Today's Movies Pulse
Netflix’s ‘Office Romance’ tops weekly streaming with nearly 21 M views
Jennifer Lopez’s rom‑com *Office Romance* claimed the top spot on Netflix’s overall chart, logging 20.9 million views through June 7. The platform’s English‑language TV chart was led by the three‑part documentary *Michael Jackson: The Verdict* with 17.8 million views.
Charlize Theron's Only Western Was Completely Rejected By Critics (And Audiences)
Seth MacFarlane’s 2014 western spoof *A Million Ways to Die in the West* was a commercial and critical disaster, earning a 0% Rotten Tomatoes score and disappointing box‑office returns. The film featured Charlize Theron as Anna Barnes‑Leatherwood, a performance widely cited as the sole bright spot amid a weak script and uneven humor. MacFarlane both wrote, directed, and starred, a decision critics say stretched his comedic strengths thin. The movie’s failure highlights the perils of genre parody when the creator lacks genuine affection for the source material.
Director Watch Podcast Ep. 153: ‘Memento’ (Christopher Nolan, 2001)
The Director Watch Podcast’s 153rd episode dives into Christopher Nolan’s 2001 thriller Memento, the second feature that propelled him from festival‑circuit debut to mainstream acclaim. Co‑hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter dissect the film’s reverse‑chronology structure, the interplay of black‑and‑white and color, and...
Prime Video's Forgotten 8-Part Sci-Fi Series Is One of Its Best Hidden Gems
Prime Video’s 2022 eight‑episode series Night Sky has slipped under the radar despite featuring acclaimed veterans Sissy Spacek and J.K. Simmons. The show follows a retired couple in rural Illinois who conceal a hidden teleportation chamber that leads to a...
‘Mortal Kombat II’ and ‘Devil Wears Prada 2’ Duel for No. 1 at Summer Box Office
For the first time since February, the summer box office faces a head‑to‑head battle between Warner Bros.’ "Mortal Kombat II" and 20th Century’s "The Devil Wears Prada 2." The fighting‑game sequel led Friday with a $17 million opening, while the...
Primavera Review
Primavera, directed by Damiano Michieletto, follows 20‑year‑old orphan violinist Cecilia (Tecla Insolia) in Venice’s Ospedale della Pietá, where she rises to lead the orphanage orchestra under the watch of the austere Prioress (Fabrizia Sacchi). The film shines with operatic staging,...
Chris Pratt’s $468M Batman Movie Is Leaving Netflix
The 2014 animated feature The LEGO Movie, starring Chris Pratt and directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, will be removed from Netflix on June 1, 2026. The film was produced on a $60 million budget and generated $470.7 million worldwide, earning a 96%...
The Legal Fallout From Warner Bros. Shoving Its Pandemic Movies Onto Streaming Is Still Shaking Out
Warner Bros. adopted a pandemic‑era strategy of releasing its 2021 blockbusters, including *Tenet* and *The Matrix Resurrections*, simultaneously in theaters and on HBO Max. The move sparked a lawsuit from longtime financier Village Roadshow, which argued the streaming window cannibalized...
Mortal Kombat 2 Sets Franchise Record with 90% Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score
Mortal Kombat 2 opened on May 8 and earned a 90% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes from more than 500 verified ratings, the highest ever for the franchise’s live‑action adaptations. The film also posted a 68% critics score, making it the first...
Shed Review
Steven J. Mihaljevich’s *Shed* is a micro‑budget horror film shot in two weeks, following 10‑year‑old Mia as she battles a deranged, alcoholic killer in a suburban shed on Christmas Eve. The story doubles as a study of child resilience, forcing...
Hitchcock’s ‘Vertigo’: The Unrelenting Male Gaze that Blurs the Lines Between Possession and Obsession
Alfred Hitchcock’s 1959 film *Vertigo* was initially dismissed by critics for its implausible plot and James Stewart’s atypical role, but it has since risen to become the most‑voted greatest film of all time in the BFI Sight & Sound poll. The...
Projection (2025) by Ari Groobman Short Film Review
Ari Groobman's short horror film "Projection" debuted at Screamfest, often dubbed the "Sundance of Horror," after reaching the quarterfinals of the Vail Screenplay Competition. The 12‑minute piece fuses family drama with visceral horror, drawing on influences like "The Evil Dead"...
Scavengers Reign Is Leaving Netflix at the End of May 2026
Scavengers Reign, the 12‑episode animated sci‑fi series from creators Joe Bennett and Charles Huettner, will leave Netflix at the end of May 2026. The show, lauded for its Moebius‑inspired visual design and immersive alien ecosystem on the planet Vesta, has...
