Death Whisperer 3 (2025) by Narit Yuvaboon Film Review
Netflix’s Thai horror franchise returns with “Death Whisperer 3,” the third film in three years, starring Nadech Kugimiya as the region’s Ash‑Williams. The sequel maintains the series’ signature over‑the‑top gore and jump‑scares but suffers from a thin plot, repetitive dialogue, and underdeveloped supporting characters. Kugimiya’s versatile performance remains the standout element, while the creature makeup shows modest production upgrades. A spin‑off and sequel are already planned, putting pressure on the creators to innovate beyond the familiar formula.
Frankie, Maniac Woman - Jennie Kermode - 20293
Pierre Tsigaridis’s latest indie slasher, Frankie, Maniac Woman, follows Frances – a self‑destructive singer‑songwriter haunted by fat‑shaming and a murderous alter ego. Co‑written and headlined by Dina Silva, the film mixes graphic gore with dark comedy while exposing misogyny and...
Oscars to Stay in March for ABC’s Final Two Ceremonies, in 2027 and 2028
The Academy has confirmed that the 99th Oscars will be held on March 14, 2027 and the centennial 100th ceremony on March 5, 2028. Both events will air on ABC, marking the network’s final two broadcasts of the awards. The...
The Academy Sets Dates For The 99th And 100th Oscar Ceremonies
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced that the 99th Oscars will be held on Sunday, March 14, 2027, and the centennial 100th ceremony will take place on Sunday, March 5, 2028. Both events will be broadcast live...
Disaster Fascism: One Civilization Must Disappear So Another Can Prosper
The post announces a Lucid Substack Q&A with documentary filmmaker Friedrich Moser, whose film "How To Build a Truth Engine"—produced by George Clooney—premieres worldwide. It also critiques President Trump’s recent threat to annihilate Iran, framing it as an expression of...
Head to Head (2023) by Malik Nejer Film Review
Saudi Arabia’s cultural liberalization is fueling a surge in homegrown cinema, and Malik Nejer’s live‑action debut, “Head to Head,” exemplifies this shift. The black‑comedy thriller follows a delusional chauffeur and his mechanic friend through a neon‑lit, neo‑noir town, blending slapstick,...
Funky Freaky Freaks (2025) by Han Chang-Lok Film Review
Han Chang‑lok’s "Funky Freaky Freaks" captured the Special Jury Award at Busan before debuting internationally at the Hong Kong International Film Festival. The Korean indie drama follows three high‑school outcasts navigating bullying, anorexia, catfishing and violent masculinity. Its raw, punk‑infused...
The Mighty Amazon by Paul Risker
Brazilian filmmaker Gabriel Mascaro’s new drama *The Blue Trail* follows 77‑year‑old Tereza as she rebels against a government‑mandated relocation of seniors to remote colonies, turning the Amazon river into a road‑trip of self‑discovery. The film blends dystopian and coming‑of‑age tropes,...
🎧 Steven Soderbergh on Art, Commerce & Legacy
Steven Soderbergh discusses his legacy, emphasizing how he wants to be remembered for his ideas about filmmaking and industry ethics rather than his filmography. He promotes his latest Neon release, "The Christophers," a satire on art, commerce, and generational conflict...
Watch: How Disparate Storytelling Styles Can Help Us ‘Always Remember’
Film Independent’s free "Always Remember" series is streaming two new Holocaust‑focused films, Oscar‑winner Michel Hazanavicius’s animated short "The Most Precious of Cargoes" and Dara Bratt’s documentary "Inked: Our Stories Remarked." Hazanavicius chose animation to suggest tragedy without pretending realism, while...
Critics Choice Celebration of LGBTQ+ Cinema & Television Honorees: Hannah Einbinder, Dan Levy, Bre-Z, ‘Heated Rivalry’ Creator Jacob Tierney and...
The Critics Choice Association announced the honorees and date for its third annual Celebration of LGBTQ+ Cinema & Television, set for May 29, 2026 in Los Angeles. The ceremony will recognize both emerging and established talent, awarding Jane Lynch with...
VODepths: What to See (and Avoid) on Demand This Week
This week’s VOD slate offers a mixed bag, ranging from the abysmal Russian family comedy “Papa Bear” to the modestly entertaining body‑horror “Thinestra.” The releases include a self‑referential horror‑romance, a spaghetti‑Western‑tinged drama starring John C. Reilly, and a teen radio‑show...
