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Whether you are young or old, watching a movie at home or in the theater is a fun and enjoyable activity, like playing Vave or cooking your favorite meals, that can also be done with your family and friends. The excitement and thrill are usually felt by people when they hear that a new film is coming out. They rush to the cinema even after reading the review before buying a ticket.
Movies Are Art Forms
Through a movie, an artist can share his or her thoughts, experiences, or imagination with the world. While some forms of art, such as sculpture and painting, are more well-known, other types of art, including the creation of movies, are also worthy of recognition.
While movies may seem like an easy way to pass the time, they are actually complex works of art that are created by a group of artists. The story, acting, music, and cinematography are all brought together to create a film that transports viewers to a different time and place.
Films that provoke new and different thinking are some of the best. They can also challenge our preconceived notions and make us question our beliefs. Because of these, movies should be regarded as art forms worthy of respect and attention.
Watching Movies Is a Shared Experience
A movie is a unique experience that can help create lasting memories for both you and your friends. Whether you are laughing along with the jokes, experiencing shock and awe at the twists, or just enjoying the company of your loved ones, watching a film together is a truly special occasion.
People cherish it because it allows them to spend time with those they care about. If you are planning on having a fun time with your significant others, consider taking them to see a movie. It will provide them with a unique and unforgettable experience.
Finding Lessons in Movies
One of the most significant reasons why people enjoy watching a movie is that it allows them to learn something about themselves. For instance, after watching a comedy film, people tend to be happier as they realize how much of a huge effect laughter has on our daily life.
Some people find inspiration from watching uplifting movies about individuals who have overcome significant obstacles. These types of films show that even though the situation may seem hopeless, there is still hope. The effect of films has a lasting influence on viewers.
7 Movie Franchises You NEED to Start Watching Right Now
Are you a movie buff looking for some new franchises to get into? Or maybe you’re just looking for something to watch over the weekend? Well, look no further!
There are so many great movie franchises available in theatres, streaming services and on DVD, with limitless genres and plots. From timeless classics like The Lord of the Rings to modern hits like the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the Harry Potter series, there are endless options out there. Did you know at online casinos you can bet on non-athletic event like movies etc. Click here to see what you can bet on or play
However, even the most seasoned film fan can feel overwhelmed by all these choices. To make your life easier, we’ve put together a list of seven must-watch movie franchises that you need to check out right now. Enjoy!
The Fast and the Furious
This action movie franchise has been around since 2001 and follows a group of street racers as they pull off daring heists, face off against criminal masterminds, and try to stay one step ahead of the law.
Mission: Impossible
Tom Cruise stars in this spy-thriller series that follows secret agent Ethan Hunt and his team of IMF (Impossible Mission Force) agents as they take on dangerous missions across the globe.
Star Wars
The most iconic sci-fi movie franchise ever, Star Wars is set in a galaxy far, far away and follows an epic battle between good and evil. The original trilogy is a must-watch for any sci-fi fan.
The Hunger Games
This award-winning series is based on Suzanne Collins’s best-selling trilogy. It follows the story of Katniss Everdeen as she fights for survival in a dangerous and oppressive futuristic world.
The Lord of the Rings
This epic fantasy trilogy follows the journey of Frodo Baggins as he attempts to destroy an all-powerful ring. It’s filled with thrilling battles and memorable characters, making it a must-watch for any fan of fantasy.
Pirates of the Caribbean
This swashbuckling adventure series is full of action, romance and plenty of laughs. Follow Jack Sparrow and his crew as they battle their way through treacherous seas in search of treasure.
James Bond
This classic spy franchise has been thrilling audiences since 1962. Follow the suave and sophisticated 007 as he takes on villains and saves the world from disaster.
The Bottom Line.
No matter what kind of movie you’re in the mood for, there is sure to be a franchise out there that will satisfy your cravings. Whether you’re looking for action, romance, comedy or fantasy, these seven movie franchises have something for everyone. So grab some popcorn and get ready to dive into a world of adventure! Dont forget to check out online casino bonuses games !!
Are you looking for a horror movie to watch? Are you a fan of Stephen King's writing and want to know what the worst horror movies made from his works are?
Stephen King has written numerous novels, short stories, and several screenplays that have been adapted into some top-rated movies loved by millions of people who also like . His works often explore supernatural elements, psychological drama, and horror. With so many remarkable stories created by him, it comes as no surprise that there are also some horror flicks that don’t quite hit the mark.
This article is dedicated to uncovering the worst horror movies based on books penned by Stephen King. We'll review and analyze their poor storytelling, bad acting, and inadequate visual effects. From obvious failures to promising ideas that failed to deliver, read on and discover which infamous Stephen King movies should be avoided at all costs.
The Worst Horror Movies by Stephen King
1. MaximumOverdrive (1986)
This is a classic example of an ambitious concept that didn't quite work out. The story follows a group of best online roulette players who find themselves being terrorized by machines that have come to life due to a comet passing near Earth. While the idea is rather intriguing, the execution was not up to par, leading to one of Stephen King’s most forgettable movies.
2. Sleepwalkers (1992)
Sleepwalkers is yet another movie that fails to deliver on its promise. It follows a mother-and-son pair of shape-shifting creatures who feed on the life force of virgins in order to stay alive. Unfortunately, the performances are wooden and the special effects are unimpressive, making it a movie that is best avoided.
3. Dreamcatcher (2003)
Dreamcatcher follows australian online casino friends who are forced to face an alien presence while on a trip in the woods. Although the movie had an interesting premise, it fails to deliver on any level as the performances and effects are terrible. It also tries to cram too much into its two-hour runtime, resulting in an incoherent mess of a movie.
