The Evolution of Movie Nights in the Age of Legal Cannabis

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by Nancy Fernandez

Movie nights have always been a ritual. From drive-in theaters and VHS rentals to streaming marathons and shared watch parties, the way we experience films has constantly evolved with culture and technology. But in recent years, another major shift has quietly reshaped this familiar tradition: the legalization and normalization of cannabis.

As cannabis laws change across regions and conversations around wellness, creativity, and relaxation become more open, movie nights are no longer just about pressing play. They’ve become curated experiences—slower, more intentional, and deeply personal. In many ways, legal cannabis has changed not just what we watch, but how we watch it.

From Passive Viewing to Intentional Experiences

There was a time when movie night meant distraction. A way to unwind without thinking too much. Today, viewers are more selective. They choose films based on mood, theme, and emotional payoff. Whether it’s a comfort rewatch, a visually immersive film, or a thought-provoking indie drama, modern audiences are engaging more consciously.

Legal cannabis has played a role in this shift. Without the stigma that once surrounded it, cannabis is now openly discussed as a tool for relaxation and mindfulness. For some, it slows the pace of the evening, encouraging viewers to sit with a story rather than scroll through their phones or half-watch while multitasking.

This has led to movie nights that feel more like rituals than routines—carefully chosen films, intentional environments, and a desire to actually experience the story unfolding on screen.

The Rise of the “Curated Chill” Movie Night

With legalization has come experimentation—not just with strains or formats, but with entire viewing experiences. Movie nights are now themed, planned, and often designed to complement a specific vibe.

A surreal sci-fi film might call for dim lighting and minimal distractions. A nostalgic comedy may pair well with familiar snacks and a relaxed atmosphere. Visually rich movies—those that lean heavily on sound design, cinematography, or slow pacing—are increasingly popular choices for viewers who want to feel immersed.

This trend mirrors a broader cultural movement toward intentional downtime. Instead of consuming content endlessly, people are seeking depth, presence, and quality. Cannabis, for many, simply becomes part of that environment—one element among many that encourages stillness and focus.

Home Spaces Are Becoming Personal Theaters

Legal access has also shifted where movie nights happen. As home setups improve and cannabis use becomes normalized indoors, the living room has turned into a personal theater.

High-quality sound systems, ambient lighting, comfortable seating, and distraction-free zones are now common features of the modern movie night. The goal isn’t volume or spectacle—it’s atmosphere. People want to feel something, whether that’s emotional resonance, visual wonder, or a sense of calm after a long day.

Interestingly, this has also influenced film choices. Slower films, character-driven stories, and visually expressive cinema are enjoying renewed appreciation. These are movies that reward attention, patience, and emotional openness.

Cannabis Culture and the Long View

As cannabis becomes a lifestyle choice rather than a taboo, people are also becoming more interested in where it comes from and how it fits into their lives long-term. Discussions now extend beyond consumption to cultivation, sustainability, and personal preference.

This curiosity shows up in unexpected places—like conversations sparked during movie nights. Films about growth, transformation, or personal journeys often lead viewers to reflect on their own habits and interests. It’s not unusual for these moments to open broader discussions around wellness, hobbies, or even home cultivation, including curiosity around options such as cannabis clones for sale for those interested in understanding the plant from the ground up.

In this way, movie nights become catalysts for reflection, not just entertainment.

A New Relationship With Film Genres

Legal cannabis has also softened rigid genre preferences. Viewers are more willing to explore films they might have previously skipped—foreign films, experimental cinema, slow-burn dramas, or abstract animation.

Cannabis doesn’t create interest in these films, but it can lower the barrier to entry. Viewers may feel more open to ambiguity, symbolism, or unconventional storytelling. This has helped reframe how people define a “good movie.” It’s no longer just about plot efficiency or fast pacing; it’s about how a film feels.

As a result, movie nights have become spaces for exploration rather than consumption—places where curiosity is welcomed and judgment is suspended.

