Over 15 years since Peter Jackson transported moviegoers to cinematic Middle Earth glory with the triumphant Lord of the Rings trilogy, Denis Villeneuve’s sprawling Dune saga aims to recapture that meticulous world-building spirit and sense of grand fantasy awe. Early reactions indicate March’s Dune: Part Two may achieve just that with the visionary director’s operatic, star-powered sequel earning near-universal raves on par with Jackson’s signature Hobbit highs.
Does Denis Villeneuve’s Dune 2 Match Lotr Battle Scenes?
Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides in Dune 2
As per Variety, after mixed responses to his cerebral first Dune chapter, even skeptical critics now hail Denis Villeneuve’s follow-up as a triumph, one Inverse’s Hoai-Tran Bui calls “Two Towers-level mastery of battle sequences.” The film reportedly outdoes its predecessor on every level, realizing the full scope and emotional power of Frank Herbert’s seminal novel through set pieces and...
Does Denis Villeneuve’s Dune 2 Match Lotr Battle Scenes?
Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides in Dune 2
As per Variety, after mixed responses to his cerebral first Dune chapter, even skeptical critics now hail Denis Villeneuve’s follow-up as a triumph, one Inverse’s Hoai-Tran Bui calls “Two Towers-level mastery of battle sequences.” The film reportedly outdoes its predecessor on every level, realizing the full scope and emotional power of Frank Herbert’s seminal novel through set pieces and...
- 2/16/2024
- by Nivedita Dubey
- FandomWire
After a three year gap between films and a strike-induced delay that prevented it from making its planned fall 2023 release date, the wait for “Dune: Part Two” is almost over. It appears to be worth the wait.
Denis Villeneuve’s epic sequel, which concludes his take on Frank Herbert’s original “Dune” novel, is set to hit theaters on Friday, March 1. While full reviews have yet to be published, many critics have taken to social media to share their overwhelmingly positive responses to the film following its world premiere on Thursday night.
Some called it a “masterpiece” and even better than the first film, while others compared it to the action seen in epics like Peter Jackson’s “Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.” Though as you’ll see below, the praise wasn’t completely universal.
The hype is a good sign for Warner Bros. and Villeneuve, who has...
Denis Villeneuve’s epic sequel, which concludes his take on Frank Herbert’s original “Dune” novel, is set to hit theaters on Friday, March 1. While full reviews have yet to be published, many critics have taken to social media to share their overwhelmingly positive responses to the film following its world premiere on Thursday night.
Some called it a “masterpiece” and even better than the first film, while others compared it to the action seen in epics like Peter Jackson’s “Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.” Though as you’ll see below, the praise wasn’t completely universal.
The hype is a good sign for Warner Bros. and Villeneuve, who has...
- 2/16/2024
- by Christian Zilko
- Indiewire
The first reactions are in for the first hugely anticipated movie of 2024: Dune 2.
The long-delayed sequel from director Denis Villeneuve continues the story of author Frank Herbert’s space epic and the initial reactions are extremely enthusiastic, with many calling the film a masterpiece of cinema that is even better than Dune.
Dune: Part Two picks up right after the first installment, as Timothée Chalament’s Paul Atreides joins forces with the Fremen and seeks revenge against the enemies who murdered his family, possibly saving the universe along the way.
The film was originally set to release in November 2023, but because of the actors strike, Warner Bros. and Legendary chose to push it to March 2024, so that its star-studded cast, which also includes Zendaya, Austin Butler and Florence Pugh, would be able to promote it.
Dune 2 is being eyed as a box office savior after an alarmingly...
The long-delayed sequel from director Denis Villeneuve continues the story of author Frank Herbert’s space epic and the initial reactions are extremely enthusiastic, with many calling the film a masterpiece of cinema that is even better than Dune.
Dune: Part Two picks up right after the first installment, as Timothée Chalament’s Paul Atreides joins forces with the Fremen and seeks revenge against the enemies who murdered his family, possibly saving the universe along the way.
The film was originally set to release in November 2023, but because of the actors strike, Warner Bros. and Legendary chose to push it to March 2024, so that its star-studded cast, which also includes Zendaya, Austin Butler and Florence Pugh, would be able to promote it.
Dune 2 is being eyed as a box office savior after an alarmingly...
- 2/15/2024
- by James Hibberd
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Disney has announced a major date shift in its 2024 schedule, with one big Marvel Cinematic Universe movie taking another’s place as movies get bumped to later dates. “Deadpool 3” has moved to July 6, 2024 from May 3, 2024, while “Captain America: Brave New World” moves from its Independence Day opening of July 6, 2024 to Feb. 14, 2025, the studio announced on Thursday.
Additionally, “Mufasa: The Lion King” shifts to Dec. 20, 2024 from July 5, 2024 while “Thunderbolts” moves to July 25, 2025 from Dec. 20, 2024.
“Blade,” which was slated to be released on Feb. 14, 2025 moves to Nov. 7, 2025.
Furthermore, the studio has canceled plans for two other dates — July 25, 2025 and Nov. 7, 2025 — originally reserved for untitled films.
When the SAG-AFTRA strike started in July, it led to a halt in production for “Deadpool 3.” After nearly four months of waiting, Marvel Studios is now gearing up to resume filming just before the Thanksgiving break, as reported earlier Thursday.
While “Deadpool 3” has been...
Additionally, “Mufasa: The Lion King” shifts to Dec. 20, 2024 from July 5, 2024 while “Thunderbolts” moves to July 25, 2025 from Dec. 20, 2024.
“Blade,” which was slated to be released on Feb. 14, 2025 moves to Nov. 7, 2025.
Furthermore, the studio has canceled plans for two other dates — July 25, 2025 and Nov. 7, 2025 — originally reserved for untitled films.
When the SAG-AFTRA strike started in July, it led to a halt in production for “Deadpool 3.” After nearly four months of waiting, Marvel Studios is now gearing up to resume filming just before the Thanksgiving break, as reported earlier Thursday.
While “Deadpool 3” has been...
- 11/10/2023
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
On Sunday, critics and reviewers teased early reactions to “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” many of which are overwhelmingly positive. The prequel debuts in theaters on Nov. 17 — full reviews are set to drop Tuesday.
TheWrap’s own Scott Mendelson joined those who enjoyed the movie. He wrote, “The new #HungerGames is pretty great. Superbly constructed and exquisitely acted, it wrestles with the franchise’s complicated pop culture legacy while thriving as a ‘money’s on the screen’ Imax blockbuster. Zegler gives a full-on movie star turn and Davis is a macabre hoot.”
The new #HungerGames is pretty great. Superbly constructed and exquisitely acted, it wrestles with the franchise’s complicated pop culture legacy while thriving as a "money's on the screen" Imax blockbuster. Zegler gives a full-on movie star turn and Davis is a macabre hoot. pic.twitter.com/9ALOfz5LTV
— Scott Mendelson (@ScottMendelson) November 5, 2023
Russ Milheim of The Direct said,...
TheWrap’s own Scott Mendelson joined those who enjoyed the movie. He wrote, “The new #HungerGames is pretty great. Superbly constructed and exquisitely acted, it wrestles with the franchise’s complicated pop culture legacy while thriving as a ‘money’s on the screen’ Imax blockbuster. Zegler gives a full-on movie star turn and Davis is a macabre hoot.”
The new #HungerGames is pretty great. Superbly constructed and exquisitely acted, it wrestles with the franchise’s complicated pop culture legacy while thriving as a "money's on the screen" Imax blockbuster. Zegler gives a full-on movie star turn and Davis is a macabre hoot. pic.twitter.com/9ALOfz5LTV
— Scott Mendelson (@ScottMendelson) November 5, 2023
Russ Milheim of The Direct said,...
- 11/6/2023
- by Stephanie Kaloi
- The Wrap
The leaves are changing and pumpkin spice is on tap, which can only mean one thing: fall is upon us — and with it a bevy of movies that could very well influence this year’s Oscar race and end-of-year lists.