4. Graveyard Shift (1990)
Graveyard Shift is a horror comedy about a group of workers tasked with cleaning up an old mill that is supposedly haunted by some malevolent force. While the concept is promising, it fails to live up to expectations due to bad acting and poor writing. The special effects are also laughable, making this movie an absolute bore.
Are you a fan of horror movies? If so, it's likely that you have heard of the various film genres featuring Hollywood actor Nicolas Cage. But what are the best horror movies starring this actor that you should add to your watch list?
Nicolas Cage has become a beloved and renowned actor since his breakthrough movie Valley Girl in 1983. The movies he has appeared in over the years have showcased his immense talent and casino games online skills, particularly when it comes to horror films. Whether you're a die-hard Nicolas Cage fan or just looking for some great scares, there is certainly no shortage of grisly titles starring him available for viewing.
From action-packed thrillers to truly bone-chilling tales, these are some of the most gripping horror films featuring none other than Nicolas Cage. In this article, we will be taking a look at the top horror movies with Cage that no horror enthusiast should miss out on!
Top 3 Horror Movies Starring Nicholas Cage
1. Vampire's Kiss (1988)
Vampire’s Kiss is a dark comedy horror film starring Nicolas Cage as Peter Loew, a literary agent who believes he has been bitten by a vampire. The movie follows him on his descent into madness as he begins to believe he is transforming into a vampire himself. With its mix of horror and comedy, this film is sure to provide you with plenty of laughs and thrills.
2. 8mm (1999)
8mm is an intense thriller about private investigator Tom Welles (Nicolas Cage) who takes on the case of tracking down the origin of an 8mm snuff film found in the possession of a wealthy man's widow. As the investigation progresses, Welles finds himself uncovering a world of depravity and violence. This movie is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat with its gripping plot and intense suspense.
3. Drive Angry (2011)
Drive Angry is an action-horror film starring Nicolas Cage as Milton, a man who has escaped and like best high roller casino games from hell in order to save his granddaughter from a cult. As he races against time to save her, he must also battle demons and other supernatural forces that stand in his way. This movie is sure to provide plenty of thrills and excitement with its fast-paced action sequences.
Conclusion
These are just a few of the best horror movies starring Nicolas Cage that you should add to your watch list. With its mix of horror, comedy, and suspense, these films are sure to provide you with plenty of entertainment and scares. So if you're a fan of Nicolas Cage or just looking for some great horror movies to enjoy, be sure to check out these titles!
For their 96th episode, two Titanic film critics, two extra-terrestrial dads, and two Jedi school teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan branch out this week to discuss the topic of box office kings. With "Avatar" and the current "Avatar: The Way of Water" on their mind, Will and Don go back through the timeline of the highest-grossing films of all-time from D.W. Griffiths on up to James Cameron. Enjoy his history lesson with a side dish of economic inflation. Come for the shared challenge and tirade and stay for the mutual love and respect for the fun movies encapsulate. Enjoy our podcast!
Cinephile Hissy Fits is a 25YL media podcast, brought to you by RuminationsRadioNetwork.com. Please visit, rate, review and subscribe. If you enjoyed this show, we have more where that came from, with interesting hosts, and wonderful guests. All available on iTunes, Spotify, and anywhere you find your favorite shows. Follow the show on Twitter at @CinephileFit and on Facebook. Also, find both Will Johnson and Don Shanahan on Letterboxd as the accumulate their viewings and build their ranks and lists.
From time to time, familiar premises need a little wrinkle or twist to not be another retread. Thanks to the classic Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, its lesser remake Guess Who, the Meet the Parents mini-franchise, and even the new You People on Netflix starring Jonah Hill and Eddie Murphy, audiences have attended more than enough awkward meetings and dinners between contradictory parents trying to prevent a future marriage between their cherished children. Longtime Boy Meets World TV writer Michael Jacobs, making his feature directorial debut with a laudable cast, conjured an enticing sprinkle of spice towards this familiar setup with Maybe I Do.
The film begins innocuously enough by introducing three pairings with different heat levels. There’s the whimsical youth of Allen and Michelle, played by Hacksaw Ridge’s Luke Bracy and Emma Roberts of We’re the Millers. They are at Michelle’s best friend’s wedding when Allen’s cold feet spring him to intercept the bouquet toss destined for Michelle. They leave in an embarrassing huff to their apartment at odds.
Next, Maybe I Do interweaves two senior couples played by nothing short of four silver screen icons. The God-fearing Grace (eternal rom-com muse Diane Keaton) has taken pity on the sorrowful Sam (William H. Macy, resting on his earnest strengths) crying at the same foreign film screening. They strike up a soulful connection and decide to haplessly share a bucket of fried chicken, some Frescas, and a cheap motel room to consider new sparks.
Their setting is diametrically opposite to the lavish downtown suite accommodations shared by the stern Howard (the silver fox of Richard Gere) and hot-to-trot Monica (ageless sex symbol Susan Sarandon). Unlike the sweet conversations shared between Sam and Grace, these two are virtually at each other’s throats with barbed retorts and bedroom threats. Howard is trying to reason with Monica to end whatever tryst we are seeing between them, and she’s not letting him off the hook.
LESSON #1: INFIDELITY ALWAYS SPICES THINGS UP– Maybe I Do gets interesting when the night ends and the four older folks go their separate ways. As they arrive at their respective homes, we learn Howard is married to Grace and has been having a four-month affair with Monica. Without fully believing or vocalizing the suspicions, Sam and Grace’s mutual states of helpless aimlessness brought them together. Therein lies the rub of Maybe I Do that swerves the mundane formula.