Social Movie Nights Are Changing Too

The social aspect of movie nights has evolved alongside legalization. Small gatherings now feel more relaxed and less performative. Instead of talking over films or using them as background noise, groups often choose movies as shared experiences.

Post-movie discussions are deeper. People talk about themes, visuals, emotional reactions, and personal interpretations. Cannabis, when part of the evening, often slows the conversation and encourages listening rather than debating. The result is a more thoughtful, communal experience that feels closer to storytelling traditions than modern media habits.

The Future of Movie Nights

As legal cannabis continues to integrate into everyday life, movie nights will likely keep evolving. We may see more intentional film curation, more emphasis on atmosphere, and a continued shift toward mindful entertainment.

What remains constant is the desire to connect—with stories, with others, and with ourselves. Movies have always offered that opportunity. Cannabis, for some, simply changes the pace at which that connection happens.

In the end, the evolution of movie nights isn’t really about cannabis or technology. It’s about presence. It’s about reclaiming a few hours, dimming the lights, and letting a story unfold without rushing it. And in a world that rarely slows down, that may be the most meaningful change of all.

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MOVIE REVIEW: Islands

Images courtesy of Greenwich Entertainment

ISLANDS— 2 STARS

The first image of Islands is of a clothed man lying facedown in a curvaceous expanse of sand. The early blue light of dawn is starting to illuminate the topography and sky as he comes to. From this view, the low dunes go on in the distance as far as the eye can see, making you wonder just where he is globally. Is this a slice of a massive beach, or is this man marooned in a major desert? The next shot begins to answer that question. 

We see him walking in the now-brighter morning sun over a dune down to an SUV pulled off on the side of a marked road with the driver’s door wide open. He reaches in, satiates himself with a bottle of water, gets in the car, turns the motor over, U-turns, and drives away in the direction of a gleaming white hotel rising out of the sandy horizon. Another screen transition snaps closer to reveal the resort in full, accompanied by a swanky blend of piano chords, a solo trumpet, and supporting strings, as the Islands’ opening credits—typed in a throwback Cooper Black font—-and new views of rippling water and hotel activity unfold. 

Through those jazzy credits, we see the hungover man is a low-energy tennis instructor (the film hired six tennis coaches) named Tom at the parador—filmed at the kingly Hotel Riu Tres Islas Corralejo on the Fuerteventura island of the Spanish Canaries. His clientele includes children, seniors, and potential female bedmates he tries to impress. Nicknamed “Ace,” he’s got a bottle of liquor stashed in his storage closet, signaling us that the next evening of downed drinks and drowned sorrows isn’t far behind. Not long after the credits end, Tom has sauntered to a local nightclub to seek those earlier ladies for a good time, and is found facedown in the morning again; this time on a bed as the butt of their joke.

LESSON #1: THAT’S HOW YOU OPEN A MOVIE WITH INTRIGUE— The sunny noir vibes are strong in Islands. The spectre of this lithe, mysterious Tom—played by noted British actor Sam Riley—combines with the decadent setting and tone-setting mood music from German composer Dascha Dauenhauer to pique interest and stoke intrigue. No matter what happens going forward in Islands, this is one hell of a first sip to what appears to be a potent movie.

Looking beyond the one-night stands, the true potential temptress arrives in the form of the flaxen-haired married tourist Anne (The Brutalist’s Stacy Martin), vacationing from Britain with her husband Dave (Jack Farthing of Spencer) and young son Anton (newcomer Dylan Torrell). While Dave and Anton are excited to absorb the tennis skills, Anne stares subtly seductive holes through the former pro. After an excursion day where Tom gives the family a tour of the island’s natural sights, he tags along with Dave out to the nightclub, where the music gets louder, and the shots pile up. When Islands cuts to the next morning, Tom is passed out on a deck chair back at the hotel, and Dave is nowhere to be found.

