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# THE ROLLING TAPE

the new voice of cinema

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## Blog

- [Let the Games Begin: What to Watch Before the 2026 Winter Olympics](https://therollingtape.com/let-the-games-begin-what-to-watch-before-the-2026-winter-olympics/) - Before the 2026 Winter Olympic Games kick off in Milan this weekend, get in the Olympic spirit with this wintry watchlist.
- [Emerging Filmmakers Shine in the Sundance NEXT Section](https://therollingtape.com/emerging-filmmakers-shine-in-the-sundance-next-section/) - At Sundance 2026, the NEXT section was a joy to explore, with multiple titles landing among our favorite watches of the festival, spanning both fiction and nonfiction.
- ['Ocean's Eleven' and the Power of the Movie Star](https://therollingtape.com/oceans-eleven-and-the-power-of-the-movie-star/) - Spend any time on the hellspace that is Film Twitter, and you'll soon see someone mourning the "death of the American movie star." Maybe it'll be a user with 19 followers, maybe it'll be a critic who has won two Pulitzer Prizes, but you'll eventually see it.
- [*SUNDANCE 2026* Interview With 'Nuisance Bear' (2026) Editor, Andres Landau](https://therollingtape.com/sundance-2026-interview-with-nuisance-bear-2026-editor-andres-landau/) - With Nuisance Bear, filmmakers Gabriela Osio Vanden and Jack Weisman return to Churchill, Manitoba — affectionately known as the “Polar Bear Capital of the World” — to deepen the inquiry begun in their award-winning short film in 2021. The result is a striking portrait of the fraught coexistence between polar bears and humans, guided by
- [Interview With 'The Lost Bus' (2025) Special Effects Coordinator, Brandon K. McLaughlin](https://therollingtape.com/interview-with-the-lost-bus-2025-special-effects-coordinator-brandon-k-mclaughlin/) - Apple TV+’s The Lost Bus is nominated for Best Visual Effects at the 98th Academy Awards. We are joined by Special Effects Coordinator Brandon K. McLaughlin on the film to discuss his work. Starring Matthew McConaughey and America Ferrera, this visceral docudrama relives the 2018 Camp Fire that ravaged Paradise, California, following a bus driver
- [Interview With 'Sound of Falling' (2025) Director, Mascha Schilinski & Cinematographer, Fabian Gamper](https://therollingtape.com/interview-with-sound-of-falling-2025-director-mascha-schilinski-cinematographer-fabian-gamper/) - Mascha Schilinski’s century-spanning German epic is a visual poem about time, memory, and gendered violence that unfolds across four generations of women connected to the same rural farmhouse. The film collapses these timelines by slipping in and out of different eras in German history to reveal the cyclical nature of their transgenerational trauma. Its atmospheric
- [Why India’s Films Can’t Afford Oscars (Even When They Deserve To)](https://therollingtape.com/why-indias-films-cant-afford-oscars-even-when-they-deserve-to/) - This year, we got closer. Homebound (2025) made it to the Oscars shortlist. Only to once again come up short of nomination.
- [Movies Fantasy League: Part Two](https://therollingtape.com/movies-fantasy-league-part-two/) - Vulture’s Movies Fantasy League is well underway for the 2025-26 awards season and our team has been participating! Back in part one of this podcast mini-series, we discussed how we drafted our teams based on the criteria of box office, critical reception, and awards. The rules for how to play are available on the MFL
- [‘Sinners’ Takes Top Prizes as IFSCA Announces its 6th Annual Award Winners](https://therollingtape.com/sinners-takes-top-prizes-as-ifsca-announces-its-6th-annual-award-winners/) - The International Film Society Critics Association (IFSCA) has announced its winners for its 6th annual IFSCA Awards.
- [Review: ‘Night Nurse’ Is Neither Erotic Nor Thrilling Enough to Find Its Footing Within the Genre](https://therollingtape.com/review-night-nurse-is-neither-erotic-nor-thrilling-enough-to-find-its-footing-within-the-genre/) - As a whole, Night Nurse plays better in theory than in practice, undercutting its sultry introductory energy with a lack of strong character choices.
- [Review: ‘The Musical’ is a Cynical and Irreverent Comedy That Almost Hits All the Right Notes](https://therollingtape.com/review-the-musical-is-a-cynical-and-irreverent-comedy-that-almost-hits-all-the-right-notes/) - They end up turning the male loneliness epidemic into a self-inflicted one, creating an environment that is miserable and unsafe, continuing their loneliness. Giselle Bonilla’s Sundance comedy, The Musical, takes this type of man and envisions him as a middle school teacher.
- [Review: Rinko Kikuchi Dances Through the Pain in ‘Ha-chan, Shake Your Booty!’](https://therollingtape.com/review-rinko-kikuchi-dances-through-the-pain-in-ha-chan-shake-your-booty/) - Josef Kubota Wladyka has a firm grasp on this and threads it throughout his latest directorial effort, Ha-chan, Shake Your Booty!
- [Review: Tones ‘Run Amok’ in NB Mager’s Feature Adaptation of Oscar-Qualifying Short](https://therollingtape.com/review-tones-run-amok-in-nb-magers-feature-adaptation-of-oscar-qualifying-short/) - Writer-director NB Mager takes it all on in her feature debut, Run Amok, adapted from her Oscar-qualifying short film of the same name.
- [Sundance Trend Analysis: Processing Trauma with ‘Josephine’ and ‘Run Amok’](https://therollingtape.com/sundance-trend-analysis-processing-trauma-with-josephine-and-run-amok/) - Josephine, which took home both the Grand Jury and Audience awards, fell into the emotional devastation theme, following a child who witnesses a violent sexual assault. What struck me most about this film was not only its wonderful craft of a child’s mind, but the concept of reconciling what violence does to those not ‘directly’ affected.
- [Sundance Film Festival Recap 2026](https://therollingtape.com/sundance-film-festival-recap-2026/) - he 2026 Sundance Film Festival was held in Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah from January 22 to February 1, 2026. The festival was the last Sundance Film Festival held in Utah before relocating to Boulder, Colorado in 2027. The Rolling Tape was in attendance in Park City and today we recap the event
- [Grand Juries, Audience Awards, and Online Access Bring Sundance 2026 To a Close](https://therollingtape.com/grand-juries-audience-awards-and-online-access-bring-sundance-2026-to-a-close/) - It was certainly a memorable final experience at Sundance, marked by political activism, sexual tension, and Oscar buzz.
- [EP 174: Send Help (2026)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-174-send-help-2026/) - Send Help is directed by Sam Raimi and written by Damian Shannon and Mark Swift. An employee and her insufferable boss become stranded on a deserted island, the only survivors of a plane crash. Here, they must overcome past grievances and work together to survive, will they make it out alive? The film stars Rachel
- [From Sundance Indie to Oscars to Classic: 'Little Miss Sunshine' 20th Anniversary](https://therollingtape.com/from-sundance-indie-to-oscars-to-classic-little-miss-sunshine-20th-anniversary/) - Coming out of the Eccles Theater on January 20, 2006, there was a buzz of jubilant euphoria and palpable excitement as Little Miss Sunshine made its big-screen debut.
- [Review: Sam Raimi Decides to ‘Send Help’ to January with a Bloody, Wild Return to Horror](https://therollingtape.com/review-sam-raimi-decides-to-send-help-to-january-with-a-bloody-wild-return-to-horror/) - Ultimately, Raimi's roots lie in the horror genre, and he returns to it with a bang in Send Help, a gnarly and striking survival thriller.
- [Political Violence on the Doorstep of Sundance 2026](https://therollingtape.com/political-violence-on-the-doorstep-of-sundance-2026/) - Following further social unrest over ICE operations in the US, Sundance 2026 became a place of both film enthusiasm and political activism.
- [We Were So Lucky to Experience Catherine O’Hara](https://therollingtape.com/we-were-so-lucky-to-experience-catherine-ohara/) - Boxes didn’t exist for Catherine O’Hara. There truly will never be another to do it like her.
- [‘Chasing Summer’ Review: Iliza Shlesinger Chases Clichés in Sundance Coming-of-Age](https://therollingtape.com/chasing-summer-review-iliza-shlesinger-chases-cliches-in-sundance-coming-of-age/) - Iliza Shlesinger stars in new Sundance coming-of-age ‘Chasing Summer’ but does her comedy style feel fresh in this familiar genre?
- [The Most Addictive Show on TV: ‘Industry’ Season 4 Review](https://therollingtape.com/the-most-addictive-show-on-tv-industry-season-4-review/) - We’re almost halfway through the latest season of Industry. Let’s take a beat to recap all that has transpired so far in this beautifully bleak, sexually deranged, masterful show. Spoilers ahead for the first three episodes of Industry Season 4.
- [Interview With 'Arco' (2025) Director, Ugo Bienvenu](https://therollingtape.com/interview-with-arco-2025-director-ugo-bienvenu/) - Arco was recently nominated for Best Animated Feature at the 98th Academy Awards. We are joined by the film's director, Ugo Bienvenu, to discuss his creative process and collaboration with his animation studio in developing the project. The story follows a girl who witnesses a mysterious boy in a rainbow suit fall from the sky
- [The Awards Tape: Oscar Nomination Recap (2026) ft. Cole Curtiss-Fuentes](https://therollingtape.com/the-awards-tape-oscar-nomination-recap-2026-ft-cole-curtiss-fuentes/) - After the Oscar nomination announcements for the 98th Academy Awards, we break down the results by analyzing all of the expected nominations we received along with any surprises announced by Lewis Pullman and Danielle Brooks. We reveal how accurate some of our predictions were before we move into analyzing the final phase of Oscar campaigning
- [Review: ‘Wicker’ Is the Sexy-fantasy We've Been Yearning For, and Colman Delivers on All Fronts](https://therollingtape.com/review-wicker-is-the-sexy-fantasy-weve-been-yearning-for-and-colman-delivers-on-all-fronts/) - As the trend of adapting short stories, 18th-century novels, and period romance drama continues, Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson debut their fable-like feature, Wicker, finding perfect balance in modernity and fantasy.
- [‘Saipan’ Review: A Collision of Personalities that Made the Beautiful Game Less than Pretty](https://therollingtape.com/saipan-review-a-collision-of-personalities-that-made-the-beautiful-game-less-than-pretty/) - Saipan succeeds. Even if you don’t like football, you can enjoy this great drama of how a simple argument can spiral into something much bigger.
- [Sundance Acquisition Scene Heats Up While the Movies Get Sexy](https://therollingtape.com/sundance-acquisition-scene-heats-up-while-the-movies-get-sexy/) - The excitement of Sundance is in the collective sense of discovery. As of the first few days of the festival, no major deals have been made, but there are certainly some titles to keep an eye on with negotiations firmly underway.
- [EP 173: Review Round-Up of Sentimental Value (2025), The Testament of Ann Lee (2025) & Mercy (2026)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-173-review-round-up-of-sentimental-value-2025-the-testament-of-ann-lee-2025-mercy-2026/) - In a round-up review episode while some of our team is at Sundance 2026, we look back to a couple of 2025 releases we've yet to discuss including Joachim Trier's 9-time Oscar nominated 'Sentimental Value' and Mona Fastvold's musical historical biopic, 'The Testament of Ann Lee'.
- ['Mercy' Review: Chris Pratt’s Latest Film Tackles AI with Kid Gloves](https://therollingtape.com/mercy-review-chris-pratts-latest-film-tackles-ai-with-kid-gloves/) - Amazon MGM Studios presents us with Mercy — a future so ludicrous that it’s bound to become a reality somewhere down the road.
- [North Carolina Film Critics Announce Their Best in Cinema Awards](https://therollingtape.com/north-carolina-film-critics-announce-their-best-in-cinema-awards/) - The North Carolina Film Critics Association has released its 14th Annual Best in Cinema Awards, recognizing the incredible achievements of filmmakers across all disciplines.
- [Review: ‘Percy Jackson & the Olympians’ Gains Its Sea Legs in the Sea of Monsters](https://therollingtape.com/review-percy-jackson-the-olympians-gains-its-sea-legs-in-the-sea-of-monsters/) - Now in season two, which adapts the second novel in the series, “The Sea of Monsters,” Percy Jackson is finding its voice.
- [Sundance Flexes Its Oscar Muscles Day One of the Festival](https://therollingtape.com/sundance-flexes-its-oscar-muscles-day-one-of-the-festival/) - On March 27, 2025, the Sundance Institute, the non-profit dedicated to the promotion and growth of independent artists, formally announced it will be moving to Boulder, Colorado, next year, ending an over-40-year run at its current home in Park City, Utah.
- [Sinners Makes Oscar History - Takeaways From the 98th Academy Award Nominations](https://therollingtape.com/sinners-makes-oscar-history-takeaways-from-the-98th-academy-award-nominations/) - There’s so much to dig into with these nominations, what they mean for the Oscars ceremony, and which film benefits from today’s announcement.
- [IMAX: An Epic 100 Year Saga of Cinematic Spectacle and the Threats That Loom Over It](https://therollingtape.com/imax-an-epic-100-year-saga-of-cinematic-spectacle-and-the-threats-that-loom-over-it/) - Most film enthusiasts will blindly tell you to watch a film in IMAX whenever you get the chance, but is its popularity just a bubble that will burst?
- [Sundance Film Festival Preview 2026](https://therollingtape.com/sundance-film-festival-preview-2026/) - The 2026 Sundance Film Festival is scheduled to be held in Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah from January 22 to February 1, 2026. The festival is slated to be the last Sundance Film Festival held in Utah before the festival relocates to Boulder, Colorado in 2027 and in its final Park City edition,
- [2026 Sundance Film Festival Curtain Raiser](https://therollingtape.com/2026-sundance-film-festival-curtain-raiser/) - Danny Jarabek, Sara Ciplickas, and Cameron Ritter, who share their insights into the lineup and their most anticipated titles at Sundance Film Festival.
- [Review: ‘Another World’ is Hong Kong’s Return to the International Animation Scene](https://therollingtape.com/review-another-world-is-hong-kongs-return-to-the-international-animation-scene/) - Add in the amazing all-around craft from a team of young newcomers, and Another World is certainly one to look out for in release in the coming year.
- [20 Things the Academy Would Do If They Were Cool: Year 5](https://therollingtape.com/20-things-the-academy-would-do-if-they-were-cool-year-5/) - Here is the fifth annual pre-nomination report on “20 Things the Academy Would Do If They Were Cool,” preparing for Oscar nomination morning.
- [Originals, Sequels and Remakes, Oh My! Six Horror Films to Keep on Your Radar for 2026](https://therollingtape.com/originals-sequels-and-remakes-oh-my-six-horror-films-to-keep-on-your-radar-for-2026/) - With a new year upon us, new and exciting horror films are gearing up for release.
- [A Review of the Animated Shorts Shortlisted for the 98th Oscars](https://therollingtape.com/a-review-of-the-animated-shorts-shortlisted-for-the-98th-oscars/) - There is a lot ahead of us this cycle, and while there is so much anticipation for Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director, and Best Picture, it is time to shine a spotlight on a category that I've been vocal about deserving more love: shorts.
- [‘High School Musical’ Celebrates 20 Years of Teaching Us to Embrace Our Most Fabulous Selves](https://therollingtape.com/high-school-musical-celebrates-20-years-of-teaching-us-to-embrace-our-most-fabulous-selves/) - 20 Years after its initial Disney Channel release, High School Musical continues to bring fun and fabulousness as it reminds us all that we are special in our own way.
- [TRT Predicts Oscar Nominations](https://therollingtape.com/trt-predicts-oscar-nominations/) - We've been following Awards Season closely, with halfway predictions and Oscar analyses. Now, ahead of Academy Award nomination announcements on January 22, The Rolling Tape Awards Team makes final nomination predictions on each category.
- [From Activism to Aliens: 12 Unconventional Movies for Aquarius Season](https://therollingtape.com/from-activism-to-aliens-12-unconventional-movies-for-aquarius-season/) - The pragmatism of Capricorn Season is gone, and the radicalism of Aquarius Season is ramping up.
- [The Awards Tape: 98th Academy Awards (2026) Final Oscar Nomination Predictions](https://therollingtape.com/the-awards-tape-98th-academy-awards-2026-final-oscar-nomination-predictions/) - After multiple drafts of way-too-early above the line predictions through the summer, a “state of the awards race” pulse check episode discussing the first round of major precursors, and our specialized prediction episodes that featured in depth discussions on 3-4 categories at a time, we have finally arrived at the conclusion of the nomination phase
- [Review: Nia DaCosta Takes the Rage Virus to the Next Level in ‘28 Years Later: The Bone Temple’](https://therollingtape.com/review-nia-dacosta-takes-the-rage-virus-to-the-next-level-in-28-years-later-the-bone-temple/) - 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple (2026) is the second time that Boyle has stepped out of the director seat in the franchise. Now, a year removed from 28 Years Later, is giving Nia DaCosta the reins the right move for this story?
