Before the Dead Man Wakes: A Rian Johnson Retrospective Ranking
November 22, 2025
With the world waiting to see “Wake Up Dead Man,” now is the perfect time for a retrospective ranking of Johnson’s films.
Last Flag Acting: What Democrats Can Learn From Movie Politicians
November 16, 2025
Cinema is uniquely suited to dramatize politics. Here are three lessons from the careers of movie politicians.
“Frankenstein” Review: Guillermo del Toro Beautifully Revivifies His Literary Favorite
October 31, 2025
Del Toro immerses himself in every facet of creation: the before, the during, and the after.
“A House of Dynamite” Review: On Kathryn Bigelow’s Command, Unleash Hellfire
October 17, 2025
Annihilating violence rages through Bigelow’s oeuvre, making “A House of Dynamite” seem like the inevitable fulfillment of a promise.
“The Smashing Machine” Review: Dwayne Johnson Learns To Lose in Benny Safdie’s MMA Biopic
October 10, 2025
After shattering the world record for unmemorable performances in passionless blockbusters, Johnson has surrendered himself to Safdie.
“One Battle After Another” Review: Times Are Hard, Cinema Is Brave
October 5, 2025
Paul Thomas Anderson knows that while fascism and racism are no joke, laughter can be a lethal weapon against authoritarians and bigots.