In true shadowy fashion, Islands unfolds a missing person case that pulls Tom, earnestly dropping his scheduled appointments and volunteering to help the authorities and family find Dave, closer to Anne and nearer to greater suspicion. All of this from writer-director Jan-Ole Gerster (A Coffee in Berlin) is well and good if the plot could increase its temperature alongside the steamy summer sun. Unfortunately, after such a promising start, Islands cannot generate the cinematic friction to melt our resolve or sense of suspense. 

There are two culprits for this loss of heat. The first is the lack of palpable attraction between Sam Riley and Stacy Martin in the leading roles. As Riley’s Tom is introduced as an odd concoction of a disheveled has-been and a locally-known stud, Islands takes an entire hour to set its stage before the husband goes missing. In that time, the film does not push Tom enough towards any urgent dangers that would force his character to choose between sin and safety. For a character with scant reasons to stay, hover, help, or pine, Riley plays all of this with flatness and total detachment. We learn so little about any of his motivations. Likewise, Martin presents Anne as a bit of a cold fish trapped in this haphazard marriage, with only fleeting glimpses into her possibly masked vitality and true intentions.

LESSON #2: THE SCENARY CANNOT BE MORE INTERESTING THAN THE CHARACTERS— The second malefactor is gorgeous but egregious. The clear-cut star of Islands is Fuerteventura itself. No matter what transpires in the foreground of Gerster’s film, the arid brilliance of the filming locations in Corralejo and Pájara, secured by location manager Irene Ferarios and shot by director of photography Juan Sarmiento G., radiates and overwhelms everything else. At some point, the scenery cannot become more interesting than the characters, especially in a would-be thriller.

The plot of Islands tries its hardest to add doubt to the current conundrum, but it does so in such a soft fashion. Peeks are weaker than pokes and prods every time. Not enough stings about this mystery. A film like this, using such a prime, exotic setting to add awe and infinite scope, should be putting us through our paces and making us sweat. Instead, our viewing eyes, out of dwindling interest, wander around the people to the sumptuous backdrops.

LOGO DESIGNED BY MEENTS ILLUSTRATED (#1369)

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What Do Romantic Films Teach Us About Love After 60?

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Romantic films have a way of making love feel both simple and complicated, sometimes in the same scene. For seniors, especially those building new routines in assisted living communities, these stories can be more than entertainment. They can be gentle reminders that affection, partnership, and joy do not have an expiration date. Even when movies lean a little dramatic, the best ones still highlight truths that matter after 60: love can be steady, surprising, and deeply personal.

Love After 60 Is Often About Comfort, Not Fireworks

Romantic films often start with grand sparks, but the relationships that resonate most with seniors tend to be the ones built on comfort and ease. Many on-screen couples show that love after 60 can look like shared morning coffee, quiet jokes, and an unspoken understanding that life is already full enough without constant chaos. These stories suggest that passion does not disappear with age, but it often matures into something calmer and more reliable. 

For seniors, that message can feel reassuring, especially for those who worry that late-life romance must compete with youthful versions of love. Movies repeatedly show that a caring partner is not measured by flashy gestures, but by consistency, patience, and attention to small needs. In this way, romantic films teach seniors that “real romance” can be the feeling of being safe with someone, emotionally and practically, while still feeling seen as a whole person.

Second Chances Are Not Rare

A popular theme in romantic films is the second chance: rekindled love, unexpected connections, or fresh beginnings after loss. Seniors often relate to this because many have lived through major transitions such as retirement, grief, relocation, or shifting health needs. Films may simplify the timeline, but the emotional truth remains: people can begin again. These stories encourage seniors to view new relationships as valid and meaningful, not as replacements or footnotes. 

A late-life romance can honor past love while still making room for something new. Romantic films also remind seniors that vulnerability is not a young person’s skill. It is a human skill, and it can be practiced at any age. The characters who risk honesty, admit fear, or try again after disappointment reflect a powerful idea: love does not require a perfect history, only a willing heart and a present moment.

