2025-08-28 06:00:18.579

A wealthy young doctor, the son of incredibly rich parents, meets a stunning woman, but is she who she seems? His mother certainly has her doubts. The Girlfriend, directed by Robin Wright, masterfully shifts perspectives between the girlfriend, Cherry (Olivia Cooke), and the mother, Laura (Wright). The narrative unfolds in opulent settings, filled with shocking events and flagrant lies. The story is compulsive, leaving the viewer questioning who the true psychopath is, as the erotic tension builds to a Greek tragedy-like inevitability. The film delves into the complexities of a mother's protectiveness, the dynamics of a wealthy, open marriage, and a potentially incestuous undercurrent between mother and son. The physicality of Laura and Cherry, their contrasting magnetism and sensuality, are key elements, showcasing Cooke's transformation from previous roles. The production also highlights the evolving role of intimacy coordinators in modern filmmaking. The film explores themes of deception within the ultra-rich, questioning the morality of small lies amidst a backdrop of larger transgressions. Furthermore, it challenges societal norms regarding female sexuality and aging, celebrating the continuation of desire beyond traditional expectations. The director, Robin Wright, discusses her experience in the evolving landscape of television and streaming, contrasting her work on this project with earlier roles. The article concludes with a discussion of Wright's next project, highlighting her commitment to portraying unconventional love stories.

2025-08-18 12:00:19.022

Highlander, the 1986 film blending science fiction, fantasy, and romance, is more than just a pop culture punchline. Despite its absurd premise of immortal warriors battling in a beheading royale, the film's charm lies in its quirky self-awareness and 80s music video aesthetic. Director Russell Mulcahy's unconventional choices, such as casting Christopher Lambert as the Scottish hero and Sean Connery as his mentor, add to the film's unique flavor. The movie's humor is found in its details: the fish falling from MacLeod's kilt, a sarcastic hotdog vendor's comments on the decapitations, and the Kurgan's hilariously bad disguise. Even the ultimate prize, granting MacLeod the ability to read minds, is presented as a sly cosmic joke. The review concludes by suggesting that any reboot should focus on preserving the original's fun-loving spirit.

2025-08-17 18:00:21.42

Celine Song's new film, Materialists, starring Dakota Johnson and Pedro Pascal, offers a cynical yet relatable take on modern dating. The movie centers on a matchmaker, Lucy, who views relationships through a financial lens, matching clients based on their perceived "market value." The film's depiction of dating as a transactional exchange, where financial stability and wealth are prioritized over emotional connection, resonated with many viewers. The author connects this to the rise of dating apps, which have normalized superficial judgments and transactional relationships. The increasing wealth inequality exacerbates this issue, making financial security a primary concern for many singles. The author concludes that while prioritizing financial stability in a partner isn't inherently wrong given the current economic climate, it highlights the need for broader societal changes, such as affordable housing and stronger social safety nets, to allow individuals to pursue relationships based on genuine connection rather than financial necessity.

2025-08-06 00:00:19.692

Jamie Lee Curtis delivers a standout performance in the latest Freaky Friday movie, showcasing her comedic talent and carrying the film. While Lindsay Lohan's performance is decent, it's Curtis who truly embodies the film's wacky spirit. The movie features a body-swap between Curtis's character, a grandma, therapist, and parenting podcaster, and Lohan's character, a music producer and single mom. The plot thickens when a fortune teller triggers a body-swap involving four women. The film includes humorous moments and cameos, focusing on lighthearted comedy rather than delving into deeper themes of body image and identity. Supporting roles are played by Julia Butters, Sophia Hammons, Manny Jacinto, Vanessa Bayer, and X Mayo, among others. The movie is a contemporary update of the original, leaving behind some culturally insensitive elements of the 2003 version. Curtis's performance is praised for its uninhibited energy and comedic timing, making the film a fun and enjoyable watch, despite Lohan's less impactful contribution.

2025-07-26 06:00:37.94

Adam Sandler's childhood experiences at the driving range with his father and friend Kyle McDonough, a hockey player, sparked the idea for "Happy Gilmore." Sandler and co-writer Tim Herlihy, after the success of "Billy Madison," developed the concept of a hockey player applying his aggressive style to golf. Released in 1996, "Happy Gilmore" became a beloved 90s comedy, popularizing the unique hockey-style golf swing. Despite initial mixed reviews, with some critics describing the film as "boorish" and comparing it to a violent sociopath, the movie has achieved cult classic status, cementing the comedic performances of Sandler, Bob Barker, Christopher McDonald, and Carl Weathers.

