2026 Box Office: Scott Mendelson Finally Picks Most Important Movie For Every Major Studio
Scott Mendelson has released his annual "most critical release" list, naming one flagship film for each major studio in 2026. The selections focus on domestic theatrical performance, reflecting heightened scrutiny as studios undergo consolidation. Mendelson emphasizes that the chosen titles now carry outsized weight for revenue and strategic positioning. A separate section highlights notable releases from smaller studios and newcomers.
Ep. 189 Berlinale 26: Arrú, Black Burns Fast, The Education of Jane Cumming
In episode 189 of The Seventh Row podcast, Alex Heeney spotlights three Berlinale 2026 films directed by women: Elle Sofe Sara’s Sámi musical *Arrú*, Sandulela Asanda’s queer South African drama *Black Burns Fast*, and Sophie Heldman’s 19th‑century period piece *The Education of Jane...
“We’re Becoming More and More Disconnected as a Society”: Alex Prager on DreamQuil
Alex Prager’s sci‑fi drama DreamQuil premiered at SXSW, exploring an AI‑driven personal assistant that supplants a mother’s role, with Elizabeth Banks playing both the human Carol and her AI double. The screenplay, co‑written with her sister during the pandemic, blends...
A Kieran Culkin Level of Effort (None) and Brevity (Lots)
The Culturework post lambasts the Oscars 2027 ceremony, calling its production a "Kieran Culkin level of effort"—minimal yet overly brief. It highlights the perceived snub of rising star Jacob Elordi and critiques the show’s lack of substantive moments. The author...
Lanaya (2025) by Clyde Capistrano Film Review
Filipino crime drama Lanaya, directed by Clyde Capistrano, earned Best International Film and Best Music Score at the Saskatchewan International Film Festival and later screened at the Sinag Maynila Film Festival. The film, a product of a mentor‑mentee partnership with...
Fifteen - Jennie Kermode - 20257
Fifteen is a horror‑drama that follows two 14‑year‑old girls, Ligia and Mayet, as their quinceañera approaches while a supernatural pregnancy transforms their lives. The film blends visceral gore with the anxieties of adolescence, using the myth of La Llorona to...
Eructation - Amber Wilkinson - 20255
Eructation, a six‑minute documentary directed by Victoria Trow, follows Oregonian Kaylee Kotlins as she trains to break the world record for the loudest female belch, currently 107.3 decibels. The film employs meticulous set dressing, Wes Anderson‑inspired visuals, and precise sound...
Pizza Movie - Jennie Kermode - 20256
Pizza Movie premiered at SXSW 2026, following two college misfits who stumble upon a mysterious designer drug while waiting for a pizza delivered by a stair‑incapable robot. The film starts as a series of disjointed comedy sketches but gradually coalesces...
The Dagger of Kamui (1985) by Rintaro Anime Review
Released in 1985, "The Dagger of Kamui" is a Rintaro‑directed, Madhouse‑produced historical adventure that blends ninja action with the Bakumatsu and early Meiji era. The film weaves real figures such as Saigo Takamori, Mark Twain and Geronimo into a fictional...
The Next Best Picture Podcast – Our Immediate Reactions To The 98th Academy Awards
The Next Best Picture Podcast released a preview episode delivering immediate reactions to the 98th Academy Awards. The hosts highlighted standout moments such as Autumn Durald Arkapaw becoming the first female winner of Best Cinematography, a rare tie, and memorable...
Why Adrian Grenier Won’t Return For The Devil Wears Prada 2
The Devil Wears Prada 2 arrives May 1, 2026, reuniting Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, Stanley Tucci and Anne Hathaway’s Andy Sachs. Adrian Grenier, who played Andy’s boyfriend Nate, confirmed he was not asked to return, citing possible fan backlash. Grenier expressed disappointment but...
Holy Ground: Review
"Holy Ground" is Michael Jolls’ documentary that chronicles Chicago’s Catholic heritage from the 1600s French settlements through the mid‑20th century. The film weaves archival footage, expert historians, and a choir soundtrack to illustrate how religion shaped neighborhoods, parishes, and suburban...
SXSW 2026 Reviews: ‘Sender,’ ‘The Saviors,’ ‘Hokum’ Highlight the Stars of ‘Severance’
SXSW 2026 highlighted three genre‑focused films starring Severance leads Britt Lower and Adam Scott. Sender, a claustrophobic psychological thriller, leans on Lower’s performance as a woman haunted by endless deliveries. The Saviors offers a darkly comic satire of xenophobic paranoia featuring Scott amid...
