim Halpert has remade himself as an action hero, and a particular kind — a reluctant but stalwart defender of an American way of life.
“Crazy Rich Asians” Doesn't Care About Your Impossible Expectations
Crazy Rich Asians and To All the Boys I've Loved Before may be making history, but all they really want is to entertain. Isn't there something historic in that, too?
We Live Half Our Lives Online — So Why Don't More Movies Show It?
John Cho's new movie Searching might be the first one you see that takes place entirely on a computer screen. But it probably won't be the last.
Tom Cruise's Undying Hustle Is What Makes The "Mission: Impossible" Movies So Good
There will always be new leading men in Hollywood. But Cruise seems determined to prove that none of them will ever work as hard as he does.
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.