Doctor Strange Director’s $132M Hit & More Netflix Releases This Week
Scott Derrickson’s horror sequel Black Phone 2 debuted on Netflix this week, pulling in $132 million worldwide against a modest $30 million budget and earning strong reviews. The film joins a packed May 11‑17 slate that spans new TV series, documentaries, an animated feature...
Nicolas Cage's Underseen 2002 War Movie Was Directed By A Living Action Legend
John Woo’s 2002 WWII drama *Windtalkers* starred Nicolas Cage and cost $115 million, but earned only $78 million worldwide after a delayed release and studio‑mandated cuts. The film’s original vision was trimmed by 20 minutes, leading to a mixed critical reception despite Woo’s...
Vijay Deverakonda Undergoes Intense Horse-Riding Training for Ranabaali; Makers Unveil Special Birthday Glimpse
Bollywood’s upcoming historical action drama *Ranabaali* released a special birthday video featuring Vijay Deverakonda’s intense horse‑riding training for his warrior role. The glimpse, timed with the actor’s birthday, underscores his physical transformation and the film’s ambitious scale. Co‑starring Rashmika Mandanna,...
Masters of the Universe Begins India Promotions with Giant He-Man and Skeletor Statues at Comic-Con Mumbai
The live‑action *Masters of the Universe* film kicked off its India promotion at Comic‑Con Mumbai, unveiling 9‑ft He‑Man and Skeletor statues and an interactive sword‑wielding booth. Thousands of fans flocked to the exhibit, generating viral social‑media buzz. The activation builds...
‘Aditya Dhar Is Going to Temples’: Arjun Rampal Still Pinching Himself over Dhurandhar’s Success
The two‑part spy saga *Dhurandhar* has surged past the ₹3,000 crore (≈$360 million) mark worldwide, making it one of the biggest Indian box‑office hits of 2026. Lead antagonist Arjun Rampal praised director Aditya Dhar’s achievement, saying the success feels “temple‑worthy.” The cast and crew...
Swayambhu Director Bharat Krishnamachari on Shooting in the Same Forests as Pushpa, “We Made a Conscious Effort to Explore Untouched...
Director Bharat Krishnamachari revealed that the upcoming epic Swayambhu was shot in the rugged Maredumilli forests of Andhra Pradesh, the same region used for Pushpa, but deliberately sought untouched spots. The crew endured 2‑2.5 hour jeep treks to mountain tops...
Divyenndu Shares Intense BTS Glimpse of Dev From Glory
Divyenndu posted an Instagram Reel that offers a behind‑the‑scenes look at his intense portrayal of Dev in the streaming series "Glory." The footage captures rehearsals, physical preparation, and emotional moments, underscoring the actor’s commitment to layered performances. Fans quickly responded,...
The Most Underrated Version of The Addams Family Deserves Another Shot
The 2019 and 2021 animated Addams Family movies, directed by Conrad Vernon and Greg Tiernan, proved financially strong despite mixed reviews. They stand out for faithfully translating Charles Addams’s stark black‑and‑white comic style to modern animation. Oscar Isaac’s portrayal of Gomez blends...
The Must-See Foreign-Language Titles at Cannes Film Festival 2026
The 2026 Cannes Film Festival spotlighted non‑Hollywood cinema, with Spanish, Polish, Farsi, French and Flemish titles dominating the conversation. Pedro Almodóvar’s *Amarga Navidad* led the buzz, while Paweł Pawlikowski, Asghar Farhadi, Hirokazu Kore‑eda and Lukas Dhont presented ambitious works that...
Yoo Hae-Jin, Ryu Seung-Ryong, “No Other Choice” Among Major Winners at the 62nd Baeksang Arts Awards
The 62nd Baeksang Arts Awards were held on May 8 in Seoul, streamed live on JTBC and Naver, and highlighted veteran actors Yoo Hae‑jin and Ryu Seung‑ryong as Grand Prize winners in film and broadcast respectively. Park Chan‑wook’s "No Other Choice"...
Village Roadshow Pays Warner Bros $57 Million to End Matrix Resurrections Dispute
Village Roadshow has agreed to pay Warner Bros Discovery $57 million, ending a four‑year legal battle over its co‑financing share of 2021’s Matrix Resurrections. The payment wipes out the Australian studio’s remaining stake in the franchise and resolves a contested $125 million judgment.
