TheGamer - Movies & Shows Features

Barbenheimer's Legacy Will Be Diluted Franchises And Trend-Chasing

James Troughton — Sat, 29 Jul 2023 18:00:18 GMT

Barbie and Oppenheimer are more than just an internet meme that exploded into such virality that even the British PM (read: Tory scum) took part—it’s a triumphant return for cinema in a post-pandemic world obsessed with inflated budgets and diminishing returns. It came off the back of the live-action Little Mermaid remake, the lukewarm Indiana Jones legacy sequel, another in a long line of awful Fast and Furious movies, a pseudo-Michael Bay Transformers, and insulting multiversal escapade The Flash, which resurrected the dead with CGI. Cinema has never felt so downtrodden and hopeless, but Barbenheimer brought a semblance of optimism back… until CEOs everywhere immediately stomped it out.

I Am Already Tired Of Mattel's Girl Power Nonsense

Tessa Kaur — Sat, 29 Jul 2023 17:31:20 GMT

You’ve probably already heard about the upcoming Polly Pocket movie, and that Lily Collins will be starring as lead with Lena Dunham attached to the film for writing and directing. This is just one of several Mattel movies slated for development, including a Daniel Kaluuya-produced, Spike Jonze-inspired Barney, a “grounded and gritty” JJ Abrams-produced Hot Wheels movie, an American Girl family comedy, and far more. Of course Mattel is going full-force into the movie realm – Barbie grossed an unthinkable $380 million worldwide in its first five days in theaters. They’ll be looking to replicate this, as many times as possible, and as often as possible. The world is burnt out on bad superhero movies, so they’ll feed us films about toys instead.

The Oppenheimer Discourse Has Me Thinking About My Favourite Indie Game About War

Tessa Kaur — Fri, 28 Jul 2023 16:16:20 GMT

Oppenheimer has been a very divisive movie for those without baseline media literacy. Some are boycotting it because it doesn’t feature the Japanese people directly affected by the weapons of mass destruction that J. Robert Oppenheimer created, but I think it’s clear we’re seeing the world through Oppenheimer’s eyes and that indicates his lack of willingness to fully face the atrocity that he abetted. Others inexplicably believe it is government propaganda, which is a wild take on a movie that is explicitly about finding a way to live with yourself after doing something so objectively horrible that it has irreparably changed the course of history.

Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Will Be Fine, Because The Rest Of The Year Is Low On Movies

Andrew King — Wed, 26 Jul 2023 17:31:18 GMT

Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One had a great worldwide opening, before promptly getting swept off the board by the combined box office might of Barbie and Oppenheimer.

Futurama’s Return Has The Same Old Problems

Stacey Henley — Wed, 26 Jul 2023 16:15:17 GMT

Futurama’s premise used to be a simple one - it was about a guy from the turn of the millenium who was transported a thousand years in the future. Celebrities are kept alive in jars! Robots drink beer! They call baseball blernsball! Oh the fun they had. But after it returned from its second cancellation, it suddenly became about a guy from the turn of the millenium who was transported 1,000 years in the future. That’s a subtle but distinct difference - no longer just a wacky picture of the future but a strained satire of our specific era.

Barbie's Allan Is One Of My New Favourite Portrayals Of Nontraditional Masculinity

Tessa Kaur — Wed, 26 Jul 2023 15:00:20 GMT

I love how contemporary media, especially blockbuster movies, have been giving us so many examples of what it means to be a man in modern society. I’ve written about Everything Everywhere All at Once more times than anybody cares to read about, and that’s partly because its portrayal of Waymond and radical empathy touched me so deeply. It was a nuanced portrayal of a man who refused to subscribe to traditionally masculine values, who chose not to fight with his fists but with understanding and forgiveness. In a world increasingly dominated by men indoctrinated into the idea of having to be alphas to succeed, these portrayals are all the more important.

The Barbenheimer Double Feature Really Does Work As Intended

Tessa Kaur — Mon, 24 Jul 2023 17:30:20 GMT

I didn’t realise that people weren’t all fully serious about doing Barbenheimer double features until I started asking my friends if they would do one with me. “I am almost thirty, I am not sitting in a cinema for five hours on a single day,” one said. “Are you insane? I hate opening weekends,” said another. Here I was, thinking that everybody wanted to do this with me, like some kind of fool.

Don’t Sleep On The Best Straight-To-Netflix Movie Of The Year

Tessa Kaur — Mon, 24 Jul 2023 16:00:22 GMT

I’m as aware as anyone that Netflix doesn’t typically release excellent movies. I’d go so far as to say the majority of straight-to-Netflix movies are mediocre to bad, and I now consider Netflix movies without a theatrical release immediate red flags. During my semi-monthly movie night with friends, we trawl through every streaming service available to us in an attempt to find just one film that looks good. It can be difficult sometimes, especially once you get into the Netflix exclusives.

No, The Barbie Movie Is Not Anti-Men

Stacey Henley — Mon, 24 Jul 2023 14:00:22 GMT

Barbenheimer is upon us. The pink bomb exploded in theatres, marking the best weekend for cinemas since Avengers: Endgame, as well as giving us the first time in history that two movies opened above $80 million together. The natural phenomenon of the pair propelled both to new heights, with audiences showing up in droves for something new. Both movies are very different, and that’s part of why Barbenheimer even became a thing in the first place. But they share one deep similarity: they are grossly misunderstood movies.

Saw X And Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie Will Be My Barbenheimer

Josh Coulson — Sat, 22 Jul 2023 18:00:21 GMT

The big weekend is finally here - the weekend Barbie and Oppenheimer release in cinemas on the very same day. Some of you might have already seen both by the time you read this, meticulously planning your day so you can squeeze in both, potentially with activities before and after that pair nicely with your viewings. Brunch before Barbie and then a dark room with a whisky and a cigarette after Oppenheimer would be my running order of choice.

Warrior Nun’s Return Is A Victory For Sapphic Representation

Sophie Ulanoff — Fri, 21 Jul 2023 16:45:18 GMT

After Warrior Nun was unceremoniously cancelled by Netflix in December 2022 after the release of its second season, the SaveWarriorNun movement was born from the cult show’s ashes.

The Owl House Had Its First Gay Kiss Two Whole Years Ago

Jade King — Tue, 18 Jul 2023 16:45:16 GMT

The Owl House reached its end several months ago now, but my obsession with the Disney Channel show remains. I’m still regularly chatting with friends on the cast and engaging with the fandom on social media, and I can’t go a few hours without scrolling through Twitter to be greeted by cutesy fanart and headcanons. Luz Noceda’s magical adventure has a lot of staying power, with fans reliving moments from their favourite episodes whenever possible.

