- Wicked Returns For Good: Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande Reunite for Act 2
After a year-long intermission, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo are flying back into theaters for Wicked: For Good, directed by Jon M. Chu. The story picks up just after Elphaba (Erivo) has fled the Emerald City, upon realizing that the Wizard (Jeff Goldblum) isn’t as “wonderful” as she was told. With its roots as a stage…
- Rewriting Dystopia: Edgar Wright and Glen Powell Play to Win with ‘The Running Man’ Remake
When I think of the filmmakers who have shaped my personal taste in movies, Edgar Wright is one of those names at the top of the list. In my eyes, he has not had a single miss across his filmography, from his signature Cornetto Trilogy (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, and The World’s End),…
- Now Streaming on Disney+: ‘The Fantastic Four:First Steps’ Proves That Family Is the Strongest Superpower
The Fantastic Four: The First Steps has made its long-awaited debut on Disney+. Originally released in theaters on July 25, 2025, fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe were eagerly awaiting this superhero team to “flame on” to their screens at home. And it did not disappoint. Directed by Matt Shakman, the movie follows a team…
- ‘Regretting You’ Struggles to Balance Comedy and Tragedy, Faltering Under Its Own Emotional Weight
Regretting You is a dramatic romance that achieves much more in the comedy department than in the romance one. It is overly aspirational in its adaptation of the 2019 novel by writer Colleen Hoover, attempting to cram in oversized tragic plotlines without enough dramatic chops to measure up to the task—whether from its cast or,…
- ‘Maintenance Required’ Sputters in its Attempt to Give the Rom-Com Trope a Modern Tune-Up
“Maintenance Required” marks the directorial debut of writer-director Lacey Uhlemeyer, centering on a female-led, family-owned auto repair shop. The film is largely inspired by a short documentary she previously created about an all-female auto shop, as well as classic romantic comedies. Stylistically, the film leans unabashedly into romantic comedy tropes, calling to mind genre staples…
- “The Smashing Machine” Delivers a Knockout: Safdie’s Solo Debut and Johnson’s Career Best
“Uncut Gems” co-director Benny Safdie makes his solo directorial debut with another A24 film, “The Smashing Machine,” a biopic tribute to the birth of MMA and one of its pioneers, Mark Kerr. The year is 1997, and Mark Kerr (Dwayne Johnson) is at the height of his MMA career. He’s won two consecutive UFC titles,…
- Still Casting Spells: Original “Hocus Pocus” Cast Reunites in Salem for a Wicked Weekend
As October begins, All Hallows’ Eve is brewing and bubbling once again in Massachusetts. For the third year in a row, the cast of “Hocus Pocus” returned to kick off the season with the third annual “It’s Just a Buncha Halloween,” a weekend-long celebration of the beloved cult classic. The festivities culminated on October 5…
- Moving Forward After the Split: Sweeney’s “Twinless” Offers a Searing Portrait of Grief and Redemption
After James Sweeney’s 2019 debut feature “Straight Up,” he has returned as writer, director, and lead actor in “Twinless,” a measured dark comedy and psychological drama that picks at the scabs of grief and absence. The film’s premise centers around a chance encounter between Roman (Dylan O’ Brien) and Dennis (James Sweeney) at a support…
- Tatum and Cianfrance Tackle One of NC’s Most Notorious Figures in “Roofman”
The city of Charlotte, North Carolina is not exactly known for its representation in major cinematic productions, at least in comparison to your typical New York City, Los Angeles, or Chicago centric films. However, Channing Tatum appears to have laid claim to Charlotte in his filmography more than any other A-list star. “Roofman” marks the…
- Netflix’s “The Hunting Wives” Hits The Mark Delivering on Desire, Deceit, and Deadly Drama
Netflix’s newest book-to-screen adaptation, “The Hunting Wives,” brings May Cobb’s best-selling novel to life in an eight-episode series brimming with intrigue, betrayal, and Southern charm. Think “Big Little Lies,” but with a Texas twang. The series follows Sophie (Brittany Snow), a devoted mother who uproots her life from Cambridge, MA, to a small town in…
- Sex, Ultraviolence, and Deadpan Wit: Coen and Cooke Deliver Again with ‘Honey Don’t!’