- [EP 172: 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple (2026)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-172-28-years-later-the-bone-temple-2026/) - 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is directed by Nia DaCosta and written by Alex Garland. It serves as the fourth installment overall in the 28 Days Later film series. As Spike is inducted into Jimmy Crystal's gang on the mainland, Dr. Kelson makes a discovery that could alter the world. The film stars Ralph
- [‘The Rip’ Review: Ben Affleck and Matt Damon’s Latest Pair Up Delivers The Goods](https://therollingtape.com/the-rip-review-ben-affleck-and-matt-damons-latest-pair-up-delivers-the-goods/) - The Rip never offers anything that hasn’t been executed elsewhere, but its biggest success is doing a more than sturdy job at delivering the thrills and tight action you’d come to expect from a crime thriller.
- [Review: ‘Night Patrol’ is an Ambitious Entry into the Midnight Movie Genre](https://therollingtape.com/review-night-patrol-is-an-ambitious-entry-into-the-midnight-movie-genre/) - At its best, Night Patrol feels overwhelmed by its own ideas. It fails to navigate all the many storylines it introduces, and while it can be an entertaining ride to question where the story may lead, in this case, it dilutes the film’s seemingly key message.
- ['Sinners' Leads 2025 Windie Awards](https://therollingtape.com/sinners-leads-2025-windie-awards/) - The Chicago Indie Critics (CIC) have announced their winners for the 2025 Windie Awards. Sinners cleaned up with 10 wins. Frankenstein followed with three wins.
- [Review: 'Giant' isn’t a Knockout but Lands a Few Surprising Punches](https://therollingtape.com/review-giant-isnt-a-knockout-but-lands-a-few-surprising-punches/) - Giant may not live up to its spectacular tagline, but what is spectacular is the drama between Hamed and Ingle, a duo that transcended fighter and trainer.
- [The Awards Tape: Best Costume Design, Production Design & Makeup and Hairstyling Oscar Predictions 2025-26](https://therollingtape.com/the-awards-tape-best-costume-design-production-design-makeup-and-hairstyling-oscar-predictions-2025-26/) - After multiple drafts of way-too-early above the line predictions through the summer, and a “state of the awards race” pulse check episode discussing the first round of major precursors, we are finally closing out our specialized prediction episodes that feature 3-4 categories at a time until we’ve covered all categories ahead of nomination morning on
- [What Remains After The End: A Look Back At The ‘28 Days Later’ Franchise](https://therollingtape.com/what-remains-after-the-end-a-look-back-at-the-28-days-later-franchise/) - This week, Nia DaCosta’s film 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple releases in theaters. It is the most recent installment in a franchise that began 24 years ago, when director Danny Boyle terrified audiences with his post-apocalyptic horror film 28 Days Later.
- [Review: Bradley Cooper’s ‘Is This Thing On?’ Proves He's the Filmmaker Hollywood Needs](https://therollingtape.com/review-bradley-coopers-is-this-thing-on-proves-hes-the-filmmaker-hollywood-needs/) - Marriage isn’t easy. Anybody can tell you that. Bradley Cooper’s Is This Thing On? fully understands this and then some.
- [‘His & Hers’ Review: Tessa Thompson Elevates an Uneven Netflix Miniseries](https://therollingtape.com/his-hers-review-tessa-thompson-elevates-an-uneven-netflix-miniseries/) - For fans of the novel, His & Hers will be a rewarding enough watch. While missing the book’s signature oscillating points of view the show is saved by the strength of Tessa Thompson’s performance.
- [The Rolling Remote: The Pitt Season 1 Recap & The State of TV in 2026](https://therollingtape.com/the-rolling-remote-the-pitt-season-1-recap-the-state-of-tv-in-2026/) - Watch this episode on video by subscribing to our Patreon. We have a new host in town with Jake Fittipaldi taking the reins of The Rolling Remote, a show that is also going to be evolving in 2026. This is the start of a broader, more expansive version of The Rolling Remote, where we will
- [‘People We Meet on Vacation’ Review: Tom Blyth and Emily Bader Prove We Need More Rom-Coms in Theatres](https://therollingtape.com/people-we-meet-on-vacation-review-tom-blyth-and-emily-bader-prove-we-need-more-rom-coms-in-theatres/) - Netflix’s latest, People We Meet on Vacation (2026), hopes to carry the rom-com momentum even further with the outgoing, adventurous Poppy (Emily Bader) and the reserved, risk-averse Alex (Tom Blyth) at the helm.
- [EP 171: No Other Choice (2025)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-171-no-other-choice-2025/) - No Other Choice is directed by Park Chan-wook. Based on The Ax by Donald Westlake, the film stars Lee Byung-hun, Son Ye-jin, and Woo Seung Kim. The film had its world premiere in the main competition of the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on 29 August 2025. At the 83rd Golden Globe Awards, it was
- [2026 Golden Globes Awards Winners Predictions](https://therollingtape.com/2026-golden-globes-awards-winners-predictions/) - Together with my Rolling Tape colleagues, Adam Patla and Owen Wilczek, here are our predicted winners for the 2026 Golden Globes.
- [32nd SAG Awards Film Nominations Predictions](https://therollingtape.com/32nd-sag-awards-film-nominations-predictions/) - The Rolling Tape predicts the 32nd SAG Awards Film Nominations.
- [Speed Run Reviews of It Was Just an Accident, The Secret Agent, Train Dreams, Hedda & If I Had Legs I’d Kick You](https://therollingtape.com/speed-run-reviews-of-it-was-just-an-accident-the-secret-agent-train-dreams-hedda-if-i-had-legs-id-kick-you/) - This is a special episode because we aren’t just reviewing one movie, we are reviewing five movies. Our team has selected five films that stood out in 2025 that we did not get a chance to review on the main show, in a speed run format reviewing each in short 15-20 minute sections. The five
- [A24 Hopes to Keep 'Marty Supreme' Momentum with 2026 Film Slate](https://therollingtape.com/a24-hopes-to-keep-marty-supreme-momentum-with-2026-film-slate/) - Can A24 use that momentum going into 2026? Here is what’s currently on the slate for them:
- [NEWS 051: The Actor Award (SAG) Nominations 2025-26](https://therollingtape.com/news-051-the-actor-award-sag-nominations-2025-26/) - The recently rebranded Actor Awards, formerly SAG Awards, have announced their nominations and are the latest guild to weigh in on the award season. We analyze the significance of the nominations, surprises, and the implications for the upcoming Oscars delving into ensemble, leading, and supporting roles, while sharing predictions and insights on the performances that
- [Chicago Indie Critics Announce 2025 Windie Award Nominations](https://therollingtape.com/chicago-indie-critics-announce-2025-windie-award-nominations/) - The Chicago Indie Critics (CIC) have announced 2025 Windie Award Nominations.
- [The Awards Tape: 83rd Golden Globes (2026) Final Predictions](https://therollingtape.com/the-awards-tape-83rd-golden-globes-2026-final-predictions/) - With the Golden Globes approaching this coming Sunday (1/11), we make our final predictions for all film categories before live reacting to the ceremony. Subscribe:The Rolling Tape Patreon View Our Predictions:Oscar Board Listen Here:SpotifyApple PodcastsAll Listening Platforms Follow our team online:Danny JarabekPaul RaiAdam Patla Have questions? Email info@therollingtape.com Credits: Theme music by Karl Vincent Artwork by
- [Best of 2025 & Most Anticipated of 2026](https://therollingtape.com/best-of-2025-most-anticipated-of-2026/) - With 2025 and the third full calendar year of The Rolling Tape in the books, we celebrate the year’s best moments in cinema by talking about our favorite movies, performances, scenes and superlatives. We then look ahead to 2026 and discuss our most anticipated releases that will be screening and streaming for the next 365
- [31st Critics' Choice Awards Winner Predictions](https://therollingtape.com/31st-critics-choice-awards-winner-predictions/) - The first televised awards show is upon us: the 31st Critics’ Choice Awards on Sunday, Jan 4. Adam Patla, Danny Jarabek, Jacob Diedenhofer, Owen Wilczek, and I predict each category.
- [In-Between Lives: Why Do Audiences Love Characters Without Happy Endings?](https://therollingtape.com/in-between-lives-why-do-audiences-love-characters-without-happy-endings/) - When thinking about the films we are watching at the end of this year, it seems audiences have a growing appetite for a different breed of cinema, which often includes unresolved characters, open endings, and grey characters.
- [The Rolling Tape's Best Films of 2025](https://therollingtape.com/the-rolling-tapes-best-films-of-2025/) - After over 300 reviews and 250 studio recordings, The Rolling Tape team shares what they think are the best films of 2025.
- [The 10 Biggest Movies Releasing in 2026](https://therollingtape.com/the-10-biggest-movies-releasing-in-2026/) - Here are movies releasing in 2026 that you should see on the big screen.
- [The Awards Tape: Best Animated Feature, International Feature & Documentary Feature Predictions 2025-26](https://therollingtape.com/the-awards-tape-best-animated-feature-international-feature-documentary-feature-predictions-2025-26/) - After multiple drafts of way-too-early above the line predictions through the summer, and a “state of the awards race” pulse check episode discussing the first round of major precursors, we are now on the back half of rolling out our specialized prediction episodes that feature 3-4 categories at a time until we’ve covered all categories
- [‘Marty Supreme’ Review: A Kinetic Sprint to Perfection, but at What Cost?](https://therollingtape.com/marty-supreme-review-a-kinetic-sprint-to-perfection-but-at-what-cost/) - After months of anticipation, Marty Supreme and its constant marketing ploys, secret festival screenings, and podcast runs have come to fruition.
- [EP 170: Marty Supreme (2025)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-170-marty-supreme-2025/) - Marty Supreme is directed by Josh Safdie, who co-wrote the script with Ronald Bronstein, loosely inspired by the life and career of American table tennis player Marty Reisman. Starring Timothée Chalamet, the film also features Gwyneth Paltrow, Odessa A'zion, Kevin O'Leary, Tyler Okonma, Abel Ferrara and Fran Drescher. Marty Supreme premiered at the 2025 New
- [Interview With 'Hamnet' (2025) Production Designer, Fiona Crombie](https://therollingtape.com/interview-with-hamnet-2025-production-designer-fiona-crombie/) - Nandita Joshi is joined by production designer Fiona Crombie to discuss her work on the film 'Hamnet,' exploring her creative process, the challenges of designing period pieces, and the emotional depth of the story communicated through the production design decisions. She shares insights into her research methods, the importance of location visits, and the balance
- [Quiet Christmas Contemporary Classics](https://therollingtape.com/quiet-christmas-contemporary-classics/) - The holidays are here, and we all reach for the same movies every year. The past decade, however, has given us plenty of quiet Christmas contemporary classics.
- [An Adaptation for Christmases Past, Present, and Future: ‘The Muppet Christmas Carol’ 33 Years Later](https://therollingtape.com/an-adaptation-for-christmases-past-present-and-future-the-muppet-christmas-carol-33-years-later/) - And, while we should embrace compassion and empathy all year long, The Muppet Christmas Carol is a nice reminder during the busy holiday season to stop and open your heart.
- [The Awards Tape: Best Sound, Original Score & Original Song Predictions 2025-26](https://therollingtape.com/the-awards-tape-best-sound-original-score-original-song-predictions-2025-26/) - After multiple drafts of way-too-early above the line predictions through the summer, and a “state of the awards race” pulse check episode discussing the first round of major precursors, we are now on the back half of rolling out our specialized prediction episodes that feature 3-4 categories at a time until we’ve covered all categories
- [December Analysis: 'One Battle After Another' Leads Oscar Race](https://therollingtape.com/december-analysis-one-battle-leads-oscar-race/) - As the new Year looms on the horizon, so does the Oscar glory for Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another.
- [Interview With 'Eternity' (2025) Cinematographer, Ruairí O'Brien](https://therollingtape.com/interview-with-eternity-2025-cinematographer-ruairi-obrien/) - Ruairí O'Brien, is the Director of Photography for Eternity, the A24 afterlife rom-com, which premiered worldwide on November 26, 2025, starring Miles Teller and Elizabeth Olsen. O'Brien’s masterful cinematography elevates this heartfelt, high-concept love triangle, blending glossy 1960s-inspired visuals with vibrant, fantastical worlds to bring the afterlife to life. We discuss O'Brien's approach to the shoot
- [10 Confident, Cunning Films for Capricorn Season](https://therollingtape.com/10-confident-cunning-films-for-capricorn-season/) - Any Capricorn has mastered the art of pivoting from festivities in December to the seriousness of January. These ten movies will help channel that signature energy.
- [Review: 'Pillion' Fills the BDSM-Sized Hole in Audiences’ Hearts](https://therollingtape.com/review-pillion-fills-the-bdsm-sized-hole-in-audiences-hearts/) - Pillion breaks the mold for what films can be made about BDSM culture, particularly in the UK, and I hope this inspires more filmmakers to challenge these norms in their work.
- [Review: ‘Ella McCay’ Wacked the Patriotism Out of Me](https://therollingtape.com/review-ella-mccay-wacked-the-patriotism-out-of-me/) - With Ella McCay, Brooks fails to create a story that is cohesive, engaging and most importantly, uplifting in an era of real pessimism and misery.
- [EP 169: Avatar: Fire and Ash (2025)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-169-avatar-fire-and-ash-2025/) - Avatar: Fire and Ash is directed by James Cameron, who co-wrote the screenplay with Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver. Distributed by 20th Century Studios, it is the sequel to Avatar: The Way of Water (2022) and the third installment in the Avatar franchise that has grossed over $4 billion at the global box office. Sam Worthington,
- [What To Watch After 'I Love LA' Ends](https://therollingtape.com/what-to-watch-after-i-love-la-ends/) - Here are a few shows and movies to watch while you wait for more of I Love LA.
- [Review: ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ is a Darker, Messier Return to Pandora at its Breaking Point](https://therollingtape.com/review-avatar-fire-and-ash-is-a-darker-messier-return-to-pandora-at-its-breaking-point/) - And yet, despite all of these critiques, Avatar: Fire and Ash still works. It’s the darkest, most chaotic entry in the franchise.
- [Review: ‘Merrily We Roll Along’ Proshot Theatrical Release Reminds Us to Live in the Now](https://therollingtape.com/review-merrily-we-roll-along-proshot-theatrical-release-reminds-us-to-live-in-the-now/) - If you are like me and leave Merrily We Roll Along feeling devastated, I must remind us both: there are plenty of roads to try.
- [TRT After Dark: Netflix Wins the Warner Bros. Auction](https://therollingtape.com/trt-after-dark-netflix-wins-the-warner-bros-auction/) - We discuss the recent acquisition of Warner Bros. by Netflix after an open auction saw bids from the likes of Warner Bros., Paramount, and Comcast. The conversation covers the implications for the future of theatrical releases and the film industry as a whole in the aftermath of this deal, as well as breaks down the
- [Review: ‘La Grazia’ is a Beautiful Exploration of Love, Loss, and the Power of Letting Go](https://therollingtape.com/review-la-grazia-is-a-beautiful-exploration-of-love-loss-and-the-power-of-letting-go/) - Servillo’s performance and Sorrentino’s script and direction on La Grazia are both beautiful and some of the year’s strongest, and I found myself incredibly moved and entertained.
- [2026 Oscars Shortlists Revealed](https://therollingtape.com/2026-oscars-shortlists-revealed/) - The road to the 98th Academy Awards is officially underway with the release of the Oscars shortlists.
- [NEWS 050: 98th Oscars Shortlists Announced in 12 Award Categories (2025-26)](https://therollingtape.com/news-050-98th-oscars-shortlists-announced-in-12-award-categories-2025-26/) - The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) announced shortlists in 12 categories for the 98th Academy Awards: Animated Short Film, Casting, Cinematography, Documentary Feature Film, Documentary Short Film, International Feature Film, Live Action Short Film, Makeup and Hairstyling, Music (Original Score), Music (Original Song), Sound, and Visual Effects. We break down each of
- [‘The Toxic Avenger’ Review: A Welcome Update To A Cult Classic Splatter Film](https://therollingtape.com/the-toxic-avenger-review-a-welcome-update-to-a-cult-classic-splatter-film/) - A remake of an infamous 1980s splatter extravaganza, The Toxic Avenger returns to the big screen as the hero we truly need now.
- [Review: ‘Silent Night, Deadly Night’ Returns to the Big Screen with a Romantic and Vicious Remake](https://therollingtape.com/review-silent-night-deadly-night-returns-to-the-big-screen-with-a-romantic-and-vicious-remake/) - At the end of the day, Silent Night, Deadly Night is a bloody blast and a unique spin on an otherwise straightforward slasher.
- [The Awards Tape: State of the Awards Race & Precursor Recaps 2025-26 ft. Cole Curtiss-Fuentes](https://therollingtape.com/the-awards-tape-state-of-the-awards-race-precursor-recaps-2025-26-ft-cole-curtiss-fuentes/) - We take a brief pause on our category-by-category prediction series to assess the current state of the race as a checkpoint after a major first-wave of precursors. We discuss at large the impacts of AFI, NBR, LAFCA, NYFCC, Golden Globes, and Critics Choice Association to assess trends we are seeing from Train Dreams chugging along
- [Review: ‘The Housemaid’ Fails To Construct A Clear Psychological Thriller](https://therollingtape.com/review-the-housemaid-fails-to-construct-a-clear-psychological-thriller/) - Based on the 2022 New York Times Best Seller by Freida McFadden, The Housemaid has all of the makings of a surefire page-to-screen adaptation… until it doesn’t.