“BEAST”
The Australian‑produced film “Beast” follows former MMA star Patton James, played by Daniel MacPherson, as he returns to the cage to rescue his brother and faces ONE Championship champion Xavier Grau. Directed by Tyler Atkins and co‑written by David Frigerio and Russell Crowe,...
Marvel’s X-Men Film Has Two New Writers
Marvel’s next X‑Men film has tapped Lee Sung Jin, creator of the hit series Beef, and Joanna Calo, writer‑co‑showrunner of The Bear, to rewrite the screenplay. Director Jake Schreier, fresh from the blockbuster Thunderbolts, will helm the project, which has already seen multiple script overhauls...
Andy Serkis Confirmed To Return In The Batman: Part II
Andy Serkis has officially confirmed his return as Alfred Pennyworth for Matt Reeves’ sequel *The Batman: Part II*. Production is slated to begin in June 2026 in London, allowing Serkis to juggle the role alongside his upcoming *Lord Of The Rings* project. The sequel joins a star‑studded...
Virtual Stages, AI, and the Creator Economy: Cannes Film Market Massively Scales Up Its Innovation Hub
The Cannes Film Market (Marché du Film) is expanding its Innovation Hub for the May 12‑20 edition, adding virtual stages that let filmmakers pitch projects to global buyers without traveling. AI‑driven matchmaking and analytics tools will pair content with the most...
How Equal Is French Cinema? CinéStats 50/50 Has the Data
CinéStats 50/50 has published its first comprehensive gender‑parity audit of French cinema, revealing that women dominate on‑screen roles but remain under‑represented behind the camera. The dataset shows women comprised 88% of the main cast in Céline Sciamma’s 2019 hit Portrait of...
France and South Korea to Co-Host Global 'Cinema and Moving Image' Summit This September
During a state visit to Seoul, French President Emmanuel Macron and South Korean President Lee Jae‑myung announced that France and South Korea will co‑chair a Global "Cinema and Moving Image" Summit in September. The two‑nation summit will rotate between Paris...
VFX Giant Rodeo FX Consolidates European Hub in Massive New Paris Studio
Rodeo FX, the Montreal‑based visual effects leader, has opened a new, purpose‑built studio in Paris, bringing together all of its French operations under one roof. The move follows Rodeo FX’s recent acquisition of French VFX house Mikros, marking a decisive...
From ‘Monte-Cristo’ to Medical Dramas: Inside Itinéraire Productions' Aggressive Expansion
Itinéraire Productions, the UGC group’s content arm, used the TF1 showcase at Series Mania on March 26 to debut footage from several new series currently in production. The slate ranges from a literary‑inspired drama echoing Alexandre Dumas’s *Monte‑Christo* to a high‑stakes...
'The Airbus of Production': Mediawan Backers Defend French Identity and Independence at Parliamentary Hearing
Three of Mediawan’s principal investors—Xavier Niel, Matthieu Pigasse and KKR’s Jérôme Nommé—appeared before a French parliamentary inquiry on April 2 to address accusations of editorial interference after the group’s €1 billion‑plus acquisition of production assets from France Télévisions. The witnesses denied...
French Animation Giant Xilam Bets Big on Original IP to Rebound From 2025 Revenue Slump
French animation studio Xilam reported a 12% drop in 2025 revenue, falling to €120 million (approximately $130 million). The company’s CEO Marc Bourdeaux announced a strategic pivot toward developing original intellectual property to revive growth. Xilam is allocating €30 million ($33 million) for new studio...
A Tale of Two Trailers...
The newsletter highlights the debut of two high‑profile trailers—Supergirl and the Masters of the Universe reboot—while reflecting on a decade of DC/Marvel tentpole dominance. It revisits how Batman v Superman reshaped online criticism through SEO‑friendly Tomatometer debates and notes the...
Corey Stoll & Joel Kinnaman on Imperfect Women, the Power of Their Female Co-Stars & Why Playing Perfect Characters Is...
Corey Stoll and Joel Kinnaman discuss Apple TV+’s new drama Imperfect Women, a murder‑investigation series that centers on a wealthy victim’s hidden secrets. The actors highlight the energy their three female leads bring, emphasizing that flawed, imperfect characters resonate more with...
