Movies

Backlash over a mythological creature is utterly ridiculous — Last year, when Disney announced they cast Halle Bailey, a Black singer and actress, to play Ariel, a mermaid-turned-princess in their live-action musical rendition of The Little Mermaid, the Black community started bracing for impact. The backlash over the Wonder Years remake featuring a Black family, Black cast members in…

Telling a very popular story over 45 years has some structural problems. And the main one is…age — I wonder what the people who think Star Wars isn’t science fiction do with Andor? You know, we’re further from the Phantom Menace now than it was from New Hope. Now don’t you feel old? Telling a very popular story over 45 years has some structural problems. And the main one is…age. The kids who watched New Hope are now in our 40s and 50s. I have no solid data on how well Star Wars is holding up with kids, but the success of Andor suggests to me that Star Wars, whether Disney like it or not, is now a story watched primarily by grown-ups.

My really short movie review —

Three cinéastes whose work and lives are intertwined with the famous venue discuss big changes that could keep it afloat — or ruin its essence. — As Pride month kicks off, San Francisco officials next week are set to debate one of the city’s most divisive, controversial topics of the past year. The deadly fentanyl epidemic? The dire fiscal situation? None of the above. …

The mogul, the missus, the movie star, and the marquis — Long before Jack Kennedy and Marilyn Monroe were dancing in the sheets, there was Joe Kennedy Sr. and silent screen superstar Gloria Swanson. …

Why doesn’t the turtle move faster? — My life is a race. My youth is a rabbit. My death is a turtle. The rabbit gave up the race, but the turtle would win… soon the turtle would win. Until then, I will sit here and whine. I counted thousands, but my hands were empty. I billed many…

There are two key stages in the life of a screenplay: There is the selling script and the shooting script. A selling script can be a beautiful thing to behold, every word precise, the balance of black ink to white space pleasing to the eye, the flow of dialogue to…

There’s something to look forward to —  TV+ offers original comedies, dramas, thrillers, documentaries and children’s shows. Unlike most streaming services, however, the service no longer includes any catalogue beyond its productions. The titles here are straight from Apple’s imaginary workshop and tend to be very well produced. Other titles are available for purchase or rental…

A con man determined to take back what’s his — It’s the biggest heist since Ocean’s Eleven. $800 million. Dusan Derry isn’t about to let Tiny Tony Burnsview, aka The Notorious Mr. Burns, have it all. “He’s going to get what’s coming to him.” Burns is a ruthless business owner with strong ties to the Mexican drug cartel. He owes…