Disha Patani’s Hollywood Debut The Portal Of Force Trailer Out & It’s Packed With Action
Disha Patani's first Hollywood film, The Portal of Force, has released its trailer, showcasing a supernatural battle between the Statiguards and Holiguards. Patani plays Jessica, the Chosen One whose lineage ties both factions, positioning her as a pivotal figure in...
Rafe Spall to Lead The Death of Sherlock Holmes Series
Rafe Spall has been cast as Sherlock Holmes in the upcoming series *The Death of Sherlock Holmes*, slated for a 2027 premiere. The show, created by Claudia Bluemhuber and co‑produced by Sky, Silver Reel, ARD Degeto, Umedia and Sphere Abacus, explores the...
Andy Weir Thinks These Sci-Fi Flops Almost Stopped The Martian Movie From Getting Made
Andy Weir warned that a string of box‑office failures – from *Mars Attacks!* to *John Carter* – had created a "Mars curse" that could have blocked Ridley Scott’s 2015 adaptation of his novel *The Martian*. The film defied the trend,...
Documentary Shows Mining-Funded Conservation Shaping Liberia's Nimba Mountains
The documentary "Overburden," produced by historian Gregg Mitman, examines how mining giants like ArcelorMittal are funding conservation in Liberia's Nimba Mountains. The film highlights a recent agreement between ArcelorMittal and the Liberian government to co‑manage the East Nimba Nature Reserve,...
‘Hrithik Roshan Said Kick Me if Needed; He Was in Wet Mud’: Amit Behl Recalls Lakshya Shoot
Amit Behl recalled his experience shooting the 2004 film *Lakshya*, highlighting a memorable scene where Hrithik Roshan allowed himself to be kicked while covered in mud. Director Farhan Akhtar kept every take of Behl’s performance, refusing to edit him out—a contrast to earlier...
A Quiet Storm (2025) by Benjamin Nicholas Documentary Short Review
“A Quiet Storm,” Benjamin Nicolas’s 2025 documentary short, returns him to nonfiction after a varied career in photography, advertising and narrative film. The film follows 14‑year‑old Maïto, a Tokyo teenager who channels his yearning for maternal attention into Krump dance,...
When Will Mortal Kombat 2 Come to Streaming, HBO Max, Blu-Ray, and DVD?
Warner Bros. is expected to roll out the sequel Mortal Kombat II on digital platforms in early June 2026, followed by a Blu‑ray/DVD launch in July. The film will likely debut on HBO Max in late July, mirroring the studio’s recent 30‑day...
‘Stars Buy Their Own Tickets Worth Rs 18 Cr on Opening Weekend’: ‘Block Booking’ Hits Tamil Film Industry
The Tamil film industry is now using large‑scale block bookings, with stars and producers purchasing tickets worth roughly ₹18 crore (about $2.2 million) during an opening weekend to fabricate a ₹100 crore ($12 million) box‑office image. Producer Dhananjayan says actors spend up to ₹10 crore...
Samba TV: ‘Apex’ Tops Weekly Streaming Viewership Through May 3
Netflix’s thriller Apex claimed the No. 1 spot on Samba TV’s weekly streaming chart for the week of April 27‑May 3, shortly after its April 24 debut. The ranking follows HBO’s Euphoria at No. 2, Netflix’s true‑crime documentary ‘Should I Marry a Murderer?’ at No. 3,...
Amazon MGM Studios Plans Major Berkshire Site Revamp
Amazon MGM Studios announced a major revamp of Bray Studios in Berkshire, adding a multi‑storey car park, six new sound stages, a café, visitor hub, farm shop, and a new roundabout. The company says the redevelopment will support roughly 3,200...
Miranda Priestly Is Still My Hero
The Devil Wears Prada 2 opened with roughly US$250 million, delivering lavish couture set‑pieces and a soundtrack featuring Lady Gaga, Raye, and Doechii. While critics faulted its uneven tone and an over‑caffeinated Anne Hathaway, audiences responded warmly, especially to the film’s visual splendor. Central to...
Widow's Bay Delivers Hilarious, Thrilling, Brilliant Storytelling
Widow's Bay is absolutely fabulous. Witty and downright hilarious, while also being scary--often in the same moment. Excellent acting and superb scripts. Really love it!
Matt Damon, Ben Affleck Production Company Sued by Narcotics Officers Over Portrayal in Netflix Thriller ‘The Rip’
Miami-Dade narcotics officers who seized nearly $22 million in 2016 have filed a federal defamation lawsuit against Artists Equity, the production company founded by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, and co‑producer Falco Pictures. The suit alleges that Netflix’s thriller “The Rip,”...