Short Films in Focus: Trapped (with Sam Cutler-Kreutz)
Sam and David Cutler‑Kreutz’s short film “Trapped” follows Joaquin, a janitor‑father who is coerced by privileged seniors into a risky prank during a prep‑school homecoming. The five seniors offer him $500 to help spread mousetraps, forcing Joaquin to choose between...
Entertainlens 5 Predictions for the Global Content Market in 2026: Trends, Box Office, and the “East-to-West” Shift
EntertainLens forecasts a reshaped global content market in 2026, highlighted by the rise of $30‑70 million "middle‑tier" blockbusters that could capture roughly 22 % of international box‑office revenue. Pan‑Asian theatrical and SVOD earnings are projected to approach $10 billion annually in Western markets,...
First Look Review - CITY WIDE FEVER
Josh Heaps’ debut, City Wide Fever, is a low‑budget love letter to 1970s Italian Giallo, shot on standard‑def video to evoke gritty New York grindhouse vibes. The film follows film student Sam as she uncovers a mysterious filmmaker’s legacy, spiraling...
First Trailer and Poster for Horror Comedy BUFFET INFINITY
First‑look trailer and poster reveal "Buffet Infinity," a Canadian horror‑comedy directed by Simon Glassman. The film follows two rival restaurants whose feud creates cults and a supernatural sinkhole, told through a series of low‑budget TV ads. Kevin Singh, Claire Theobald...
New to VOD - TWINLESS
James Sweeney’s second feature, Twinless, has arrived on UK and ROI video‑on‑demand services, marking the latest push of a bold indie drama into the streaming market. The film follows Dylan O'Brien’s twin characters and a stalker played by Sweeney, using...
Is the Family-Friendly Box Office Revival for Real?
Family‑friendly releases are driving a noticeable box‑office resurgence this spring. Universal’s “Super Mario Galaxy” opened with $191 million domestic, slightly ahead of forecasts and close to the original’s $205 million Easter debut. The sequel’s success sits alongside strong performances from Pixar’s “Hoppers”...
CinemaCon 2026 Product Preview: What’s Shaping the Cinema Business
CinemaCon 2026’s Product Preview, sponsored by Vista Group, curates the flood of exhibitors into six thematic series covering ticketing, concessions, business platforms, projection, seating, and ancillary attractions. The Celluloid Junkie editorial team will publish category‑specific posts that detail new hardware...
Bugboy - Amber Wilkinson - 20292
Bugboy, a coming‑of‑age documentary by Lucas Paleocrassas, follows shy teenager Yorgos, whose eye disorder and parents’ divorce drive him toward a deep fascination with insects. The film intertwines his bug companionship—particularly with crickets named Isabella and Ferdinand—with his evolving relationship...
Nextgen Oscarwatcher: Best Actor Contenders and a Slight Cannes Preview
Tom Cruise has emerged as the frontrunner for the Best Actor Oscar with Alejandro González Iñárritu’s upcoming prestige drama *Digger*, slated for a fall release. The article also highlights a crowded field that includes John Malkovich, Matt Damon, Sebastian Stan, Ryan Gosling...
Zendaya Makes Her Case as A24’s Box Office Queen
Zendaya headlined A24’s romantic‑comedy *The Drama*, which opened to $14.4 million, placing it near the high end of pre‑release forecasts and among the studio’s three biggest openings behind *Civil War* and *Marty Supreme*. The film’s secret twist generated strong word‑of‑mouth, earning...
“I Wanted to Turn Splash on Its Head”: Tyler Cornack on Mermaid
Tyler Cornack’s new indie film *Mermaid* follows a suicidal drug‑addict who rescues an injured, feral mermaid on a Florida beach, turning a surreal premise into a dark, naturalistic comedy. The movie subverts classic mermaid tropes, presenting the creature as an animal...
Panda Plan: The Magical Tribe Review
Panda Plan: The Magical Tribe, released in April 2026, is the latest Jackie Chan vehicle and quickly earned the reputation of being his weakest outing. The sequel abandons the inventive martial‑arts humor of Chan’s recent hit The Shadow’s Edge in favor...
American Berserk: Chuck Norris and Invasion U.S.A.
In 1985 Cannon Films released *Invasion USA*, the most ambitious Chuck Norris vehicle of his early career, produced under a six‑picture deal that followed the successful *Missing in Action* series. Norris co‑wrote the script after reading a *Reader’s Digest* piece on...