- [Bonus Review: Jay Kelly (2025)](https://therollingtape.com/bonus-review-jay-kelly-2025/) - Jay Kelly is directed by Noah Baumbach and written by Baumbach and Emily Mortimer. The film stars an ensemble cast that includes George Clooney, Adam Sandler, Laura Dern, and Billy Crudup. It follows a famous actor (Clooney) as he travels through Europe with his team and manager (Sandler), and reflects on his life choices, relationships,
- [Trend Analysis: Is 2025 The Year of Bad Moms and Anxious Women?](https://therollingtape.com/trend-analysis-is-2025-the-year-of-bad-moms-and-anxious-women/) - As we have seen in the films of 2025, motherhood is entering a new realm of extreme vulnerability, one that is now being reconciled visually.
- [EP 168: Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery (2025)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-168-wake-up-dead-man-a-knives-out-mystery-2025/) - Wake Up Dead Man is written and directed by Rian Johnson. It is a standalone sequel to Glass Onion (2022) and the third installment overall in the Knives Out film series. It stars Daniel Craig, who reprises his role as master detective Benoit Blanc. Wake Up Dead Man had its world premiere at the Toronto
- [‘Hamilton’ is Putting Itself Back in the Narrative with Theatrical Release Dates](https://therollingtape.com/hamilton-is-putting-itself-back-in-the-narrative-with-theatrical-release-dates/) - Now, five years later, Hamilton is making its movie theater debut on Sept. 5 and showing screenings for one blissful week.
- [Review: ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s 2’ is a Confused, Un-Scary Sequel Drowning in its Own Silliness](https://therollingtape.com/review-five-nights-at-freddys-2-is-a-confused-un-scary-sequel-drowning-in-its-own-silliness/) - Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 wants to explore how individuals respond to trauma, a deep and complex topic. Yet the film constantly belittles its own efficacy through its silliness.
- [The Awards Tape: Best Cinematography, Film Editing & Visual Effects Predictions 2025-26](https://therollingtape.com/the-awards-tape-best-cinematography-film-editing-visual-effects-predictions-2025-26/) - After multiple drafts of above the line predictions we are now officially in the phase of rolling out our specialized prediction episodes that feature 3-4 categories at a time until we’ve covered all categories ahead of nomination morning. Today we are dipping our toes below the line discussing Best Cinematography, Editing, and VFX. All the
- [2026 Golden Globe Award Nominations Announced](https://therollingtape.com/2026-golden-globe-award-nominations-announced/) - On Monday, December 8th, the 2026 Golden Globes Nominations were announced, with One Battle After Another and The White Lotus leading in film and television.
- [EP 167: Zootopia 2 (2025)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-167-zootopia-2-2025/) - Zootopia 2, the sequel to Zootopia (2016), is directed by Jared Bush and Byron Howard and written by Bush. Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Shakira, Idris Elba, Alan Tudyk, Nate Torrence, Don Lake, Bonnie Hunt, and Jenny Slate reprise their roles from the first film, with Ke Huy Quan, Fortune Feimster, Andy Samberg, David Strathairn, Patrick
- [Four Underrated Performances You Should See ASAP!](https://therollingtape.com/four-underrated-performances-you-should-see-asap/) - Whether it’s under the radar or a hidden gem, these four underrated performances deserve more love!
- [Interview With 'Sirât' (2025) Supervising Sound Editor, Laia Casanovas](https://therollingtape.com/interview-with-sirat-2025-supervising-sound-editor-laia-casanovas/) - Óliver Laxe’s Sirât, which made its World Premiere at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival and took home the prestigious Jury Prize, features an immersive sonic landscape that blurs the line between the physical and metaphysical, echoing the film’s themes of transcendence and inner pilgrimage. Laxe worked closely with Supervising Sound Editor Laia Casanovas (Nowhere, Parallel Mothers)
- [2026 Golden Globes Nominations Predictions](https://therollingtape.com/2026-golden-globes-nominations-predictions/) - The 83rd Golden Globe Nominations are just around the corner (December 8th), and the awards race has never felt more in flux. Here are our predictions.
- [‘The Chronology of Water’ Review: Kristen Stewart’s Visceral and Haunting Directorial Debut Finally Arrives](https://therollingtape.com/the-chronology-of-water-review-kristen-stewarts-visceral-and-haunting-directorial-debut-finally-arrives/) - The Chronology of Water is a visceral and haunting portrait of sexual abuse, the ripples that trauma has throughout one’s life, and the avenues one explores to hide or heal.
- [The Awards Tape: 83rd Golden Globes (2026) Nomination Predictions](https://therollingtape.com/the-awards-tape-83rd-golden-globes-2026-nomination-predictions/) - We are in the thick of award season with the Gotham winners announced earlier this week, and CCA nominations coming on December 5. Another big ceremony on the horizon is the Golden Globes, and today we discuss our nomination predictions for all categories of the 83rd edition of the ceremony. The Golden Globe nominations will
- [‘Left-Handed Girl’ Review: A Tender Portrait of Generations of Taiwanese Women](https://therollingtape.com/left-handed-girl-review-a-tender-portrait-of-generations-of-taiwanese-women/) - Shih-Ching Tsou’s Left-Handed Girl is one of those films that feels like it has been living inside someone for years, until the moment observations can finally spill onto the screen.
- [The Awards Tape: Best Lead Actor, Lead Actress, Supporting Actor & Supporting Actress Oscar Predictions 2025-26](https://therollingtape.com/the-awards-tape-best-lead-actor-lead-actress-supporting-actor-supporting-actress-oscar-predictions-2025-26/) - After multiple drafts of above the line predictions we are now officially in the phase of rolling out our specialized prediction episodes that feature 3-4 categories at a time until we’ve covered all categories ahead of nomination morning. Today we round out the primary above-the-line categories focusing on performances with Best Lead Actor, Lead Actress,
- [NEWS 048: Gotham Awards Recap 2025](https://therollingtape.com/news-048-gotham-awards-recap-2025/) - The Gotham Film & Media Institute held their ceremony for the 35th edition of The Gothams. We recap the winners across all categories including Best Feature for One Battle After Another after the film led the way, receiving six nominations. It Was Just an Accident, however, was the big winner of the night taking home three awards. Subscribe:The Rolling Tape
- [Review: After a Year of Heavy-Hitting Dramas, ‘Eternity’ is a Breath of Fresh Air](https://therollingtape.com/review-after-a-year-of-heavy-hitting-dramas-eternity-is-a-breath-of-fresh-air/) - David Freyne’s Eternity, a film about life after death, is nothing less than a breath of fresh air full of love, laughter, and warmth.
- [Anatomy of an Adaptation: The Changes in GDT’s ‘Frankenstein’](https://therollingtape.com/anatomy-of-an-adaptation-the-changes-in-gdts-frankenstein/) - While Guillermo del Toro’s interpretation of Frankenstein is not a perfect adaptation of the novel but is worthy of an audience and contemplation.
- [Review: ‘One Battle After Another’ is Another Masterpiece from Paul Thomas Anderson](https://therollingtape.com/review-one-battle-after-another-is-another-masterpiece-from-paul-thomas-anderson/) - One Battle After Another, if you couldn’t gather already from the litany of references to prior pictures, acts as a culmination of Anderson’s career.
- [Review: ‘Sentimental Value’ Deals Emotional Truths in Gentle Waves](https://therollingtape.com/review-sentimental-value-deals-emotional-truths-in-gentle-waves/) - Stellan Skarsgård plays the worst father in the world in Joachim Trier’s latest film, Sentimental Value.
- [EP 166: Hamnet (2025)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-166-hamnet-2025/) - Hamnet is written and directed by Chloé Zhao, with the screenplay co-written by Maggie O'Farrell, based on her 2020 novel of the same name. The film is described as a powerful story of love and loss that inspired the creation of Shakespeare's timeless masterpiece, "Hamlet". Hamnet had its premiere at the 52nd Telluride Film Festival
- ['Zootopia 2' is a Surprise Box Office Hit for Thanksgiving Weekend](https://therollingtape.com/zootopia-2-is-a-surprise-box-office-hit-for-thanksgiving-weekend/) - After grossing $156 million in the US and $556 million Worldwide this weekend, Zootopia 2 has become a surprise box-office hit.
- [Review: ‘Zootopia 2’ Cuts Through Disney’s Recycled IP as a Sequel Worthy of Your Time](https://therollingtape.com/review-zootopia-2-cuts-through-disneys-recycled-ip-as-a-sequel-worthy-of-your-time/) - Yet, Zootopia 2 possesses a genuine understanding of what made its predecessor so special and seeks to expand it.
- [‘Tangled’ Turns 15: Disney’s Rapunzel Outing Deserves to Glow With Their Other Princess Films](https://therollingtape.com/tangled-turns-15-disneys-rapunzel-outing-deserves-to-glow-with-their-other-princess-films/) - At a decade and a half old, Disney’s hair-raising adventure Tangled asks the question once again: Is a live-action remake really necessary?
- [The Awards Tape: Best Director, Original Screenplay & Adapted Screenplay Oscar Predictions 2025-26](https://therollingtape.com/the-awards-tape-best-director-original-screenplay-adapted-screenplay-oscar-predictions-2025-26/) - After multiple drafts of above the line predictions between April and October we are now officially in the phase of rolling out our specialized prediction episodes that feature 3 categories at a time until we’ve covered all categories ahead of nomination morning. This episode features our updated predictions for Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and
- [Review: ‘Train Dreams’ Proves The Ordinary Can Be Beautiful In One Of The Year’s Best Films](https://therollingtape.com/review-train-dreams-proves-the-ordinary-can-be-beautiful-in-one-of-the-years-best-films/) - Films that find the extraordinary in the mundane are not new. But Train Dreams is able to eclipse that age-old trope in a way that is strangely comforting.
- [‘Wicked: For Good’ Earns the 2nd Biggest Opening of 2025](https://therollingtape.com/wicked-for-good-earns-the-2nd-biggest-opening-of-2025/) - After a year's worth of hype, Wicked: For Good has earned the second biggest box office opening weekend of 2025.
- [EP 165: Wicked: For Good (2025)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-165-wicked-for-good-2025/) - Wicked: For Good is the second part of the Wicked film adaptation directed by Jon M. Chu and written by Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox. The sequel to Wicked (2024), it adapts the second act of the 2003 stage musical by Stephen Schwartz and Holzman, which was loosely based on Gregory Maguire's 1995 novel, a
- [Review: Satirical Drama and Messy Romance Bring Holiday Cheer in ‘A Very Jonas Christmas Movie’](https://therollingtape.com/review-satirical-drama-and-messy-romance-bring-holiday-cheer-in-a-very-jonas-christmas-movie/) - Let it bro, let it bro, let it bro. If the title A Very Jonas Christmas Movie hadn’t sold me, the previous sentence punctuating the teaser trailer did its due diligence.
- [10 Spunky & Soulful Movies for Sagittarius Season](https://therollingtape.com/10-spunky-soulful-movies-for-sagittarius-season/) - Let this watchlist guide you in honoringSagittarius Season's signature traits and in celebrating directors and actors born under it.
- [The Awards Tape: Best Picture Predictions 2025-26](https://therollingtape.com/the-awards-tape-best-picture-predictions-2025-26/) - Back in April we hosted our first conversation of the awards season with a way-too-early glimpse at the potential contenders ahead, and in July we revisited that with our first official draft of above-the-line category predictions, and in October we revisited again with our second official draft of above-the-line categories. We are now starting our
- [Review: Ducournau's ‘Alpha’ is a Body Horror that Shows the Importance of Empathy When It's Far Easier to Shut Shop](https://therollingtape.com/review-ducournaus-alpha-is-a-body-horror-that-shows-the-importance-of-empathy-when-its-far-easier-to-shut-shop/) - With Alpha, it takes its marble body horror not just to show how fear and isolation transform the individuals affected, but also the community they find themselves in.
- [‘Die My Love’ Review: Lynne Ramsay’s Blistering Collision of Motherhood and Rural Isolation](https://therollingtape.com/die-my-love-review-lynne-ramsays-blistering-collision-of-motherhood-and-rural-isolation/) - Lynne Ramsay’s psychological epic, Die My Love, is a raw and honest presentation of a mother’s postpartum emotional unraveling.
- [‘Keeper’ Review: A Solid Lead Can't Save Osgood Perkins' Half-Baked Lovers’ Quarrel](https://therollingtape.com/keeper-review-a-solid-lead-cant-save-osgood-perkins-half-baked-lovers-quarrel/) - While I hoped Keeper would continue Perkins’ winning streak, I was left feeling like the rug was pulled out from under me and the rest of the audience.
- [Review: ‘Wicked: For Good’ Comes Back to Earth With a Darker Exploration of Oz](https://therollingtape.com/review-wicked-for-good-comes-back-to-earth-with-a-darker-exploration-of-oz/) - Wicked: For Good takes a moment to find its footing, but once it does, it serves as a beautiful conclusion to the epic franchise starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande.
- [EP 164: The Running Man (2025)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-164-the-running-man-2025/) - The Running Man is directed by Edgar Wright and written by Wright and Michael Bacall. It is the second adaptation of the 1982 novel by Stephen King, following the 1987 film. The story is as follows: A man joins a game show in which contestants, allowed to go anywhere in the world, are pursued by
- [Review: 'Nuremberg' is a Competent Historical Procedural Elevated by Russell Crowe’s Performance](https://therollingtape.com/review-nuremberg-is-a-competent-historical-procedural-elevated-by-russell-crowes-performance/) - The opening perfectly demonstrates what Nuremberg presents and executes: a contrast of humorous, grounded human moments against a backdrop of tragedy
- [Interview With 'The Perfect Neighbor' (2025) Editor, Viridiana Lieberman](https://therollingtape.com/interview-with-the-perfect-neighbor-2025-editor-viridiana-lieberman/) - The Perfect Neighbor had its World Premiere earlier this year at Sundance 2025 and is now available to stream on Netflix. We are joined by the film's editor, Viridiana Lieberman, to discuss the documentary's unique construction and the collaboration with director Geeta Gandbhir. The Perfect Neighbor follows the killing of Ajike Owens primarily through police
- [EP 163: Frankenstein (2025)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-163-frankenstein-2025/) - Frankenstein is written and directed by Guillermo del Toro, based on Mary Shelley's 1818 novel Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus. The story follows a brilliant but egotistical scientist who brings a creature to life in a monstrous experiment that ultimately leads to the undoing of both the creator and his tragic creation. The film stars
- [*DOC NYC 2025* Interview With 'Plan C for Civilization' (2025) Director, Ben Kalina](https://therollingtape.com/doc-nyc-2025-interview-with-plan-c-for-civilization-2025-director-ben-kalina/) - Ben Kalina is an award-winning director and producer whose work centers on the collision between human nature and the force of nature (Can We Cool the Planet?, Shored Up). His latest work, Plan C for Civilization, has its World Premiere at DOC NYC 2025. Plan C for Civilization tackles the promise and peril of solar geoengineering with exclusive
- [Movies Fantasy League Mini-Series: Part One](https://therollingtape.com/movies-fantasy-league-mini-series-part-one/) - Vulture’s Movies Fantasy League is up and running for the 2025-26 season and our team is participating! We will track over this course of this podcast mini-series how are drafted teams are performing via the criteria of box office, critical reception, and awards. You can check out the rules for how to play on the
- [Tom Ford Has Assembles an All-Star Cast for His Return to Filmmaking](https://therollingtape.com/tom-ford-has-assembles-an-all-star-cast-for-his-return-to-filmmaking/) - After nine years, Tom Ford is returning to the director's chair with an adaptation of Anne Rice’s 1982 novel, “Cry To Heaven.”
- [RETROSPECTIVE 026: Noah Baumbach](https://therollingtape.com/retrospective-026-noah-baumbach/) - Noah Baumbach will have his latest feature directorial effort, Jay Kelly, in limited release this coming week ahead of its Netflix release later this year so we’re discussing his career up to this point. The auteur is known for the writing of his variety of family dramas ranging from his breakout in The Squid and
- ['The Super Mario Galaxy Movie' Trailer Revealed](https://therollingtape.com/the-super-mario-galaxy-movie-trailer-revealed/) - During Wednesday morning’s Nintendo Direct livestream, the first trailer for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (2026) was finally released.
- [‘The Running Man’ Review: Edgar Wright's Latest Feature Feels More Like a Light Walk Than a Run](https://therollingtape.com/the-running-man-review-edgar-wrights-latest-feature-feels-more-like-a-light-walk-than-a-run/) - Glen Powell flexes great leading chops, and the cast on the whole gives it their all, but The Running Man cements itself as one of the year's biggest disappointments.