Warner Brothers And DC Selling The Failed Flash Movie On The Blockchain Is Sad And Desperate

Tessa Kaur — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 16:15:17 GMT

I haven’t seen The Flash, and likely never will. Despite being a hanger-on to the superhero movie trend that has seen multiple MCU movies reaching the list of top ten highest-grossing movies of all time, the Ezra Miller-led film is one of the biggest box office bombs of all time. Some projections estimate the movie has lost Warner Bros. as much as $200 million, and it’s been criticised for its portrayal of dead actors with terrible CGI, among other flaws.

How You Can Help Those of Us Striking

Mike Drucker — Sun, 16 Jul 2023 16:30:17 GMT

Ayyy! The WGA and SAG-AFTRA are on strike! It’s because of a lot of reasons, one of which is that studio executives are apparently comfortable with letting their workers go homeless. While Writers Guild of America and the (deep breath) Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists don’t all have the same requests, there is a lot of overlap. Our unions cover different services, but there are a lot of folks in the picket line who are in both. Oh, man, do they love telling you they’re in both. ‘Hyphenates’, they call themselves. Dangerous people.

The Last Of Us Doesn't Deserve All Of These Emmy Nominations

Jade King — Sun, 16 Jul 2023 15:01:18 GMT

HBO’s The Last of Us is a great show, but after sitting on it for a few months, I’ll admit much of the praise feels overblown. Aside from Bill and Frank’s fantastic bottle episode and strong performances from Bella Ramsay and Pedro Pascal, it’s a relatively safe adaptation of the source material which didn’t push post-apocalyptic storytelling forward much as it should have.

Sonic Prime Just Gave Us Our Best Interpretation Of Sonic And Shadow Ever

George Foster — Sat, 15 Jul 2023 15:30:17 GMT

I’m going to sound like every Sonic fan ever here, but I didn’t like the first season of Sonic Prime. While it had some good elements, like its characterisation of Sonic and charming animation style that made the characters feel more alive than in the games, its focus on slightly-altered versions of events and characters we already know felt like a multiverse-spanning chore most of the time.

It Really Sucks That No One Is Watching Secret Invasion

Josh Coulson — Fri, 14 Jul 2023 17:31:16 GMT

MCU fatigue is hitting people hard and you know what, I get it, and that's really saying something. As someone with the Infinity Stones tattooed on their calf, if my interest in what Marvel continues to throw out is waning, then it's probably safe to assume casual fans have all but given up on keeping track of the comings and goings in the MCU.

Hollywood Is Rotten To The Core

Tessa Kaur — Fri, 14 Jul 2023 16:30:16 GMT

The Screen Actors Guild is striking, and that’s great news for the Writers Guild of America. It is, however, terrible news for Hollywood. With actors now in the fold and beginning to strike, Hollywood will grind to a halt. Production on shows and movies will be impossible without actors, who will not be doing on- or off-camera work, auditions, rehearsals, or even publicity. The stars of Oppenheimer appeared on the red carpet of the film’s UK premiere before the screening began, but walked out of the event to “write their picket signs” once the strike was officially announced, according to director Christopher Nolan. The cast of Barbie has made its support for the strike known on red carpets, and Margot Robbie has said during the London premiere of the film that she will be striking too. Alongside filming, all press tours will stop (which means no more interview gold from Ryan Gosling, but I’m more than fine with that).

Titanic On VHS Is Taking Over My TikTok Feed

Jade King — Fri, 14 Jul 2023 16:00:15 GMT

For months, a TiKTok account by the name of ‘Titanicfan97’ has dedicated his entire life to collecting copies of James Cameron’s cinematic masterpiece on VHS. His original goal of amassing 1997 copies of the film to line up with its release year has long been met thanks to fans sending in their own tapes alongside handwritten letters, action figures, and whatever merchandise they can find which aligns even slightly with the Titanic brand. Correspondence from fans also goes into the ‘Book of Jack Dawson’, because he’s able to protect them from any and all possible harm. It’s a giant meme, and one I’ve been falling in love with for weeks.

The Screen Actors Guild Is Striking, And You're Going To Hate The Consequences

Tessa Kaur — Thu, 13 Jul 2023 16:15:16 GMT

You may already know that the Writers Guild of America has been striking since May 2, with TheGamer having written many pieces about it. After the strike was announced, Editor-in-Chief Stacey Henley wrote an excellent piece about why you should stand in solidarity with striking writers, especially because they create the media that shapes pop culture.

The Last Of Us Doesn't Stand A Chance Against Succession At The Emmys

Tessa Kaur — Thu, 13 Jul 2023 15:31:17 GMT

This year’s Emmy nominations are out, and to nobody’s surprise, Succession is sweeping nearly every acting category. It’s nominated for Outstanding Drama Series, and under that Drama Series umbrella has been nominated for Outstanding Writing, Outstanding Directing, half of the nominations in Outstanding Actor, one in Outstanding Actress, four in Outstanding Supporting Actor, one in Outstanding Supporting Actress. Most other nominations are for The White Lotus and The Last of Us, both shows I enjoyed a lot. Succession has 27 nominations, and The Last of Us has 24. However, I don’t think The Last of Us will be able to beat Succession in most, if any of these categories.

Ryan Gosling Is Hard Carrying Barbie’s PR Efforts

Tessa Kaur — Thu, 13 Jul 2023 14:30:16 GMT

Every day I wake up and there’s a new Ryan Gosling quote to fawn over where he’s saying something silly about starring as Ken in the upcoming Barbie movie. I’ve been a Gosling fan since I saw his powerful performance in Blue Valentine, but even as he moved into bigger-budget films, I’ve been impressed with the amount of himself he puts into every performance.

Sexual Harassment, Favouritism, And Misgendering Claims: The Emmys Nominees 2023

Stacey Henley — Thu, 13 Jul 2023 14:00:17 GMT

The Emmy nominations are in and… sure. I care about award shows more than any normal person and more than most strange people too, but I just can’t bring myself to care this year. Whether it’s the writers on strike and the actors now joining them, the mindless favouritism towards two shows in particular, the continued ridiculousness of its categorisation (The Bear is a comedy?), or the controversy around several nominees, the Emmys just aren’t worth caring about this year.

James Gunn Is Making The Same Mistakes As Zack Snyder With DC

Stacey Henley — Wed, 12 Jul 2023 16:38:32 GMT

James Gunn is joining DC at what appears to be the perfect time. He's fresh off the high of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, showing the MCU how it's done as he departs, and the current iteration of DC is falling apart. Remember when we were sold the line that we'd all just have to overlook everything Ezra Miller did because they were just too damn good in The Flash? Turns out that wasn't true, and Miller was only like the fourth most problematic thing in that movie anyway. Superman Legacy is going to kickstart Gunn's version of DC, but there are already signs that he's either not being listened to, or hasn't learned his lesson.