‘Labyrinth’ Review: Legendary ‘Macross’ Creator Spends Too Much Time on Social Media
Legendary Macross creator Shōji Kawamori releases his first feature film in over 40 years, “Labyrinth.” The sci‑fi drama follows teenage influencer Shiori who, after a viral mishap, becomes trapped inside her smartphone as a hollow sticker avatar. While the movie...
Ozon's Adaptation Accidentally Exposes Camus' Banality
When I was assigned Camus's L’Étranger when I was a 17-year-old college student, I thought it was dreadful, reaffirmed when I re-read it 50 years later for a BBC radio program. Not surprised, then, by Jaspreet Singh Boparai's review...
Incredibly Bright Creatures Shines as Netflix's Near-Perfect Film
Incredibly Bright Creatures on @netflix is basically a perfect movie. Sally Field is, as you would expect, as good as ever, Lewis Pullman is a star, and Alfred Molina is the perfect embodiment of Marcellus.
Oasis Documentary to Show First Gallagher Brothers Interview in 25 Years
Oasis brothers Noel and Liam have given their first joint interview in 25 years for a new feature‑length documentary about their 2025 global reunion tour. Disney, in partnership with Sony Music Vision and Magna Studios, will release the film on...
Mortal Kombat 2 Opens $17M, Targets $42M Weekend
Muscular $17M opening day FRI for #MortalKombat2 incl pre-shows. Probably not a priority for the Mother's Day crowd over rest of this wknd. Latest #MortalKombat pic hopes to get to around $42M for opening wknd in a battle for #1 spot.
Herzog Rejects Cannes Invitation After Competition Snub
Werner Herzog’s ‘Bucking Fastard’ Turns Down Cannes Film Festival Invite After Being Denied Competition Slot (EXCLUSIVE) https://t.co/VDSasm6mjC via @variety
Doc ‘Remi Milligan: Lost Director’ Due on Blu-Ray Disc May 26 From BayView
BayView Entertainment announced that the documentary *Remi Milligan: Lost Director* will hit Blu‑ray on May 26, 2026. The film, directed by Samuel Lodato, chronicles the career of cult‑maker Remi Milligan and investigates his mysterious disappearance in 2006. Featuring interviews with Yoshi...
Bill
#BillieEilish amps $4.5M Friday, Paramount has 3-day at $8M Taylor Swift this is not https://t.co/4EHm5qKtbb
Unexpected Connections
Cause Cinema highlights three new releases—Netflix’s "Remarkably Bright Creatures," Apple TV+’s "Margo’s Got Money Troubles," and the limited‑theater drama "Blue Heron"—that center resilience through care, community, and reinvention. Each work portrays characters navigating grief, financial instability, or environmental dislocation by...
The Next Best Picture Podcast – Interviews With “Silent Friend” Star Tony Leung Chiu-Wai & Filmmaker Ildikó Enyedi
The Next Best Picture podcast released an interview with Tony Leung Chiu‑wai and director Ildikó Enyedi about their new historical drama "Silent Friend." The film, starring Leung, Léa Seydoux, Luna Wedler and others, tracks a single ginkgo tree through three...
One Of The Best Neo-Noir Crime Thrillers Of The 21st Century Is Streaming On Paramount Plus
Paramount+ has added Bong Joon‑ho’s 2003 neo‑noir crime thriller “Memories of Murder” to its library. The film dramatizes South Korea’s first known serial‑killer case and blends gritty investigation with dark humor. Critics credit it with pioneering the revisionist serial‑killer genre...
Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni Settle ‘It Ends With Us’ Dispute, Waive Appeals
Actress Blake Lively and director‑producer Justin Baldoni settled their lawsuit over alleged on‑set sexual harassment, agreeing to withdraw the case and waive any appeal. The deal leaves Lively’s motion for attorney fees and potential treble damages under California’s anti‑defamation law...
Netflix Launches Sally Field‑led ‘Remarkably Bright Creatures’ Streaming Debut
Netflix added the film ‘Remarkably Bright Creatures’ to its library on May 8, starring Sally Field as Tova Sullivan and featuring Alfred Molina’s voice as an octopus. The movie adapts Shelby Van Pelt’s novel, which spent more than 64 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list,...
Judd Apatow Explores What Makes Mel Brooks Hilarious
Judd Apatow on How He Dug Into the Funniest Man in the World, Mel Brooks https://t.co/KcyT7numSC via @IndieWire