TAICCA Spotlights Taiwanese Talent at FILMART with Star-Led Showcase and 243 Titles
Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA) is spotlighting Taiwanese talent at this year’s Hong Kong International Film & TV Market (FILMART) with a star‑studded Taiwan Spotlight Showcase on March 18. The agency is presenting 243 titles—115 feature films and 128 TV...
‘Don’t Be Prey’ Trailer: Oceans Seven Swimming Documentary Heads to Cinemas This Week.
Munro Films released a trailer for "Don’t Be Prey," a documentary that follows one man’s quest to complete the Oceans Seven, the elite marathon swimming challenge spanning five continents. The film, directed by Jeff W. Tseng, premieres nationwide on March...
The Good Boy Review (2026 Kinoteka Polish Film Festival)
Polish director Jan Komasa’s dark thriller “The Good Boy” premiered at the Kinoteka Polish Film Festival on March 11 and will open across UK cinemas from March 20 via Signature Entertainment. The film stars Stephen Graham, Andrea Riseborough and newcomer Anson Boon,...
Review: Days of Wonder - Bergamo 2026
Finnish director Karin Pennanen’s debut feature documentary Days of Wonder chronicles her reclusive uncle Markku’s hidden archive of paintings, music and film notes, turning his solitary legacy into a post‑humous conversation. The film blends Super 8, VHS and digital footage in a...
Review: Pieces of a Foreign Life - Bergamo 2026
Gaya Jiji's second feature, Pieces of a Foreign Life, premiered at the Bergamo Film Meeting, portraying a Syrian woman's exile through intimate melodrama rather than overt political rhetoric. The film follows Selma, played by Zar Amir, as she navigates asylum...
Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett Reveal Scream 5 “Alternate Cut”
Directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett disclosed that a studio‑mandated alternate cut of Scream 5 existed, featuring a dramatically shortened first half. Both versions were test‑screened, but audiences responded more positively to the theatrical edit that ultimately released. The film grossed...
Interview: Gábor Holtai • Director of Feels Like Home - “You Don't Write Fear; You Write Reality” - Luxembourg 2026
Hungarian director Gábor Holtai discusses his feature debut *Feels Like Home*, an absurdist thriller that premiered at Sitges and later screened at LuxFilmFest. The film uses a dysfunctional eight‑member family to explore how intimate power dynamics can echo across society....
Ten Questions with David Martinez — The Man Holding the Raindance Orchestra Together
David Martinez, Executive Director of the Raindance Film Festival, explains how his team functions like an orchestra, translating the founder’s vision into a sustainable operation. He highlights the distinct roles of programming, CEO, marketing, brand ambassador, programme coordination, and digital...
The MCU’s Urgency Curve — And What It Signals For ‘Avengers: Doomsday’
The Marvel Cinematic Universe’s once‑unstoppable urgency is waning, with recent releases posting theatrical intent scores well below the 60% benchmark that predicts strong openings. Despite this dip, early analytics for the upcoming December 18 release *Avengers: Doomsday* show solid awareness (45%),...
Arco Review
Ugo Bienvenu’s debut animated feature Arco follows ten‑year‑old Arco, a boy from a pristine sky‑city future, who accidentally travels to a polluted 2075 Earth. The film pairs striking, illustration‑inspired visuals with a voice roster that includes Juliano Krue Valdi, Mark...
Interview: Ulrike Ottinger • Director of The Blood Countess - “I Always Start with the Image” - Luxembourg 2026
Ulrike Ottinger’s long‑gestating film *The Blood Countess* finally premiered at the Luxembourg Film Festival after a script first drafted in 1998 and years of financing hurdles. The movie stars Isabelle Huppert as the vampiric Elizabeth Báthory, with an expanded rebel character and...
Zuzana Kirchnerová’s Caravan Crowned Best Film at the Czech Lion Awards - Festivals / Awards - Czech Republic
At the 33rd Czech Lion Awards, Zuzana Kirchnerová’s co‑production *Caravan* was named Best Film and also earned Best Supporting Actress for Juliána Brutovská. Slovak filmmakers swept several major categories, with debut director Katarína Gramatová winning Best Director and Agnieszka Holland’s *Franz* taking four...