What On Earth Is Timothee Chalamet Doing In Wonka?

Tessa Kaur — Wed, 12 Jul 2023 16:30:14 GMT

I am a Timothee Chalamet fan, and I’m obviously far from the only one. At the tender age of 27, Chalamet has been nominated for 94 awards and won 39, having been lauded for his roles in movies like Call Me By Your Name, Little Women, Beautiful Boy (a personal favourite), and Lady Bird. He was the third-youngest nominee for an Academy Award for Best Actor ever, for his breakout role in Call Me By Your Name. He’s clearly very talented, takes his craft seriously, and delves deep into the characters he plays, often giving performances that bring audiences to tears. But I watched that new Wonka trailer today, and I have to ask, what are we doing here? Really. What is this?

Liam Hemsworth Is Doomed To Fail In Netflix’s The Witcher

Ben Sledge — Wed, 12 Jul 2023 14:00:17 GMT

I don’t often feel sorry for celebrities, much less Liam Hemsworth. This is a man who has adequate acting ability and an attractive face in that standard Hollywood way that does it for teenagers and just about nobody else, and he has somehow been cast in some of the biggest franchises in the world. Who am I kidding, he’s been cast in those franchises for the exact reasons mentioned above. He’s a kinda hot, inoffensive white man – perfect for headlining your IP movie. Hollywood executives could only love him more if he was called Chris, but that would probably make family barbecues too confusing.

Tom Holland's Mental Health Is More Important Than Spider-Man

Jade King — Tue, 11 Jul 2023 16:30:17 GMT

Life is all about perspective, and I try to avoid judging people when I haven’t had a chance to walk in their shoes. This goes double for celebrities, who despite earning millions are probably dealing with a lot of pressure from living their lives in the spotlight. I wouldn’t dare show an ounce of empathy for billionaires like Elon Musk, but when it comes to puppy-eyed actors of my generation like Tom Holland, I can’t help but cut them a little slack. He’s also Spider-Man.

Borderlands Movie Could Face Another Delay As Writer Leaves

Stacey Henley — Tue, 11 Jul 2023 15:00:17 GMT

Things are going from bad to worse for the Borderlands movie, or perhaps more accurately, from ‘oh, I forgot about that’ to ‘wait, that doesn’t sound good’. Recently, it was the news that Craig Mazin, writer of Chernobyl and The Last of Us, has taken his name off the project and will now go by a pseudonym.

Dial Of Destiny’s Twist Isn’t That Wild A Swing For Indiana Jones

Andrew King — Mon, 10 Jul 2023 15:00:16 GMT

This article contains spoilers for Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.

You Don't Have To Watch The Witcher

James Troughton — Sun, 09 Jul 2023 18:00:17 GMT

Netflix’s The Witcher isn’t very good. It looks cheap, has wonky CGI, is filled with jokes that don’t land and dialogue that doesn’t fit, and struggles to build up its world in any meaningful way. It’s hard to care about the politics Geralt gets swept up in. To top it off, the spin-offs are diluting a pretty basic premise, stretching a world ill-designed for stretching too thin. I can’t see the show lasting more than another season.

You Know IP Movies Are Still IP Movies When They’re Ironic, Right?

Tessa Kaur — Sun, 09 Jul 2023 15:30:17 GMT

I’m Barbie-pilled, it’s true. I’m a sucker for a meta-comedy – a meta-anything, really. I think movies are most interesting when they’re self-conscious, hyper-aware of the choices being made in their creation and how those choices are being perceived. I love when directors play with genre, subvert expectations, and go out of their way to surprise audiences. It reminds me that though it’s too easy to fall into the trap of making rote, formulaic movies as cash grabs, there are still directors and artists out there who want to make work that is unlike anything else currently in theatres. I have high hopes that Barbie will be exactly that. But I still have to acknowledge that it’s an IP movie, and that sucks.

How The Moomins Creator Forced Tolkien To Rewrite Gollum

Ben Sledge — Sun, 09 Jul 2023 14:00:17 GMT

When I say ‘Gollum’, you likely picture Andy Serkis’ CGIed face squealing “filthy Hobbitses”. Peter Jackson’s interpretation of Tolkien’s work is standard now, with nearly every new adaptation turning to the ‘00s trilogy for design inspiration rather than the books themselves. However, there have been plenty of other interpretations of The Lord of the Rings, which vary greatly in inspiration and execution.

What Are The Chances James Mangold Still Gets To Make His Star Wars?

Andrew King — Sat, 08 Jul 2023 15:30:16 GMT

Taking over a franchise from Steven Spielberg is a thankless task, and James Mangold’s Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny is proof. The fifth Indiana Jones movie is far from the worst non-Spielberg sequel to a Spielberg film — the Jaws and Jurassic Park follow-ups would like a word — but it might be the most high-profile flop. Dial of Destiny was Disney’s summer tentpole and, despite enjoying a bigger opening than any movie in the series, it also cost at least $100 million more than any other movie in the series. It’s one of the most expensive films ever made and, barring the kind of act of God you might see in the third act of an Indiana Jones movie, there’s no way it will ever turn a profit for Disney.

More Movies Should Borrow The Logo Transition Opening From Indiana Jones

Andrew King — Fri, 07 Jul 2023 18:00:17 GMT

Raiders of the Lost Ark famously began with a match cut, transitioning from the snow capped peak of the Paramount logo to a mountain rising up above the Peruvian Jungle. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom continued the tradition, but this time the mountain was engraved on a gong in the club where Kate Capshaw’s Willie Scott performs the film’s opening musical number. In Last Crusade, it’s a dry rock towering over the Utah desert. And in Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, the match cut introduces us to a prairie dog as it emerges from its mound.

Saying Wes Anderson Movies Are Like Wes Anderson Movies Is A Boring Critique

Andrew King — Fri, 07 Jul 2023 17:30:16 GMT

In both positive and negative reviews of Asteroid City, the latest film from Wes Anderson, critics feel the need to evaluate it, primarily, by how much of a "Wes Anderson film" it is. Fellow filmmaker Paul Schrader praised it as, "The most Wes Anderson film Wes Anderson has made. And for that reason, the best." In his review for IndieWire, David Ehrlich said that, "Like any movie by Wes Anderson, Asteroid City is the epitome of a Wes Anderson movie."