Wait. It gets better. Allen is the strapping son of Monica and Sam, and Michelle is the doting daughter of Howard and Grace. When their own argument after the wedding reception stunt sours, they retreat to their parents’ homes for counsel. As a peace offering to sort things out with parental help behind them, Michelle and Allen decide it’s finally time that their families meet and set up a dinner at Howard and Grace’s house.
LESSON #2: EXPOSING SECRETS IS EXCITING– My oh my! Guess how that is going to go! The dramatic irony held by the audience at this point in Maybe I Do creates a feverish anticipation for when the doorbell rings and those four legendary faces see each other with their oblivious kids in the middle of the nervous crossfire. Now that’s how you wrinkle the blending-of-opposite-families subgenre of rom-coms.
With this setup and this collection of esteemed talent, the comedic results of Maybe I Do should almost write themselves. You drop those four charisma bombs in one living room or dining room, let them loose to dodge scintillating shrapnel, and watch who gets consumed by the explosions. Add in two young-and-beautiful people to be the audience’s target of wish fulfillment for final act nuptials, and it should be so damn easy for Michael Jacobs’s script and direction.
Alas, Maybe I Do explodes with the equivalent force of a deflated balloon. Outside of a few minutes of “oh crap” realizations, the volatile narratives get separated by a frankly boring discourse of jaded marriage advice. It becomes quickly apparent that these two old couples, despite raising two wonderful kids, have essentially failed in unexciting ways. Their issues bubble over any little glimmers of optimism from Allen and Michelle.
All four big names get their scripted nuggets with Richard Gere’s portrayal of cynicism and Diane Keaton’s ill-fitting religious flavor leading the majority. Emma Roberts’s willowy naivety and Luke Bracey’s insufferable dunderhead offer little levity and disappear inexplicably without visible resolution before Maybe I Do rushes to its finish to put a tidy bow of convenience on matters. The only person who comes to the domestic ruckus perky to play is Susan Sarandon. She’s an absolute hoot, and we wish more were having her level of relishing fun.
LESSON #3: LIVE YOUR BEST LIVES– Here are examples of the elders’ mutually broad attempts at wisdom. Rhetorical questions like, “Are we living our best lives?” and “Don’t we deserve happiness?” and others put a fire hose of lament on what could have been an entertaining and heated predicament. While Maybe I Do is in the right heartfelt place to discuss the value of marriage and how children don’t have to turn out like their parents, there is a colossal amount of “practice what you preach” missing to make it tangible.
Director: Charlotte Regan Cast: Harris Dickinson, Lola Campbell Released: Sundance Film Festival 2023 Written and directed by newcomer Charlotte Regan, British film Scrapper stars youngster Lola Campbell as Georgie, a 12-year-old girl who lives in London. After the passing of her mum Vicky, she lives on her own while pretending to social workers and school […]
Director: Christopher Murray Cast: Valentina Véliz Caileo, Daniel Antivilo, Sebastian Hülk, Daniel Muñoz Released: Sundance Film Festival 2023 Directed by Christopher Murray and co-written by Pablo Paredes, Sorcery (OV: Brujería) is a follow-up to his 2016 film The Blind Christ. Based on real-life events from the 1880s, the film follows a young girl, Rosa Rain […]
The Oscar nominations for the films of 2022 are out. Overall, it’s been a pretty good year; audiences of all ages, ethnicities and tastes returned to the cinema, there’s been an abundance of riches when it comes to memorable performances, and after three years of mostly remote interactions, we’re back to ‘in person’ movie events. […]
Directors: Davina Pardo, Leah Wolchok Released: Sundance Film Festival 2023 She is a best-selling American author whose books helped to define the modern young adult novel. Her books such as Forever… and Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret are loved by audiences all around the world but have made her one of the most […]
In watching Netflix’s new romantic comedy You People, there was a heady overarching question that could not escape this writer’s thoughts. Why are topicality and blatancy so often directly proportional to each other? Buzzworthy topics gain their popular importance and quickly get talked out. The lingering discourse becomes repetitive, exhaustive, or, worse, an easy target for bluntly obvious jokes that belittle what used to be the original issue.
LESSON #1: THE SHELF LIFE OF TOPICALITY– When the first piece of pop culture– be it a movie, show, or song– taps into a hot button issue, the topicality is fresh, evocative, and sometimes even as groundbreaking as the issue at hand. By the time the second, third, or thirtieth thing tries, unless it has something new to say, the relevance dies quickly or is lost altogether. Trying to meld firebrand social moods into an overly familiar movie premise, You People falls into that glut.
Jonah Hill, representing the older end of the Millennial age bracket (and jarringly looking it too), stars as Ezra Cohen. He is a 35-year-old L.A. stockbroker who barely acts the part. Disillusioned and uninspired in the workplace, he shows off slicked-back highlighted hair, a rainbow of tats, and Dunks on his feet. Embracing hip-hop stylings and interests in nearly every aspect of his life, Ezra would rather put his time and effort into his podcast “The Mo and EZ Show” with his best friend Mo (Saturday Night Live writer Sam Jay). The two, despite their racial differences, share a common intellectual ground and can talk to each other through a second language of pop culture references that speak to the present zeitgeist of successful and aware Californians.
All of this flies against Ezra’s semi-traditional and well-off Jewish family living in the cushy Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles. Being unmarried and lower on the career ladder than other peers his age makes Ezra a minor disappointment to his parents Shelley and Arnold (TV legends Julia Louis-Dreyfus and David Duchovny). His loving mother’s ever-present need to improve her son makes Ezra a smothered focus of her meddlesome behavior. In turn, Ezra has never felt truly understood by his family and any romantic prospects.