Communication Matters More Than Perfect Timing

Romantic films can be famous for misunderstandings, but the most satisfying ones show what happens when people finally say what they mean. For seniors, that lesson lands differently than it might for younger viewers. After 60, time can feel more valuable, and patience for guessing games can be thinner. Movies often highlight that love grows when people communicate clearly, apologize without excuses, and express needs without shame. 

Seniors can take away the idea that directness is not “too much,” it is respectful. Many film couples also show that conflict does not automatically mean failure; it can mean two people care enough to work through discomfort. The strongest relationships on screen are rarely the ones without friction. They are the ones where both people listen, adjust, and choose kindness even when pride would be easier.

Romance Can Be Built Around Real Life

One of the best lessons romantic films offer seniors is that love can fit around real life instead of demanding an escape from it. Characters often carry responsibilities, health concerns, family dynamics, or long-held routines, and romance still finds space to grow. For seniors, this is especially relevant because love after 60 often involves practical realities: mobility, medications, fixed budgets, or different energy levels. 

Films that handle these realities with warmth suggest that romance does not require perfection; it requires flexibility. Love can be a slow walk instead of a sprint, a shared hobby instead of a fancy trip, and a supportive presence instead of nonstop excitement. Seniors can see that romance is not only about being chosen, it is also about being cared for in ways that match daily life.

Conclusion

Romantic films may be written for the screen, but many of their lessons translate well into real life for seniors. They show that love after 60 can be steady, honest, and beautifully ordinary, with room for second chances and deep companionship. Above all, these stories remind seniors that romance is not a stage of youth, but a possibility that can keep unfolding with every new season of life.

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Return To Silent Hill ★★★★

Released: 23 January 2025 Director: Christophe Gans Starring: Jeremy Irvine Adapting a videogame to screen is, more often than not, a risky venture: stuck between mass appeal and toxic fanbases, creatives in the current era of acidic social media discourse are forced to reckon with trivial things such as “canon” and “lore” just to have […]

The post Return To Silent Hill ★★★★ appeared first on Movie Marker.

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The Business Side of Filmmaking: How Studios Scale Merchandise and CollectibleS

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by Nancy Fernandez

The modern film industry extends far beyond the box office. While ticket sales and streaming deals still matter, studios increasingly rely on merchandise and collectibles to drive long-term profitability. From action figures and apparel to limited-edition props and digital collectibles, these ancillary products often outlive a movie’s theatrical run and deepen fan engagement. For blockbuster franchises in particular, merchandise can generate billions in revenue, sometimes surpassing the earnings of the films themselves.

To achieve this scale, studios must operate like sophisticated consumer-goods companies. That means building supply chains, managing global distribution, protecting intellectual property, and coordinating with manufacturing partners. One of the most critical mechanisms enabling this expansion is contract manufacturing, which allows studios and their licensing partners to produce high volumes of merchandise efficiently without owning factories themselves. This approach reduces risk, speeds up production, and enables rapid adaptation to changing consumer demand—an essential capability in a fast-moving entertainment market.

Why Merchandise Matters More Than Ever

Merchandise is no longer just a promotional afterthought; it is a strategic pillar of the filmmaking business. Successful franchises—think superhero universes, animated features, or long-running sci-fi sagas—are designed from the outset with merchandising potential in mind.

Key reasons merchandise has become so vital include:

• Extended revenue lifecycle: Films have limited theatrical windows, but merchandise can sell for years or even decades.

• Fan identity and loyalty: Collectibles allow fans to express affiliation with a story or character, strengthening emotional bonds.

• Global reach: Merchandise can penetrate markets where box office performance may be weaker, balancing overall returns.

• Risk diversification: When film revenues fluctuate, consumer products can stabilize income streams.

Studios that master merchandising are better positioned to weather box office uncertainty and shifts in viewing habits.

The Licensing Model: Scaling Without Owning Everything

Most major studios do not manufacture merchandise directly. Instead, they license their intellectual property (IP) to specialized partners. These licensees handle design, production, distribution, and retail relationships, while the studio earns royalties and retains brand control.