I Don’t Understand Why Phoebe Waller-Bridge Is Exclusively Doing Bad Projects

Tessa Kaur — Fri, 07 Jul 2023 16:15:23 GMT

I have been a Fleabag defender since I first watched it in 2016. It’s one of the most singular, unique pieces of media ever made for television. It’s moving, it’s hilarious, and it ended on a perfectly bittersweet note. Phoebe Waller-Bridge has had a special place in my heart since then, especially after she went on to executive produce the very good Killing Eve. What I don’t understand is why, after these successes, she’s gone on to work on such mediocre, unexciting projects.

After Narnia, I Hope Greta Gerwig Makes More Original Movies

Andrew King — Wed, 05 Jul 2023 17:30:17 GMT

Movie studios don’t like risk. Inherent in the film industry’s obsession with IP is a need to find the sure things, the properties that already have a built-in fan base in hopes that it will guarantee a gargantuan opening weekend. But the lackluster box office showings of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, The Flash, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, Fast X, Shazam: Fury of the Gods, and The Little Mermaid have shown us that there are no sure things.

Don't Learn The Wrong Lessons From Henry Cavill Being A Witcher Fan

Stacey Henley — Tue, 04 Jul 2023 16:31:15 GMT

Making a fantasy series is hard. It might look easy, after the floodgates were opened by The Lord of the Rings, and then Game of Thrones became a cultural phenomenon, but it's very difficult. Fantasy stories are inherently silly, with dragons and magic and characters called L'othiralica Glordinthinga, yet often try to be dark and self-serious tales of sex and violence, loaded with political intrigue. Netflix's adaptation of The Witcher, despite a strong enough first season, has struggled in the face of these difficulties, and fans seem pretty clear on why.

Suicide Squad Isekai Needs To Be More Anime Than Cartoon

Stacey Henley — Tue, 04 Jul 2023 16:15:16 GMT

I'm sure there's a point where I say, "there are too many Harley Quinn things, let's stop for a while," but we sure as sugar haven't hit it yet. As a fan since her debut in Batman: The Animated Series, I have thoroughly enjoyed the modern Quinnaisance that started with the Arkham games, led us to Margot Robbie's turns on the big screen, and has continued into projects like the Harley Quinn show, the Suicide Squad game, and now, Suicide Squad Isekai. This is a show that, literally right there in the title, promises to do things differently. I just hope it figures out who the show is for and commits to the bit.

Simon Pegg Is Right, We Don't Need Shaun Of The Dead 2

Jade King — Tue, 04 Jul 2023 16:01:18 GMT

Nostalgia makes the world go round. In recent years, the media landscape is all about reboots, remakes, and sequels that can mitigate risk while amassing maximum profit. But with big budget projects like Indiana Jones and The Dial of Destiny and The Little Mermaid floundering at the box office, perhaps these once safe bets are now more risky than initially thought.

The Xbox Indiana Jones Game Needs To Play It Safe

Stacey Henley — Tue, 04 Jul 2023 15:00:16 GMT

I watched the latest Indiana Jones movie at the weekend, and what I can say about The Dial of Destiny is that it is better than The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Thus ends the list of nice things I have to say about it. I like Indiana Jones as a series enough, even if I think it falls short of the other timeless action-adventure tales it is often looped in with like Star Wars, Jurassic Park, or Die Hard. However, it is perfectly suited to video games, and I hope Bethesda's adaptation lives up to its potential.

There's Room At The Box Office For Oppenheimer And Barbie

Andrew King — Mon, 03 Jul 2023 18:01:16 GMT

Barbenheimer has become the movie meme of the summer. What could have been the ultimate girls vs. boys cage match has been reimagined as an invitation for girls, boys, and everybody else to come together for the good of the cinema.

The One Piece Netflix Cast Is Perfect, But That Won't Be Enough

Jade King — Mon, 03 Jul 2023 16:30:18 GMT

The words ‘live action’ strike fear into the hearts of even the most hardened anime fans. For as long as I can remember, the Western world has gazed at successes like Death Note, Dragon Ball, Cowboy Bebop, and One Piece with expressions of envy. Surely there must be a way to take these animated gems and Westernise them for big new audiences who have never seen them before? To make lots of money and broaden the horizons of media that were once so much harder to access? But things have changed.

The Grimace Shake Trend Made Me Love TikTok Again

Tessa Kaur — Sat, 01 Jul 2023 15:00:18 GMT

If you’re not chronically plugged into the internet like me, you might have missed the Grimace Shake trend. Earlier this month, McDonald’s released a berry-flavoured purple shake as part of a marketing campaign to celebrate the McDonald’s mascot’s birthday. What seemed to be a relatively innocuous celebratory campaign has, in the hands of TikTok users, turned into something shockingly creative and incredibly frightening.

The Flash Bombing Is A Good Thing, Just Not For DC

Andrew King — Wed, 28 Jun 2023 16:15:16 GMT

The Flash, which Warner Bros. Discovery spent $200 million to make, is a historic bomb. It kinda seems like we’ve been getting a lot of those lately.

I Sure Hope The GameStop Movie Talks About The People Who Got Hurt

Tessa Kaur — Wed, 28 Jun 2023 14:00:16 GMT

This week, Sony Pictures Entertainment revealed the first trailer for Dumb Money, a movie about the GameStop stonks debacle in 2021. If you somehow missed this cultural phenomenon that spawned Netflix documentaries and a book called The Antisocial Network that was immediately optioned for this movie, here’s the lowdown.

Smosh's Return Feels Like A Rare Victory For The Internet

Jade King — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 17:30:16 GMT

I always thought Smosh was cringe. As a teenager I was just old enough to fall outside its target demographic, even if I did tune into Smosh Games sometimes to see whether their taste had gotten better. Anthony Padilla and Ian Hecox’s brand of sketch comedy was immature, gross, and seemed aware of its own ineptitude, but it was the exact kind of cringe-inducing authenticity young viewers gravitate towards. For all those who grew up in the early ages of YouTube, you’d struggle to find two more influential faces.

Why Is Everyone Obsessed With The Hexer?

Ben Sledge — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 15:30:16 GMT

I wouldn’t blame you for not having heard of The Hexer. Six years before CD Projekt Red’s The Witcher video game, this film and TV series combo was one of the only adaptations of the Polish book series. The turn of the century was big for author Andrzej Sapkowski, as the previous decade had held only a comic book adaptation of his novels penned by himself, Maciej Parowski, and Bogusław Polch. 2001 brought about a TTRPG called Wiedźmin: Gra Wyobraźni (The Witcher: A Game of Imagination), and The Hexer.

The Barbie Xbox And Controllers Are A Stroke Of Marketing Genius

Tessa Kaur — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 14:30:18 GMT

I’m an absolute mark for a gorgeous limited edition. After writing about how I was apprehensive about buying the Starfield controller because I didn’t want to be disappointed if the game wasn’t all it was cut out to be, I went and bought it anyway, dropping a stupid amount of money on its gorgeous red and bronze accents and transparent triggers.