Golden Night for Closure in Thessaloniki by Amber Wilkinson - 2026-03-16 12:52:44+00:00
Michał Marczak’s documentary *Closure* captured the Golden Alexander at the 28th Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival, earning a €12,000 prize and positioning the film as an Oscar documentary contender. The jury praised its immersive portrayal of a grieving father’s search for...
Stay-at-Home Seven: March 16 to 22 by Amber Wilkinson, Jennie Kermode, Mateusz Tarwacki
The "Stay‑at‑Home Seven" column for March 16‑22 curates a weekly slate of films and documentaries streaming across BBC iPlayer, Film4 and BBC2, with commentary from Amber Wilkinson, Jennie Kermode and Mateusz Tarwacki. Highlights include the war‑propaganda documentary “Mr Nobody Against Putin,” the satirical series...
EXCLUSIVE: THE REAL REASON TIMOTHÉE CHALAMET LOST THE OSCAR
Timothée Chalamet lost the Best Actor Oscar to Michael B. Jordan at the 98th Academy Awards, despite heavy buzz around his nomination. Insider sources claim only one voter cast a ballot for Chalamet, citing his perceived arrogance and difficult demeanor....
Kokuho Dominates the 49th Japan Academy Awards as Ryo Yoshizawa and Chieko Baisho Win Top Acting Honors
Lee Sang‑il’s period epic “Kokuho” swept the 49th Japan Academy Awards, capturing Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor and a host of technical honors. Ryo Yoshizawa was named Best Actor, while Chieko Baisho took Best Actress for “Tokyo Taxi.” The...
19th Asian Film Awards Concludes in Hong Kong – Zhang Ziyi, Liu Haoran and Terrance Lau Honoured
The 19th Asian Film Awards took place at Hong Kong’s Xiqu Centre, opening the ceremony to the public for the first time. The event featured masterclasses led by Hwang Dong‑hyuk, Jia Zhangke and Zhang Ziyi, and highlighted the Academy’s youth...
“Avatar: Fire & Ash” Wins An Oscar
James Cameron’s sequel "Avatar: Fire & Ash" captured the Best Visual Effects Oscar at the 98th Academy Awards, giving Disney a single win for the night. The film returns audiences to Pandora, featuring returning stars Jake Sully and Neytiri alongside...
BIFF Officially Recognized as an FIAPF ‘A Festival’
Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) has been officially recognized as an ‘A Festival’ under FIAPF’s newly reformed single‑category accreditation framework. This places BIFF among a select group of 17 top international festivals, alongside Cannes, Berlin and Venice. The new FIAPF...
“IMPOSTERS”
Imposters, writer‑director Caleb Phillips’ feature debut, is a sci‑fi thriller that follows a grieving mother who retrieves her missing infant from a mysterious cave, only to raise doubts about his identity. Starring Jessica Rothe and Charlie Barnett, the film juxtaposes...
Japanese Godfather (1977) by Sadao Nakajima Film Review
Sadao Nakajima’s 1977 "Japanese Godfather" trilogy uses the yakuza genre to dissect the intertwining of post‑war Japanese politics, the economy, and organized crime. Unlike Kinji Fukasaku’s blood‑soaked narratives, Nakajima adopts a clinical, almost documentary style that foregrounds power plays and...
The Guy with the Secret Kung Fu (1980) by Lo Chi Film Review
Lo Chi’s 1980 film "The Guy with the Secret Kung Fu" revisits the late‑1970s kung‑fu boom, pairing Qing‑era patriots Hung Wen Ting and Hu Yang‑Pao against the tyrannical Dragon Gang. The review praises the film’s high‑energy fight sequences, especially the...
When Is “Ready Or Not 2: Here I Come” Coming To Hulu & Disney+
Searchlight Pictures will launch the horror sequel “Ready Or Not 2: Here I Come” in theaters worldwide on March 20 2026. The film follows Grace, played by Samara Weaving, as she teams up with her estranged sister Faith to claim the High Seat of...
Bearing Witness by Amber Wilkinson
Filmmakers Gabriela Osio Vanden and Jack Weisman have turned their Oscar‑shortlisted documentary short into a feature debut, Nuisance Bear, which premiered at Sundance and screened at Thessaloniki. The film examines the contentious practice of air‑lifting polar bears from Churchill, Manitoba,...
Box Office: 'Reminders of Him' Continues Colleen Hoover's Hollywood Hot Streak
Universal’s "Reminders of Him," adapted from Colleen Hoover’s novel, debuted with $18.25 million in 3,402 U.S. theaters. The film posted a 2.28× weekend multiplier and a 10.2 % Thursday‑to‑weekend lift, signaling solid audience retention. With a $25 million production budget, it has already...