This model offers several advantages:

1. Capital efficiency: Studios avoid investing in factories, equipment, and inventory.

2. Expertise leverage: Licensees already understand toy manufacturing, apparel sizing, safety standards, and retail logistics.

3. Speed to market: Experienced partners can move quickly to align merchandise launches with film releases.

However, licensing also introduces complexity. Studios must carefully vet partners, enforce quality standards, and ensure brand consistency across hundreds—or thousands—of individual products.

Manufacturing at Scale: From Prototypes to Mass Production

Once a licensing deal is in place, the real operational challenge begins: turning creative concepts into physical products at scale. This process typically involves several stages:

• Concept and design approval: Studios review and approve every product concept to ensure alignment with the film’s characters, tone, and visual language.

• Prototyping: Manufacturers produce samples to test materials, durability, and aesthetics.

• Compliance and safety testing: Especially for toys and children’s products, meeting international safety regulations is mandatory.

• Mass production: Factories ramp up output, often producing millions of units across multiple regions.

Scalability is crucial. A surprise hit can trigger sudden spikes in demand, while underperforming films may require rapid production slowdowns to avoid excess inventory. Flexible manufacturing arrangements are therefore a competitive advantage.

Supply Chain and Distribution: Getting Products to Fans

Producing merchandise is only half the battle; getting it into consumers’ hands is equally complex. Studios and their partners must coordinate global supply chains that span raw materials, factories, shipping routes, warehouses, and retailers.

Common distribution channels include:

• Big-box retailers: Mass-market exposure for toys, apparel, and household items.

• Specialty stores: Higher-end collectibles, statues, and limited runs.

• E-commerce platforms: Direct-to-consumer sales that offer higher margins and valuable customer data.

• Event-based sales: Comic conventions, premieres, and pop-up stores that create urgency and exclusivity.

Each channel has different margin structures, volume expectations, and branding considerations. Managing them simultaneously requires robust forecasting and inventory management systems.

The Rise of Premium and Limited-Edition Collectibles

Beyond mass-market merchandise, studios are increasingly investing in premium collectibles aimed at adult fans and collectors. These include high-detail figures, replicas, and numbered limited editions that command higher price points.

The business logic here is compelling:

• Higher margins: Premium items often have lower volume but significantly higher profit per unit.

• Brand prestige: High-quality collectibles elevate the perceived value of the franchise.

• Scarcity-driven demand: Limited runs encourage quick purchases and secondary-market buzz.

Producing these items requires even tighter coordination between studios, designers, and manufacturers, as quality expectations are exceptionally high.

Data, Forecasting, and Risk Management

Scaling merchandise successfully depends on data. Studios analyze historical sales, social media trends, preorders, and audience demographics to forecast demand. These insights influence everything from product mix to production volume.

Key risks studios must manage include:

• Overproduction: Excess inventory leads to discounting and brand dilution.

• Underproduction: Missed sales opportunities and frustrated fans.

• Quality failures: Defective products can damage brand trust.

• Timing mismatches: Merchandise arriving too early or too late relative to a film’s release.

Advanced analytics and closer collaboration with manufacturing partners help mitigate these risks.

Looking Ahead: Digital, Sustainable, and Hybrid Models

The future of film merchandise is evolving. Digital collectibles, such as NFTs and in-game items, are opening new revenue streams with minimal physical production. At the same time, sustainability is becoming a priority, pushing studios to demand eco-friendly materials and ethical manufacturing practices.

Hybrid models—combining physical collectibles with digital perks or authentication—are also gaining traction. These innovations suggest that while the core principles of scaling merchandise remain the same, the tools and formats will continue to change.

Conclusion

The business side of filmmaking is no longer confined to scripts, shoots, and screens. Merchandise and collectibles have become central to how studios build franchises, engage fans, and generate long-term value. By leveraging licensing, scalable manufacturing strategies, and data-driven decision-making, studios can transform fictional worlds into global consumer ecosystems. In an industry defined by creativity, mastering the mechanics of merchandise is what turns stories into enduring businesses.