In spite of the ongoing SAG-AFTRA/WGA strike, movies are still coming out. But it will be interesting to see how the dual strike affects promotion, box office and this year’s Oscars race. Regardless, there’s something for everyone. Big awards heavy-hitters like “Maestro” and “Saltburn” will be on film buffs most anticipated lists, while blockbusters like “The Creator” and “Saw X” will charm those just looking for a good time at the movies.
Here are the 30 films TheWrap’s film team is excited to see this fall.
Sony Pictures
“The Equalizer 3” (Sept. 1)
Denzel Washington returns to complete his trilogy as action hero Robert McCall and has us very excited.
In spite of the ongoing SAG-AFTRA/WGA strike, movies are still coming out. But it will be interesting to see how the dual strike affects promotion, box office and this year’s Oscars race. Regardless, there’s something for everyone. Big awards heavy-hitters like “Maestro” and “Saltburn” will be on film buffs most anticipated lists, while blockbusters like “The Creator” and “Saw X” will charm those just looking for a good time at the movies.
Here are the 30 films TheWrap’s film team is excited to see this fall.
Sony Pictures
“The Equalizer 3” (Sept. 1)
Denzel Washington returns to complete his trilogy as action hero Robert McCall and has us very excited.
- 9/2/2023
- by Kristen Lopez
- The Wrap
Back in 2018, The Meg was a big time success at the box office, debuting to $45 million here in the United States and going on to gobble up $530 million worldwide. It’s no surprise that Warner Bros. is back at it with Meg 2: The Trench, now playing in theaters worldwide.
How is the shark attack sequel performing at the box office? Meg 2: The Trench debuted to $30 million here in the United States over the weekend, $15 million less than the previous movie opened to back in 2018. But Warner Bros. is no doubt counting on Meg 2 making the bulk of its money internationally; worldwide, the film has already scared up $142 million.
A good chunk of that worldwide total so far is coming out of China.
Scott Mendelson notes, “The Meg 2 opened with $53 million in China, just above the $50 million debut of The Meg in 2018. It’s only the third Hollywood...
How is the shark attack sequel performing at the box office? Meg 2: The Trench debuted to $30 million here in the United States over the weekend, $15 million less than the previous movie opened to back in 2018. But Warner Bros. is no doubt counting on Meg 2 making the bulk of its money internationally; worldwide, the film has already scared up $142 million.
A good chunk of that worldwide total so far is coming out of China.
Scott Mendelson notes, “The Meg 2 opened with $53 million in China, just above the $50 million debut of The Meg in 2018. It’s only the third Hollywood...
- 8/7/2023
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
Surprise! Dwayne Johnson has returned to the “Fast and Furious” franchise, making an appearance in the post-credits sequence for the upcoming “Fast X,” out next Friday (May 19), TheWrap has exclusively learned.
What makes his return so shocking is how adamant Johnson was about not returning to the series. In November 2021, “Fast and Furious” franchise star and producer Vin Diesel took to Instagram, essentially to beg Johnson to return to the mainline franchise. In 2019, Johnson starred in “Hobbs & Shaw,” a spin-off with Jason Statham.
A month after Diesel’s social media appeal, Johnson told CNN: “I told [Diesel] directly that I would not be returning to the franchise. I was firm yet cordial with my words and said that I would always be supportive of the cast and always root for the franchise to be successful, but that there was no chance I would return. Vin’s recent public post was an example of his manipulation.
What makes his return so shocking is how adamant Johnson was about not returning to the series. In November 2021, “Fast and Furious” franchise star and producer Vin Diesel took to Instagram, essentially to beg Johnson to return to the mainline franchise. In 2019, Johnson starred in “Hobbs & Shaw,” a spin-off with Jason Statham.
A month after Diesel’s social media appeal, Johnson told CNN: “I told [Diesel] directly that I would not be returning to the franchise. I was firm yet cordial with my words and said that I would always be supportive of the cast and always root for the franchise to be successful, but that there was no chance I would return. Vin’s recent public post was an example of his manipulation.
- 5/12/2023
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
“Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” first reactions set social media abuzz following its Los Angeles premiere, but Marvel’s first Phase 5 installment saw many critics underwhelmed by the story… and delighted to greet Jonathan Majors as Kang the Conqueror.
Paul Rudd and Evangeline Lily return as Scott Lang, aka Ant-Man, and Hope van Dyne, aka the Wasp, with a new mission to further explore the Quantum Realm. Michael Douglas and Michelle Pfeiffer reprise their respective roles as the van Dyne scientists and original Ant-Man and the Wasp, while Kathryn Newton (“Freaky”) makes her Marvel debut as the older version of Scott’s daughter Cassie.
Yet it’s clear “Quantumania” belongs to ruler Kang, with Majors’ performance marked as a standout turn. Rounding out the cast are David Dastmalchian, William Jackson Harper, Katy O’Brian, and Bill Murray, with Peyton Reed returning to direct. “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” opens in theaters...
Paul Rudd and Evangeline Lily return as Scott Lang, aka Ant-Man, and Hope van Dyne, aka the Wasp, with a new mission to further explore the Quantum Realm. Michael Douglas and Michelle Pfeiffer reprise their respective roles as the van Dyne scientists and original Ant-Man and the Wasp, while Kathryn Newton (“Freaky”) makes her Marvel debut as the older version of Scott’s daughter Cassie.
Yet it’s clear “Quantumania” belongs to ruler Kang, with Majors’ performance marked as a standout turn. Rounding out the cast are David Dastmalchian, William Jackson Harper, Katy O’Brian, and Bill Murray, with Peyton Reed returning to direct. “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” opens in theaters...
- 2/7/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Thanks to strong reviews, a buzzy trailer and young fans celebrating the film on TikTok, “M3GAN” is about to top 100 million worldwide. The Gerard Johnstone-directed film was sold as yet another horror team-up between Jason Blum’s Blumhouse and James Wan’s Atomic Monster, with both moguls now famous enough among horror fans for such a pitch to qualify as akin to Steven Spielberg and George Lucas uniting for “Raiders of the Lost Ark.”
The film’s not-so-secret weapon, however, is its screenwriter Akela Cooper. The self-professed genre nerd isn’t yet a household name, but she may be on her way to becoming one.
Cooper took time last week to speak with TheWrap, discussing the origins of “M3GAN,” trimming the initially R-rated film to a PG-13 and inserting her parents into the “Star Trek” universe. Most importantly, she answered tough questions about the biggest plot hole in her 2018 slasher romp “Hell Fest.
The film’s not-so-secret weapon, however, is its screenwriter Akela Cooper. The self-professed genre nerd isn’t yet a household name, but she may be on her way to becoming one.
Cooper took time last week to speak with TheWrap, discussing the origins of “M3GAN,” trimming the initially R-rated film to a PG-13 and inserting her parents into the “Star Trek” universe. Most importantly, she answered tough questions about the biggest plot hole in her 2018 slasher romp “Hell Fest.
- 1/18/2023
- by Scott Mendelson
- The Wrap
Fathom Events, which has carved out a specialty niche with its limited engagements of faith-based films, scored a big win this weekend screening the first two episodes of the upcoming third season of the Jesus biopic TV series “The Chosen.”
Angel Studios’ production landed in the No. 3 spot on the box office charts, with a heavenly 8.2 million from 2,027 theaters, just behind the 9 million opening that Searchlight’s “The Menu” earned with approximately 1,200 more theaters in play. Angel Studios’ series, now in its third season, is a retelling of Jesus of Nazareth’s life and ministry alongside his disciples that has been produced primarily on a crowdfunded budget with tens of millions of dollars donated by the series’ evangelical Christan fan base.
Because of that crowdfunding, “The Chosen” is free to stream through an app made specifically for the show, but its fans have paid tickets this weekend to see new...
Angel Studios’ production landed in the No. 3 spot on the box office charts, with a heavenly 8.2 million from 2,027 theaters, just behind the 9 million opening that Searchlight’s “The Menu” earned with approximately 1,200 more theaters in play. Angel Studios’ series, now in its third season, is a retelling of Jesus of Nazareth’s life and ministry alongside his disciples that has been produced primarily on a crowdfunded budget with tens of millions of dollars donated by the series’ evangelical Christan fan base.
Because of that crowdfunding, “The Chosen” is free to stream through an app made specifically for the show, but its fans have paid tickets this weekend to see new...