After their 2024 runaway hit Drive-Away Dolls, Ethan Coen and his wife and creative partner, Tricia Cooke, are keeping their foot on the gas with the second film, Honey Don’t!, in their unexpected sapphic trilogy. Margaret Qualley, who starred in Drive-Away Dolls, slides back into the driver’s seat as Honey O’Donohue, a private investigator and…
- Punching Up: Director Eva Victor Blends Humor and Healing in A24 Debut “Sorry, Baby”
You may recognize Eva Victor as Rian from “Billions” or for their sharp satire writing for Reductress. This year, they’re poised to make their mark as a director with their debut feature film, “Sorry, Baby.” The critically acclaimed A24 project, which premiered at Sundance in January, follows Agnes (played by Victor) through five pivotal years…
- Freakier Friday: Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan Reunite for the Ultimate Sequel
Break out your chokers and chunky blonde hair streaks: Y2K is so back. And along with it? The 2000s cult classic Freaky Friday, making a triumphant return in a sequel nobody expected to work… but totally does. In her silver-screen comeback, Lindsay Lohan returns to her (dyed blonde) roots, reprising her role as Anna in Freakier Friday alongside…
- ‘The Queen of My Dreams’ Cast Talks Comfort Movies, Cultural Identity, and Healing Through Film
Do you have a comfort movie – the kind you return to when you’re craving nostalgia or a little escape? In her semi-autobiographical debut feature, The Queen of My Dreams, writer-director Fawzia Mirza, explores the power of cinema and its ability to bridge generations and offer sanctuary in the face of loss. In the wake…
- Missing the Mark: Ana De Armas in ‘Ballerina’ and the Limits of Spin-Off Cinema
The world of John Wick is one that I have always enjoyed visiting, so when I heard that there was a spin-off film starring Ana De Armas in this universe, my anticipation was high for another entry in this bombastic action franchise. Despite some rumblings about a troubled production with extensive reshoots, I remained hopeful…
- Inside “Neighborhood Watch”: Director Duncan Skiles on New Film with Jack Quaid and Jeffrey Dean Morgan
The latest film on our docket is RLJE’s “Neighborhood Watch,” a feature that skillfully blends criminal drama with dry humor. When Simon (Jack Quaid) witnesses a kidnapping in broad daylight, he tries to alert the authorities, but his history of mental illness makes it difficult for him to get anyone to take him seriously. Eventually,…
- “A Nice Indian Boy”: Roshan Sethi and Karan Soni on Love, Identity, and Breaking Tradition
Following its acclaimed premiere at SXSW in 2024, “A Nice Indian Boy” will make its theatrical debut on April 4. Adapted from the play by Madurai Shekar and directed by Roshan Sethi, the film celebrates family, Indian tradition, and “the bigness of love.” On the night of his sister’s traditional Indian wedding, Naveen (Karan Soni…
- Liz Gillies and Matt Bennett Talk “Victorious” at Boston’s Northeastern University
Elizabeth “Liz” Gillies and Matt Bennett reunited at Northeastern University for a night of mayhem and memories. The duo first connected on the Nickelodeon smash hit “Victorious” as Jade and Robbie, which aired from 2010-2013 and launched the careers of other stars like Ariana Grande, Leon Thomas III, Avan Jogia, and Victoria Justice. The show…
- Critics Choice Awards 2025: Key Wins, Surprises, and Oscar Implications
After a few delays due to the recent wildfires in Southern California, the 30th annual Critics Choice Awards were held on Friday, February 7, 2025. Chelsea Handler returned as the host for the third year in a row. The results of the Critics Choice Awards have historically been fairly accurate predictors of the Oscars in…
- Cynthia Erivo on Hasty Pudding 2025 Woman of the Year Honor: “I Like to Be Surprised”
Cynthia Erivo is no stranger to the spotlight, but this year, she’s really defying gravity. Following her critically acclaimed debut as Elphaba in Wicked: Part One, the award-winning actress, singer, and producer has been named Harvard University’s Hasty Pudding Theatricals’ Woman of the Year. The honor, bestowed annually by Harvard’s storied theater troupe, celebrates Erivo’s…