- [Review: ‘Now You See Me: Now You Don’t’ Proves Movies Really Are Full Of Magic](https://therollingtape.com/review-now-you-see-me-now-you-dont-proves-movies-really-are-full-of-magic/) - It’s not often that the third installment in a movie franchise can elevate what’s come before it. But Now You See Me: Now You Don’t manages to do just that.
- [Bonus Review: Predator: Badlands (2025)](https://therollingtape.com/bonus-review-predator-badlands-2025/) - This is a preview podcast featuring the non-spoiler section of our bonus review for Predator: Badlands. To watch the full review on video, subscribe to our Patreon. “If it bleeds, we can kill it.” We see if that holds up in the seventh installment in the Predator franchise, and the ninth overall including the crossover
- [When the Crowd Moves On: Shah Rukh Khan and the Anatomy of Fading Stardom](https://therollingtape.com/when-the-crowd-moves-on-shah-rukh-khan-and-the-anatomy-of-fading-stardom/) - And yet, Shah Rukh Khan at 60 is an archive of feeling. He is the man whose lines read like family lore in many households.
- [My Top 10 of the 34th Philadelphia Film Festival](https://therollingtape.com/my-top-10-of-the-34th-philadelphia-film-festival/) - To celebrate the best of the fest, here are my top 10 of the 23 films I saw at The Philadelphia Film Festival.
- [5 Criterion Collection Blind Buys to Grab During the Barnes & Noble Sale](https://therollingtape.com/5-criterion-collection-blind-buys-to-grab-during-the-barnes-noble-sale/) - Here are five titles that you’ve (maybe) never seen (or even heard of!) that are worthy of the blind-buy during this most exciting time of the year.
- [‘Pluribus’ Review: Vince Gilligan is Breaking Back into Sci-Fi with Zest](https://therollingtape.com/pluribus-review-vince-gilligan-is-breaking-back-into-sci-fi-with-zest/) - Will Pluribus unite the world? Obviously, no. Will it unite Gilligan fans and TV watchers every Friday for a couple of months? Possibly.
- ['Marcel the Shell with Shoes On' Review: Tiny Shell, Massive Heart](https://therollingtape.com/tiny-shell-massive-heart/) - The world was introduced to Marcel the Shell just over a decade ago when the stop-motion mollusk won over the hearts of millions of YouTube viewers. This summer, Marcel is back in feature film form through the return collaboration of Dean Fleischer-Camp and Jenny Slate, the former directing and the latter providing the lead voice.
- ['Decision to Leave' Review: Police, Passion, and Park Chan-wook](https://therollingtape.com/police-passion-and-park-chan-wook/) - “The moment you said you loved me, your love is over. The moment your love ends, my love begins.” -Seo Rae Although Park Chan-wook has not made a film in six years, it is safe to say that if a six-year hiatus is the price to pay for films of the respective quality of The
- ['Mad God' Review: A Nightmare 30 Years in the Making](https://therollingtape.com/a-nightmare-30-years-in-the-making/) - Although Mad God (2022) opens with a scrolling chapter from Leviticus stating, "among grisly horrors and alarming atrocities, God’s intention to lay cities in ruin and force cannibalism upon relatives should they betray Him," the biblical text is a mild precursor to the 83 minutes of feces-charged nightmare fuel that ensues. In a world that
- ['Babylon' Review: An Auteur’s Cocaine-Fueled Cacophony](https://therollingtape.com/an-auteurs-cocaine-fueled-cacophony/) - In a return to the la la land that set Damien Chazelle’s career ablaze with six Oscar wins including a Best Achievement in Directing for the youngest winner in history, the idyllic Los Angeles landscape that we grew to love is examined once again, this time not under the lens of smooth jazz and star-crossed
- ['White Noise' Review: Distraction and the Spectacle of the Supermarket](https://therollingtape.com/distraction-and-the-spectacle-of-the-supermarket/) - From the director who has presented audiences throughout his career with character studies and family dramas investigating the bottomless philosophies (or lack thereof) of the upper-middle-class urban artist, one would assume White Noise, written by Don DeLillo in 1985, is a book that someone like Grover (Kicking and Screaming) or Bernard Berkman (The Squid and
- [‘La La Land’ is Coming to the Broadway Stage](https://therollingtape.com/la-la-land-is-coming-to-the-broadway-stage/) - Just over six years since Damien Chazelle's 2016 film La La Land featuring Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling in the city of stars sung to the tune of over $470 million at the global box office, the musical that garnered 14 Oscar nominations and six wins is being brought to the Broadway stage. The stage show is set to be directed by Bartlett
- [First Look Photo Revealed of Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn in ‘Joker’ Sequel](https://therollingtape.com/first-look-photo-revealed-of-lady-gaga-as-harley-quinn-in-joker-sequel/) - As a Valentine’s Day surprise, Todd Phillips has shared a first-look photo of Lady Gaga in character as Harley Quinn opposite Joaquin Phoenix reprising his role as the Clown Prince of Crime in Joker: Folie à deux. The pair are due to tango in the highly anticipated sequel to the billion-dollar grossing 2019 film Joker. Although not much is known about the details of the
- [James Cameron Looking to Direct ‘The Last Train From Hiroshima’ After ‘Avatar 3’](https://therollingtape.com/james-cameron-looking-to-direct-the-last-train-from-hiroshima-after-avatar-3/) - Recent box office news has been dominated by one inevitable name: James Cameron. Cameron has been in a tug of war with himself not only in weekly box office returns but also for the highest grossing films of all time. With Avatar: The Way of Water still bringing in consistent returns and the re-release of Titanic performing at a similar
- [Review: 'Magic Mike’s Last Dance' is Stripped of its Magic in its Flat Third Installment](https://therollingtape.com/magic-mikes-last-dance-is-stripped-of-its-magic-in-its-flat-third-installment/) - Magic Mike’s Last Dance (2023) wastes no time telling us what it’s all about. Despite the introductory voice-over prologue that confirms the post-pandemic setting that made Mike Lane’s Custom Furniture one of the all-too-familiar COVID-19 casualties, our titular character still appears out of the male entertainment game. After a clever and revelatory callback where a
- [Hollywood Weighing Which Studio Films Will Debut at Cannes 2023](https://therollingtape.com/hollywood-weighing-which-studio-films-will-debut-at-cannes-2023/) - For two weeks every May, the French seaside town of Cannes is transformed into a glamorous destination in the film landscape hosting one of the most prestigious international festivals of the entire year. But in order to make the star-studded red-carpet event happen each year, Cannes Film Festival chief Thierry Frémaux hurdles the long and intensive process
- [The First Wave of Presenters at the 2023 Oscars Announced](https://therollingtape.com/the-first-wave-of-presenters-at-the-2023-oscars-announced/) - The Academy has announced the first group of presenters that will appear on the March 12th live show. The list includes Oscar winners Riz Ahmed, Jennifer Connelly, Ariana DeBose, Troy Kotsur, and Questlove as well as Oscar nominees Glenn Close, Samuel L. Jackson, and Melissa McCarthy. Also booked to announce this year’s awards are Michael B. Jordan and Jonathan Majors (current co-stars of Creed III), Emily Blunt, Dwayne Johnson, Janelle Monáe, and Zoe Saldaña joined
- [Interview With '18 ½' (2021) Director, Dan Mirvish](https://therollingtape.com/interview-with-18-½-2021-director-dan-mirvish/) - The Rolling Tape had the opportunity to speak with Dan Mirvish, director of 18 1/2, a film that circulated the film festival circuit in 2021. 18 1/2 follows a White House transcriber that is thrust into the Watergate scandal when she obtains the only copy of the infamous 18-and-a-half-minute gap in Nixon's tapes. You can
- [Nancy Meyers Returning to Direct a $130M-Plus Comedy with Netflix](https://therollingtape.com/nancy-meyers-returning-to-direct-a-130m-plus-comedy-with-netflix/) - After eight years away from directing feature films, Nancy Meyers is gearing up to make a return for a comedy film reported to be for Netflix with a budget of at least $130 million. Meyers, who has become known for her brand of elevated romantic comedy that has defined her filmography, last directed The Intern in 2015. With this
- [Cannes Premiere Conversations Continue to Surround the Upcoming Festival](https://therollingtape.com/cannes-premiere-conversations-continue-to-surround-the-upcoming-festival/) - With just over two months until celebrities will begin to line the red carpet in Cannes, France at the city’s annual and prestigious film festivals, conversations continue to swirl on what films will, or will not, be joining the lineup. Among the films to have been reported as unlikely to debut are Kirill Serebrennikov’s Limonov, Sean Durkin’s Iron Claw,
- ['Champions' Review: Bobby Farrelly Blends Basketball and Humor in a Film That Champions Inclusion Over Innovation](https://therollingtape.com/bobby-farrelly-blends-basketball-and-humor-in-a-film-that-champions-inclusion-over-innovation/) - If the director of Dumb and Dumber To and Hall Pass was not at the top of your ‘directors I expected to make a film about representation for disabled persons,’ then you would be at the end of a line that runs out the door, around the block, and back again. While he and his
- [Interview With 'How Do You Measure a Year?' (2022) Director, Jay Rosenblatt](https://therollingtape.com/interview-with-how-do-you-measure-a-year-2022-director-jay-rosenblatt/) - The Rolling Tape had a conversation with filmmaker Jay Rosenblatt on his film How Do You Measure a Year? that is currently nominated for Best Documentary Short at the 95th Academy Awards. The film follows Jay asking his daughter Ella a series of the same questions every year from age 2 to age 18. It follows their relationship
- [Nancy Meyers’ Rom-Com Return Shut Down by Netflix Over Budget Disagreement](https://therollingtape.com/nancy-meyers-rom-com-return-shut-down-by-netflix-over-budget-disagreement/) - After recent news that Nancy Meyers was set to return to directing a feature film for the first time since 2015, the film is now being shut down by Netflix after the two sides could not reach a budget consensus for the project. Meyers had reportedly asked for at least $150 million which would have made it
- [Nancy Meyers Looking for New Home with Warner Bros. After Rom-Com Dropped by Netflix](https://therollingtape.com/nancy-meyers-looking-for-new-home-with-warner-bros-after-rom-com-dropped-by-netflix/) - After recently being dropped by Netflix over a budget disagreement, Nancy Meyers’ directing return may have a new life with Warner Bros. who are said to be in exploratory talks for picking up the film. Meyers had been set up at Netflix for over a year, but recent developments of Netflix capping their budget at $130
- [Ridley Scott’s ‘Gladiator’ Sequel Books Denzel Washington](https://therollingtape.com/ridley-scotts-gladiator-sequel-books-denzel-washington/) - In a follow-up to Ridley Scott’s Best Picture-winning action-epic Gladiator, Scott is returning with a sequel 23 years later that willfeature Oscar nominee Paul Mescal in the leading role. It was recently announced that starring opposite Mescal is Denzel Washington, who is re-teaming with Scott 16 years after their hit crime drama American Gangster. Ridley Scott is set to
- [Jordan Peele Targeting Christmas 2024 for Fourth Directorial Feature](https://therollingtape.com/jordan-peele-targeting-christmas-2024-for-fourth-directorial-feature/) - After the summer 2023 release of Jordan Peele’s third film Nope, the renowned comedian turned writer/director is already forging ahead on his next project which has been announced for a Christmas 2024 release date. The project is currently untitled and no details about the story or cast that Peele will work with have been revealed, but what is
- [Todd Field May Close his Filmmaking Career with TÁR](https://therollingtape.com/todd-field-may-close-his-filmmaking-career-with-tar/) - Todd Field is considering that TÁR may be the last film of his career. Despite the Oscar-nominated director returning to the chair for the first in 16 years with the arthouse epic TÁR following the downfall of composer-conductor Lydia Tár (Cate Blanchett) that was nominated for 6 Academy Awards including Best Picture, Field revealed that the
- [Interview With Win Marks, Grip, Lighting Designer, and Filmmaker](https://therollingtape.com/interview-with-win-marks-grip-lighting-designer-and-filmmaker/) - The Rolling Tape spoke with Win Marks, an electrician, grip, lighting designer, and filmmaker about the process of lighting film sets and his involvement in making a short film Do You Say What You Mean? In conversation with Danny Jarabek and Sara Ciplickas, Win talks about the films that inspire him in a discussion about everything from
- [Adam McKay’s Next Directorial Project Circulating Studios](https://therollingtape.com/adam-mckays-next-directorial-project-circulating-studios/) - There had been whispers about Don’t Look Up director Adam McKay’s next project since he hinted at a script he was writing during the 2022 Tribeca Film Festival, but his newest project has finally been announced as the script is being shopped around studios and streamers. The film is titled Average Height, Average Build, and is described as part crime
- [Theatrical Release Schedule Set for Martin Scorsese’s ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’](https://therollingtape.com/theatrical-release-schedule-set-for-martin-scorseses-killers-of-the-flower-moon/) - The release plans for Killers of the Flower Moon, the long-awaited Martin Scorsese-directed adaptation have been set by Apple Original Films and Paramount, who will partner to release the film theatrically worldwide. Per the studio reports, the film is set to open in limited release on October 6 and wide on October 20. The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De
- [‘Master Gardener’ Trailer Releases for Third Entry in Paul Schrader’s Trilogy](https://therollingtape.com/master-gardener-trailer-releases-for-third-entry-in-paul-schraders-trilogy/) - The trailer for Master Gardener, the crime thriller written and directed by Paul Schrader has been released by Magnolia Pictures. The film is billed as the third entry in a loose trilogy for Schrader who has explored narratives of solitary men surrounded by dark circumstances in his last two films with First Reformed starring Ethan Hawke and The Card Counter starring
- [Focus Features, James Gray Teaming Up on ‘Ezekiel Moss’](https://therollingtape.com/focus-features-james-gray-teaming-up-on-ezekiel-moss/) - James Gray is set to direct Ezekiel Moss as he joins forces once again with Focus Features on the Keith Bunin script with Likely Story producing. Gray is coming off the heels of a collaboration with Focus for his latest film Armageddon Time. Bunin’s latest draft immediately caught the attention of Gray and Focus with both parties committed to the story as
- [Interview With Izzy Davis, Screenwriter](https://therollingtape.com/interview-with-izzy-davis-screenwriter/) - The Rolling Tape spoke with Izzy Davis, a screenwriter currently working in LA, and a graduate of Clemson University and Loyola Marymount University. Joined by Danny Jarabek and Sara Ciplickas, the conversation breaks down what inspires Izzy as a writer and the types of films and directors that influence her work. Izzy also sheds light
- [Martin Scorsese and ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ Confirmed for Cannes](https://therollingtape.com/martin-scorsese-and-killers-of-the-flower-moon-confirmed-for-cannes/) - Festival coordinators for the Cannes Film Festival confirmed Friday that Martin Scorsese’s highly anticipated film, Killers of the Flower Moon, an epic western adaptation following the serial murders of the Osage Nation in the 1920’s, will premiere at the 76th edition of the prestigious festival. The film is an Apple Original and stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, Lily Gladstone, Jesse Plemons, Cara
- [Indiana Jones returning to the Cannes Film Festival with Final Installment ‘Dial of Destiny’](https://therollingtape.com/indiana-jones-returning-to-the-cannes-film-festival-with-final-installment-dial-of-destiny/) - Harrison Ford is officially set to return to Cannes with his final effort in the long-running franchise as Indiana Jones. Starring the legendary archaeologist and directed by James Mangold (Ford v. Ferrari, Logan), the franchise will come to a close with its fifth installment, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny which will have its highly anticipated world premiere at the
- [Sony Releases Official Trailer for ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’](https://therollingtape.com/sony-releases-official-trailer-for-spider-man-across-the-spider-verse/) - Sony Pictures Animation unveiled online today the official trailer for Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, the highly anticipated sequel to the Academy Award-winning animated feature, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. The trailer re-introduces Miles Morales as he teams up with Gwen Stacy and a new team of Spider-People from across the multiverse to face a powerful villain. The film
- [The World of Greta Gerwig’s Barbie-Land Gets Its First-Full Look in Second Teaser](https://therollingtape.com/the-world-of-greta-gerwigs-barbie-land-gets-its-first-full-look-in-second-teaser/) - “To live in Barbie Land is to be a perfect being in a perfect place. Unless you have a full-on existential crisis. Or you’re a Ken.” The Barbie-land set blockbuster received the official trailer treatment today as Warner Bros. Pictures revealed the first full glimpse into the highly anticipated Greta Gerwig-directed Barbie. The film stars Margot Robbie as Barbie
- [Interview With 'I Love You, Guys' (2023) Director, Billie Melissa Rogan](https://therollingtape.com/interview-with-i-love-you-guys-2023-director-billie-melissa-rogan/) - Billie Melissa Rogan is a writer, director, activist, and podcaster active online in the film community. In this interview joined by Danny Jarabek, we discuss her upcoming debut short film I Love You, Guys and how the story and film were ultimately made stronger by the obstacles of the pandemic. We also discuss her inspirations as a
- [Cannes Announces 2023 Festival Lineup](https://therollingtape.com/cannes-announces-2023-festival-lineup/) - The new-look President of the Cannes Film Festival Iris Knobloch unveiled on Thursday by press release the highly anticipated lineup for the 76th edition of the festival. The slate that will be featured at the Croisette looks poised to live up to Knobloch’s promise of “going back to the future of cinema” with their competition and out-of-competition selections
- [Ethan Coen Solo Directorial Venture Announces Title and Release Date](https://therollingtape.com/ethan-coen-solo-directorial-venture-announces-title-and-release-date/) - On Monday, Focus Features and Working Title announced the title and release date of filmmaker Ethan Coen's new movie. Previously untitled, the film is called Drive-Away Dolls and will be released in theaters on September 22, 2023, during the fall awards season. After the Coen brothers decided to part ways in their long-spanning career of co-directed work, this
- [‘Oppenheimer’ Set to Explode with New Trailer](https://therollingtape.com/oppenheimer-set-to-explode-with-new-trailer/) - Universal released a new trailer for Christopher Nolan’s biographical epic, Oppenheimer, set to release only in theaters July 21, 2023. Starring Cillian Murphy as the titular character, the film is a biographical drama that explores the life and work of the enigmatic physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, who led the Manhattan Project during World War II. The cast is a veritable
- [Yorgos Lanthimos and Willem Dafoe Resurrect Emma Stone in Teaser for ‘Poor Things’](https://therollingtape.com/yorgos-lanthimos-and-willem-dafoe-resurrect-emma-stone-in-teaser-for-poor-things/) - Searchlight released the first teaser trailer for Yorgos Lanthimos' upcoming film, Poor Things. The film is a darkly comic science fiction drama that tells the story of a young woman who is brought back to life by a scientist. The film features a star-studded cast, including Emma Stone, who has worked previously with Lanthimos, Willem Dafoe, Mark Ruffalo, Ramy Youssef, Jerrod Carmichael, Christopher
- [Interview with ‘Carmen’ (2023) Director, Benjamin Millepied](https://therollingtape.com/interview-with-carmen-2023-director-benjamin-millepied/) - Benjamin Millepied is a world-renowned choreographer, dancer, and rising director. In 2010, Millepied choreographed and starred in the Oscar-winning feature Black Swan (2010). Since then, he has directed a number of short films, commercials, and music videos before making his feature film directorial debut with Carmen (2023) starring Paul Mescal, Melissa Barrera, and Elsa Pataky.