Over Your Dead Body: Review
Over Your Dead Body, directed by Jorma Taccone, opens as a sharp dark‑comedy about a married couple, Dan and Lisa, who each plot to murder the other during a remote weekend getaway. Jason Segel and Samara Weaving’s chemistry fuels a...
“Star Wars” Keeps Its Animation on the Dark Side (Literally) with “Maul – Shadow Lord”
Dave Filoni’s first post‑Clone Wars animated venture, "Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord," follows Darth Maul a year after Order 66 as he builds a criminal empire on the neon‑lit planet Janix. The eight‑episode arc introduces new characters like Twi'lek Padawan...
Three Decades of Sniper, the Unkillable Action Franchise
The *Sniper* franchise, launched in 1993 with a modest $19 million box office, has just released its twelfth entry, *Sniper: No Nation*, on VOD and DVD. Over three decades the series has outlasted many higher‑budget action franchises, maintaining a core fan...
Brainiac’s Lars Eidinger Discusses Superman Sequel Casting
German actor Lars Eidinger revealed how he secured the role of supervillain Brainiac in the upcoming DCU reboot film Superman: Man of Tomorrow, slated for a July 9, 2027 theatrical debut. The casting, confirmed in late 2025, required Eidinger to...
AwardsWatch Podcast Ep. 339 – Reviewing ‘The Drama,’ Starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson
The AwardsWatch Podcast’s 339th episode offers a spoiler‑filled review of A24’s latest release, The Drama, starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson. Executive Editor Ryan McQuade and contributor Josh Parham dissect the film’s narrative, performances, and directorial choices. The hour‑long discussion is distributed across all...
The Last Dance (1993) by Juzo Itami Film Review
Juzo Itami’s 1993 film "The Last Dance" is a semi‑autobiographical comedy‑drama that follows aging director Buhei Mukai, diagnosed with terminal stomach cancer, as he confronts Japan’s opaque healthcare system. The narrative blends dark humor with surreal visuals to expose costly...
EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
The EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert soundtrack compiles restored footage from Elvis’s August 1970 Las Vegas residency and 1972 U.S. tour, uncovered by Baz Luhrmann during his 2022 biopic work. The album blends iconic live performances—such as “In the Ghetto” and “Suspicious Minds”—with...
BET Digital Releases Short-Form Documentary "Flipped" Premieres on Tuesday, April 7 on BET.com and the Official BET YouTube Channel
BET Digital is releasing the short‑form documentary “Flipped” on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, streaming for free on BET.com and the official BET YouTube channel. Directed by award‑winning filmmaker Deborah Riley Draper, the film chronicles Fisk University’s historic launch of the first HBCU women’s...
Alai Payuthey (2000) by Mani Ratnam Film Review
Mani Ratnam’s 2000 Tamil romance Alai Payuthey marked his return to intimate, urban storytelling after the epic Dil Se.., focusing on the evolution from courtship to married life. The film launched R. Madhavan and Shalini as leading actors and featured an A.R. Rahman...
Video: "Hulk Hogan: Real American" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Netflix is launching "Hulk Hogan: Real American," a four‑part, hour‑long documentary series debuting in April 2026. The series chronicles Terry Bollea’s transformation into wrestling icon Hulk Hogan and includes his final on‑camera interview. Produced in association with WWE and directed by...
Prairie Prophecy: A Powerful New Film on Wes Jackson and the Future of Agriculture
Prairie Prophecy, a documentary about ecologist and Land Institute co‑founder Wes Jackson, has premiered on PBS with a 55‑minute version available for online streaming and a 90‑minute theatrical cut touring the country. The film showcases Jackson’s pioneering work on perennial...
Top 7 Highest-Grossing Disaster Movies Of All Time
The article ranks the seven highest‑grossing disaster films, highlighting James Cameron’s Titanic as the genre leader with $2.22 billion worldwide. It lists Independence Day, Gravity, War of the Worlds, Armageddon, World Z and Twister, each surpassing $490 million in box‑office receipts. The piece...
Gold Obsession Trailer by Takayuki Kayano
A new Japanese crime comedy, "Gold Obsession," directed by Takayuki Kayano, draws inspiration from a 2013 department‑store gold theft that captivated the nation. The story follows housewife Mikako (Rena Tanaka) who impulsively steals a gold ritual bell and becomes fixated...