2025-07-25 18:00:37.484

Happy Gilmore 2 picks up 29 years after the original, with Happy now a wealthy family man. Tragedy strikes early when Happy accidentally kills his wife. He retires, falls into alcoholism, but is spurred to a comeback when his daughter's ballet aspirations require a hefty sum of money. His comeback is filled with DUIs, an unconventional golf tour, and plenty of run-ins with his nemesis, Shooter McGavin. The film features numerous cameos from fellow SNL alumni, Sandler's family, and current and past golf pros, creating a nostalgic and star-studded affair. While not quite reaching the heights of the original, the sequel delivers plenty of laughs and callbacks for fans, along with a surprising focus on defending the traditions of golf. However, some may find the excessive cameos, nepotism, and a somewhat convoluted plot to be distracting. Despite these flaws, Bad Bunny's performance as Happy's caddie is a standout, and the film ultimately provides a fun, if somewhat uneven, trip down memory lane for fans of the original.

2025-07-01 00:00:36.942

The Jurassic World franchise was on the brink of extinction after the disappointing *Fallen Kingdom* and *Dominion*. But now, a new film promises a fresh start. With a new director and screenwriter, the movie retcons the previous films, focusing on a new story set 17 years prior. The plot involves a corporation seeking to profit from dinosaur blood, leading a team of experts on a mission to collect samples. The film features a charming cast, including Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Bailey, and Mahershala Ali, and delivers classic Jurassic Park moments like slow turns and a hapless security guard's demise. The chemistry between Johansson and Bailey is a highlight, adding a rom-com element to the adventure. While not entirely groundbreaking, the film is a fun, thrilling, and well-executed Spielbergian adventure, making it a potentially fitting end to the series. It's set to release on July 2nd (US and UK) and July 3rd (Australia).

2025-06-23 06:00:56.073

The movie industry faced numerous challenges in the first few months of 2025, including a slow start to the box office, the underperformance of major releases like "Captain America: Brave New World" and "Snow White", and a writers' strike. The box office for January to April was down significantly compared to the previous year. However, April brought a surprising turnaround with the success of Warner Bros.' "A Minecraft Movie" and "Sinners", leading to a record Memorial Day weekend. The summer box office was boosted by hits like Disney's "Lilo & Stitch" remake, "Thunderbolts", Paramount's "Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning", and Warner Bros.' "Final Destination: Bloodlines". The overall box office is nearing $4 billion for 2025, an 18% increase compared to the same time last year. Analysts attribute this comeback to a rise in quality films and a diverse movie slate catering to various audiences. Upcoming releases like "F1", "M3GAN 2.0", "Jurassic World Rebirth", "Superman", and "The Fantastic Four: First Steps" are expected to further boost the box office. Despite the positive trend, the industry remains a risky business, with box office performance fluctuating based on the quality and appeal of individual films. While the recovery is impressive, analysts caution against premature celebrations, noting that June's box office is down compared to last year and pre-pandemic averages. However, the relatively low cost of movie tickets compared to other entertainment options and the social aspect of movie-going are expected to keep audiences coming back.

2025-06-23 00:01:05.244

The movie industry hasn't had an easy time lately. After recovering from the pandemic, studios faced writers' strikes, underperforming blockbusters, and distribution dilemmas. The first few months of 2025 saw a slow box office, down 13% compared to the same period in 2024. Even the release of Marvel's "Captain America: Brave New World" saw a significant drop in earnings after its opening weekend. March was particularly dire, with box office numbers down almost 50% year-on-year. Disney's "Snow White" also underwhelmed. However, April brought a turnaround. Warner Bros.' "A Minecraft Movie" and "Sinners" were massive hits, leading to a record-breaking Memorial Day weekend. Disney's "Lilo & Stitch" remake was another huge success, along with other summer hits like "Thunderbolts," "Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning," and "Final Destination: Bloodlines." This momentum continued into June with "How to Train Your Dragon." The overall box office is approaching $4 billion for 2025, an 18% increase compared to last year. Experts attribute this comeback to a rise in quality films and a diverse movie slate catering to various audiences. Upcoming releases, including "F1," "M3GAN 2.0," "Jurassic World Rebirth," "Superman," and "The Fantastic Four: First Steps," are expected to further boost the box office. While the recovery is significant, analysts caution that it's still a risky business, with some months still underperforming compared to pre-pandemic averages. Despite this, the relatively low cost of movie tickets compared to other entertainment options, coupled with the social experience of moviegoing, makes it a resilient form of entertainment, even during economic uncertainty. AMC's discount offers further contribute to the affordability and accessibility of moviegoing.

2025-06-21 06:01:17.096

In 1975, Steven Spielberg's Jaws became a box office sensation, but its PG rating ignited a fierce debate about its suitability for children. The film's graphic violence, including scenes of a shark attacking humans, led critics and industry members to question the rating's leniency. The AP interviewed Roy Scheider, the film's star, who acknowledged the movie's intensity but suggested that parental guidance and explanation could help children process the film's frightening aspects. The article also highlights differing viewpoints from producers of other films who felt their movies were unfairly given stricter R ratings. Despite the controversy, Jaws's financial success was undeniable, grossing $60 million in its first month. The debate over the film's rating underscores the ongoing challenges of determining age-appropriate content and the role of parental guidance in mediating children's exposure to potentially disturbing media.