- [Cannes Market Heats Up With Kim Jee-woon’s ‘Cobweb’](https://therollingtape.com/cannes-market-heats-up-with-kim-jee-woons-cobweb/) - The first major sale to launch the Cannes distribution market comes from South Korean director Kim Jee-woon's highly anticipated period comedy-drama, Cobweb. The film, which stars Song Kang-ho (Parasite), is set to premiere in Cannes out-of-competition on May 25. Cobweb is set in with politically divided 1970’s South Korea and tells the story of a director named Kim (Song) who
- [Interview With Drea Clark, Festival Programmer and Producer](https://therollingtape.com/interview-with-drea-clark-festival-programmer-and-producer/) - Drea Clark is a Film Producer, a Programmer for Sundance Film Festival and Bentonville with experience at LA and Slamdance Film Festivals. She’s produced three feature films, The Last Time You Had Fun (director Mo Perkins), Lake Los Angeles (director Mike Ott), No Light and No Land Anywhere (director Amber Sealey, exec. producer Miranda July), as well as music videos, web
- [Renate Reinsve Joins Pedro Pascal in Zach Cregger's ‘Weapons’](https://therollingtape.com/renate-reinsve-joins-pedro-pascal-in-zach-creggers-weapons/) - Norwegian actress Renate Reinsve, who gained international recognition for her performance in the Oscar-nominated film The Worst Person in the World, has joined the cast of Weapons , a new horror film from New Line Cinema. The film will be directed by Zach Cregger, who also wrote the screenplay. Cregger is best known for 2022
- [Interview with ‘Giving Birth to a Butterfly’ (2023) Co-Writer Patrick Lawler](https://therollingtape.com/interview-with-giving-birth-to-a-butterfly-2023-co-writer-patrick-lawler/) - Giving Birth To a Butterfly follows a woman who after having her identity stolen, connects with her son's pregnant girlfriend as they bond together on a surreal journey and attempt to track down the perpetrators. In the conversation with co-writer Patrick Lawler, he speaks to the ‘alchemy’ of the creative dynamic between him and director
- [Interview with ‘Giving Birth to a Butterfly’ (2023) Director and Co-Writer Ted Schaefer](https://therollingtape.com/interview-with-giving-birth-to-a-butterfly-2023-director-and-co-writer-ted-schaefer/) - Ted Schaefer is a New York-based filmmaker. His directorial debut and the feature of our interview is Giving Birth to a Butterfly, follows a woman who after having her identity stolen, connects with her son's pregnant girlfriend as they bond together on a surreal journey and attempt to track down the perpetrators. The film was
- [Interview With ‘An Eighth of Him’ (2023) Director, Levi Eddie Aluede](https://therollingtape.com/interview-with-an-eighth-of-him-2023-director-levi-eddie-aluede/) - Levi Eddie Aluede is a writer and director based in southeast London, known for their shorts (The Smell of Cut Grass) which screened at the Prince Charles Cinema in Central London and web series (Visions of a Vivid Life). Levi is currently promoting their short film An Eighth of Him which is premiering at the
- [Interview with ‘Heart Valley’ (2022) Director, Christian Cargill](https://therollingtape.com/interview-with-heart-valley-2022-director-christian-cargill/) - Christian Cargill is a London-based filmmaker and photographer. During his time at Pulse Films, Christian worked across productions for Netflix, HBO, Vice Studios and the BBC. He has directed various mini-docs and music videos, working with artists including Laura Marling and Gorillaz. In this interview, we discuss his first documentary Heart Valley which won multiple
- [Interview with ‘Midday Black Midnight Blue’ (2023) Director, Samantha Soule](https://therollingtape.com/interview-with-midday-black-midnight-blue-2023-director-samantha-soule/) - Samantha Soule is an actress and filmmaker known throughout her career for roles in many TV series including Godless. She made her feature directorial debut alongside co-director Daniel Talbott for Midday Black Midnight Blue starring Samantha Soule with Chris Stack and Merritt Weaver. The film is releasing on VOD on June 16th and in LOOK Theaters in LA. Listen
- [Interview With 'The Future' (2023) Director, Noam Kaplan](https://therollingtape.com/interview-with-the-future-2023-director-noam-kaplan/) - Noam Kaplan is the writer and director of The Future which premiered at Tribeca Film Festival 2023 and follows the Israeli secret service who hire criminal profiler Nurit to question a young Palestinian woman suspected of killing a government official. Nurit learns some unsettling realities via their interactions. The film tackles themes surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict compounded
- [Interview With 'The Secret Art of Human Flight' (2023) Director, H.P. Mendoza](https://therollingtape.com/interview-with-the-secret-art-of-human-flight-director-h-p-mendoza/) - H. P. Mendoza is a Filipino-American filmmaker and artist known for his work as screenwriter, composer, and actor on Colma: The Musical (2007), as well as his arthouse horror film, I Am a Ghost (2014) . Crowned "San Francisco's queer cinema poet," Mendoza is also known for his music in films, installations and albums. In this interview, we discuss
- [Pre-Festival Forecast for the 2024 Best Picture](https://therollingtape.com/pre-festival-forecast-for-the-2024-best-picture/) - Every year a collective groan can be heard as outlets and prognosticators rush to release their predictions for the next Oscars an entire calendar year away. After six-plus months of a long and arduous awards season, the last thing we want to hear about is going right back into predictions mode, especially without having seen
- [Interview With 'No Hard Feelings' (2023) Visual Effects Software Engineer, Jacob Deboer](https://therollingtape.com/interview-with-no-hard-feelings-2021-visual-effects-software-engineer-jacob-deboer/) - Jacob Deboer is a Visual Effects Pipeline Software Engineer for Brainstorm Digital whose most recent credit is for No Hard Feelings starring Jennifer Lawrence. We discuss his role in the visual effects workflow process, his contributions to No Hard Feelings, and some of his upcoming projects. Listen to the full interview here. Follow our interviewee
- ["Barbie" Review: A Prefabricated, Plastic-Clad Prognostication of the Patriarchy](https://therollingtape.com/a-prefabricated-plastic-clad-prognostication-of-the-patriarchy/) - If there is someone out there so far off the grid to have not encountered the tableau of a blonde cowgirl bombshell and a rollerblading surveyor of the beach, it should be documented as a resume achievement on the level of a Nobel Peace Prize, something Barbie’s release date partner even failed to secure. Barbie
- [NEWS 008: Directing, Adapted Screenplay, and Original Screenplay Predictions](https://therollingtape.com/news-008-directing-adapted-screenplay-and-original-screenplay-predictions/) - Continuing the conversations of this year's awards season, we move on to our next set of categories to predict for the 96th Academy Awards, including Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Original Screenplay. We will continue adding predictions for all 23 categories with each successive news episode. https://therollingtape.buzzsprout.com/share Follow our team online:Danny Jarabek Website, Letterboxd, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and LinktreeEugene
- ["Mean Girls" Review: Stupid with Love Over a Mean Movie Musical](https://therollingtape.com/mean-girls-review-stupid-with-love-over-a-mean-movie-musical/) - If you had asked me as recently as seven months ago which film, proclaiming to be steeped in “pink” and “plastic,” would star-struck me more, choosing between one—the social spectacle starring Margot Robbie written and directed by visionary filmmaker Greta Gerwig and two–the 2024 version of Mean Girls based on a musical based on a
- [20 Things the Academy Would Do If They Were Cool: Year 3](https://therollingtape.com/20-things-the-academy-would-do-if-they-were-cool-year-3/) - The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences hands out 23 gold-plated statues once a year, and as the biggest night in the marathon that is the film awards season, effectively beginning in late November and running through mid-March (March 10th, 2024 this year to be exact), the Oscars Ceremony is one typically filled with
- [Interview With 'Ghostlight' (2024) Co-Directors, Kelly O'Sullivan & Alex Thompson](https://therollingtape.com/interview-with-ghostlight-2024-co-directors-kelly-osullivan-alex-thompson/) - After delivering Saint Frances in 2019, creative duo Alex Thompson and Kelly O'Sullivan are back with Ghostlight in partnership with IFC Films. Written by O'Sullivan and co-directed by each, the story follows a construction worker who unexpectedly joins a local theater's production of Romeo and Juliet, and the drama onstage starts to mirror his own
- [Interview with ‘Dandelion’ (2024) Director/Writer Nicole Riegel](https://therollingtape.com/interview-with-dandelion-2024-director-writer-nicole-riegel/) - Dandelion is currently playing in select theaters from IFC Films and writer/director Nicole Riegel after her feature debut in 2020 with Holler. The film premiered earlier this year at SXSW festival and follows a singer-songwriter in a downward spiral as she takes a last effort gig at a motorcycle rally in South Dakota where she
- [The Top Six Most Anticipated Films From Fantasia Fest](https://therollingtape.com/the-top-six-most-anticipated-films-from-fantasia-fest/) - The Fantasia International Film Festival kicks off this week in Montréal, ushering in an exciting new slate of feature films and selected shorts. According to their official website, the festival, which is celebrating its 28th edition this year, aims to explore genre cinema while providing a festive environment where emerging artists can generate exposure alongside
- [FANTASIA FEST ‘Oddity’ Review: A Whodunnit Wrapped in an Occult Package](https://therollingtape.com/fantasia-fest-oddity-review-a-whodunnit-wrapped-in-an-occult-package/) - It’s the dead of night. You hear a thundering knock at your door. You open the peephole to find a man with a glass eye and a mad glare. He claims somebody has entered your house and you’re in danger, but he is here to save you. He offers to come inside for protection. Do
- [Interview with ‘Skincare’ (2024) Director, Austin Peters](https://therollingtape.com/interview-with-skincare-2024-director-austin-peters/) - In director Austin Peters' debut feature film, famed aesthetician Hope Goldman's skincare business faces sabotage when rival Angel Vergara opens a boutique across the street. Aided by friend Jordan, Hope seeks to uncover who's trying to ruin her reputation. We discuss Peters' vision for developing the film and how he was able to cast stars
- [Interview with ‘Dìdi’ (2024) Editors, Arielle Zakowski & Christopher Tennel](https://therollingtape.com/interview-with-didi-2024-editors-arielle-zakowski-christopher-tennel/) - With a World Premiere at Sundance in January, Sean Wang's Dìdi has now been capturing the hearts of audiences as the film has gone into wide release in theater. In 2008, during the last month of summer before high school begins, the film follows an impressionable 13-year-old Taiwanese American boy who learns what his family
- [Our Top Twelve Most Anticipated Films From TIFF](https://therollingtape.com/our-top-twelve-most-anticipated-films-from-tiff/) - We’re now headlong into festival season, and buzz has already started to grow out of Venice, Telluride, and more. This week, another massive film festival will kick off in Toronto. This year’s Toronto International Film Festival, one of the most high-profile festivals, will feature all sorts of new releases looking to gain acclaim. The festival
- [*TIFF 2024* Interview With 'Paying for It' (2024) Director, Sook-Yin Lee](https://therollingtape.com/tiff-2024-interview-with-paying-for-it-2024-director-sook-yin-lee/) - When an introverted cartoonist's girlfriend wants to redefine their relationship, he begins sleeping with sex workers and discovers a new kind of intimacy in the process. Sook-Yin Lee's film is an auto-fictional adaptation of the Graphic Novel by Chester Brown, and in this interview discusses those personal influences that helped Lee shape the film, one
- [*TIFF 2024* Interview With 'Space Cowboy' (2024) Directors, Bryce Leavitt & Marah Strauch](https://therollingtape.com/tiff-2024-interview-with-space-cowboy-2024-directors-bryce-leavitt-marah-strauch/) - Space Cowboy follows the personal and professional life of Joe Jennings, a pioneer of skydiving cinematography, who looks back on creating iconic moments in film and television, while he tries to turn a dreamlike vision into reality. Danny discusses with co-directors Bryce Leavitt and Marah Strauch how they came to the story and what they
- [*TIFF 2024* Interview With 'Shook' (2024) Director, Amar Wala](https://therollingtape.com/tiff-2024-interview-with-shook-2024-director-amar-wala/) - With a World Premiere at TIFF 2024, Amar Wala expands on his short film of the same name from 2018, Shook. After a run-in with his estranged father, aspiring writer Ashish or "Ash" learns a secret that will force him to balance family, love and success while navigating the divide between the exciting city life
- [TIFF 2025 ‘Silent Friend’ Review: Plants are the Quiet Narrators of Human History in Ildikó Enyedi’s Latest Film](https://therollingtape.com/tiff-2025-silent-friend-review-plants-are-the-quiet-narrators-of-human-history-in-ildiko-enyedis-latest-film/) - Enyedi’s Silent Friend is a remarkable example of a film actively wrestling with the question of whether the nonhuman can be given true narrative agency.
- [TIFF 2025 ‘Sound of Falling’ Review: A Quiet Epic on the Cyclical Violence of the Male Gaze](https://therollingtape.com/tiff-2025-sound-of-falling-review-a-quiet-epic-on-the-cyclical-violence-of-the-male-gaze/) - Mascha Schilinski’s second feature film once carried the title The Doctor Says, I’ll Be Alright but I’m Feeling Blue. The rationale behind its change from ten words to three is obvious, but it remains a telling footnote in the evolution of the freeform poetry-like narration that Schilinski constructs. The final title, Sound of Falling, is
- [TIFF 2025 ‘Sirât’ Review: A Pyrotechnic Search for Salvation](https://therollingtape.com/tiff-2025-sirat-review-a-pyrotechnic-search-for-salvation/) - Laxe may have traded story for spectacle, but it's a tradeoff with both rewards and consequences. Sirât is a testament to searching.