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Reefer to Reel: How Cannabis Shapes Modern Movie Culture

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by Nancy Fernandez

Cinema has always reflected society’s evolving values, curiosities, and contradictions—and few cultural elements illustrate this better than cannabis. Once relegated to cautionary propaganda films and whispered subtext, cannabis has gradually moved into the spotlight, shaping genres, character archetypes, storytelling styles, and even the way audiences experience movies. From underground cult classics to mainstream blockbusters, the relationship between reefer and reel has become an unmistakable part of modern movie culture.

From Taboo to Talking Point

Early depictions of cannabis in film were steeped in fear and misinformation. Mid-20th-century movies often portrayed marijuana as a dangerous gateway to moral decay, violence, and insanity. These exaggerated narratives mirrored public anxieties rather than real experiences, reinforcing stigma rather than understanding.

As countercultural movements gained momentum in the 1960s and 1970s, filmmakers began pushing back. Cannabis slowly transformed from a symbol of menace into one of rebellion, freedom, and nonconformity. Independent filmmakers and experimental directors used it as shorthand for rejecting authority and embracing alternative lifestyles. This shift laid the groundwork for cannabis to become a recurring—and increasingly normalized—element in film.

The Rise of the Stoner Film

The stoner comedy is perhaps the most recognizable cannabis-driven genre. Movies centered around laid-back protagonists, absurd situations, and heightened sensory humor resonated with audiences who appreciated humor that felt loose, improvisational, and irreverent.

These films didn’t just rely on cannabis as a prop; they used it to shape pacing, dialogue, and tone. Meandering conversations, exaggerated reactions, and surreal plot turns mirrored the altered perception often associated with being high. Over time, stoner films developed a loyal fan base, turning modest box office releases into enduring cult classics that continue to influence comedy writing today.

Cannabis as a Cultural Lens

Modern cinema often uses cannabis as a way to explore broader social themes rather than just for laughs. Characters who consume cannabis are no longer limited to stereotypes. They can be professionals, creatives, parents, or introspective loners, reflecting the diversity of real-world users.

In contemporary storytelling, cannabis frequently serves as a narrative device that encourages honesty and vulnerability. Scenes involving shared smoking moments often lead to emotional breakthroughs, philosophical conversations, or shifts in relationships. Filmmakers use these moments to slow the story down, allowing characters—and viewers—to reflect.

Around the upper middle of this cultural shift, cannabis has also intersected with changing real-world perceptions of legality and commerce. As discussions around cultivation, access, and normalization grow, references to topics like cannabis clones for sale appear more often in dialogue, background details, or character motivations. These subtle inclusions signal how deeply cannabis culture has moved from the fringes into everyday life, influencing not just behavior but storytelling authenticity.

Aesthetic and Sensory Influence

Cannabis doesn’t only affect characters—it influences how movies look and feel. Many filmmakers experiment with lighting, color grading, sound design, and editing styles to mimic altered perception. Dreamlike visuals, saturated colors, slow-motion sequences, and immersive soundscapes are often associated with cannabis-influenced scenes.

This sensory approach has been embraced by both indie filmmakers and major studios. Music-driven montages, animated interludes, and nonlinear storytelling techniques allow audiences to “feel” a scene rather than simply watch it. Cannabis, in this sense, becomes a creative inspiration rather than just a narrative element.

Shaping Audience Experience

Cannabis has also changed how people engage with movies outside the theater. For many viewers, it’s part of the ritual of movie night—alongside snacks, streaming platforms, and comfortable settings. This has influenced the popularity of certain genres, especially visually rich films, comedies, and slow-burn narratives that reward attention to detail.

Streaming services have taken note. Algorithms now promote content that aligns with relaxed, immersive viewing experiences. While cannabis isn’t always explicitly mentioned, the tone and structure of many modern films and series cater to audiences seeking comfort, escapism, and heightened sensory enjoyment.