Things perk up for Ezra when he meets and falls for Amira Mohammed, an aspiring fashion designer played by Lauren London of Without Remorse. She too is treated as an equally belittled outlier by her own proud Black and Muslim parents Akbhar and Fatima (co-headliner Eddie Murphy and the too-young-to-play-a-mother-of-a-thirtysomething Nia Long of The Best Man franchise). They are the types that would roll over in their graves if they found out their daughter was dating– let alone marrying– a white Jew, especially an oddball one who looks fake and possibly disrespectful with his cultural tastes at first glance.
LESSON #2: EVERYBODY’S FAMILY IS A DEGREE OF CRAZY– Naturally, these two polar opposite families are going to meet their child’s significant others (eventually each other as well) and show their asses in You People. When Akbar and Fatima are invited by Ezra for an introductory lunch at Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles, the father’s opening line is, “Do you hang out in the hood all the time or just come to get our food and women?” and it stops Ezra in his blessing-seeking tracks. With a more severe case of foot-in-mouth calamity, Shelley bungles every attempt to shuck her white privilege and talks as if she’s progressively informed on racial matters to Amira. The mutual humiliations and blanket judgments from both sides pile up quickly.
LESSON #3: BE HONEST ABOUT YOURSELF TO PEOPLE YOU’RE TRYING TO IMPRESS– When Ezra and Amira are alone in their cohabitation and relationship, they’re fine, and, matching one of Ezra’s big principles, they don’t put each other or anyone else in a box based on a label. However, when their parents are around, integrity falters. The parents loosen their tongues with fits of one-upmanship to out-brag the other, while the adult children bite theirs from properly correcting them when they should. Both Ezra and Amira bottle up the mistreatment and misrepresentations to the point where the stress begins to ruin their own unity.
In these awkward encounters, the comedy bits written by Jonah Hill and black-ish creator Kenya Barris making his feature directorial debut should be steady firewood for either belly laughs or hot bonfire debates that stew all movie long. Latitude was given for full-throated and profanity-laced honesty. Instead, good luck registering sparks or cinders with You People. Because cringe-centered situations and punchlines are inherently uncomfortable, the humor is more embarrassing than provocative, even though Julia Louis-Dreyfus carpet-bombs her payload of zingers.
On the bright side, one solid choice of You People was steering Eddie Murphy into the role as the straight man of this comedy. We’ve seen enough manic versions of Eddie to last us decades. Barris wisely stashes his loose cannon persona and lets Murphy’s matured celebrity aura be the foundation. By doing so, You People is one of the most calculated uses of his screen presence in a long, long time. The same cannot be said of his main co-star.
Jonah Hill displays a wonky energy in a lead role that bounces up and down on a trampoline of storytelling consistency. The guy we see saying and doing the most right, resolute, and supportive things by his woman in one scene will inexplicably fold in an instant for the sake of being the butt of a joke in another. Sure, Hill is an expert at playing the sad sack, but the cycle of repeated failures feels unhelpful against the bigger messages in play.
You People had a good thing going by making Ezra a character forthright and confident with his diverse values. Holding onto that righteousness firmly in a setting of racial intensity instead of so easily losing it for comedy’s sake would have been something special and valuable. Barris and Hill missed creating a truly bold example for this current climate and stayed safe within glamor and predictability. There was room to present cultures and hearts matching in loving unison better than this.
From Spencer Tracy and Sidney Poiter, forward to Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro, and even to the likes of Ashton Kutcher and Bernie Mac, you’ve seen the interesting proposition of You People and its kind of entertaining clash before. Though it was made in 2021 and bears the label of 2023, You People is about a decade late to its own civics rally. The topicality has come and gone. Kenya Barris’s film arrives almost immediately wrapped in a time capsule, one that few will meaningfully open in years to come without more significance to recognize and remember.
Have you ever had the experience of watching an action-packed movie filled with gunfire, espionage, and a display of tactical skills? If you have, then you are undoubtedly certain of the thrill associated with such movies. One of the most exhilarating aspects of the movies involves the equipment the protagonists and antagonists use, ranging from elaborate spy craft, as in the Bond films, to the simple assault rifles in many war-themed movies.
One of the most commonly used weapons in many movies is the AK-47 or the Avtomat Kalashnikova. Considering that the AK-47 is the standard infantry weapon for over 106 countries worldwide, it is not surprising to see the same weapon depicted quite extensively in many movies. Here are some of the popular movies showcasing the AK-47. Spoiler Alert!
1. 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi (2016)
Now showing on Netflix, 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi is one of the most prominent Hollywood movies showcasing the iconic Russian AK 47 rifle. The movie stars John Krasinski as one of the soldiers freelancing in the C.I.A. outpost in Benghazi during a regime change in Libya. In the movie, John Krasinski, who plays the character of Jack Silva, and his fellow soldiers, must find a way to defend the outpost and the diplomatic compound from relentless terrorists.
In this movie, the AK-47 is a common weapon used by soldiers from the terrorist side and the soldiers supporting the American side, the 17-Feb allies. In the movie, the efficiency of the AK-47 as an assault rifle is well illustrated.
2. Black Widow (2021)
Part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe franchise, Black Widow is yet another high-grossing Hollywood movie with the AK-47 as one of the primary rifles used by various characters. The movie stars Scarlett Johansson, who plays Natasha Romanoff, a disgraced agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. who is on the run from her present and past.
In the movie, different soldiers are on guard using the AK-47s. For instance, at the beginning of the movie, as Sergei leads his family to Cuba after they are discovered as Sleeper Agents, the soldiers guarding and directing them all wield AK-47s. Additionally, as the movie draws close, some agents and soldiers from the Seventh Circle carry AK-47s as their primary weapons. They use these weapons to shoot at Natasha and her compatriots, who are flying a helicopter.