- 11/22/2022
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
Sony Pictures’ universe of more than 900 Marvel characters related to the Spider-Man comic book series is coming to Amazon Prime Video and MGM+ through a suite of live-action television series.
Under the agreement, the first series produced will be Sony Pictures Television’s “Silk: Spider Society,” which will debut globally in more than 240 countries and territories on Prime Video and domestically on MGM+’s linear channel.
Based on Marvel Comics characters created by Dan Slott and Humberto Ramos, “Silk: Spider Society” follows Cindy Moon, a Korean American woman bitten by the same spider that bit Peter Parker, as she escapes imprisonment and searches for her missing family on her way to becoming the superhero known as Silk.
Also Read:
‘Elemental’ Teaser Trailer Introduces Disney-Pixar Audiences to Element City’s Fire, Water, Land and Air Residents (Video)
Sony initially purchased the film rights to the Spider-Man IP around 2000, amid a period...
Under the agreement, the first series produced will be Sony Pictures Television’s “Silk: Spider Society,” which will debut globally in more than 240 countries and territories on Prime Video and domestically on MGM+’s linear channel.
Based on Marvel Comics characters created by Dan Slott and Humberto Ramos, “Silk: Spider Society” follows Cindy Moon, a Korean American woman bitten by the same spider that bit Peter Parker, as she escapes imprisonment and searches for her missing family on her way to becoming the superhero known as Silk.
Also Read:
‘Elemental’ Teaser Trailer Introduces Disney-Pixar Audiences to Element City’s Fire, Water, Land and Air Residents (Video)
Sony initially purchased the film rights to the Spider-Man IP around 2000, amid a period...
- 11/17/2022
- by Lucas Manfredi
- The Wrap
Sony is bringing a PG-13 version of “Father Stu” titled “Father Stu: Reborn” back to life – and theaters – on Dec. 9.
The Columbia Pictures and Mark Wahlberg religious drama was originally rated R by the MPAA for “language throughout.” According to a spokesperson for Sony, “Reborn” will qualify for a PG-13 rating based on its toned-down language as well as the omission of an accident scene, sexual references, some violence and smoking.
The recut version will not feature any reshot or additional material.
Based on a true story, “Father Stu” revolves around amateur boxer Stuart Long (Wahlberg) who moves to Los Angeles when an injury cuts short his fledgling career. After he begins attending church in hopes of courting a Sunday school teacher, Stu has an epiphany that he is destined to become a Catholic priest.
The film was written and directed by Rosalind Ross and co-stars Mel Gibson, Jacki Weaver and Teresa Ruiz.
The Columbia Pictures and Mark Wahlberg religious drama was originally rated R by the MPAA for “language throughout.” According to a spokesperson for Sony, “Reborn” will qualify for a PG-13 rating based on its toned-down language as well as the omission of an accident scene, sexual references, some violence and smoking.
The recut version will not feature any reshot or additional material.
Based on a true story, “Father Stu” revolves around amateur boxer Stuart Long (Wahlberg) who moves to Los Angeles when an injury cuts short his fledgling career. After he begins attending church in hopes of courting a Sunday school teacher, Stu has an epiphany that he is destined to become a Catholic priest.
The film was written and directed by Rosalind Ross and co-stars Mel Gibson, Jacki Weaver and Teresa Ruiz.
- 11/2/2022
- by Harper Lambert
- The Wrap
A funny thing happened to Black Adam on its way to the cinema: critics finally got a look at the movie. While the film has undeniably been a passion project for Dwayne Johnson, with the actor circling the role for more than a decade before finally playing the part, that love has not necessarily translated into a movie that’s winning over a majority of film journalists.
Nonetheless, it should be noted that this is only the early reception for the DC Extended Universe’s most hotly anticipated film of the year, and that Black Adam’s current Rotten Tomatoes score of 52 percent (as of press time) is based on just 54 submitted reviews. Even so, there tends to be quite a bit of praise for Johnson… and plenty of criticism about most other elements in the film.
IndieWire’s David Ehrlich, for one, takes Black Adam to task for leaning...
Nonetheless, it should be noted that this is only the early reception for the DC Extended Universe’s most hotly anticipated film of the year, and that Black Adam’s current Rotten Tomatoes score of 52 percent (as of press time) is based on just 54 submitted reviews. Even so, there tends to be quite a bit of praise for Johnson… and plenty of criticism about most other elements in the film.
IndieWire’s David Ehrlich, for one, takes Black Adam to task for leaning...
- 10/19/2022
- by David Crow
- Den of Geek
Of the movies already released in the first third of the 2022 calendar year (January through April), there are four titles that have a good shot at being nominated at next year’s 2023 Oscars: “The Batman,” “Turning Red,” “The Bad Guys” and “Everything Everywhere All at Once.” The last time a film debuted between January and April and was a major player at the Oscars was Jordan Peele’s “Get Out,” released in February 2017. Most years studios usually hold their Oscar bait movies until the final months of the year when awards campaigning kicks into gear, but in 2022 we already have a handful of titles that could get into various categories. Read on for your 2023 Oscars head start preview.
The film with the most likelihood of being Oscar nominated is Matt Reeves’ “The Batman,” the comic book blockbuster released in March. The transformation of Colin Farrell into the Penguin should be...
The film with the most likelihood of being Oscar nominated is Matt Reeves’ “The Batman,” the comic book blockbuster released in March. The transformation of Colin Farrell into the Penguin should be...
- 5/20/2022
- by Brian Rowe
- Gold Derby
"Shazam: Fury of the Gods" recently made headlines for bumping up its release date from 2023 to December 2022 so that it will now be squaring off against James Cameron's "Avatar 2," the sequel to the highest-grossing film of all time, on opening weekend. Director David F. Sandberg took the news in stride, joking that Cameron "must be shaking in his boots right now." Sandberg also used the news as a way of reflecting back on a visual effects blooper from the first "Shazam" movie that still haunts him.
On Twitter, Forbes writer Scott Mendelson tweeted at the "Fury of the Gods' director that he "could always pull a...
The post Shazam! Director Reveals a VFX Mistake That Still Haunts Him appeared first on /Film.
On Twitter, Forbes writer Scott Mendelson tweeted at the "Fury of the Gods' director that he "could always pull a...
The post Shazam! Director Reveals a VFX Mistake That Still Haunts Him appeared first on /Film.
- 3/11/2022
- by Joshua Meyer
- Slash Film
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ decision to present some its craft categories, as well as the short film awards, before the start of the live telecast on ABC drew an outcry on Twitter Tuesday afternoon. Although these winners will be edited into the broadcast so that viewers can see, say, Hans Zimmer, if we wins the Oscar for Best Original Score for “Dune,” critics saw the move as the Academy again making changes to the ceremony at the expense of its biggest fans as well as the talented craftspeople who won’t get their full “Oscar moment.”
Academy President David Rubin announced that the category presentations to be cut out of the live broadcast are Documentary (Short Subject), Film Editing, Makeup and Hairstyling, Music (Original Score), Production Design, Short Film (Animated), Short Film (Live Action), and Sound.
IndieWire’s own David Ehrlich wrote, “This is like cutting...
Academy President David Rubin announced that the category presentations to be cut out of the live broadcast are Documentary (Short Subject), Film Editing, Makeup and Hairstyling, Music (Original Score), Production Design, Short Film (Animated), Short Film (Live Action), and Sound.
IndieWire’s own David Ehrlich wrote, “This is like cutting...
- 2/23/2022
- by Christian Blauvelt
- Indiewire
The first reactions to “The Matrix Resurrections” are in — and it’s a mixed bag, ranging from “terrific” to “bogged down in exposition.”
As the film’s social media embargo lifted on Thursday night, film critics and journalists took to Twitter to share their opinions about the franchise’s latest installment.
Film critic Courtney Howard called it “a terrific, awe-inducing, meta mind-bender completely in line with the franchise’s legacy.” Howard also praised the movie for finding “an innovative, high-concept way to frame the new story.”