Breaking Stereotypes and Expanding Narratives

One of the most significant shifts in modern movie culture is the dismantling of the “stoner stereotype.” Today’s films increasingly portray cannabis users as multidimensional individuals with ambitions, flaws, and emotional depth. This evolution mirrors broader cultural acceptance and challenges outdated assumptions.

Dramas and coming-of-age stories, in particular, use cannabis as a backdrop rather than a punchline. It becomes part of the environment—no more sensational than coffee or alcohol—allowing filmmakers to focus on character development rather than shock value.

Influence on Independent Cinema

Independent filmmakers have been especially instrumental in redefining cannabis on screen. Free from studio constraints, they explore nuanced stories where cannabis intersects with creativity, mental health, identity, and community. These films often prioritize authenticity over exaggeration, resonating with audiences tired of caricatures.

Film festivals have become important spaces for these stories, helping normalize cannabis narratives within respected artistic circles. As a result, themes once considered niche are now influencing mainstream storytelling.

The Future of Cannabis in Film

As global attitudes continue to evolve, cannabis will likely play an even more complex role in cinema. Future films may explore its economic impact, ethical debates, and cultural significance with greater depth. Rather than centering on consumption itself, stories will likely focus on the human experiences surrounding it—connection, creativity, conflict, and change.

Technological advances in filmmaking will also amplify cannabis-influenced aesthetics, offering more immersive and experimental viewing experiences. Virtual reality, interactive storytelling, and advanced sound design may further blur the line between perception and narrative.

Conclusion

From its early days as a symbol of fear to its current status as a multifaceted cultural element, cannabis has profoundly shaped modern movie culture. It has influenced genres, aesthetics, character development, and audience engagement in ways that extend far beyond the screen.

“Reefer to reel” is no longer a novelty—it’s a reflection of how cinema adapts to social change. As filmmakers continue to explore cannabis with nuance and creativity, its role in storytelling will remain a fascinating lens through which we understand both movies and ourselves.

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MOVIE REVIEW: Atropia

Images courtesy of Vertical Entertainment

ATROPIA— 2 STARS

Atropia, the feature-length directorial debut of actress/model/journalist Hailey Gates and the winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, is a war satire that pulls its heady ideals from some lofty places at times. For example, the opening credits plant the film’s tongue firmly in its cheek to cite Mark Twain with, “War is God’s way of teaching Americans geography.” That is Gates’s first of many pokes at domestic ignorance. 

There’s an even better example later. At a key moment of pause, a third of the way into the film, a character reads this unattributed line from 19th-century Czech politician Konstantin Jireček:

“We, the unwilling, led by the unknowing, are doing the impossible for the ungrateful.”

That soul-rattling chestnut speaks to the foolish plight of a soldier fighting for a homeland’s questionable cause. With 20/20 hindsight shining at full blast, Jireček’s type of statement keenly matches the dire scope of 21st century warfare happening during the 2006 pseudo-military setting of Atropia, occurring during the peak of the Iraqi War.

“Atropia” is the invented name of the nation governing a constructed fictional town named Medina Wasl. The term is “constructed” because Medina Wasl is part of “The Box,” a specialized training facility of the United States Army operating inside the boundaries of Fort Irwin in the Mojave Desert between Barstow and Las Vegas. As Atropia tells us, Medina Wasl is a real place still in use today and one of hundreds of mock cityscapes created by the U.S. military for training. 

LESSON #1: THE LENGTHS IMMERSIVE REALISM IN MILITARY TRAINING— Medina Wasl is built like a movie set with observational cameras, adjustable conditions (like scented foggers flavored to burning flesh or the calming distraction of chai), various rigs for practical effects, and full departments for makeup and wardrobe. The Box hosts a full immersion program to train soldiers and journalists—and, in some cases, high-paying Hollywood actors (enjoy an Atropia cameo I will not dare spoil) getting ready for a big movie—-for urban warfare. To achieve the highest level of realism, the facility employs full-time, live-in civilian roleplayers trained to portray the scripted enemy. Once the Army unit steps into the simulation, they’re not done for three weeks, where plans can pivot like a living “Choose Your Own Adventure” novel.