3. Black Hawk Down (2001)
Based on a true story, Black Hawk Down details the activities of a clandestine mission led by delta forces and armed soldiers in the thick of Somalia during the military upheaval. The movie has different escapades, most illustrating the mistakes and accomplishments of brave soldiers charged with capturing the leader of the armed militia in Somalia. The movie details the use of AK-47 rifles in an elaborate way. The AK47 is the primary weapon for many of the characters in the movie, including the armed Somali militia.
4. X-Men: First Class (2011)
X-Men: First Class is the prequel to the original X-Men movie set in the mid-1960s. The film details how Charles Xavier and Magneto became friends during their efforts to eliminate the threat of nuclear warfare and probably a new World War. While their aims were not the same initially, they had a mutual cause, leading to their ultimate victory towards the movie's end.
Since the movie oscillates between the Soviet Republic and the United States, it was expected that there would be instances of using the AK-47, an iconic Soviet rifle. The AK-47 is a primary weapon used by Soviet border guards, soldiers guarding the Soviet palace, and other soldiers protecting the General.
5. 7 Days in Entebbe (2018)
The movie 7 Days in Entebbe is based on a true story of the hijacking of an Israeli plane flying from Tel Aviv to Paris. The plane was hijacked by terrorists allied with Idi Amin, the former president of Uganda. The Israeli Prime Minister was against negotiations with the terrorists and preferred sending an elite team of soldiers into Uganda to rescue the hijacked individuals.
In the movie, the AK-47 is the primary rifle used by Palestinian hijackers, the Ugandan soldiers, and the Israeli elite team. Considering how popular the rifle was at the time, it is no surprise that the movie depicts many armed individuals in the movie using it.
6. The Expendables (2010)
Starring an all-star cast, The Expendables is an exceptional action film with a lot of gunfire and fighting. In the movie, soldiers from different fighting teams use the AK-47 and its various variants. For instance, some soldiers allied to General Garza used the AK-47 as a primary weapon. The Somali pirates, who are also part of the movie's antagonists, use AK-47s to capture and guard their hostages.
Final Words
The AK47 gained much popularity in the second half of the 20th century, seeping into the 21st century. The ubiquitous use of the rifle in real life influenced its portrayal in different films, as illustrated above. Generally, the popularity of the assault rifle is attributable to its ease of use, low production cost, and efficiency even in harsh climatic and geographic conditions. That explains why it is most common among people from low-income countries and terrorists or armed militia.
The US film industry, Hollywood, is known for making the best movies that encourage the audience to think about themselves and how they can improve their lives and their societies.
Hollywood movies show us how to better comprehend each other through empathy and compassion while motivating us to critically analyze how we reached a certain point in our lives and our direction.
Amongst them, The Menu, released on November 27, 2022, is on top of the list and is loved by the audience. On September 10, 2022, The Menu had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, and that same month, it also had its US debut at Fantastic Fest. The broadest release in Searchlight's history opened in 3,211 cinemas on November 18, 2022, in the United States.
Sounds like people had as much of a blast with this movie as they could have in a game of poker at Intertops casino bonus! I know you are all probably brimming with excitement, so let’s jump right in!
Ratings for “The Menu”
It received 4/5 rankings on multiple web sources. 89 percent of the 300 reviews from reviewers on the aggregate website Rotten Tomatoes say that it is worth watching a movie of the year with all the drama and spices the audience is looking for, with an overall rating of 7.5/10.
Reviews
The website's consensus shows that "The Menu dishes up black comedy with plenty of spice while its societal critique relies on simple ingredients." Concluding from the overall 45 reviews, the weighted average review site Metacritic gave “The Menu” a score of 71/100, indicating "generally good reviews."
Box Office
The film has grossed $38 million in the USA and Canada as per Box Office reports of January 13, 2023. The movie collected a total of $76.6 million worldwide. The box office reports and positive reviews make it a must-watch movie of the year if, by any chance, you still have missed it. It is one of the finest movies of this year, as it has received positive ratings from viewers. Not only in the US but it is now being watched around the globe.
The movie was made available on digital platforms on January 3, 2023, and Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment released it on Blu-ray and DVD on January 17, 2023. If you are interested in watching the movie now, you might find a link to download it anywhere on the internet.
The Niche of the Movie
The Menu is a black-comedy horror movie and is no less than a treat for our eyes and ears. It is directed by Mark Maylod and produced by Adam McKay, Betsy Koch, and Will Ferrell. Will Tracy and Seth Reiss wrote the story.
The movie features a lovely cast, including Ralph Fiennes as a celebrity chef, Hong Chau playing his assistant, Anya Taylor-Joy, John Leguizamo Nicholas Hoult, Reed Birney, Janet McTeer Judith Light, and have appeared as diners at the restaurant.
Cast and Direction
The director of the movie, Mark Mylod, here parodies with his outrageously exaggerated portrayal of the gourmet food industry, showing a very particular type of elitism. In the movie, people come from different boards of a ferry for a trip to their desired destination. The chief Chef Slowik is perfect in this role, and multiple dinners are mythical—and extravagant, at $1,250 a person.
Everyone seems excited but a bit astonished about the high charges of the luxury ferry. Margot (Anya Taylor-Joy) and her boyfriend Tyler (Nicholas Hoult) seem excited but not too happy with the high charges, but this is the evening they both had dreamed of for years.
The diners on board are (John Leguizamo) and his beleaguered assistant (Aimee Carrero); three tech personals (Rob Yang, Arturo Castro, and Mark St. Cyr); a rich old man with his spouse (Reed Birney and Judith Light); an illustrious food critic (Janet McTeer) accompanied by her editor (Paul Adelstein).