- [*PFF33* ‘Flow’ Review: A Poignant Parable on Collective Climate Change Action](https://therollingtape.com/flow-review-a-poignant-parable-on-collective-climate-change-action/) - If there’s one thing the Internet has no conceivable shortage of, it's cat videos. And if that endless supply of cat content has taught us anything, it’s that our feline friends are perhaps the most photogenic creatures on the planet. In creating Flow, which premiered at Cannes earlier this year, Latvian director Gints Zilbalodis and
- [‘Nosferatu’ Review: A Theater of Seductive Shadows and Carnal Cravings](https://therollingtape.com/nosferatu-review-a-theater-of-seductive-shadows-and-carnal-cravings/) - In a year where bodily autonomy has never been more politicized and weaponized, movies have consumed our living nightmare and interrogated those fears through the prism of the horror genre with vicious clarity. Shocking depictions of childbirth, female image, and nonconsensual sexual encounters were commonplace and effective in 2024–Cuckoo brought Hunter Schafer into the crossfires
- [Interview With 'Porcelain War' (2024) Co-Directors, Brendan Bellomo & Slava Leontyev](https://therollingtape.com/interview-with-porcelain-war-2024-co-directors-brendan-bellomo-slava-leontyev/) - After winning the Grand Jury Prize for Documentary Feature and being recently shortlisted for Best Documentary Feature for the Academy Awards, Porcelain War is now in limited theatrical release. Under roaring fighter jets, Ukrainian artists Slava, Anya, and Andrey choose to stay behind. Defiantly finding beauty amid destruction, they show that although it's easy to
- [20 Things the Academy Would Do If They Were Cool: Year 4](https://therollingtape.com/20-things-the-academy-would-do-if-they-were-cool-year-4/) - The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences hands out 23 gold-plated statues once a year. The biggest night in the marathon that is the film awards season effectively beginning in November and running through March (March 2, 2025, this year to be exact), the Oscars Ceremony is one typically filled with a variety of
- [Remembering David Lynch and Our Surreal Shared Dream](https://therollingtape.com/remembering-david-lynch-and-our-surreal-shared-dream/) - David Lynch once said, “Life is very, very complicated, and so films should be allowed to be, too.” His movies are indeed complicated. They are provocative and confrontational. They ask questions more than they provide answers. They force you to look inward and ask those questions of yourself. Watching a David Lynch film is an
- [The 97th Academy Award Nominations (2025)](https://therollingtape.com/the-97th-academy-award-nominations-2025/) - Best Picture Anora The Brutalist A Complete Unknown Conclave Dune: Part Two Emilia Pérez I’m Still Here Nickel Boys The Substance Wicked Actor in a Leading Role Adrien Brody (The Brutalist) Timothée Chalamet (A Complete Unknown) Colman Domingo (Sing Sing) Ralph Fiennes (Conclave) Sebastian Stan (The Apprentice) Actress in a Leading Role Cynthia Erivo (Wicked)
- [Last-Minute Musings on an Unforgettable Awards Season](https://therollingtape.com/last-minute-musings-on-an-unforgettable-awards-season/) - There are predictable Oscar races, and then there’s whatever this was. In a season that refuses to settle, frontrunners have risen and fallen like an overcaffeinated stock market jolted by the erratic leadership of volatile economic policy (wait that sounds familiar). With only the final hours to go before Hollywood gathers in the Dolby Theater,
- [‘Armand’ Review: Public Schools and Private Power Dynamics](https://therollingtape.com/armand-review-public-schools-and-private-power-dynamics/) - Just last year, Justine Triet’s investigations into the power of subjectivity gripped audiences all the way to an Oscar win for Best Original Screenplay. Despite France opting to submit another of their country’s projects to the International Feature category, Anatomy of a Fall confounded those who encountered it with the burning question: Did she do
- [Preview: SpringFest 2025 with the Philadelphia Film Society](https://therollingtape.com/preview-springfest-2025-with-the-philadelphia-film-society/) - Philadelphia may be known for its cheesesteaks, the Liberty Bell, and the iconic Rocky steps, but beyond the landmarks and underdog boxer references lies a vibrant and deeply rooted film culture. Anchoring that cultural presence is the Philadelphia Film Society, a nonprofit organization that serves as a cornerstone for cinema in the city. While the
- [*PFS Springfest* ‘40 Acres’ Review: An Adrenaline-Soaked Near-Future Dystopia](https://therollingtape.com/40-acres-review-an-adrenaline-soaked-near-future-dystopia/) - 40 Acres is a gripping debut from R.T. Thorne and a showcase for Danielle Deadwyler, who again proves she’s one of the most magnetic talents working today.
- [Interview With 'Sacramento' (2025) Editor, Max Goldblatt](https://therollingtape.com/interview-with-sacramento-2025-editor-max-goldblatt/) - Sacramento directed by Michael Angarano follows an energetic and free-spirited young man convinces his long-time friend, who's settled into domestic life, to go on an impromptu road trip from Los Angeles to Sacramento. We interview the editor and close collaborator to Angarano, Max Goldblatt on the collaboration process for developing and editing the film. Listen
- [Interview With 'La Pecera (The Fishbowl)' (2023) Writer/Director, Glorimar Marrero Sánchez](https://therollingtape.com/interview-with-la-pecera-the-fishbowl-2023-writer-director-glorimar-marrero-sanchez/) - La Pecera premiered at Sundance in 2023 but was recently in limited theatrical release. The film's story is as follows: a cancer diagnosis inspires Noelia to return to her native Puerto Rico and reunite with friends and family who are dealing with industrial pollution left by the US military. We discuss the making of the
- [*PFS SpringFest* ‘Middletown’ Review: Civic Courage in the Face of Environmental Crimes](https://therollingtape.com/pfs-springfest-middletown-review-civic-courage-in-the-face-of-environmental-crimes/) - Amanda McBaine and Jesse Moss have proven their uncanny knack for uncovering compelling stories of interest and documenting them in a way that is both informative and narratively engaging. The veteran documentarians are most recently known for their work across Boys State (2020) and Girls State (2024), and they continue to operate in an educational
- [‘The Phoenician Scheme’ Review: Faith, Fortune, and the Fragility of the Symmetrical Signature](https://therollingtape.com/the-phoenician-scheme-review-faith-fortune-and-the-fragility-of-the-symmetrical-signature/) - The question of whether Wes Anderson can continue to out-Wes Anderson himself is a persistent one in the minds of fans and critics alike every time his identifiable imagery finds its way back to the big screen. The prolific connoisseur of symmetry and style has faced it throughout his career, as his distinctive visual iconography
- [From The Awards Tape: Cannes Film Festival Award Predictions 2025](https://therollingtape.com/from-the-awards-tape-cannes-film-festival-award-predictions-2025/) - As the red carpet is unrolled once more along the Croisette, the 78th Cannes Film Festival has been the spotlight of attention for the global film community over the last week. The world’s most prestigious stage for celebrating international cinema is also the unofficial starting line of awards season. The festival’s legacy as a platform
- [TIFF to Open 50th Anniversary with World Premiere of John Candy Documentary](https://therollingtape.com/tiff-to-open-50th-anniversary-with-world-premiere-of-john-candy-documentary/) - We all know when the TIFF account on X posts that side-eye emoji, that something is about to be announced, and this announcement is sweet like candy. The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) has announced via press release that its 50th edition will open with the world premiere of John Candy: I Like Me, a
- [‘Wicked: For Good’ Trailer: We Return to the Land of Oz](https://therollingtape.com/wicked-for-good-trailer-we-return-to-the-land-of-oz/) - Something wicked this way comes–part two. Universal Pictures has released the first full trailer for Wicked: For Good, the second installment in the long-awaited two-part film adaptation of the long-running Broadway musical Wicked. The trailer debuted today, June 4, 2025, following a teaser released yesterday featuring character introductions and a special one-day theatrical re-release of
- [TRIBECA Festival 2025 Curtain Raiser](https://therollingtape.com/tribeca-film-festival-2025-curtain-raiser/) - There’s a lot to explore at Tribeca in both feature-length and short format across its categories. This year TRT has three journalists covering the festival.
- [*TRIBECA 2025* Interview With 'Esta Isla' (2025) Co-Directors, Christian Carretero & Lorraine Jones](https://therollingtape.com/tribeca-2025-interview-with-esta-isla-2025-co-directors-christian-carretero-lorraine-jones/) - Esta Isla is a Puerto Rican feature in the US Narrative Competition with its world premiere at the Tribeca Festival 2025. The movie is described as follows: young lovers Bebo and Lola, from different social worlds in Puerto Rico, escape to a remote area of the island after a murder occurs. We talk with co-directors
- [*TRIBECA 2025* Interview With 'Maintenance Artist' (2025) Director, Toby Perl Freilich](https://therollingtape.com/tribeca-2025-interview-with-maintenance-artist-2025-director-toby-perl-freilich/) - Toby Perl Freilich's Maintenance Artist follows NYC's first Sanitation Department artist-in-residence, Mierle Laderman Ukeles, who blends art with waste management in Maintenance Artist, exploring her groundbreaking public art career. The film is playing in the Documentary Competition at Tribeca and we had the opportunity to discuss the film and development with its subject with the director. Listen
- [*TRIBECA 2025* Interview With 'YANUNI' (2025) Director, Richard Ladkani & Subject, Juma Xipaia](https://therollingtape.com/tribeca-2025-interview-with-yanuni-2025-director-richard-ladkani-subject-juma-xipaia/) - Richard Ladkani continues his work of environmental documentary storytelling by bringing us to the Amazon to share the story of Juma Xipaia and her husband Hugo Loss as they fight for environmental land protection and Indigenous sovereignty. In our interview, Richard and Juma discuss the approach they discussed for sharing Juma's message and the importance
- [*TRIBECA 2025* Interview With 'The Price of Milk' (2025) Director, Nicholas Bruckman](https://therollingtape.com/tribeca-2025-interview-with-the-price-of-milk-2025-director-nicholas-bruckman/) - As part of the NOW Special Screening series at Tribeca 2025, The Price of Milk is a four-episode mini-series that utilizes the story of a common, everyday product to tell a much broader story about American capitalism, politics, advertising, and environmentalism. The description reads: the untold battle behind the ‘90s ‘Got Milk’ campaign leads an investigative romp
- [Tribeca Festival Reflections](https://therollingtape.com/tribeca-festival-reflections/) - We reflect on and break down our coverage focuses, discussing the major takeaways we each gained from Tribeca.
- [Fantasia 2025 Curtain Raiser](https://therollingtape.com/fantasia-2025-curtain-raiser/) - The summer festival season is in full swing, and before we arrive in Toronto and elsewhere for the fall cycle, we’re taking our annual pit stop in Montreal for the Fantasia International Film Festival, North America’s leading genre film festival. In its 29th edition this year, the lineup has a vast selection of genre films
- [Interview With 'Harvest' (2024) Director, Athina Rachel Tsangari](https://therollingtape.com/interview-with-harvest-2024-director-athina-rachel-tsangari/) - From Athina Rachel Tsangari (Chevalier, Attenberg), Harvest is a spellbinding and thrillingly distinctive period piece like no other, telling a folk horror-inflected story about the trauma of modernity and the looming threat of the outsider. Set over seven hallucinatory days in an idyllic rural Scottish village, the traditional way of life for its agrarian community is suddenly
- [‘Together’ Review: Interrogating the Anatomy of Codependent Intimacy](https://therollingtape.com/together-review-interrogating-the-anatomy-of-codependent-intimacy/) - Together’s horror isn’t just in the grotesque – it’s in the vulnerability of love, in the comedic tragedy of giving too much of yourself.
- [34th Annual Philadelphia Film Festival Curtain Raiser](https://therollingtape.com/34th-annual-philadelphia-film-festival-curtain-raiser/) - Our team previews their most anticipated titles and reflects on the Philadelphia Film festival’s meaning to them. 
- [‘Caught Stealing’ Review: A High-Octane Chain Reaction of Crime](https://therollingtape.com/caught-stealing-review-a-high-octane-chain-reaction-of-crime/) - Caught Stealing is simultaneously a dark character study and a deliriously entertaining powder keg and proves Aronofsky can cut loose.
- [PFF 2025 Review: 'Primate' is a Fun, Pulpy, Intense Creature Feature](https://therollingtape.com/pff-2025-review-primate-is-a-fun-pulpy-intense-creature-feature/) - Primate is a fun, B-movie concoction, combining a phenomenal special effect of a raging, pissed-off chimpanzee with an unrelenting sense of animalistic carnage.
- [PFF 2025 Review: 'Cover-Up' is a Sharp Portrait of a Man Fighting for Humanity](https://therollingtape.com/pff-2025-review-cover-up-is-a-sharp-portrait-of-a-man-fighting-for-humanity/) - Yet, Cover-Up is a damning, decisive portrait of tenacity and courage, at a time when valuable journalism seems so rare.
- [Review: ‘All You Need is Kill’ Takes the Time-loop Approach with Depth Without Feeling Repetitive](https://therollingtape.com/review-all-you-need-is-kill-takes-the-time-loop-approach-with-depth-without-feeling-repetitive/) - All You Need is Kill at no point feels repetitive, as, instead of presenting the time-loop as inevitable, it is actually a challenge to grow.
- [Review: ‘Chainsaw Man - The Movie: Reze Arc’ Surprises Audiences with its Beauty of Two People Meeting at Just the Right Time](https://therollingtape.com/review-chainsaw-man-the-movie-reze-arc-surprises-audiences-with-its-beauty-of-two-people-meeting-at-just-the-right-time/) - 2025’s Scotland Loves Anime returns for another year, opening with Chainsaw Man - The Movie: Reze Arc, one of my most anticipated.
- [Review: ‘ChaO’ is an Unusual Premise for a Love Story that Highlights the Immigrant Experience](https://therollingtape.com/review-chao-is-an-unusual-premise-for-a-love-story-that-highlights-the-immigrant-experience/) - Once you get past the forced romance, ChaO is not really a love story; instead, an immigrant experience of trying to fit into somewhere new when you constantly feel like you are making mistakes.
- [Review: ‘Lupin the IIIrd the Movie: The Immortal Bloodline’ is a Fun Adventure in Takeshi Koike's Final Outing of His Childhood Hero](https://therollingtape.com/review-lupin-the-iiird-the-movie-the-immortal-bloodline-is-a-fun-adventure-in-takeshi-koikes-final-outing-of-his-childhood-hero/) - Even though this was my first experience with Lupin, it was lovely to see Koike deliver a wonderful final outing for a character he had loved since watching on TV.
- [Review: ‘Redline’ at Fifteen is Still an Energetic Race You Can’t Look Away From](https://therollingtape.com/review-redline-at-fifteen-is-still-an-energetic-race-you-cant-look-away-from/) - s part of the Scotland Loves Anime festival, Takeshi Koike presented a retrospective of his debut film Redline, which, even at 15 years old, still works as well as ever.
- [Review: ‘The Last Blossom’ is a Surprise of Scotland Loves Anime](https://therollingtape.com/review-the-last-blossom-is-a-surprise-of-scotland-loves-anime/) - The Last Blossom really reminded me of why I love film festivals. Despite not knowing at all what to expect, it completely surprised me.
- [CIFF 2025 Review: ‘What Does That Nature Say To You’ is Another Classic from Hong Sang-soo](https://therollingtape.com/ciff-2025-review-what-does-that-nature-say-to-you-is-another-classic-from-hong-sang-soo/) - What Does That Nature Say To You works best if you succumb to the journey it takes you on and allow yourself to be fully immersed in the ideas it seeks to convey.
- [PFF 2025 Review: 'My Father's Shadow' is a Nostalgic Ode to a Courageous Father](https://therollingtape.com/pff-2025-review-my-fathers-shadow-is-a-nostalgic-ode-to-a-courageous-father/) - Akinola Davies Jr. sets out to unearth that absence and excavate what a father could do that’s more important than being present in My Father’s Shadow.
- [Philadelphia Film Festival Announces Audience Award Winners](https://therollingtape.com/philadelphia-film-festival-announces-audience-award-winners/) - To celebrate the close of the 34th Philadelphia Film Festival, the Philadelphia Film Society has announced the PFF34 Audience Award Winners
- [EP 162: Bugonia (2025)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-162-bugonia-2025/) - Bugonia is directed by Yorgos Lanthimos. It is an English-language remake of the 2003 South Korean film Save the Green Planet! by Jang Joon-hwan. The film follows two conspiracy-obsessed young men who kidnap the high-powered CEO of a major company, convinced that she is an alien intent on destroying planet Earth. Bugonia had its world
- [PFF 2025 Review: ‘Alice-Heart’ is a Philadelphia-set Coming-Of-Age for the Books](https://therollingtape.com/pff-2025-review-alice-heart-is-a-philadelphia-set-coming-of-age-for-the-books/) - Alice-Heart is a must-see for anyone who enjoys films with a distinct feeling of place and personality.
- [*PFF 2025* Interview With 'Lesbian Space Princess' (2025) Directors, Emma Hough Hobbs & Leela Varghese](https://therollingtape.com/pff-2025-interview-with-lesbian-space-princess-2025-directors-emma-hough-hobbs-leela-varghese/) - Lesbian Space Princess recently screened at Philadelphia Film Festival after playing festivals throughout the past year and Jake Fittipaldi is joined by co-directors Emma Hough Hobbs and Leela Varghese to discuss their work and creative partnership. Lesbian Space Princess follows a space princess who is thrust out of her sheltered life and into a galactic
- [Ladies Night 011: Witches & Halloween](https://therollingtape.com/ladies-night-011-witches-halloween/) - Witches take over the studio to celebrate Halloween and discuss the iconography, history, and meaning of ‘the witch’ in film. Breaking down her many interactions, themes and meanings, the Ladies discuss the empowerment and the dangers this iconic figure has brought to female audiences…all while giving plenty of new movie recs! Subscribe:The Rolling Tape Patreon
- [Underrated International Horror Movies to End the Halloween Season](https://therollingtape.com/underrated-international-horror-movies-to-end-the-halloween-season/) - If you’re bored of watching the same movies in the lead-up to Halloween, here are ten international horror movies to watch in the final days of the spooky season.