Just in concept alone, pulling back the curtain on this entire orchestrated production setting in Atropia is a fascinating proposition. Our de facto guide to the workings of Medina Wasl is a struggling actress named Fayruz, played by Arrested Development star and daughter of an Iraqi father Alia Shawkat. Despite being part of this program and troupe for years, she considers it a stepping stone to getting discovered and laments that her impassioned “performances” and committed craft are seen by no one of consequence. It counts as a steady gig, but how many times can someone play an infidel confronting U.S. soldiers on pretend streets under a barrage of semi-automatic blanks being fired before ambition longs for more?

LESSON #2: WHERE SATIRE DILUTES SERIOUSNESS— This oddly placed aspiration runs smack into what is supposed to be a very formal exercise for our uniformed heroes preparing to enter unpredictable violence half a world away, yet every depiction of commanding officers and overworked participants on both sides in Atropia feigns boobish bravado and reckless incompetence. This adds to the film’s intentional slant for satire to dilute the seriousness.

To circle back to the lede, Atropia’s blurry edge for mordant commentary is hammered home even more by where that haunting Konstantin Jireček quote is found. Unlike being engraved on the lighters of Vietnam War soldiers, you’ll never guess where.

It’s scribbled on the inside wall of a Porta-Potty in all-caps by a Sharpie marker. 

Nevermind that it’s missing it’s equally damning second half of “We have done so much, for so long, with so little, we are now qualified to do anything with nothing,” some inexplicable and well-read grunt got it on the shitter wall. When it’s shown to Atropia’s viewers by cinematographer Eric K. Yue, it’s being read by a plucky and currently constipated female TV journalist (steady TV actress Jane Levy of Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist) stuck bunking with a squad of G.I.s.

Here’s the extra kicker. One headturn of gaze away from Jireček’s axiom is a jagged opening in the plastic wall that looks suspiciously like an invasive peephole. Around it is written this charming divination:

“Anything is a pussy if you’re brave enough.”

Forgive the crudeness, but I guess that’s more gloryhole than peephole! The purposeful dichotomy of these adjacent quotes is precisely the aim of Atropia’s sense of irony. The finger-wagging being attempted by writer-director Hailey Gates with what transpires in Medina Wasl’s has the capacity to be sharp and biting. Mistakes were made with the War on Terror, and there’s room to rub our noses in it. However, the boldness of that task gets tangled and ultimately lost by—what normally doesn’t sink this sort of thing straightaway—a love story.

Eternity’s Callum Turner enters Atropia as “Abu Dice,” an experienced soldier returning from tours in Iraq to play the lead insurgent on the actor’s side, pitted against the Army trainees. His role has him working closely with Fayruz as his character’s wife. When the two get “captured” together—not far from those aforementioned Porta-Potties— and fall for each other outside their roles, they set themselves on a course to flip the script of the simulation and run away together. She’s found someone who sees her worth, and he finds a homefront hope to avoid another deployment overseas.

There’s unpredictability at play with this often comical conundrum in Atropia. Alia Shawkat’s passion and panache shine very well amid the occasional moments of small-scale spectacle. She fits this weird little backstage world well, but a way-too-fast and improbable workplace romance does not. By the same token, it’s Callum Turner who cannot keep up with the material. 

Despite his showy good looks, which Hollywood keeps trying to convince us are leading man worthy, Callum has very anemic chemistry with Shawkat, and he is not compelling as the man of consequence this film needs stand taller and talk louder. In Atropia’s type of satire, where war—and all its ugly realities—is being practiced as a performance for misplaced dominance, more than one mouthpiece is needed. Shawkat’s oppositional firebrand is not enough.

LOGO DESIGNED BY MEENTS ILLUSTRATED (#1368)

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from Review Blog https://everymoviehasalesson.com/blog/2026/1/movie-review-atropia

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