In his portrayal as Chef Slowik, Ralph Fiennes combines a calming Zen-like serenity with an obsession with control. Each course is started with a clap, and his cooks follow him.
Nevertheless, regardless of their position, they all show respect to the night's shining star: the guy whose skillful and brilliant creations brought them there. At first, the attentiveness and care each visitor receives appear like what people would expect to receive for paying such a premium amount. Though brilliant to the observer, the specially crafted foods eventually take on an invasive, dark, and violent tone that is disturbing to the diner.
Cinematography
The success of "The Menu" can also be linked to its dreamy cinematography done by Peter Demings. The magical cinematography of a private island in the Pacific Northwest makes it appear improbably peaceful. At the same time, most of the movie is in an upscale restaurant, where most of the actions occur.
Here the diners meet one another while having the taste of luxury food. Slowik's concoctions and the diners' punishments gradually become stranger and more dangerous from the amuse-bouche through the dessert.
Here we must appreciate the direction of Mark Mylod, which are chilly and clipped in service to a joyfully wicked tone. The actors fit perfectly into unsympathetic characters that make the audience willing to watch the actors of their movie in their agony.
The subtle luxury vibe is quickly established by the slick, stylish production design by Ethan Tobman. Mylod explores the space in creative ways with overhead shots of both the cuisine and the mesmerizing restaurant decor. In addition to it, the superlative sound design gives overlapping conversational fragments that immerse the audience in action.
The cherry on the top, Colin Stetson's amusing and mocking score complements the film's rhythm while gradually raising the tension.
"The Menu" is dark, broad, and occasionally sloppy, addressing its issues and portraying its characters in the best way a movie can.
The movie weaves splashes of horror into gastronomic comedy. Every character in the movie has so much fun that it's impossible to resist joining them on their adventure. The film's focus may be high-scale and deluxe cuisine, but its core is unadulterated with the most loved fish and chips.
The movie's central idea is directed at the impossible blending of art and commerce in a style that the audience is provided with the awareness that growth at the preceding needs necessitates the encouragement of the latter, only if it says making squashing concessions that take the fun out of.
In this case, the expressly straightforward pleasure of food. The Menu sympathizes with the idea that there is no getting out of this agreement, but it also enjoys its ridiculous end-of-the-world scenario. After all, a person can always give up and go, provided that they are permitted to do so.
Bottom Line
If you are looking for a movie full of action and black horror, "The Menu" is a must-watch. The 166-minute run time for the movie is regarded as a great pick this year. At the same time, some film critics believe that even after watching "The Menu," you may still feel hungry and want some more!
The Online Film Critics Society (OFCS) today announces winners of their top film honors of 2022, as well as technical awards, Special Achievement and Lifetime Achievement honors for industry leaders and icons, and the organization’s top 10 films of the year, both those released in the U.S. and without U.S. release to date. Leading with a total of six wins is Everything Everywhere All at Once, The Banshees of Inisherin earns four awards, while a total of twelve films earned awards overall this year. A complete list of winners and special awards is below.
Comprised of nearly 300 voting members from around the world who represent outlets including Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Slant, Paste Magazine, AARP, Sight & Sound, Screen Anarchy, Collider, The Film Stage and many more, the Online Film Critics Society annually presents traditional awards including Best Picture, Director, Actor and Actress, among others. Founded in 1997, members of the OFCS explore the nature of film from historical, sociological, political, emotional, technical, and other perspectives, appreciating film as a medium for art and a mode of entertainment. Yours truly is a member of the Online Film Critics Society representing Every Movie Has a Lesson.
The 2022 Online Film Critics Society awards honor a broad list of films and creators, including a number of box office blockbusters and independent gems alike. With six wins, Everything Everywhere All at Once tops the organization’s awards this year, earning Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress (Michelle Yeoh), Best Supporting Actor (Ke Huy Quan), Best Editing and Best Production Design. The Banshees of Inisherin is named Best Original Screenplay and Best Original Score, as well as Best Actor (Colin Ferrell) and Best Supporting Actress (Kerry Condon).
In addition to the 2022 top film honors, the Online Film Critics Society recognizes the work and contributions of several professionals and organizations with their annual Special Achievement and Lifetime Achievement Awards. OFCS membership are invited to nominate recipients of both awards, for achievements they deem worthy of these recognitions.
Receiving this year’s Special Achievement Award is: Geena Davis, founder of the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media; Maya Cade and the Black Film Archive; and The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Museum (for providing a site where all aspects of cinema can be displayed). Earning Lifetime Achievement Award recognition are industry titans Ruth E. Carter (costume designer); Claire Denis (director); Pam Grier (actor); Barbara Kopple (documentarian); and Bruce Willis (actor). Finally, the OFCS recognizes a slate of ten international films as the best releases outside the U.S. in 2022.