- [NEWS 047: New York Film Festival, Chicago International Film Festival & Philadelphia Film Festival Recaps 2025](https://therollingtape.com/news-047-new-york-film-festival-chicago-international-film-festival-philadelphia-film-festival-recaps-2025/) - After the long haul of the fall festival cycle, festival season has finally come to a close and we’re here to round up our experiences at each of the most recent fests that our team has attended including New York Film Festival, Chicago International Film Festival, and Philadelphia Film Festival. From the midwest to the
- [5 Cult Classic Horror Movies You Need to See](https://therollingtape.com/5-cult-classic-horror-movies-you-need-to-see/) - If you've run through all of the Elm Street sequels and Shudder isn't speaking to you, use this list as a jumping-off point for some Cult Classic Horror Movies.
- [NEWS 046: Gotham Award Nominations 2025](https://therollingtape.com/news-046-gotham-award-nominations-2025/) - Marking the first nominations from an official awards voting body, The Gotham Film & Media Institute announced their nominations for the 35th edition of The Gothams. We recap the announcement where 40 feature films and 25 performances in ten award categories were recognized. One Battle After Another led the way receiving six nominations while the Best Feature category
- [EP 155: The Conjuring: Last Rites (2025)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-155-the-conjuring-last-rites-2025/) - The Conjuring: Last Rites is directed by Michael Chaves and written by Ian Goldberg, Richard Naing, and David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick. The film is the ninth installment in The Conjuring Universe. Based on the true-life investigations of the Smurl haunting, the film stars Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga, who reprise their roles as paranormal investigators Ed
- [EP 161: After the Hunt (2025)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-161-after-the-hunt-2025/) - After the Hunt is directed by Luca Guadagnino and written by Nora Garrett. Starring Julia Roberts, Ayo Edebiri, Andrew Garfield, Michael Stuhlbarg and Chloë Sevigny, it follows Alma, a college professor caught in between a sexual abuse accusation involving one of her students and a colleague. The film had its world premiere out of competition
- [CIFF 2025 Review: ‘Jay Kelly’ is a Beautiful Portrait of Memory, Friendship, and Legacy](https://therollingtape.com/ciff-2025-review-jay-kelly-is-a-beautiful-portrait-of-memory-friendship-and-legacy/) - Jay Kelly is a joyous coming-of-age film for and about adults. Clooney and Sandler give some of the best work of their careers.
- [CIFF 2025: Interview with ‘The Holy Boy’ Director and Writer Paolo Strippoli](https://therollingtape.com/ciff-2025-interview-with-the-holy-boy-director-and-writer-paolo-strippoli/) - Adam Patla sits down with director and writer Paolo Strippoli to discuss 'The Holy Boy' and its dark themes, crafting a unique location, and the visual language.
- [PFF 2025 Review: 'The President's Cake' is an Affecting Gem of a Child's Resolution](https://therollingtape.com/pff-2025-review-the-presidents-cake-is-an-affecting-gem-of-a-childs-resolution/) - The President’s Cake is a poignant, often absurdly sad loss of innocence and direction that leaves people in the ruins of a destitute war.
- [‘After the Hunt’ Review: Nora Garrett’s Unflinching Script Redefines Female Complexity on Screen](https://therollingtape.com/after-the-hunt-review-nora-garretts-unflinching-script-redefines-female-complexity-on-screen/) - Luca Guadagnino’s After the Hunt is far more than the provocative “cancel culture” drama its marketing suggests—it’s a deeply introspective character study.
- [‘100 Nights of Hero’ Review: A Delectable Fairy Tale Fantasy](https://therollingtape.com/100-nights-of-hero-review-a-delectable-fairy-tale-fantasy/) - Overall, 100 Nights of Hero is a success. That aside, the tasteful costumes and strong acting performances bring the film to many heights.
- [My Top 10 Films From the London Film Festival 2025](https://therollingtape.com/my-top-10-films-from-the-london-film-festival-2025/) - As the London Film Festival comes to a close, it was perfect timing to compile a list of my top 10 films seen over the past couple of weeks in the capital city.
- [CIFF 2025 Review: ‘The Holy Boy’ and the Horror of Suppression](https://therollingtape.com/ciff-2025-review-the-holy-boy-and-the-horror-of-suppression/) - The Holy Boy is a harrowing tale of suppression and identity that feels more relevant than ever.
- [CIFF 2025 Review: Kleber Mendonça Filho’s ‘The Secret Agent’ is a Stylish and Subversive Political Thriller](https://therollingtape.com/ciff-2025-review-kleber-mendonca-filhos-the-secret-agent-is-a-stylish-and-subversive-political-thriller/) - It’s no secret why The Secret Agent has the passionate support it does. Its themes remain urgent as ever as we continue to see countries slide into fascism.
- [The Tron Franchise: Disney's Groundbreaking Series that Can’t Seem to Gain Any Momentum](https://therollingtape.com/the-tron-franchise-disneys-groundbreaking-series-that-cant-seem-to-gain-any-momentum/) - Ultimately, Tron as a series has never really started because after taking a few half-hearted swings, Disney didn’t want to waste energy.
- [CIFF 2025 ‘Bugonia’ Review: Another Wild Ride from the Brain of Yorgos Lanthimos](https://therollingtape.com/ciff-2025-bugonia-review-another-wild-ride-from-the-brain-of-yorgos-lanthimos/) - Lanthimos’s Bugonia is another beautiful entry into his great filmography. He continues to show why he is one of our greatest working directors.
- [CIFF 2025 Review: Kaouther Ben Hania Ensures ‘The Voice of Hind Rajab’ Will Echo On](https://therollingtape.com/ciff-2025-review-kaouther-ben-hania-ensures-the-voice-of-hind-rajab-will-echo-on/) - That’s what makes The Voice of Hind Rajab so powerful, so potent. Ben Hania rarely steps away from the humanity at the center of the piece.
- [12 Movies for Scorpio Season](https://therollingtape.com/12-movies-for-scorpio-season/) - As the zodiac sign that rules over Halloween, it’s only right to watch a few horror films during Scorpio Season.
- [Review: ‘Ballad of a Small Player’ Shows Promise but Folds Like a Pair of Cards](https://therollingtape.com/review-ballad-of-a-small-player-shows-promise-but-folds-like-a-pair-of-cards/) - With a promising first half in Ballad of a Small Player, the sharp turn that is taken in the second half causes the film to be a mix-match.
- [The Awards Tape: Oscar Predictions 2025 Second Draft](https://therollingtape.com/the-awards-tape-oscar-predictions-2025-second-draft/) - Back in April we hosted our first conversation of the awards season with a way-too-early glimpse at the potential contenders ahead, and in July we revisited that with our first official draft of above-the-line category predictions. With the dust now settled on festival season we are now offering our second draft predictions for above-the-line categories
- [CIFF 2025 Review: Jafar Panahi Paints a Portrait of Quiet Defiance In ‘It Was Just An Accident’](https://therollingtape.com/ciff-2025-review-jafar-panahi-paints-a-portrait-of-quiet-defiance-in-it-was-just-an-accident/) - It Was Just an Accident is Panahi’s first film after his arrest, filmed without permission from the Iranian government. Its very existence is an act of defiance.
- [Witch v Witch: Do Glinda and Aunt Gladys Currently Lead the Best Supporting Actress Race?](https://therollingtape.com/witch-v-witch-do-glinda-and-aunt-gladys-currently-lead-the-best-supporting-actress-race/) - It’s been a while since the Best Supporting Actress has felt so wide open as this year’s race. Here is my October analysis.
- [Ladies Night Bonus Reviews](https://therollingtape.com/ladies-night-bonus-reviews/) - Sara and Kam delve into their experiences at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), discussing various films including Bad Apples, Frankenstein, Sinners, and Hamnet. They explore themes of audience reception, the role of gender in film criticism, and the politics surrounding Oscar nominations. The discussion highlights the complexities of film interpretation and the importance of
- [Thirsting for Meaning: Inside the Immortal Universe at New York Comic Con](https://therollingtape.com/thirsting-for-meaning-inside-the-immortal-universe-at-new-york-comic-con/) - Fans of AMC’s Anne Rice’s Immortal Universe (myself included) have been thirsting for updates about where this gothic series is headed next.
- [CIFF 2025 Review: Thailand's ‘A Useful Ghost’ is a Whimsical Anti-Capitalist Love Story](https://therollingtape.com/ciff-2025-review-thailands-a-useful-ghost-is-a-whimsical-anti-capitalist-love-story/) - A Useful Ghost is an anti-capitalist ghost story about the power of memory and collective community against the upper class.
- [Interview With 'It Was Just an Accident' (2024) Editor, Amir Etminan](https://therollingtape.com/interview-with-it-was-just-an-accident-2024-editor-amir-etminan/) - Danny Jarabek is joined by Amir Etminan, the editor of Jafar Panahi's Palme d'Or winning film, It Was Just an Accident, distributed by NEON. Amir discusses his creative process with Panahi and using his "inner voice" when finding the right balance between genres and tones during the editing process. They also detail the technical hurdles
- [‘Black Phone 2’ Review: A Flawed but Solid Sequel Venture into More Dream-Like Horror](https://therollingtape.com/black-phone-2-review-a-flawed-but-solid-sequel-venture-into-more-dream-like-horror/) - A sequel is prone to falling into a plethora of traps, but luckily, Black Phone 2 not only justifies itself as a continuation but is also a small step in quality.
- [Brooklyn Horror Film Festival 2025 Curtain Raiser](https://therollingtape.com/brooklyn-horror-film-festival-2025-curtain-raiser/) - Bloody dancefloors, shaky found footage, and covens of witches will slash the screen of films at this year’s Brooklyn Horror Film Festival, now in its 10th year.
- [At 25, 'Battle Royale' Points A Bloody Mirror Up To Society](https://therollingtape.com/at-25-battle-royale-points-a-bloody-mirror-up-to-society/) - As the iconic Japanese action film celebrates its 25th anniversary in theaters, we look back on Battle Royale and its themes.
- [Review: 'Tron: Ares' as an Embalmed Legacy Sequel Discharging Glitzy Digital Noise](https://therollingtape.com/review-tron-ares-as-an-embalmed-legacy-sequel-discharging-glitzy-digital-noise/) - Disney’s Tron film series feels like an unusual brand within the stable of IP brands and franchises. Each film seems more aligned to being a cultural touchstone for the millennia they’re released, discussing the new era’s relationship with the technological evolution of cyberspace and artificial intelligence. Tron (1982) was a risky gamble by Disney, wanting
- [‘A House of Dynamite’ Review: Kathryn Bigelow’s Return to Political Thrillers Has Potential, but Ultimately Misses the Mark](https://therollingtape.com/a-house-of-dynamite-review-kathryn-bigelows-return-to-political-thrillers-has-potential-but-ultimately-misses-the-mark/) - It’s never a painful watch, but A House of Dynamite is, without a doubt, squandered potential on almost every front.
- [*Fantastic Fest 2025* Interview With 'Shelby Oaks' (2025) Editor, Patrick Lawrence](https://therollingtape.com/fantastic-fest-2025-interview-with-shelby-oaks-2025-editor-patrick-lawrence/) - In this conversation from Fantastic Fest 2025, Jake Fittipaldi interviews editor Patrick Lawrence, exploring his journey into film editing, particularly in the horror genre, leading to his work on Shelby Oaks. Patrick shares insights into his editing process, the challenges of working on independent films, and the unique aspects of editing across different formats. He
- [Ladies Night & 'The Official Release Party of a Showgirl'](https://therollingtape.com/ladies-night-the-official-release-party-of-a-showgirl/) - In this bonus episode of Ladies Night, Sara, Sasha, and Risa dive into the cultural impact of Taylor Swift's new album and its theatrical release. They discuss their personal connections to Swift's music, the significance of female artists in the industry, and the double standards they face. The conversation also explores the experience of listening
- [Acting Immortalized: 'All About Eve' at 75](https://therollingtape.com/acting-immortalized-all-about-eve-at-75/) - Celebrate the 75th Anniversary of “All About Eve” by revisiting the timeless classic that revived Bette Davis’ career and immortalized the art of acting.
- [*LFF 2025* Interview With 'Party Animal' (2025) Director, Ali Gill](https://therollingtape.com/lff-2025-interview-with-party-animal-2025-director-ali-gill/) - Nandita Joshi is joined by director Ali Gill for the London Film Festival selected short film, Party Animal. The short follows a barber who is deeply troubled when he discovers that a well-respected local politician is experiencing an unusual animalistic transformation. Nandita and Ali discuss the process behind the short as well as its relevance
- [EP 160: Tron: Ares (2025)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-160-tron-ares-2025/) - The third entry into the Tron franchise has arrived with Joachim Rønning’s Tron: Ares following Tron (1982) and Tron: Legacy (2010). The movie is described as follows: a highly sophisticated Program, Ares, is sent from the digital world into the real world on a dangerous mission and stars Jared Leto, Greta Lee, Jeff Bridges, and
- [2026 Best Actor Oscar Nominations Predictions](https://therollingtape.com/2026-best-actor-oscar-nominations-predictions/) - Here are my October predictions for the 2026 Oscar nominations in Best Actor
- [2026 Best Actress Oscar Nominations Predictions](https://therollingtape.com/2026-best-actress-oscar-nominations-predictions/) - Here are my October predictions for the 2026 Oscar nominations in Best Actress
- [61st Annual Chicago International Film Festival Curtain Raiser](https://therollingtape.com/61st-annual-chicago-international-film-festival-curtain-raiser/) - Here are some of our team's most anticipated titles at The 61st Annual Chicago International Film Festival.
- [Review: In ‘Roofman,’ Everyone Is Just Trying to Make Sense of It All](https://therollingtape.com/review-in-roofman-everyone-is-just-trying-to-make-sense-of-it-all/) - I first saw Roofman at TIFF 2025, deep into a week when most of us were running on caffeine and pure cinephilia. By that point, every film felt like a mirror of human exhaustion: stories of despair, trauma, and apocalypse. Then Roofman arrived. Based on the real-life story of Jeffrey Manchester, a man who committed
- [‘Anemone’ Review: Daniel Day-Lewis Emerges from Retirement to Outshine His Son’s Directorial Debut](https://therollingtape.com/anemone-review-daniel-day-lewis-emerges-from-retirement-to-outshine-his-sons-directorial-debut/) - As in most movies that Daniel Day-Lewis made before his announced retirement his command of the silver screen in Anemone is fierce.
- [Review: 'Good Boy' Features An Adorable Lead Exploring Inventive Terror](https://therollingtape.com/review-good-boy-features-an-adorable-lead-exploring-inventive-terror/) - Good Boy breaks the streak of animals meeting their demise in horror films by making the pet the hero, as Indy goes to great lengths to save his owner from supernatural forces tormenting the two of them.
- [What's the Point of 'Taylor Swift | The Official Release Party of a Showgirl'?](https://therollingtape.com/whats-the-point-of-taylor-swift-the-official-release-party-of-a-showgirl/) - If you are judging Taylor Swift | The Official Release Party of a Showgirl by its cinematic quality, the music video is the only aspect that successfully fulfills this criteria.
- [EP 159: The Smashing Machine (2025)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-159-the-smashing-machine-2025/) - The Smashing Machine is Benny Safdie’s debut solo feature starring Dwayne Johnson as MMA fighter Mark Kerr, a championship caliber figure in the early days of UFC. The film follows his rise and fall as well as his relationship with then girlfriend Dawn played by Emily Blunt. Subscribe:The Rolling Tape Patreon Listen Here:SpotifyApple PodcastsAll Listening
- [2026 Best Director Oscar Nominations Predictions: October](https://therollingtape.com/2026-best-director-oscar-nominations-predictions-october/) - The Best Director Branch is quite a finicky bunch to predict. Here are my October predictions for the 2026 Oscar Nominations in Best Director.
- [2026 Best Picture Oscar Nominations Predictions: October](https://therollingtape.com/2026-best-picture-oscar-nominations-predictions-october/) - Here are my October predictions for the 2026 Oscar nominations in Best Picture
- ['Urchin' Review: Harris Dickinson's Raw and Powerful Directorial Debut](https://therollingtape.com/urchin-review-harris-dickinsons-raw-and-powerful-directorial-debut/) - The storytelling achieved in Urchin conveys a beautifully honest representation of homelessness in London.
- ['The Strangers: Chapter 2' Review: What Are We Doing Here?](https://therollingtape.com/the-strangers-chapter-2-review-what-are-we-doing-here/) - This review contains spoilers for The Strangers film series. The Strangers (2008) was an independent horror that utilized minimalist filmmaking and the simplest tricks to invoke palpable dread and fear. It was a box office hit that slowly became a cult film for horror fiends due to the iconic images of masked strangers invading an
- [Summer 2025 Box Office Draft Finale](https://therollingtape.com/summer-2025-box-office-draft-finale/) - As previously discussed in the first two episodes of this summer mini-series, we’re tracking box office for the movies on our radar between the first weekend of May and the end of August, with each team member on the show preparing a list of their predicted top ten box office earners of the summer, along
- [Our Top 10 Women-Directed Films from TIFF 2025](https://therollingtape.com/our-top-10-women-directed-films-from-tiff-2025/) - Coming out of TIFF, we were excited to see so many women-directed films enter the canon of the ‘best’ of the festival, notably Hamnet winning People’s Choice.