#TheMatrixResurrections is a terrific, awe-inducing, meta mind-bender completely in line with the franchise's legacy. Finds an innovative, high-concept way to frame the new story. Keanu Reeves & Carrie-Anne Moss’ chemistry burns. Jessica Henwick is a revelation! @TheMatrixMovie pic.twitter.com/xRawqiOcuu
— Courtney Howard (@Lulamaybelle) December 17, 2021
On the other hand, Cheat Sheet critic Jeff Nelson was less enthused with “The Matrix’s” latest outing, calling it...
As the film’s social media embargo lifted on Thursday night, film critics and journalists took to Twitter to share their opinions about the franchise’s latest installment.
Film critic Courtney Howard called it “a terrific, awe-inducing, meta mind-bender completely in line with the franchise’s legacy.” Howard also praised the movie for finding “an innovative, high-concept way to frame the new story.”
#TheMatrixResurrections is a terrific, awe-inducing, meta mind-bender completely in line with the franchise's legacy. Finds an innovative, high-concept way to frame the new story. Keanu Reeves & Carrie-Anne Moss’ chemistry burns. Jessica Henwick is a revelation! @TheMatrixMovie pic.twitter.com/xRawqiOcuu
— Courtney Howard (@Lulamaybelle) December 17, 2021
On the other hand, Cheat Sheet critic Jeff Nelson was less enthused with “The Matrix’s” latest outing, calling it...
- 12/17/2021
- by Ellise Shafer
- Variety Film + TV
While critics agree that “Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard” might offer the entertainment of watching Samuel L. Jackson swear incessantly, the film’s reviews suggest that the film’s lack of a plot is not made up for through its stale and overused humor.
Reviews from early Wednesday agree that the sequel to the 2017 film “The Hitman’s Bodyguard,” has even less going for it than the original — besides the fact that it opens during a time when audiences are eager to head the movie theaters after a long haitus.
TheWrap’s own Alonso Duralde wrote, “’Hitman’s Wife Bodyguard’ is a comedy with not one legitimate laugh, and an action movie where cars keep blowing up while the A-listers yell at each other, as though that were inherently amusing or entertaining. It’s a film that’s both frantic and listless; the overall impression is one of movie stars screaming their lines...
Reviews from early Wednesday agree that the sequel to the 2017 film “The Hitman’s Bodyguard,” has even less going for it than the original — besides the fact that it opens during a time when audiences are eager to head the movie theaters after a long haitus.
TheWrap’s own Alonso Duralde wrote, “’Hitman’s Wife Bodyguard’ is a comedy with not one legitimate laugh, and an action movie where cars keep blowing up while the A-listers yell at each other, as though that were inherently amusing or entertaining. It’s a film that’s both frantic and listless; the overall impression is one of movie stars screaming their lines...
- 6/9/2021
- by Loree Seitz
- The Wrap
Emma Stone as Estella in Disney’s live-action Cruella. Photo by Laurie Sparham. © 2021 Disney Enterprises Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Here’s your first look at the upcoming movie Cruella.
Academy Award® winner Emma Stone (“La La Land”) stars in Disney’s all-new live-action feature film about the rebellious early days of one of cinemas most notorious – and notoriously fashionable – villains, the legendary Cruella de Vil. “Cruella,” which is set in 1970s London amidst the punk rock revolution, follows a young grifter named Estella, a clever and creative girl determined to make a name for herself with her designs. She befriends a pair of young thieves who appreciate her appetite for mischief, and together they are able to build a life for themselves on the London streets. One day, Estella’s flair for fashion catches the eye of the Baroness von Hellman, a fashion legend who is devastatingly chic and terrifyingly haute,...
Here’s your first look at the upcoming movie Cruella.
Academy Award® winner Emma Stone (“La La Land”) stars in Disney’s all-new live-action feature film about the rebellious early days of one of cinemas most notorious – and notoriously fashionable – villains, the legendary Cruella de Vil. “Cruella,” which is set in 1970s London amidst the punk rock revolution, follows a young grifter named Estella, a clever and creative girl determined to make a name for herself with her designs. She befriends a pair of young thieves who appreciate her appetite for mischief, and together they are able to build a life for themselves on the London streets. One day, Estella’s flair for fashion catches the eye of the Baroness von Hellman, a fashion legend who is devastatingly chic and terrifyingly haute,...
- 2/17/2021
- by Movie Geeks
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Hollywood is in the midst of a major push for more diversity and representation, which is very much overdue. It wouldn’t be untrue to say that ever since the moving picture was patented, the realm of cinema has largely rested in the hands of a bunch of white dudes, which doesn’t reflect the melting pot of race, creed, gender, inspiration and influence that we live in today.
However, there’s been a pervasive element of so-called ‘white guilt’ that many people find to be pandering at worst and self-serving at best, which ultimately doesn’t contribute anything to the conversation in the long term. Forbes writer Scott Mendelson is the latest to throw himself on his sword, dismissing Golden Globe nominee and rumored cannibal Armie Hammer as an expendable generic white guy, as you can see below.
Fair or not, Armie Hammer is expendable. Talent notwithstanding, he is...
However, there’s been a pervasive element of so-called ‘white guilt’ that many people find to be pandering at worst and self-serving at best, which ultimately doesn’t contribute anything to the conversation in the long term. Forbes writer Scott Mendelson is the latest to throw himself on his sword, dismissing Golden Globe nominee and rumored cannibal Armie Hammer as an expendable generic white guy, as you can see below.
Fair or not, Armie Hammer is expendable. Talent notwithstanding, he is...
- 1/14/2021
- by Scott Campbell
- We Got This Covered
Ben Affleck may have been a major movie star and regular tabloid fodder during the early 2000s, but the A-lister first rose to mainstream prominence for his talents on the other side of the camera after winning an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay back in 1997 when he co-wrote Good Will Hunting with longtime best friend Matt Damon.
However, it would be another ten years until he made his directorial debut, and his reinvention as an acclaimed filmmaker led to a full-blown career renaissance. Gone Baby Gone, The Town and Argo all received rave reviews from critics, with the latter netting him a second Academy Award for Best Picture, and he also won the Golden Globe for Best Director despite not even being nominated for an Oscar in the same category.
This instantly made his take on The Batman one of the most exciting comic book blockbusters on the horizon,...
However, it would be another ten years until he made his directorial debut, and his reinvention as an acclaimed filmmaker led to a full-blown career renaissance. Gone Baby Gone, The Town and Argo all received rave reviews from critics, with the latter netting him a second Academy Award for Best Picture, and he also won the Golden Globe for Best Director despite not even being nominated for an Oscar in the same category.
This instantly made his take on The Batman one of the most exciting comic book blockbusters on the horizon,...
- 1/1/2021
- by Scott Campbell
- We Got This Covered
The Fantastic Beasts franchise made the bold decision to drop Johnny Depp as Grindelwald by asking the actor to resign from the role, and there’s already been a huge wave of backlash from fans. People were supporting the 57 year-old after he lost his latest court battle, and they blasted Disney when the studio decided to move forward on two Pirates of the Caribbean movies without him. As such, Warner Bros. should be bracing themselves for some heavy criticism.
After all, there’s an air of double standards about the whole thing, but with the majority of the issues between Depp and ex-wife Amber Heard focusing on accusations of spousal abuse, all parties need to tread a fine line. Of course, Heard is set to return as Mera in Aquaman 2, and J.K. Rowling is still heavily involved in the production of Fantastic Beasts 3 despite incurring the wrath of the...
After all, there’s an air of double standards about the whole thing, but with the majority of the issues between Depp and ex-wife Amber Heard focusing on accusations of spousal abuse, all parties need to tread a fine line. Of course, Heard is set to return as Mera in Aquaman 2, and J.K. Rowling is still heavily involved in the production of Fantastic Beasts 3 despite incurring the wrath of the...
- 11/6/2020
- by Scott Campbell
- We Got This Covered
Over the last decade, Christopher Nolan’s sound mixing has become as hotly debated as Christopher Nolan’s storytelling. “Tenet” is no exception. One of the biggest complaints against the director’s $200 million espionage epic is that its over-bearing sound mix makes important dialogue unintelligible. It’s a criticism Nolan has often faced, notably with Bane’s dialogue in “The Dark Knight Rises” and the overpowering “Interstellar” score. Many moviegoers even complained the explosive sound design of “Dunkirk” was deafening.
