The Gritty Neo-Noir Western That Shows a Different Side of Meg Ryan
The Big Picture Meg Ryan shines in the neo-noir Western drama Flesh and Bone , showcasing her versatility beyond rom-coms with a captivating performance. Ryan's character, Kay Davies, is a bibulous drifter who brings both a swagger and palpable vulnerability…
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Is The Sopranos Based on a Real Family?
Summary The Sopranos is based on the real-life DeCavalcante crime family, which operated in New Jersey and was considered the "Sixth Family" of the Italian mafia on the East Coast. Tony Soprano, the main character, was patterned after Vincent "Vinny…
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M. Night Shyamalan’s Eerie Found Footage Horror Movie Deserves Another Look
The Big Picture M. Night Shyamalan's The Visit turns the found footage genre on its head, creating a lean and scary film that subverts expectations. The film's scares come from simplicity and a focus on character, rather than relying on…
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Netflix’s One Day Cast & Character Guide
Summary One Day is a Netflix miniseries adapted from a popular novel, following the romantic bond between Dexter and Emma over 20 years. The series features a talented cast, including rising star Leo Woodall as Dexter and Ambika Mod as…
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‘Lisa Frankenstein’ Film Review: An 80s Spin on Mary Shelley’s Classic
Happy Valentine’s Day and Happy early Halloween from Oscar-winning screenwriter Diablo Cody and Zelda Williams (the daughter of Robin Williams, making her directorial debut). Their new horror/comedy, “Lisa Frankenstein” is an entertaining delight. The filmmaking pair have crafted an ode…
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Sylvester Stallone Played Against Type in His First Major Role
The Big Picture The Lords of Flatbush , now streaming on Netflix, showcased Sylvester Stallone's untapped dramatic chops early in his career. Stallone improvised scenes and credited himself as a writer to break into the industry. The film explores themes…
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The Argylle Cinematic Universe Is a Box Office Bomb
Summary Argylle 's poor performance at the box office highlights the difficulty of launching new franchises in the current film climate. The movie industry is still stuck in a mindset that assumes mass-marketed blockbusters will make money, but the established…
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The ‘Back to the Future’ Plot Hole That You Could Drive a DeLorean Through
The Big Picture Back to the Future has a big plot hole that could have left Marty McFly stuck in 1955 forever. Despite the plot hole, the movie is still a perfectly crafted and beloved comedy. Back to the Future…
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The Reason Behind Michael Haneke’s Decision to Remake Funny Games
Summary Funny Games is a disturbing movie that criticizes the audience's thirst for violence. The American remake is almost identical to the original German version, with the only difference being the performances. Michael Haneke remade the film to reach a…
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‘Argylle’ Ending Explained — How That Twist Sets Up a Sequel
Editor's Note: Spoilers are ahead for 'Argylle.' The Big Picture The ending of Argylle reveals that the brainwashed spy novelist, Elly Conway, and her former lover, Aidan, take down their superiors and escape. The mid-credits scene suggests a connection between…
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The Filmmaker Who Made a Career Out of Everyday Mundanity
Summary Hong Sang-soo's movies capture the beauty of everyday life, focusing on daily rituals and small moments of gratitude. His films maintain a consistent style and thematic approach, depicting life as circular, stable, and serene. The inclusion of Kim Min-hee…
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Casting a Live-action Bravestarr Movie
BraveStarr is an animated TV series from the 1980s that followed on from He-Man and the Masters of the Universe and ran for 65 episodes. Trying to recapture the runaway success of He-Man, this sci-fi western may not have sold…
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