The complete list of 2022 Online Film Critics Association awards winners:
Best Picture - Everything Everywhere All at Once
Best Animated Feature - Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio
Best Director - Daniel Kwan, Daniel Scheinert - Everything Everywhere All at Once
Best Actor - Colin Farrell - The Banshees of Inisherin
Best Actress - Michelle Yeoh - Everything Everywhere All at Once
Best Supporting Actor - Ke Huy Quan - Everything Everywhere All at Once
Best Supporting Actress - Kerry Condon - The Banshees of Inisherin
Best Original Screenplay - The Banshees of Inisherin
Best Adapted Screenplay - Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery
Best Editing - Everything Everywhere All at Once
Best Cinematography - Top Gun: Maverick
Best Original Score - The Banshees of Inisherin
Best Production Design - Everything Everywhere All at Once
Best Costume Design - Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Best Visual Effects - Avatar: The Way of Water
Best Debut Feature - Aftersun - Charlotte Wells
Best Film Not in the English Language - Decision to Leave
Best Documentary Feature - Fire of Love
Technical Achievement Awards
3D Effects Design - Avatar: The Way of Water
Original Song - "Naatu Naatu" - RRR
Sound Design - Tár
Stunt Coordination - RRR
Stunt Coordination - Top Gun: Maverick
Top Ten Films of 2022 (in ranked order):
Everything Everywhere All at Once, The Banshees of Inisherin, Tár, The Fabelmans, Nope, RRR, Top Gun: Maverick, Aftersun, Women Talking, EO
Awards Tallies:
6 - Everything Everywhere All at Once
4 - The Banshees of Inisherin
2 - Avatar: The Way of Water, RRR, Top Gun: Maverick
1 - Aftersun, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Decision to Leave, Fire of Love, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio, Tár
Special Achievement Awards
Geena Davis - actor, producer, Oscar and Golden Globe winner, founder of the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, winner of the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award
Maya Cade and the Black Film Archive
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Museum - For providing a site where all aspects of cinema can be displayed.
Kímmapiiyipitssini: The Meaning of Empathy (Canada) (dir. Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers)
Love Life (Japan) (dir. Kôji Fukada)
Lullaby (Spain) (dir. Alauda Ruiz de Azúa)
Met Mes (Netherlands) (dir. Sam de Jong)
My Grandfather's Demons (Portugal) (dir. Nuno Beato)
My Small Land (Japan) (dir. Emma Kawawada)
Paris Memories (France) (dir. Alice Winocour)
Run Woman Run (Canada) (dir. Zoe Leigh Hopkins)
About the Online Film Critics Society
Founded in 1997, the Online Film Critics Society (OFCS) is a professional association for online film journalists, historians, and scholars with a mission to further the growth of an informed film audience, to promote awareness of the Internet as a source of news and commentary, to provide a forum for the OFCS members to communicate and discuss ideas about journalism and cinema, and to encourage a high standard of journalism across the online media. The OFCS consists of nearly 300 members around the world; nearly one third of the organization’s membership are based outside of the United States. The Online Film Critics Society explores the nature of film from historical, sociological, political, emotional, technical, and other perspectives and appreciates film as a medium for art and a mode of entertainment. Learn more at www.ofcs.org.
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After ballots were finalized in 25 categories, the Chicago Indie Critics announced the winners of their seventh annual and newly-named “Windie” film awards on January 21, 2023. Members, guests, and local nominees gathered for a festive winter evening party at the stylish Music Box Lounge in Chicago. The awards presentation was recorded for the CIC’s YouTube channel.
The big winner of the spirited event was Everything Everywhere All at Once from A24. The film, written and directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, won six Windies. The Daniels were among the winning producers for Best Independent Film and they shared the Best Director and Best Original Screenplay prizes. Everything Everywhere All at Once also won Windies for Michelle Yeoh as Best Actress, Ke Huy Quan for Best Supporting Actor, and Best Editing.
The next most awarded film was the international blockbuster RRR with three Windie victories. The adventure spectacle from director S.S. Rajamouli won for Best Studio Film, Best Original Song, and Best Stunts. Elsewhere in the Windie acting categories, Colin Farrell won Best Actor for The Banshees of Insherin, Janelle Monáe was declared the Best Supporting Actress for Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, and Rian Johnson’s Netflix mystery won for Best Ensemble. In all, 13 different films won Windie awards from the CIC.
For a special award of local recognition, late Chicago film critic Sergio Mims was the recipient of the 2022 Impact Award. His film festival leadership and long-time advocacy for diversity among films, creators, and journalism was befitting the award’s distinction of groups or individuals who had a positive influence on the Chicagoland film community.
The CIC offers their congratulations and appreciation to all of this year’s Windie winners. Thank you for a terrific year of film and Happy 2023!
The complete list of 2022 Windie winners from the CIC:
BEST INDEPENDENT FILM (budgets under $25 million)
EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE
Producers: Jonathan Wang, Daniel Kwan, Daniel Scheinert, Joe Russo, Anthony Russo, and Mike Larocca
BEST STUDIO FILM (budgets over $25 million)
RRR
Producers: D.V.V. Danayya
BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
DECISION TO LEAVE
Producers: Park Chan-wook and KO Dae-sok
BEST DOCUMENTARY
FIRE OF LOVE
Producers: Shane Boris, Sara Dosa, and Ina Fichman
BEST ANIMATED FILM
GUILLERMO DEL TORO’S PINOCCHIO
Producers: Guillermo del Toro, Lisa Henson, Gary Ungar, Alex Bulkley, and Corey Campodonico
BEST DIRECTOR
Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE
Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
WOMEN TALKING
Sarah Polley
BEST ACTOR
Colin Farrell, THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN
BEST ACTRESS
Michelle Yeoh, EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Ke Huy Quan, EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Janelle Monáe, GLASS ONION: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY
BEST ENSEMBLE CAST
GLASS ONION: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY
Casting directors: Brett Howe and Mary Vernieu
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
TOP GUN: MAVERICK
Claudio Miranda
BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER
Dylan Cole, Ben Procter, and Vanessa Cole
BEST COSTUME DESIGN
THE WOMAN KING
Gersha Phillips
BEST MAKEUP
THE BATMAN
Naomi Donne, Michael Marino, and Mike Fontaine
BEST EDITING
EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE
Paul Rogers
BEST MUSICAL SCORE
GUILLERMO DEL TORO’S PINOCCHIO
Alexandre Desplat
BEST ORIGINAL SONG
“Naatu Naatu” - RRR
Music by M.M. Keeravaani and lyrics by Chandrabose
BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER
Joe Letteri, Richard Baneham, Eric Saindon, and Daniel Barrett
BEST STUNTS
RRR
Nick Powell
BREAKOUT ARTIST
Austin Butler
SIGHT UNSEEN PERFORMANCE
Jenny Slate, MARCEL THE SHELL WITH SHOES ON
IMPACT AWARD
Given to a person whose work has had a positive impact on the Chicagoland film community
The late Sergio Mims (film critic)
2022 WINDIE WINNERS BY THE NUMBERS
FILMS:
6: Everything Everywhere All at Once
3: RRR
2: Avatar: The Way of Water, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio
1: The Banshees of Inisherin, The Batman, Decision to Leave, Fire of Love, Marcel the Shell With Shoes On, Top Gun: Maverick, The Woman King, Women Talking
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Front and center in When You Finish Saving the World is Finn Wolfhard’s high school-aged wannabe YouTube vlogger Ziggy Katz. He finds himself to be a member of the currently en vogue “social justice warrior” crowd. While each generation has had their own version and label of this, the social media-fueled SJWs of today stand apart with their louder outlets and larger audience reach compared to their predecessors. No matter the era, these types are a special mix of youthful invincibility, privileged entitlement, divergent ethos, and sometimes misguided hills-to-die-on. As a film viewer or as a general bystander, you either admire their spirit or you find them insufferable.