“I don’t know what Chris Nolan has against dialogue,” Forbes critic Scott Mendelson writes in his “Tenet” review. “What was a glorified joke with Tom Hardy’s masked monologuing in ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ and a relative annoyance in ‘Interstellar’ becomes a clear and present danger in ‘Tenet.’ Yes, film is a visual medium, but ‘Tenet’ is an espionage thriller with copious amounts of exposition…Once again, the audio mix emphasizes music,...
“I don’t know what Chris Nolan has against dialogue,” Forbes critic Scott Mendelson writes in his “Tenet” review. “What was a glorified joke with Tom Hardy’s masked monologuing in ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ and a relative annoyance in ‘Interstellar’ becomes a clear and present danger in ‘Tenet.’ Yes, film is a visual medium, but ‘Tenet’ is an espionage thriller with copious amounts of exposition…Once again, the audio mix emphasizes music,...
- 9/1/2020
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
We had such high hopes for The New Mutants. The internet collectively loved the horror-infused first trailer for the movie that dropped all the way back in 2017, and after Dark Phoenix flopped last summer, X-Men fans kept their fingers crossed that the ever-delayed teen-flavored spinoff would prove to be a better final installment of Fox’s X-franchise. At long last, The New Mutants opens in theaters today, but it’s been met with damning reviews from critics.
Josh Boone’s movie currently sports a paltry 20% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 20 reviews. Things could improve, then, as more critics give their thoughts, but that’s definitely not what we wanted to see. The audience score is somewhat better, but it’s still only 55% on the back of 163 ratings. So, this isn’t even one of those times when you can say “well, at least the fans love it.”
But...
Josh Boone’s movie currently sports a paltry 20% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 20 reviews. Things could improve, then, as more critics give their thoughts, but that’s definitely not what we wanted to see. The audience score is somewhat better, but it’s still only 55% on the back of 163 ratings. So, this isn’t even one of those times when you can say “well, at least the fans love it.”
But...
- 8/28/2020
- by Christian Bone
- We Got This Covered
After years of delays, “The New Mutants” is finally in theaters, and a select few critics braved theaters to get the first look. But the verdict from early reviews is that Josh Boone’s “so-so” “X-Men” spinoff wasn’t worth the long wait, and may not be worth moviegoers immediately going back to theaters either.
“The New Mutants” has been delayed since before even the Disney-Fox merger way back in 2018, and some fans wondered if it would ever hit the big screen. And now that it has, Disney did not make the film widely available to critics, with some like The A.V. Club announcing their intentions not to review the film at all.
But a smattering of critics — just 18 on Rotten Tomatoes at the time of writing — have saddled “The New Mutants” with a lowly 22% on Rotten Tomatoes, calling it “middling,” “so-so,” or “perfectly fine,” with one critic going...
“The New Mutants” has been delayed since before even the Disney-Fox merger way back in 2018, and some fans wondered if it would ever hit the big screen. And now that it has, Disney did not make the film widely available to critics, with some like The A.V. Club announcing their intentions not to review the film at all.
But a smattering of critics — just 18 on Rotten Tomatoes at the time of writing — have saddled “The New Mutants” with a lowly 22% on Rotten Tomatoes, calling it “middling,” “so-so,” or “perfectly fine,” with one critic going...
- 8/28/2020
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
We got our best look yet at the Snyder Cut of Justice League at last weekend’s DC FanDome event, and it would be an understatement to say that the fans who backed the two and a half year online campaign were more than happy with what they saw. The reassembled version of the Dceu’s all-star movie already looks to be hugely superior to the theatrical release, and with HBO Max releasing it in four hour-long installments, it’s also going to be twice as long as the studio-mandated 120 minute running time of Joss Whedon’s cut.
With Zack Snyder having shot the last of his footage well over three years ago at this point, there’s only a finite amount of new material that can be added into Justice League, although the filmmaker admitted that up to 75% of his take will have never been seen before. However, that...
With Zack Snyder having shot the last of his footage well over three years ago at this point, there’s only a finite amount of new material that can be added into Justice League, although the filmmaker admitted that up to 75% of his take will have never been seen before. However, that...
- 8/24/2020
- by Scott Campbell
- We Got This Covered
Exclusive: Believe it or not the 1990 Oscar-winning box office blockbuster Ghost celebrates its 30th anniversary this month, and to mark that milestone Paramount Home Entertainment’s Paramount Presents label releases a new limited edition collectible Blu-ray on Tuesday which has been remastered from a 4K film transfer supervised by director Jerry Zucker including a new Filmmaker Focus with him and other previously seen extras. As you might recall Ghost tells the story of Sam (Patrick Swayze) who is recently departed from the living world, but left behind in spirit form. While desperate to reconnect with the love of his life, Molly (Demi Moore), Sam discovers his death wasn’t just a random robbery gone bad. To solve his own murder, he enlists the talents of a skeptical psychic (Whoopi Goldberg in her Academy Award-winning role), who doesn’t even believe her own abilities.
An article last week in Forbes, which...
An article last week in Forbes, which...
- 7/20/2020
- by Pete Hammond
- Deadline Film + TV
Warner Bros. has screened its latest DC Comics tentpole “Birds of Prey” for press, and the first wave of reactions on social media from film critics and journalists are universally strong. “Birds of Prey” is directed by Cathy Yan, making her studio debut after the indie drama “Dead Pigs,” and finds Margot Robbie reprising her role of Harley Quinn following David Ayer’s “Suicide Squad.” In the upcoming comic book action comedy, Harley is newly single from Joker and teams up with fellow heroes Huntress (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), Black Canary (Jurnee Smollett-Bell), and Renee Montoya (Rose Perez) to protect young Cassandra Cain (Ella Jay Basco) from the villainous Black Mash (Ewan McGregor) and his henchman after she steals his precious diamond.
“‘Birds of Prey’ is delightfully unassuming and unconcerned with its place in a larger context. It’s a bonkers, bananas crime comedy and a genuine party movie,” writes Forbes’ Scott Mendelson about the film.
“‘Birds of Prey’ is delightfully unassuming and unconcerned with its place in a larger context. It’s a bonkers, bananas crime comedy and a genuine party movie,” writes Forbes’ Scott Mendelson about the film.
- 1/30/2020
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
Kirsten Howard Jan 30, 2020
Harley Quinn leads her own movie with Birds of Prey, and the early reviews on social media are positive!
These days, DC movies are like a box of chocolates: you never know what you're gonna get. Also, it can be messy. Sometimes, there can more than one layer. Can I be candid? I already regret this analogy.
Much of the recent Warner Bros/DC live-action output has been all over the shop, with the studio once again trying to find their feet in a Marvel-heavy cinematic landscape. Suicide Squad (2016) was a disappointment for most, Wonder Woman (2017) did surprisingly well, Justice League (2017) staggered onto screens after a ton of behind the scenes problems, Aquaman (2018) cashed in more than a billion dollars at the global box office despite some middling reviews, and Shazam! (2019) got a solid thumbs up across the board. Meanwhile, Joker lived in its own version of Gotham past,...
Harley Quinn leads her own movie with Birds of Prey, and the early reviews on social media are positive!
These days, DC movies are like a box of chocolates: you never know what you're gonna get. Also, it can be messy. Sometimes, there can more than one layer. Can I be candid? I already regret this analogy.
Much of the recent Warner Bros/DC live-action output has been all over the shop, with the studio once again trying to find their feet in a Marvel-heavy cinematic landscape. Suicide Squad (2016) was a disappointment for most, Wonder Woman (2017) did surprisingly well, Justice League (2017) staggered onto screens after a ton of behind the scenes problems, Aquaman (2018) cashed in more than a billion dollars at the global box office despite some middling reviews, and Shazam! (2019) got a solid thumbs up across the board. Meanwhile, Joker lived in its own version of Gotham past,...
- 1/30/2020
- Den of Geek
Margot Robbie‘s Birds of Prey may not be in theaters yet, but it’s already getting rave reviews from the critics who’ve seen it.