Across The Spider-Verse Wasn't Worth What It Took To Make

Tessa Kaur — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 16:46:18 GMT

The internet is freaking out after finally noticing there are multiple versions of Across the Spider-Verse showing in theatres. Moviegoers have been posting TikToks of the film, revealing alternative takes with different animation and jokes spread across the multiverse. The changes are quite small, and it’s interesting to see how long it took before people started to realise they weren’t all seeing the same thing.

Black Mirror Is Still Black Mirror, Even If It Isn’t Explicitly About Tech

Tessa Kaur — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 16:15:18 GMT

The latest season of Black Mirror has been controversial. While it’s usually focused very heavily on technology and how the tech we have right now could plausibly be used against us in the future, season six of Black Mirror has taken a surprising turn into supernatural horror that nobody could have predicted. Understandably, audiences were taken by surprise, and some were upset about it. Some spoilers for the season follow.

Illumination Is Perfect For Nintendo

Stacey Henley — Sat, 24 Jun 2023 14:30:18 GMT

There's been a lot of talk about Illumination and Zelda. The animation studio just had a mega hit on its hands with The Super Mario Bros. Movie, and so with talk of another team up in the works, it made sense that Zelda was next in line. It's Nintendo's next most recognisable mascot (given that Pokemon is owned jointly with Game Freak and The Pokemon Company), and even after decades of pop culture dominance is at its peak right now after following up Breath of the Wild with Tears of the Kingdom. As soon as a Zelda movie was suggested by the aether, it was shot down by the fans. I'm with them - Zelda x Illumination is a terrible idea. But Nintendo x Illumination could be great.

Ten Years On, Monsters University Is Still The Most Important Movie To Me

Joe Parlock — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 16:15:17 GMT

Ten years ago this week, Pixar released Monsters University. The prequel to 2001 classic Monsters Inc., it followed Mike and Sulley as they attended MU, and grew from rivals into close friends. Over the years, Monsters University has found itself in the bottom half of Pixar’s filmography, standing shoulder to shoulder with the likes of Onward, The Good Dinosaur, and, by the look of things, Elemental.

No Hard Feelings’ Jennifer Lawrence Full Frontal Is 2023’s Wildest Scene

Stacey Henley — Tue, 20 Jun 2023 16:30:17 GMT

Ever since the first trailer dropped, I’ve been excited for No Hard Feelings. After I loved her return from hiatus with last year’s Causeway on Apple TV, I’m always happy to see Jennifer Lawrence on the big screen. While she’s always had a dry sense of humour, the prospect of her in an R-rated comedy was compelling. As I watched No Hard Feelings last night, I laughed out loud several times, grateful that the best jokes (and much of the plot) had been kept out of the trailers entirely. However, I didn’t expect to see quite so much of Jennifer Lawrence on the big screen.

Avatar: The Last Airbender Being A Casualty Of The Live-Action Remake Trend Is A Tragedy

Tessa Kaur — Mon, 19 Jun 2023 19:00:21 GMT

In September 2018, Netflix announced that a live-action remake of Avatar: The Last Airbender was in the works. This week, it’s finally given us an update: the series is slated to hit the platform in 2024, and I’m miserable about it. There’s nothing wrong with the announcement, technically. I am thrilled to see Asian and indigenous actors cast in the show, because that was a huge criticism of the previous attempt at a live-action remake of the original Nickelodeon version – so many white people, and so few Asians. My issue with it is the entire premise: it’s a live-action remake.

Star Wars Is Not The Only Universe That Needs Video Games

Stacey Henley — Mon, 19 Jun 2023 17:01:15 GMT

There are lots of Star Wars games. Some are good, some are bad, some are okay. The most important thing is that they are numerous. Many. Mucho. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor has only just faded from view, and Star Wars: Outlaws is fast approaching on the horizon. Star Wars has a prolific relationship with video games, one that is showing no signs of slowing down, and it feels like a lot of other movies could learn from how Star Wars has expanded its world.

Marvel, Please Stop Killing All Your Best Villains

Josh Coulson — Mon, 19 Jun 2023 14:31:17 GMT

Guardians of the Galaxy 3 was a huge success as fans celebrated the emotional roller coaster of the group's final outing together. The MCU is back, baby! Although, if you think about it, was it ever really gone? Marvel has had its fair share of misses lately, but that's because it has been pumping out more content than ever before. It seems to have learned its lesson in that regard with far fewer projects on both the big and small screen releasing this year.

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts Cast Interview: "Let's Go To Cybertron And Get Crazy"

Jade King — Fri, 16 Jun 2023 16:46:15 GMT

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts is a love letter to the 1990s. An iconic era where Sonic The Hedgehog and Notorious B.I.G were both cultural juggernauts. Long before the age of social media and smartphones we had a fundamentally different relationship with media, so it was fascinating for the latest robots in disguise blockbuster to take us back to this bygone era.

The Flash's Cameos Are A Terrible, Insulting Waste Of Time

Stacey Henley — Fri, 16 Jun 2023 15:31:16 GMT

A lot of directors talk about toy boxes these days, with blockbuster movies being little more than elaborate playdates with the audience where recognisable dolls are mashed together. We are in the Golden Era of IP, with crossovers and multiverses a staple of mainstream cinema. Studios have realised how easy it is to pander to nostalgia, and how much of a lock it seems - if you bring back a character we love, played by the original actor, it doesn't really matter if things are any good. All that matters is that we recognise them. It has been a way to take the risk out of the equation. But The Flash might have finally broken the formula.

The Flash Bringing Dead Actors Back With CGI Is Disgusting

James Troughton — Fri, 16 Jun 2023 14:31:16 GMT

The Flash is DC’s answer to the MCU’s multiverse saga, morphing what was once an interesting narrative device into an arm’s race on who can get the most fan-favourite cameos. Spider-Man: No Way Home got a headstart with Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield, so The Flash brought in Michael Keaton. As leaks reveal, it also features Christopher Reeve, Adam West, and George Reaves. Unlike the cameos that came before, these three are dead actors, but they were brought back to fulfil a similar goal - nostalgia bait. But what joy is there in lifeless puppets with the faces of dead actors?

There Is Nothing For My Parents To Watch At The Movie

Andrew King — Tue, 13 Jun 2023 18:00:17 GMT

My parents visited a few weekends ago, and I tried to pitch them on going back to movie theaters more often. Over the past year they’ve gone occasionally to see Top Gun: Maverick, Where the Crawdads Sing, A Man Called Otto, and Downton Abbey: A New Era, but mostly they watch TV from the comfort of their living room.