LESSON #1: THE TROUBLE WITH SOCIAL JUSTICE WARRIORS– Here’s a piece of the current dilemma with social justice warriors. Activism is great for discovering principles and the platforms on which take stands have never been more accessible for mass organization. Citizens with similar proclivities have the means to “find their people” with the swipe of a device. However, when a mindset is created to where every topic, issue, or conflict in the world has to matter and needs your side-choosing opinion, the volume of it all distracts and overflows one’s mental and emotional cups. All of their external efforts frequently take away from the personal ones in their actual lives. How about fixing the things closest to you instead of the things far away?
That’s the obstacle very fitting of the title When You Finish Saving the World. The cloud-hopping Ziggy is detached from his roots. Moreover, when the bystander trying to figure out between social justice warrior admiration or intolerance is his mother Evelyn, played by Oscar winner Julianne Moore, the trials, tribulations, and butted heads become more difficult. Jesse Eisenberg, making his feature directorial debut, has offered characters with plenty to say but never enough to say to each other.
The Katzs live in the Midwestern crossroads of Bloomington, Indiana. Ziggy hides away in his bedroom retrofitted as a recording studio for his “classic folk rock with alternative influences” songs streamed on YouTube for international fans who upvote and tip his work phantom riches. This low-level recognition causes him to brag on his numbers and so-called influence to anyone who will listen, including Lila (Alisha Boe of Thirteen Reasons Why), the even more knowledgeable and involved SJW classmate he’s trying to impress. He would love to shoot his shot for her attention.
The family Ziggy avoids includes his intellectual retiree father Roger (veteran character actor Jay O. Sanders) reading books all day and the busy default parent Evelyn. Her time and effort are primarily committed to the successful Spruce Haven community shelter she built from the ground up. Recently, she has welcomed a new troubled family of a diligent teen named Kyle (Billy Bryk of Ghostbusters: Afterlife) to Spruce Haven. Seeing more approachable and admirable qualities in him than in Ziggy, Evelyn begins to take Kyle under her wing of concern and aid.
Being devoted to such a selfless endeavor as a sheltering community center likely means Evelyn has some standout social justice warrior values of her own. Go ahead and say it. There’s a former hippy or daughter of a hippy under those large wire-framed glasses and subtle gray-streaked hair. One would think she and her rebellious son would be cut from the same cloth. Deep down, they are, but the generation gap proves otherwise and shoves them apart.
LESSON #2: CLASHING VALUES OF DIFFERENT GENERATIONS– When You Finish Saving the World attempts to dig deep into moral differences between mother and son. Evelyn’s desire for dry properness in everything grates against the mouthy and frantic Ziggy. She is mystified by his artistry and questions the endgame. Furthermore, playing the somewhat inflexible pariah, Evelyn calls politics a “shortcut to sound intelligent” and fails to see any true struggle or impressive sincerity in the Ziggy compared to Kyle.
The presence of Julianne Moore is never going to sink a movie. The same cannot be said of Finn Wolfhard. Representing the politically-minded Millennials, Wolfhard feels like he’s doing what Evelyn accuses Ziggy of, and that’s jumping into conversations he knows nothing about. Call it scripted wisdom for Evelyn matching the equivalent real-life trait within Moore, but her character’s stumps always come through taller and more substantial than those of Wolfhard and Ziggy. Battle-tested advocacy beats selfish and entry-level awareness in a movie where a reversal would be the more interesting result to explore.
Eisenberg’s film spends the bulk of its time tip-toeing around everyone’s dismissive treatment of one another and effusive posturing. We encounter the trenches of conflict and see the missing grace. The parent needs to respect a new era of artistic self-expression, and the young adult needs to comprehend real adversity. We know the goal is to inject some form of caring back into embattled family members, but, as it turns out, no one is worthy of supportive applause.
When You Finish Saving the World stops right when an interesting alignment of merits could possibly begin. That ambiguous final moment of discovered courage and acceptance ends the journey at the point it should have begun. What you’re left with is that same decision mentioned earlier of deciding between bearable and unbearable feelings about incensed and outspoken people. Too often, the latter impression wins out.