The film, which comes out on Feb. 7, stars Robbie as Harley Quinn after her breakup with the Joker and, on a ride to find herself, she joins a group of female superheroes on a mission to save a young girl from a crime lord, Black Mask, played by Ewan McGregor.
Birds of Prey is the spinoff to 2016’s Suicide Squad, which saw Robbie star as Quinn — although it’s safe to say the indomitable...
The film, which comes out on Feb. 7, stars Robbie as Harley Quinn after her breakup with the Joker and, on a ride to find herself, she joins a group of female superheroes on a mission to save a young girl from a crime lord, Black Mask, played by Ewan McGregor.
Birds of Prey is the spinoff to 2016’s Suicide Squad, which saw Robbie star as Quinn — although it’s safe to say the indomitable...
- 1/30/2020
- by Alexia Fernandez
- PEOPLE.com
Next month will see the release of the latest comic book movie from DC and Warner Bros., with Birds of Prey looking to follow in Joker’s R-rated footsteps and hit it big at the box office. While we don’t expect Cathy Yan’s female-driven blockbuster to come anywhere close to replicating the billion-dollar haul and subsequent awards push that the Joaquin Phoenix-starring film has seen, the critical and commercial renaissance of the Dceu certainly bodes well for it.
That being said, Birds of Prey hasn’t been without issues, given that we know John Wick’s Chad Stahelski had to be drafted in to oversee some extensive reshoots and punch up the action a bit. But word on the street is that the additional shooting has only improved things. And if the first wave of reactions is to be believed, then WB has another big hit on their hands.
That being said, Birds of Prey hasn’t been without issues, given that we know John Wick’s Chad Stahelski had to be drafted in to oversee some extensive reshoots and punch up the action a bit. But word on the street is that the additional shooting has only improved things. And if the first wave of reactions is to be believed, then WB has another big hit on their hands.
- 1/29/2020
- by Matt Joseph
- We Got This Covered
“Birds of Prey” had its world premiere in London on Wednesday night and attendees have started to weigh in with their reactions on social media.
So what did they think of DC’s first ensemble female superhero movie? The reactions are positive with critic Courtney Howard calling the film “Delightfully devilish & deliriously wicked,this irreverent, rule-breaking riot delivers a contact high.”
#BirdsofPrey is an absolute blast & undeniably fun live wire jolt of adrenaline. Delightfully devilish & deliriously wicked,this irreverent, rule-breaking riot delivers a contact high. Cathy Yan is a genius. Robbie, Smollett, Winstead, Perez & Basco are perfection. @birdsofpreywb pic.twitter.com/D72F2D1apY
— Courtney Howard (@Lulamaybelle) January 29, 2020
Film critic Alisha Grauso said the film is “like if John Wick were run through a crazy funhouse filter and stuffed full of glitter and f-bombs.”
Also Read: 'Birds of Prey' New Trailer Shows Harley Quinn Bouncing Back From...
So what did they think of DC’s first ensemble female superhero movie? The reactions are positive with critic Courtney Howard calling the film “Delightfully devilish & deliriously wicked,this irreverent, rule-breaking riot delivers a contact high.”
#BirdsofPrey is an absolute blast & undeniably fun live wire jolt of adrenaline. Delightfully devilish & deliriously wicked,this irreverent, rule-breaking riot delivers a contact high. Cathy Yan is a genius. Robbie, Smollett, Winstead, Perez & Basco are perfection. @birdsofpreywb pic.twitter.com/D72F2D1apY
— Courtney Howard (@Lulamaybelle) January 29, 2020
Film critic Alisha Grauso said the film is “like if John Wick were run through a crazy funhouse filter and stuffed full of glitter and f-bombs.”
Also Read: 'Birds of Prey' New Trailer Shows Harley Quinn Bouncing Back From...
- 1/29/2020
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
Blake Lively’s new film The Rhythm Section opens Friday — and the reviews are already in!
The action thriller, which also stars Jude Law and Sterling K. Brown, has been met with mixed reactions, though Lively’s performance is largely being praised.
The Rhythm Section, long delayed due to an injury Lively sustained on set, follows Stephanie Patrick, an ordinary British woman who loses her family in a tragic accident and sets out to avenge her loved ones’ deaths by killing the killers.
In a review for Forbes, Scott Mendelson notes that Lively delivers a “terrific lead performance” in the Reed Morano-directed thriller.
The action thriller, which also stars Jude Law and Sterling K. Brown, has been met with mixed reactions, though Lively’s performance is largely being praised.
The Rhythm Section, long delayed due to an injury Lively sustained on set, follows Stephanie Patrick, an ordinary British woman who loses her family in a tragic accident and sets out to avenge her loved ones’ deaths by killing the killers.
In a review for Forbes, Scott Mendelson notes that Lively delivers a “terrific lead performance” in the Reed Morano-directed thriller.
- 1/29/2020
- by Ally Mauch
- PEOPLE.com
At long last, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is here, but maybe we should wish it wasn’t. After all the hype, reviews are finally out and, there’s no way around it, the consensus is mostly negative. Rotten Tomatoes has officially decreed it “Rotten,” with an opening rating of just 58%, making it the second lowest-scored Star Wars movie of the lot. Only The Phantom Menace ranks below it.
To give you a feel of just how harsh reviewers are being about Episode IX, here are some of the cruelest comments from critics across the web for you to grimly peruse. We had such high hopes!
Let’s start things off relatively soft with Jake Coyle of The Associated Press. Though he labelled Rise unsatisfying, he did say that was because the Disney Star Wars films that have come before it have been largely enjoyable.
“For a movie predicated on satisfying fans,...
To give you a feel of just how harsh reviewers are being about Episode IX, here are some of the cruelest comments from critics across the web for you to grimly peruse. We had such high hopes!
Let’s start things off relatively soft with Jake Coyle of The Associated Press. Though he labelled Rise unsatisfying, he did say that was because the Disney Star Wars films that have come before it have been largely enjoyable.
“For a movie predicated on satisfying fans,...
- 12/19/2019
- by Christian Bone
- We Got This Covered
IndieWire box office reporter Tom Brueggemann wrote in the middle of October that Warner Bros.’ revisionist comic book drama “Joker” could be headed near or past the coveted $1 billion at the worldwide box office. One month later, “Joker” is all but destined to join the $1 billion club, no small feat for an R-rated movie that trades in standard action beats for more character-focused drama. A new report from Forbes’ senior contributor Scott Mendelson says “Joker” will be near $957 million worldwide by the end of November 8, making $1 billion all but assured. More importantly, “Joker” has become the most profitable comic book film ever released.
With a reported production budget of $62.5 million, “Joker” has so far earned just over 15 times its cost and counting (15.3x if we’re being exact). Forbes reports that multiplier makes “Joker” more profitable than any other comic book release in terms of budget versus global gross. “Joker...
With a reported production budget of $62.5 million, “Joker” has so far earned just over 15 times its cost and counting (15.3x if we’re being exact). Forbes reports that multiplier makes “Joker” more profitable than any other comic book release in terms of budget versus global gross. “Joker...
- 11/8/2019
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
The Most Badass Film Of The Year With An 88% Audience Score On Rotten Tomatoes!
Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw, available on Digital on October 15, 2019, as well as on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, DVD and On Demand on November 5, 2019, amps up the high-stakes action and sharp-edged humor like never before, taking fans down an exhilarating new road. Unforgettable franchise favorites Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson; “Skyscraper,” “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle”) and Deckard Shaw forge an unlikely partnership that provides fresh insight into their backstories. Johnson and Statham’s “sheer movie star charisma” take the action, spectacle, thrills and humor to a new level and have already earned the film more than $680 million at the global box office.
Hobbs & Shaw features over 80 minutes* of never-before-seen bonus content including an alternate opening, deleted and extended scenes and several featurettes with the filmmakers and cast that take fans further into the thrilling story. A hit with audiences,...
Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw, available on Digital on October 15, 2019, as well as on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, DVD and On Demand on November 5, 2019, amps up the high-stakes action and sharp-edged humor like never before, taking fans down an exhilarating new road. Unforgettable franchise favorites Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson; “Skyscraper,” “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle”) and Deckard Shaw forge an unlikely partnership that provides fresh insight into their backstories. Johnson and Statham’s “sheer movie star charisma” take the action, spectacle, thrills and humor to a new level and have already earned the film more than $680 million at the global box office.
Hobbs & Shaw features over 80 minutes* of never-before-seen bonus content including an alternate opening, deleted and extended scenes and several featurettes with the filmmakers and cast that take fans further into the thrilling story. A hit with audiences,...
- 10/28/2019
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Box office analysts, critics and even a major filmmaker gave the thumbs-down Wednesday to a major redesign of Box Office Mojo that removed longtime options and moved some data to IMDBPro, parent company IMDb’s subscription service.
It’s the first major overhaul of the site since IMDb, a subsidiary of Amazon, purchased the website from creator Brandon Gray in 2008. The new version of the site significantly resembles IMDbPro, which is now prominently featured at the top of the webpage with the branding “Box Office Mojo by IMDbPro.” And according to the company, some information will be available only on IMDbPro, which costs $19.99 per month, or $149.99 for an annual membership.
Among the information now requiring a subscription are breakdowns of box office performance for various genres, and historical data for Hollywood studios; it’s not clear what else may be locked behind the paywall, but among the data removed entirely...
It’s the first major overhaul of the site since IMDb, a subsidiary of Amazon, purchased the website from creator Brandon Gray in 2008. The new version of the site significantly resembles IMDbPro, which is now prominently featured at the top of the webpage with the branding “Box Office Mojo by IMDbPro.” And according to the company, some information will be available only on IMDbPro, which costs $19.99 per month, or $149.99 for an annual membership.
Among the information now requiring a subscription are breakdowns of box office performance for various genres, and historical data for Hollywood studios; it’s not clear what else may be locked behind the paywall, but among the data removed entirely...
- 10/24/2019
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
We are marinating in violence. Real or fictional, we are up to our eyeballs in aggression, anger and angst. From the evening news to the latest blockbusters, we are surrounded by stories using violence as the means to resolve conflict.
It seems that every week a mass shooting occurs or an ultra-violent film opens. Occasionally, events in the two worlds collide, and the fictional script is quickly nixed to avoid any possible controversy. Following the recent mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton, Universal pulled the theatrical release of “The Hunt,” a film described in Variety as one “in which rural white conservatives are targeted for death by a group of liberal elites.” Writing for Fortune, Scott Mendelson noted the hypocritical nature of the decision to pull this release while allowing countless other, larger films also loaded with violence to head to the local multiplex. He suggested pulling the plug...
It seems that every week a mass shooting occurs or an ultra-violent film opens. Occasionally, events in the two worlds collide, and the fictional script is quickly nixed to avoid any possible controversy. Following the recent mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton, Universal pulled the theatrical release of “The Hunt,” a film described in Variety as one “in which rural white conservatives are targeted for death by a group of liberal elites.” Writing for Fortune, Scott Mendelson noted the hypocritical nature of the decision to pull this release while allowing countless other, larger films also loaded with violence to head to the local multiplex. He suggested pulling the plug...
- 10/17/2019
- by Martha Lauzen
- Variety Film + TV
December is fast approaching and with it will come Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, the ninth, and final, installment in the mainline series. However, excitement for the film is a little more tepid than its forerunners.
There are a number of factors at play, but the most pertinent is possibly audience fatigue. When The Force Awakens debuted, it was the start of an ambitious plan from Disney and Lucasfilm. They wanted to release one Star Wars movie a year and though this was initially successful, with the J.J. Abrams-directed seventh entry shattering box office records left and right, the writing was on the wall shortly after.
The Last Jedi and Rogue One, while both incredibly successful, suffered from diminishing returns, with neither able to match the numbers that The Force Awakens posted. What’s more, the former quickly became the most divisive entry in the Star Wars canon.
There are a number of factors at play, but the most pertinent is possibly audience fatigue. When The Force Awakens debuted, it was the start of an ambitious plan from Disney and Lucasfilm. They wanted to release one Star Wars movie a year and though this was initially successful, with the J.J. Abrams-directed seventh entry shattering box office records left and right, the writing was on the wall shortly after.
The Last Jedi and Rogue One, while both incredibly successful, suffered from diminishing returns, with neither able to match the numbers that The Force Awakens posted. What’s more, the former quickly became the most divisive entry in the Star Wars canon.
- 9/20/2019
- by John Mason
- We Got This Covered
It’s hard to say that Will Smith might have lost his blockbuster status at some point, but then again it’s hard to say with a straight face that he was entirely redemptive with all but one of his last few attempts. Aladdin, as Scott Mendelson of Forbes puts it, was Smith’s ticket back to prominence since quite honestly the early criticism that came his way when he was first introduced as the blue-skinned Genie was absolutely brutal. But it would already seem that Aladdin has been one of the best live-action Disney movies that’s been released since Beauty and the
Can Will Smith Make It Back to Blockbuster Star With Gemini Man?...
Can Will Smith Make It Back to Blockbuster Star With Gemini Man?...
- 7/27/2019
- by Tom
- TVovermind.com
Universal Pictures left the industry in a state of wonder at CinemaCon when it announced “digital fur technology” was being used to turn the actors in Tom Hooper’s “Cats” musical adaptation into felines. What exactly would Idris Elba, Judi Dench, Jennifer Hudson, and Taylor Swift look like with digital fur added to their faces and bodies? That answer finally arrived with the debut of the “Cats” official trailer, and the reactions from film critics and journalists is overwhelming, to say the least.
“Cats” is based on Andrew Lloyd Webber’s long-running West End and Broadway musical of the same name. The story is set during a single night and follows a group of homeless cats called the Jellicles as they decide which cat will ascend to a place called the Heaviside Layer and come back to a new life. The musical was based on a collection of short stories written by T.S. Eliot.
“Cats” is based on Andrew Lloyd Webber’s long-running West End and Broadway musical of the same name. The story is set during a single night and follows a group of homeless cats called the Jellicles as they decide which cat will ascend to a place called the Heaviside Layer and come back to a new life. The musical was based on a collection of short stories written by T.S. Eliot.
- 7/18/2019
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
Most of us have to wait until “Avengers: Endgame” hits theaters Thursday night to find out how Earth’s Mightiest Heroes bounce back from Thanos’ finger-snap in “Infinity War,” but not the lucky bastards who were invited to the Marvel film’s gala premiere Monday night in Los Angeles.
That premiere ended at 10 p.m. Pt, and so did the social media embargo, so you know what that means: Twitter is now flooded with reactions.
So what did they think? Are people who saw it happy and satisfied with what appears to be the conclusion of the original Avengers’ story? Do they hate it? Don’t worry everyone, if the word out of the premiere is anything to go on, you’re going to love “Avengers: Endgame.” (Whew!)
Also Read: 'Avengers: Endgame' After Dark: Some Theaters Will Run Round-the-Clock Screenings
For the most part, reactions are ecstatic. Peter Sciretta...
That premiere ended at 10 p.m. Pt, and so did the social media embargo, so you know what that means: Twitter is now flooded with reactions.
So what did they think? Are people who saw it happy and satisfied with what appears to be the conclusion of the original Avengers’ story? Do they hate it? Don’t worry everyone, if the word out of the premiere is anything to go on, you’re going to love “Avengers: Endgame.” (Whew!)
Also Read: 'Avengers: Endgame' After Dark: Some Theaters Will Run Round-the-Clock Screenings
For the most part, reactions are ecstatic. Peter Sciretta...