Illumination Shouldn’t Be Anywhere Near The Legend Of Zelda

Andrew King — Mon, 12 Jun 2023 18:00:16 GMT

Last week, rumors broke that Nintendo is in the final phases of making a deal with Universal for Illumination to make a film based on The Legend of Zelda. Just from a math standpoint, this makes a lot of sense. The Super Mario Bros. Movie has made $1.316 billion worldwide to date, and is the third highest-grossing animated film of all-time, behind only The Lion King 'live-action’ remake and Frozen 2. When you knock the ball out of the park on your first try, it makes sense to give the batter another turn at the plate. It's a smart financial strategy, but it would be an abysmal creative choice.

Cliffhangers Are Good For Franchise Movies Like Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse

Andrew King — Sun, 11 Jun 2023 17:00:17 GMT

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and Fast X both end on big cliffhangers, and I’ve seen some audience members online react negatively to both movies because they didn’t know about the cliffhangers going in. That’s understandable to an extent. Vin Diesel keeps promising more and more Fast and Furious movies, so who can blame audience members for being confused about when exactly the finale will actually arrive? And Across the Spider-Verse is 2 hours and 20 minutes long and hits credits without resolving any of the conflicts it sets up. Had the movie stuck to its original title, Across the Spider-Verse (Part One), more people would have gotten the memo.

Across The Spider-Verse Is A Story About Rejection In LGBTQ Spaces

James Troughton — Fri, 09 Jun 2023 16:00:17 GMT

The one place you hope to feel safe as a queer person is LGBTQ+ spaces, but that’s not always the case. Bisexuals are often shut out for ‘not being gay enough’, especially when in straight-passing relationships, and trans people constantly face hate movements like ‘LGB without the T’, although many of these are astroturfed (astroterfed?) by outsiders. This exclusion is unfortunately all too common as some in the queer community cling to gatekeeping as a way to find their own purpose. Yet it’s a story that’s rarely unpacked in media, let alone represented, so I was surprised when I found a similar narrative unfolding in Across the Spider-Verse.

Spider-Verse Is The Reason You Don't Want Media Consolidation

Eric Switzer — Thu, 08 Jun 2023 22:40:06 GMT

Before the release of Spider-Man: Homecoming, there was a lot of anxiety among Marvel fans about whether or not Spider-Man would be allowed to join the MCU. Sony, which has held film rights to Spider-Man from Marvel since 1998 (a $7 million deal, one of the most profitable licensing agreements ever), had not always intended to combine its Tom Holland trilogy with the MCU canon, and the very idea that Spider-Man wouldn’t get to pal around with Tony Stark made fans furious. As we all know, Disney and Sony were able to work out an agreement to include Spider-Man in the MCU while keeping all the Spider spin-offs like Venom and Morbius out of it, a move that is still considered controversial in some fan circles.

Hailey’s On It Is Classic Disney Animation With A Live Action Twist

Jade King — Thu, 08 Jun 2023 17:47:09 GMT

Having a to-do list is pretty normal. A selection of goals equal parts massive and mundane that give you a reason to stay organised, and to keep on going. For teenagers eager to fill up their time and find themselves, having goals to work towards can be a saving grace, as Hailey finds in Disney Channel’s new cartoon, Hailey’s On It.

Budgets Are Way Too Big For Most Blockbuster Movies

Andrew King — Wed, 07 Jun 2023 19:00:16 GMT

At the end of May, The Little Mermaid hit theaters. It cost $200 million to make. A month ago, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 hit theaters. It cost $250 million to make. Three weeks ago, Fast X hit theaters. It cost $350 million to make.

My Adventures With Superman Finally Makes The Character Interesting

Jade King — Wed, 07 Jun 2023 15:00:18 GMT

Superman is boring. The second I voiced this opinion, my colleague Eric Switzer quickly tried to recommend some comic books that best showcase his character to change my very wrong mind. That’s partly the problem, since the only mainstream takes on the character I’ve seen during my lifetime are either edgy, dull, or entirely devoid of charm. My parents tried to show me the Christopher Reeve films as a child and they were innocent fun, and the less said about Superman Returns the better. But in the here and now at least, Superman is boring.

Across The Spider-Verse Is The Best Blockbuster We Can Hope For In IP Hell

Andrew King — Tue, 06 Jun 2023 19:00:18 GMT

Across the Spider-Verse is a terrific movie. It looks incredible, constantly one-upping the genre-defining work Sony Pictures Animation did on Into the Spider-Verse. Across the Spider-Verse is a fantastic example of what blockbuster entertainment can be. Like Avatar: The Way of Water, Top Gun: Maverick, John Wick: Chapter 4, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, and Creed 3 before it, Across the Spider-Verse shows that franchise films can also be top-notch entertainment.

Across The Spider-Verse Is Tears Of The Kingdom

Stacey Henley — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 17:00:16 GMT

I know this headline sounds like just mixing two popular things together, but hear me out. ‘Cheap meals for two’ is ‘Taylor Swift tickets’. ‘Cute cat videos’ is ‘Final Fantasy 16 release date’. I get it. But Across the Spider-Verse really is Tears of the Kingdom, a startling work of art that reinvents itself, its tropes, and its universe with the swagger of one who has done it all before.

The MCU Will Learn All The Wrong Lessons From Across The Spider-Verse

James Troughton — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 15:30:15 GMT

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse shook up Western animation in ways we haven’t seen since the jump from 2D to CGI. Characters are animated at different speeds even within the same frame, shots are split into panels, and the artwork is a blend of 3D and hand-drawn comic book techniques. Animation across the board immediately took note, from Puss in Boots to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, but closer to home, the live-action MCU Spider-Man films had a new bar to clear.

Across The Spider-Verse Will Never Beat The Mario Movie

Stacey Henley — Sat, 03 Jun 2023 15:00:16 GMT

By the time you read this, I'll be watching Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse in cinemas. Many of you will have already seen it, or will be planning to go this weekend. It has been hit with rave reviews and has a lot of things in its favour with the hype from the Spider-Man 2 video game, limited competition from The Little Mermaid, and the fact that the first movie has been hailed as the greatest comic book movie of all time since it swung onto our screens back in 2018. I expect it to do very, very well at the box office, and have high hopes that I am currently, as you read this, enjoying it a great deal. But it will not beat The Super Mario Bros. Movie.

Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse Is A Good Influence For The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Andrew King — Thu, 01 Jun 2023 17:00:16 GMT

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem looks great. The new trailer dropped earlier this week, and of all the IP-driven movies heading to theaters this summer, it’s by far the one that I’m most excited to see. We get a new superhero movie just about every month, but the last TMNT movie hit theaters all the way back in 2016. While we constantly get updates on popular characters like Spider-Man and Batman, the Turtles have only had one movie iteration per decade since the '90s. Each shows us a little bit about where moviemaking trends were for that moment in time.