Menopause Mystery (2026) CPH:DOX 2026
"Menopause Mystery," a new documentary premiering at CPH:DOX, follows Danish‑Norwegian director Louise Unmack Kjeldsen as she confronts the personal and scientific dimensions of menopause. The film chronicles her journey from insomnia and depression to a global collaboration with researchers exposing...
Frédéric Ambroisine Launches International Restoration and Sales Initiative for Rare Korean Whapung Films at FILMART 2026
Film producer Frédéric Ambroisine announced at Hong Kong FILMART 2026 a coordinated international restoration and sales programme for thirteen rare Korean titles produced by Whapung Films between 1979 and 1985. The effort, partnered with French post‑production house Karmax‑910 and the...
Box Office: 'Hoppers' Is Legging Out Like a "New Disney Classic"
Disney’s animated feature Hoppers reclaimed the weekend box office, earning $28.5 million in its second weekend—a 37 % decline but on par with Pixar’s Elemental opening. The film’s ten‑day domestic total climbed to $86.8 million, while overseas receipts added $31 million, pushing its worldwide...
Traces Documentary Review (CPH:DOX 2026)
Alisa Kovalenko’s documentary *Traces* follows SEMA, a Ukrainian women‑led network that supports victims of conflict‑related sexual violence, whose membership has tripled since the 2022 invasion. The film concentrates on older civilian survivors who have remained silent, presenting their stories without religious...
New to Prime Video - MADE IN ENGLAND: THE FILMS OF POWELL AND PRESSBURGER
Prime Video adds the documentary "Made in England: The Films of Powell & Pressburger," directed by David Hinton and presented by Martin Scorsese. The film serves as Scorsese’s personal tribute to Michael Powell, spotlighting his vivid use of colour and...
Oscars’ Ellison Billboard; Dems Bury Katzenberg; Affleck AI Mystery
The Ankler’s latest post recaps three Oscar‑night storylines: Larry Ellison’s protest billboard on the red carpet, Democratic lawmakers publicly rebuking film mogul David Katzenberg, and a cryptic AI‑related rumor surrounding Ben Affleck. The piece links to a live YouTube discussion...
Mayasabha by Rahi Anil Barve Trailer
Mayasabha – The Hall of Illusion, a 2025 Hindi psychological thriller, marks director Rahi Anil Barve’s sophomore effort after the critically‑acclaimed Tumbbad. Starring Jaaved Jaaferi, Mohammad Samad, Veena Jamkar and Deepak Damle, the film debuted at the Jagran Film Festival...
Forevergreen - Jennie Kermode - 20251
Forevergreen, a 13‑minute animated short nominated for this year’s Best Animated Short Oscar, dazzles with a woodcut‑style visual aesthetic that blends hand‑drawn textures and modern CGI. Despite Disney animators shaping a cute bear protagonist, reviewers criticize the thin storyline and...
Butcher's Stain - Jennie Kermode - 20252
Butcher’s Stain, a 26‑minute Israeli short directed by Meyer Levinson‑Blount, earned an Oscar nomination and a four‑and‑a‑half star rating from Eye for Film. The narrative follows Samir, an Arab employee in an Israeli supermarket, who is accused of removing Hamas...
Come See Me In The Good Light - Edin Custo - 20247
Ryan White’s documentary *Come See Me In The Good Light* chronicles Colorado poet‑laureate Andrea Gibson’s final year, premiering at Sundance 2025 and released before Gibson’s July death. The film intertwines Gibson’s candid poetry, humor, and humility with the stark reality...
The Alabama Solution - Amber Wilkinson - 20246
“The Alabama Solution,” an Oscar‑nominated documentary by Andrew Jarecki and Charlotte Kaufman, exposes severe overcrowding and violence in Alabama’s prisons, where facilities operate at 200 % capacity with only a third of needed staff. Using contraband‑smuggled phones, inmates provide first‑person testimony...
Armed Only With A Camera: The Life And Death Of Brent Renaud - Jennie Kermode - 20250
Armed Only With A Camera: The Life And Death Of Brent Renaud is a 2025 documentary directed by Brent’s brother Craig, weaving archival footage and new scenes to trace Brent Renaud’s career and his fatal ambush in Ukraine. The film...