- 4/23/2019
- by Ross A. Lincoln
- The Wrap
So far the result of Shazam! hitting the theaters seems to indicate that Black Adam might not even need to be in an anticipated sequel at all as Scott Mendelson from Forbes indicates. This is kind of interesting to hear since to be honest we’ve been hearing more rumors about the darkly-clad villain that seems to give Shazam so much more trouble than anyone in the comics. In fact it’s safe to say that we’ve heard more about him than the titular hero in the past couple of years since the rumors have been flying pretty heavily. According to Josh
10 Reasons We Think “Black Adam” Won’t Compete with “Shazam”...
10 Reasons We Think “Black Adam” Won’t Compete with “Shazam”...
- 4/12/2019
- by Tom
- TVovermind.com
2019 is set to be a ridiculously huge year for Disney for a multitude of reasons, from the upcoming Disney Plus platform to the impending Fox merger, but in terms of cinematic releases, the two biggest events are almost certainly Avengers: Endgame and Star Wars: Episode IX. But while Forbes writer Scott Mendelson is predicting these two major blockbusters to be the year’s highest-grossing releases, he also argues that J.J. Abrams’ upcoming trilogy-closer is unlikely to do as well as Marvel’s ensemble actioner.
Both Episode IX and Endgame are following up the highest global grossers of their respective year – 2017’s Star Wars: The Last Jedi for the former, and 2018’s Avengers: Infinity War for the latter – but that’s not to say that the pair have an equal amount of hype behind them. For one thing, The Last Jedi has been met with considerable online backlash, and it remains...
Both Episode IX and Endgame are following up the highest global grossers of their respective year – 2017’s Star Wars: The Last Jedi for the former, and 2018’s Avengers: Infinity War for the latter – but that’s not to say that the pair have an equal amount of hype behind them. For one thing, The Last Jedi has been met with considerable online backlash, and it remains...
- 2/5/2019
- by David Pountain
- We Got This Covered
The sad story of 2016’s Ghostbusters is one that’s often been discussed. The reboot was plagued with vicious reactions from various corners of the internet right from the beginning and, unfortunately, the film was unable to totally prove its dissenters wrong when it was released in cinemas. Despite making a relatively hefty amount at the box office and earning a cult following, the inflated budget meant that it was viewed as a failure.
So, why did Paul Feig’s Ghostbusters not have the impact it should have? Nobody actually takes the opinions of sexist Twitter trolls seriously, so why did audiences fail to flock to theaters to see Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones bust some ghosts? Well, a new look at the situation from Forbes’ movie analyst Scott Mendelson suggests that the blame can be pinned on… Star Wars.
Or, more accurately, the trend for...
So, why did Paul Feig’s Ghostbusters not have the impact it should have? Nobody actually takes the opinions of sexist Twitter trolls seriously, so why did audiences fail to flock to theaters to see Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones bust some ghosts? Well, a new look at the situation from Forbes’ movie analyst Scott Mendelson suggests that the blame can be pinned on… Star Wars.
Or, more accurately, the trend for...
- 1/22/2019
- by Christian Bone
- We Got This Covered
After M. Night Shyamalan’s 2016 film “Split” was revealed to be set in the same universe as his 2000 superhero thriller “Unbreakable,” the director brings all the characters together in “Glass.”
The heroes and villains of the previous two movies return in “Glass.” Bruce Willis plays David Dunn, the security guard with super strength; Samuel L. Jackson is Elijah Price a.k.a. the evil genius Mr. Glass who has bones as fragile as his nickname; and James McAvoy returns as Kevin Wendell Crumb, the villain from “Split” who has 24 different personalities.
In his review for Variety, Owen Gleiberman bemoans the lack of mystery and discovery that made the first two films so special. “The movie, watchable as it is, is still a disappointment, because it extends and belabors the conceits of ‘Unbreakable’ without the sensation of mystical dark discovery that made that film indelible,” he said.
“Glass” hits theaters on Jan.
The heroes and villains of the previous two movies return in “Glass.” Bruce Willis plays David Dunn, the security guard with super strength; Samuel L. Jackson is Elijah Price a.k.a. the evil genius Mr. Glass who has bones as fragile as his nickname; and James McAvoy returns as Kevin Wendell Crumb, the villain from “Split” who has 24 different personalities.
In his review for Variety, Owen Gleiberman bemoans the lack of mystery and discovery that made the first two films so special. “The movie, watchable as it is, is still a disappointment, because it extends and belabors the conceits of ‘Unbreakable’ without the sensation of mystical dark discovery that made that film indelible,” he said.
“Glass” hits theaters on Jan.
- 1/9/2019
- by Jordan Moreau
- Variety Film + TV
The output of Glass helmsman M. Night Shyamalan hasn’t always earned the most affectionate of responses, with his run from 2004’s The Village to 2013’s After Earth yielding one critical dud after another. Nonetheless, if the reception to 2015’s The Visit was mixed-to-positive, 2017’s Split officially put the filmmaker back in the good graces of critics. And when the James McAvoy-led horror hit teased a subsequent crossover with 2000’s Unbreakable, it looked like Shyamalan was all set to keep the momentum going.
Sadly, it appears as if the filmmaker’s triumphant comeback may have hit a snag, with early reviews of Glass suggesting a messy and dated work. Just take this new write-up from Inverse’s Eric Francisco, who suggests that the long-awaited follow-up to Unbreakable has come along many years too late:
“The point Shyamalan makes is that superheroes dominate our culture so much we now think...
Sadly, it appears as if the filmmaker’s triumphant comeback may have hit a snag, with early reviews of Glass suggesting a messy and dated work. Just take this new write-up from Inverse’s Eric Francisco, who suggests that the long-awaited follow-up to Unbreakable has come along many years too late:
“The point Shyamalan makes is that superheroes dominate our culture so much we now think...
- 1/9/2019
- by David Pountain
- We Got This Covered
Star Wars: Episode IX currently sits at the opposite end of what could be a very long 2019, but given the Sequel Trilogy’s marketing history, there’s an excellent chance that the film’s title reveal is just around the corner.
It’s a subject that’s addressed in a recent piece from The Hollywood Reporter, which observes how the official subtitle of The Last Jedi was announced on January 23rd, 2017, suggesting that we could well have a name by the end of the month. Scott Mendelson of Forbes, meanwhile, chimed in via Twitter with the similar forecast that the title will be dropping in three weeks.
That being said, there’s also been some speculation that the 53rd Super Bowl on February 3rd will be the right time for such an announcement, but either way, the online consensus is very much that the title drop is less than a month away.
It’s a subject that’s addressed in a recent piece from The Hollywood Reporter, which observes how the official subtitle of The Last Jedi was announced on January 23rd, 2017, suggesting that we could well have a name by the end of the month. Scott Mendelson of Forbes, meanwhile, chimed in via Twitter with the similar forecast that the title will be dropping in three weeks.
That being said, there’s also been some speculation that the 53rd Super Bowl on February 3rd will be the right time for such an announcement, but either way, the online consensus is very much that the title drop is less than a month away.
- 1/6/2019
- by David Pountain
- We Got This Covered
Reviews are in for Adam McKay’s Dick Cheney biopic, and it’s not all awards-season buzz.
Despite garnering six nominations for this year’s Golden Globes, McKay’s kitschy approach to the politically charged film has polarized reviewers, prompting a mix of scathing critiques and celebratory praise for the director’s distinct film style.
What critics can agree on, however, is actor Christian Bale’s performance as the film’s central political character. In his review for Variety, Owen Gleiberman praised Bale’s descent into political madness, calling the performance a “virtuoso” impersonation of a politician “who has no problem stomping on the Constitution.”
“Bale, thanks to a stupendous job of prosthetic enhancement, disappears inside Cheney’s doughy armchair-warrior physique and deceptively innocuous balding head, but a puckish aura of Bale obsession shines through; he channels everything about Cheney that, in the Bush era, made him such a recessive and,...
Despite garnering six nominations for this year’s Golden Globes, McKay’s kitschy approach to the politically charged film has polarized reviewers, prompting a mix of scathing critiques and celebratory praise for the director’s distinct film style.
What critics can agree on, however, is actor Christian Bale’s performance as the film’s central political character. In his review for Variety, Owen Gleiberman praised Bale’s descent into political madness, calling the performance a “virtuoso” impersonation of a politician “who has no problem stomping on the Constitution.”
“Bale, thanks to a stupendous job of prosthetic enhancement, disappears inside Cheney’s doughy armchair-warrior physique and deceptively innocuous balding head, but a puckish aura of Bale obsession shines through; he channels everything about Cheney that, in the Bush era, made him such a recessive and,...
- 12/17/2018
- by Nate Nickolai
- Variety Film + TV
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