She-Ra Fans Are Losing Their Minds Over A Twitter Account Sharing Screenshots

Jade King — Mon, 29 May 2023 16:45:17 GMT

It’s endearing how self-sustaining fandoms have become. Even after years have passed with no sequels, spin-offs, or even acknowledgment their favourite media exists, hardened creatives keep a collective passion alive with new art, fiction, discussions, drama, and love for shows, films, games, and books that mean the world to them. She-Ra is the epitome of such dedication.

The Little Mermaid Wastes Halle Bailey's Voice

Stacey Henley — Mon, 29 May 2023 15:30:17 GMT

The Little Mermaid is a pretty accurate live-action recreation of the original film. If you like the 1989 cartoon, you’ll probably like this one. Of course, that in itself can be controversial - if it’s so safe, what does this version offer that hasn’t been done before? The realistic animals, though well voiced (Daveed Diggs’ Sebastian a particular standout) are naturally less expressive than their animated counterparts, and this new version seems to have very little of substance to say about that source material. I expected that, so it didn’t really bother me. What I was struck by though was how much it wasted Halle Bailey’s voice.

Would The Studios Be Doing Anything Different If They Wanted Every Guild To Strike?

Andrew King — Sun, 28 May 2023 18:00:18 GMT

The Writer’s Guild of America went on strike three weeks ago and is still going strong. There’s speculation that things have gotten so bad in Hollywood that SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) and the DGA (Directors Guild of America) may soon follow. And the studios seem bizarrely hellbent on making sure that happens.

Killers Of The Flower Moon Could Mark The Return Of Blockbuster Adult Dramas At The Movies

Andrew King — Fri, 19 May 2023 19:00:17 GMT

The first trailer for Killers of the Flower Moon dropped yesterday and it looks incredible. For years, all we've had of the movie was one production still of stars Leonardo Dicaprio and Lily Gladstone sitting at a table, so finally getting a longer look at the film is really exciting. This is Martin Scorsese's first movie since The Irishman and I also suspect it could be the first adult drama to really break through at the box office since the year of that film's release.

SAG-AFTRA Might Strike, And That Could Cripple Hollywood

Tessa Kaur — Fri, 19 May 2023 15:30:16 GMT

This Wednesday saw the national board of SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) unanimously decide to order a strike authorisation vote. On June 7, the union will begin negotiations with the AMPTP (Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers) over a contract expiring on June 30. This doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll be striking, but it means that members of the union have agreed to give their leadership the ability to order a work stoppage if they can’t come to an agreement with the AMPTP.

Stop Saying Art Is “About Kindness”

Andrew King — Mon, 15 May 2023 17:01:17 GMT

Over the past couple years, it’s become increasingly common to flatten art in our conversations about its meaning. It’s so common that even the creators of the art do it, too.

Guardian Of The Galaxy’s Mantis Shows The Power Of Radical Empathy

Tessa Kaur — Mon, 15 May 2023 16:16:17 GMT

Everybody told me I would cry watching Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, and I didn’t believe them. I don’t really care about Marvel movies - I’m not invested in the characters, and I think most of them are middling to bad, focusing more on spectacle than story. GOTG 3 was not that. In fact, I’d go so far as to say it’s one of the thematically darkest of all the stories the MCU has put on camera, rivalling WandaVision in its impressive willingness to face the dark parts of human nature. It’s rare that I enjoy any Marvel film, let alone feel moved by it, but reader, I cried, like everyone said I would.

It Doesn't Matter How Colourful The Little Mermaid Is

Stacey Henley — Sun, 14 May 2023 17:30:17 GMT

When asked where the light was coming from in the Lord of the Rings, cinematographer Andrew Lesnie replied "the same place as the music". Someone needs to pass that zinger along to current filmmakers, because modern movies are far too dark, and I don't mean subject matter. They're poorly lit, full of muddy textures, and look dirty and unappealing. This can be used to great effect (The X-Files famously shot in low, grungy light to reflect the series' tone), but mostly it's to cut corners. A lot of mainstream movies are made with the help of overworked VFX teams today, and so studios have everything in darkness to keep costs down. There's also a fetishisation for realism - Game of Thrones notoriously had one of its battle scenes in pitch black, prompting comparisons to the well-lit Battle of Helm's Deep in the Lord of the Rings, which brings us full circle. All this has come to a head in The Little Mermaid.

Sick Made Me Realize How Malleable The Slasher Is

Andrew King — Sat, 13 May 2023 18:00:16 GMT

Sick, which released on Peacock earlier this year, is a taut horror film set during the early days of the pandemic. A title card establishes the hyper-specific period. “April 3, 2020. 273,880 COVID-19 cases reported and rising. 42 states have issued stay at home orders. Nearly 97% of the country is quarantined.”

You Really Don’t Have To See The Live-Action Little Mermaid From Disney

Andrew King — Sat, 13 May 2023 17:01:16 GMT

Every time Disney unveils a new clip from The Little Mermaid, it somehow looks worse than the one before. It’s as if the live-action remake is some kind of diamond of decrepitude, constantly revealing new facets of its ugliness. After releasing a clip of Kiss the Girl that was so dim it appeared to have been lit by a single flickering match a mile from the set, Disney dropped a contrasting clip of standout number, Under the Sea, that showed just how lifeless the movie still looks when the brightness is cranked up. These are iconic songs, and there’s such a stark contrast between how wonderfully timeless the music is and how artlessly the film has been shot and choreographed.

It's The Perfect Time For A New Season Of Black Mirror

Tessa Kaur — Sat, 13 May 2023 16:00:16 GMT

We’ve known Black Mirror was coming back for a while, but Netflix has just released the episode titles and plot synopses for season six. The episodes debut in June, and I’m incredibly excited, although I know the show will likely fill me with dread and distress as it always does. Black Mirror is one of the darkest and sharpest satires of our time, with a heavy focus on technology and spanning multiple genres, including horror and romance.

Guardians Of The Galaxy 3 Saves It’s Best Needle Drops For Last

Andrew King — Fri, 12 May 2023 17:30:16 GMT

This article contains spoilers for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.

If You Like Video Games, You Should Watch Silent Movies

Andrew King — Thu, 11 May 2023 19:00:16 GMT

If you asked me to guess at the Venn diagram of people who like silent films and people who like video games, I would probably draw two entirely separate circles. But, as I've gotten into silent films over the past few months, I've realized that the medium that rose to prominence in the first 20 years of the 20th century has a lot in common with the medium that rose to prominence in its last 20 years.

Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. Deserves A Much Bigger Audience

Andrew King — Thu, 11 May 2023 17:30:14 GMT

Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. feels like it should be extremely controversial in today's book-banning, library-defunding culture. The book, originally published in 1970, has been frequently challenged by angry parents who don't want their children to be able to read about the changes of puberty or a family where religious adherence is non-compulsory. But the movie, written and directed by Kelly Fremon Craig, has been met not with controversy, but indifference. Though critics and audiences love it, most people just don't seem to know or care that it exists. It's been playing in wide release since the end of April, and has only grossed $13.3 million against a $30 million budget.

James Gunn Is Right, We Aren't Sick Of Superhero Movies, Just Bad Ones

Tessa Kaur — Wed, 10 May 2023 16:00:16 GMT

It seems like the heyday of superhero movies is coming to an end. Look at the highest-grossing movies of all time and you’ll find twelve of them in the top 50. Thirteen, if you count The Incredibles 2. Ten of those are Marvel movies, and yet the last hit of this size Marvel has had was Spider-Man: No Way Home in 2021. A number of superhero movies in the last few years, a genre have flopped miserably, including Quantumania, Shazam! Fury of the Gods, Black Adam, and god help us, Morbius. Word on the street is that people don’t really want to see more of them – they’re whispering about ‘superhero fatigue’.

Why Shouldn't Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 Be The End Of The MCU?

Andrew King — Tue, 09 May 2023 19:00:16 GMT

This article contains spoilers for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.

It's Been Years Since An MCU Movie Has Looked As Good As The New Guardians Of The Galaxy

Andrew King — Tue, 09 May 2023 18:00:15 GMT

This article contains spoilers for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.

Nobody Told Me How Mean Gremlins Is

Andrew King — Mon, 08 May 2023 18:00:15 GMT

If you exist in American society, you’ve likely picked up a little bit about the Gremlins through cultural osmosis. I was familiar with Gizmo's Furby-like (or Baby Yoda-like) face. I'd seen GIFs of the post-metamorphosis Mogwai singing Christmas carols. And, of course, I knew the three essential rules: no bright lights, don't get them wet, and never feed them after midnight.

Guardians Of The Galaxy 3 Is The Perfect Ending For The MCU

James Troughton — Mon, 08 May 2023 17:30:14 GMT

Iron Man came out when I was only seven, so I was a little late catching up on the MCU. Weekly movie nights with my Dad saw me finally watch Captain America, Thor, The Incredible Hulk, and of course, The Avengers.

I Have Hope For James Gunn's Superman After The Post-Credits Scene In Guardians Of The Galaxy

Andrew King — Sun, 07 May 2023 17:30:15 GMT

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 ends (well, actually ends) on a note that feels reminiscent of the shawarma scene in the first Avengers movie. But, more than anything, it has convinced me that James Gunn knows how to strike the right tone for a completely different superhero in an entirely different universe.

If You Think AI Will Actually Replace Writers, You Don’t Understand Why People Watch Movies

Andrew King — Fri, 05 May 2023 17:30:15 GMT

The Writers Guild of America unanimously voted to go on strike this week, and it took no time at all for the worst people alive to begin rooting for them to lose. Underneath every news story about the strikes on Twitter, you could find algorithmically-boosted bad takes expressing hope that AI will replace the writers who make the entertainment we all enjoy.

Guardians Of The Galaxy 3 Is Nebula’s Movie As Much As It Is Rocket’s

Stacey Henley — Fri, 05 May 2023 14:30:15 GMT

I went into Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3 without knowing much about it. I've kept up with the MCU, and the first Guardians film is amongst my favourite Marvel offerings, but in general, I knew very little. Most Marvel flicks these days are setting up a cataclysmic event in one way or another, so they have to tease all of the important plot elements that you couldn't possibly miss. With Ant-Man and the Wasp Quantumania, for example, we knew it would be a load-bearing movie that explained the time skip further and the arrival of Kang, who technically already arrived in Loki. With Guardians, nothing. We knew James Gunn was leaving the MCU and so the Guardians as we knew them were over, and all I had learned outside of that was that this movie belonged to Rocket. Watching it, I realised how much it belonged to Nebula too.

Why Does The Gran Turismo Movie Think All Gamers Are Losers?

Jade King — Thu, 04 May 2023 16:15:15 GMT

The tagline for Neil Blomkamp’s upcoming Gran Turismo film has taken permanent residence in my brain ever since I watched the trailer - "From Gamer to Racer." It’s beautifully silly and sells the film’s ridiculous - yet based on a true story - premise in ways that somehow work.

Will The Gran Turismo Movie Honour Its Own True Story?

Stacey Henley — Thu, 04 May 2023 16:00:15 GMT

Our first glimpse at the Gran Turismo movie has arrived, and it looks fine. The trailer seems like it gives away the first two acts, and it's a little on the nose with David Harbour playing a guy who hates gamers, but then he needs a gamer, but it's fine. The part where the gamer rig transforms into a real car is some cool VFX work, the racing looks realistic yet exciting, and the strong cast are going to be able to carry it. But one of the things that the marketing keeps pushing is that it's based on a true story - and I'm struggling to understand why I should care.

15 Years Ago, Marvel Changed Movies Forever

Stacey Henley — Wed, 03 May 2023 16:30:15 GMT

Some movies change the face of cinema forever. Citizen Kane is retroactively discussed as one of the greatest films of all time, but in its heyday it was renowned more for its technological prowess. Jaws is regarded as the first summer blockbuster. Star Wars showed that movies could create dynasties. The Jazz Singer brought colour to life. Snow White brought animation to the big screen, which was then built upon by Mary Poppins, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Toy Story, and Into the Spider-Verse. A good movie doesn't necessarily change the industry, and a movie doesn't need to be good in order to change the industry. 15 years ago this week, the face of cinema had one of its most monumental changes, and we didn't even realise.

The Owl House - Everything We Learned From The Final Post Hoot

Jade King — Tue, 02 May 2023 16:30:15 GMT

The Owl House might be over, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to stop talking about it. More and more new revelations about its world and characters are coming to light now the finale is out in the wild. These tidbits are given even more credence when creator Dana Terrace is busy dishing them out. By busy, I mean we and the cast totally pressured her into spilling the tea.

The Mandoverse Movie Doesn't Sound Like The Worst Version Of Star Wars

Andrew King — Mon, 01 May 2023 19:00:15 GMT

Dave Filoni and Jon Favreau recently confirmed my lowest expectations for their upcoming "Mandoverse" movie. The recently announced film will bring together characters from the four shows Filoni and Favreau have worked on together: The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett, plus the upcoming Ahsoka and Skeleton Crew.