- [FANTASTIC FEST 2025 ‘Shelby Oaks’ Review: Stuckmann’s Debut Experiments with Horror’s Many Languages](https://therollingtape.com/fantastic-fest-2025-shelby-oaks-review-stuckmanns-debut-experiments-with-horrors-many-languages/) - Few films in this year’s lineup embody that spirit more than Shelby Oaks, the long-anticipated feature debut of Chris Stuckmann
- [EP 158: One Battle After Another (2025)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-158-one-battle-after-another-2025/) - One Battle After Another is written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson. Inspired by the 1990 novel Vineland by Thomas Pynchon, the film stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Benicio del Toro, Regina Hall, Teyana Taylor, and Chase Infiniti. The story is as follows: when their evil enemy resurfaces after 16 years, a group of ex-revolutionaries
- [Review: 'The History of Sound' Finds Meaning in the Quiet](https://therollingtape.com/review-the-history-of-sound-finds-meaning-in-the-quiet/) - The History of Sound unfolds slowly, much like life itself—measured, meandering, and suddenly overwhelming.
- [TV COURT: The Summer I Turned Pretty](https://therollingtape.com/tv-court-the-summer-i-turned-pretty/) - In this special edition episode, we dive into the passionate debate that has fans of 'The Summer I Turned Pretty' divided: Team Conrad or Team Jeremiah? Our panelists weigh in on the love triangle that has captivated viewers of the hit Amazon series, exploring the complexities of each character and what makes them so compelling.
- [A Big Bold Beautiful Journey Through Kogonada’s Filmography](https://therollingtape.com/a-big-bold-beautiful-journey-through-kogonadas-filmography/) - Take a journey to discover how the work of Kogonada has transformed in his last three features.
- [10 Movies for Libra Season](https://therollingtape.com/10-movies-for-libra-season/) - This Libra Season watchlist includes films that explore those themes, pay homage to Libra actors and directors, or are a subtle nod to the astrological quirks.
- [TIFF’s Spiritual Awakening: Christianity as Told by Ann Lee and Dead Men](https://therollingtape.com/tiffs-spiritual-awakening-christianity-as-told-by-ann-lee-and-dead-men/) - The theme I picked up on the most at TIFF was religion, specifically the portrayals of Christians in The Testament of Ann Lee and Wake Up Dead Man.
- [‘HIM’ Review: Marlon Wayans is the MVP of an Uneven Sports Horror Tale](https://therollingtape.com/him-review-marlon-wayans-is-the-mvp-of-an-uneven-sports-horror-tale/) - HIM features a standout performance from Marlon Wayans in a football horror movie that fumbles its promising set of themes in favor of disappointing thrills.
- [TIFF 2025: 'Carolina Caroline' is Anchored by Samara Weaving and Kyle Gallner’s Chemistry](https://therollingtape.com/tiff-2025-carolina-caroline-is-anchored-by-samara-weaving-and-kyle-gallners-chemistry/) - Its commitment, a stellar screenplay, and wonderful performances by Weaving and Gallner makes Carolina Caroline one of the biggest surprises at the festival.
- [TIFF 2025  'Flana' Review: Zahraa Ghandour Bears Her Heart and Soul for Iraqi Women](https://therollingtape.com/tiff-2025-flana-review-zahraa-ghandour-bears-her-heart-and-soul-for-iraqi-women/) - Zahraa Ghandour's deeply personal debut feature-length doc, Flana, which had its world premiere at TIFF 2025, proved me wrong.
- [TIFF 2025: ‘Tuner’ is One of the Biggest Surprises Out of TIFF](https://therollingtape.com/tiff-2025-tuner-is-one-of-the-biggest-surprises-out-of-tiff/) - For me, this year’s biggest TIFF surprise is Toronto Documentarian Daniel Roher’s narrative feature debut, Tuner.
- [*TIFF 2025* Interview With 'Junk World' (2025) Director, Takahide Hori](https://therollingtape.com/tiff-2025-interview-with-junk-world-2025-director-takahide-hori/) - Timmy Lee speaks with Japanese director Takahide Hori to discuss his latest stop-motion animated film, Junk World (2025), which had its international premiere at TIFF 50. The interview is conducted in both Japanese and English, with Hori’s assistant translating all of Timmy’s English questions into Japanese and Hori’s Japanese responses into English. The trio discusses Hori’s inspirations when creating
- [*VQFF 2025* Interview With 'Pride & Prayer' (2025) Director, Panta Mosleh](https://therollingtape.com/vqff-2025-interview-with-pride-prayer-2025-director-panta-mosleh/) - Sara Ciplickas sits down with Vancouver Actor, Comedian & Filmmaker Panta Mosleh, who recently premiered her most recent directorial effort Pride & Prayer at the Vancouver Queer Film Festival. Mosleh is also featured in A24's Eternity, which world premiered at TIFF on Sunday, September 7th. In Pride & Prayer, Mosleh embarks on a soul-searching journey to reconcile
- [*TIFF 2025* Interview With 'John Candy: I Like Me' (2025) Composer, Tyler Strickland](https://therollingtape.com/tiff-2025-interview-with-john-candy-i-like-me-2025-composer-tyler-strickland/) - Timmy Lee sits down with American film and TV composer, Tyler Strickland, to talk about the music for his latest documentary, John Candy: I Like Me (2025), which premiered as the opening film for TIFF 50. The movie chronicles the life and career of legendary Canadian comedian and actor, John Candy, using interviews with Candy’s family and friends and never-before-seen
- ['Saltburn' Review: Summer Sweet as Salt](https://therollingtape.com/saltburn-review-summer-sweet-as-salt/) - Saltburn sinks its teeth into viewers with its alluring Shakespearean tale of the lengths a person will go to attain their jealousy-fueled desires.
- [EP 157: A Big Bold Beautiful Journey (2025)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-157-a-big-bold-beautiful-journey-2025/) - A Big Bold Beautiful Journey is directed by Kogonada and written by Seth Reiss. The film stars Margot Robbie, Colin Farrell, Kevin Kline, and Phoebe Waller-Bridge and is described as follows: two strangers who meet at a mutual friend's wedding have the chance to relive important moments from their pasts, illuminating the path that led
- [TIFF 2025 James McAvoy's Directorial Debut, 'California Schemin',' Pairs Dry Humor With Scottish Identity](https://therollingtape.com/tiff-2025-james-mcavoys-directorial-debut-california-schemin-pairs-dry-humor-with-scottish-identity/) - We often forget that the biopic genre extends further than your well-known personalities. The market has been crowded with the likes of A Complete Unknown (2024), BlackBerry (2023), and Oppenheimer (2023), but we should also pay attention to hidden gems of real-life stories that embrace a tongue-in-cheek energy. James McAvoy decides to take matters into
- [TIFF 2025: ‘Wake Up Dead Man’ Makes Me Want a Knives Out Movie Every Year](https://therollingtape.com/tiff-2025-wake-up-dead-man-makes-me-want-a-knives-out-movie-every-year/) - Returning to the world of Rian Johnson’s Knives Out (2019) is like running into the arms of the safest loved one you know, an ironic sentiment for a film series about murder. Now, I am elated to be back in its embrace. Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery (2025) was, without a doubt,
- [TIFF 2025: ‘Mile End Kicks’ Proves Barbie Ferreira is a Leading Lady ](https://therollingtape.com/tiff-2025-mile-end-kicks-proves-barbie-ferreira-is-a-leading-lady/) - Barbie Ferreira is a highly talented actress who is not well-known to many people. She first appeared on people’s televisions in a mainstream way when she was cast in Sam Levinson’s infamous high-school drug series starring Zendaya, Euphoria (2019). While her time on the show started strong, Levinson’s mistreatment of Ferreira’s storyline in Season 2
- [NEWS 045: TIFF Recap 2025](https://therollingtape.com/news-045-tiff-recap-2025/) - The 50th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival has come to a close and we are here to recap our team’s experience at the festival as we had 10 people on the ground at the festival. We’ll cover our overall impressions of the festival, the films that stood out to us the most, and
- [*TIFF 2025* Interview with 'Oca' Director Karla Badillo](https://therollingtape.com/tiff-2025-interview-with-oca-director-karla-badillo/) - Nandita Joshi joins Director Karla Badillo to discuss her feature-length directorial debut, Oca, which made its World Premiere at TIFF 2025. Oca is the story of a nun who embarks on what is seemingly a visit to the new archbishop but transforms into a mystical pilgrimage that tests her faith with every step she makes.
- [Review : ‘Christy’ is a Strong Debut, Showing How Community Creates a Home](https://therollingtape.com/review-christy-is-a-strong-debut-showing-how-community-creates-a-home/) - Christy is a confident directorial debut from Canty, which highlights the importance of how one finds community, in turn, finds freedom to find themselves.
- [‘The Baltimorons’ Review: A Charming and Dark Christmas Classic for the Modern Age](https://therollingtape.com/the-baltimorons-review-a-charming-and-dark-christmas-classic-for-the-modern-age/) - The Baltimorons is a welcome reminder that no matter what life throws at you, there will always be people around you to offer support.
- [Review: ‘A Big Bold Beautiful Journey’ is a Big Beautiful Baffling Movie](https://therollingtape.com/review-a-big-bold-beautiful-journey-is-a-big-beautiful-baffling-movie/) - A Big Bold Beautiful Journey is a disappointing spectacle from director Kogonada. Robbie and Farrell charm their way through a lackluster script.
- [TIFF Review: ‘The Smashing Machine’ Fails to Land a Meaningful Punch](https://therollingtape.com/tiff-review-the-smashing-machine-fails-to-land-a-meaningful-punch/) - The Smashing Machine is a strong enough solo debut for Benny Safdie, but it doesn’t quite live up to the expectations that have been placed on it.
- [TIFF 2025: 'Follies' is a French-Canadian Sex Comedy that Proves Canadians Can Get Freaky Too](https://therollingtape.com/tiff-2025-follies-is-a-french-canadian-sex-comedy-that-proves-canadians-can-get-freaky-too/) - The success of the Follies truly lies in its brilliant writing and cast, which all work to elevate a genre that audiences usually write off as too raunchy to matter.
- [‘The Long Walk’ Review: A Stephen King Adaptation that's a Harrowing Reflection of Our Modern Reality](https://therollingtape.com/the-long-walk-review-a-stephen-king-adaptation-thats-a-harrowing-reflection-of-our-modern-reality/) - With sharp direction, excellent performances, and a chilling reflection of fascism, The Long Walk is one of the strongest Stephen King adaptations.
- [TIFF 2025: ‘The Testament of Ann Lee’ is A Cinematic Love Letter to a Forgotten Prophet](https://therollingtape.com/tiff-2025-the-testament-of-ann-lee-is-a-cinematic-love-letter-to-a-forgotten-prophet/) - The Testament of Ann Lee may stumble in structure, but its daring vision and Seyfried’s luminous performance make it a biopic that lingers long after the credits.
- [TIFF 2025: Bob Odenkirk Continues His Action Streak with Violent Yet Uninspired 'Normal'](https://therollingtape.com/tiff-2025-bob-odenkirk-continues-his-action-streak-with-violent-yet-uninspired-normal/) - Having premiered this year at TIFF 2025, Odenkirk returns to the genre once again with Normal, directed by Ben Wheatley.
- [TIFF 2025: ‘Dust Bunny’ Explores A Fantastical, Magical Horror Action In Bryan Fuller’s Feature Debut](https://therollingtape.com/tiff-2025-dust-bunny-explores-a-fantastical-magical-horror-action-in-bryan-fullers-feature-debut/) - As children, we all had fears, either based on real experiences or conjured simply by our imagination. The feeling of being a child and looking too closely under your bed is hard to remember and even harder to replicate. Luckily, Bryan Fuller has arrived at Midnight Madness with his directorial debut, which captures exactly what
- [TIFF 2025: Fists Fly In Earth-Shattering Pan-Asian Action Film ‘The Furious’](https://therollingtape.com/tiff-2025-fists-fly-in-earth-shattering-pan-asian-action-film-the-furious/) - Midnight Madness’s stellar program of genre films continued with Japanese action stunt choreographer/director Tanigaki Kenji’s The Furious.
- [Review: 'Only Murders in the Building' Season 5 is Off to a Great Investigation](https://therollingtape.com/review-only-murders-in-the-building-season-5-is-off-to-a-great-investigation/) - Between the mystery, the comedy, and the characters, there’s a lot to pull the audience in for the rest of the season.
- [EP 156: The Long Walk (2025)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-156-the-long-walk-2025/) - The Long Walk is a 2025 American dystopian survival thriller film co-produced and directed by Francis Lawrence from a screenplay by JT Mollner. It is based on the 1979 novel of the same name by Stephen King (under his pseudonym Richard Bachman). A group of teenage boys compete in an annual contest known as "The
- [Chloe Zhao's 'Hamnet' Wins TIFF People's Choice Award](https://therollingtape.com/chloe-zhaos-hamnet-wins-tiff-peoples-choice-award/) - The people have spoken–Chloe Zhao’s Hamnet has won the TIFF People’s Choice Award, voted on by festival attendees.
- ['Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle' Places Anime on an Epic Scale](https://therollingtape.com/demon-slayer-infinity-castle-places-anime-on-an-epic-scale/) - A little over four years ago, the status of anime films got a major global boost. Demon Slayer: Mugen Train (2020) slashed previous box office standards for animated films, becoming the highest-grossing Japanese animated film (dethroning the 2001 Studio Ghibli classic Spirited Away) and the highest-grossing R-rated film internationally. Anime, especially the action-packed shōnen fare,
- [TIFF 2025 Colorful ‘Erupjca’ Explodes With Energy and Romance in Charli XCX’s Acting Debut](https://therollingtape.com/tiff-2025-colorful-erupjca-explodes-with-energy-and-romance-in-charli-xcxs-acting-debut/) - You could almost talk about Charli XCX’s debut film Erupjca exclusively using song titles from her iconic album “brat.”
- [TIFF 2025 ‘Frankenstein’ Review: Del Toro Gives Mary Shelley’s Story the Screen It Deserves](https://therollingtape.com/tiff-2025-frankenstein-review-del-toro-gives-mary-shelleys-story-the-screen-it-deserves/) - Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein is not just another adaptation of Mary Shelley’s classic novel. It is, without hesitation, the finest ever put to screen.
- [TIFF 2025 ‘Charlie Harper’ Brings Heartbreak and Honesty To The Big Screen In This Romantic Dramedy](https://therollingtape.com/tiff-2025-charlie-harper-brings-heartbreak-and-honesty-to-the-big-screen-in-this-romantic-dramedy/) - Falling in love creates some of the best memories of our lives, but so does falling out of love. Charlie Harper understands this at its core.
- [TIFF 2025: ‘If I Had Legs I’d Kick You’ Is Everything We Wanted ‘Nightbitch’ To Be](https://therollingtape.com/tiff-2025-if-i-had-legs-id-kick-you-is-everything-we-wanted-nightbitch-to-be/) - The only people who know how hard it is to be a mom are mothers. Many movies have tried to capture the anxiety and difficulties motherhood brings, like Bad Moms (2016) and last year’s Nightbitch (2024), but none of them do so as effectively as Mary Bronstein’s second feature film, If I Had Legs I’d
- [TIFF 2025: Your Reminder To Give Shorts the Love They Deserve](https://therollingtape.com/tiff-2025-your-reminder-to-give-shorts-the-love-they-deserve/) - I managed to catch the seven shorts in the Short Cuts 2025 Programme 04, and here are my thoughts.
- [*TIFF 2025* Interview With 'Flana' (2025) Director, Zahraa Ghandour](https://therollingtape.com/tiff-2025-interview-with-flana-2025-director-zahraa-ghandour/) - Nandita Joshi is joined by director Zahraa Ghandour about her powerful feature-length documentary debut, Flana, where she opens up about what led her to step back behind the camera after taking a break as an actress, and how the film became a deeply personal exploration of silence, memory, and womanhood in Iraq. From interviewing her own family to
- [*TIFF 2025* Interview With 'Orphan' (2025) Director, László Nemes](https://therollingtape.com/tiff-2025-interview-with-orphan-2025-director-laszlo-nemes/) - Orphan, the latest from director László Nemes (Son of Saul, TIFF ’15, which won the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film; Sunset, TIFF ’18), takes place amongst the ruins of the violently suppressed Hungarian Revolution of 1956, in which thousands of anguished citizens challenged the USSR-backed dictatorship and were met with Soviet tanks and troops.
- [TIFF 2025 'Hamnet' Review: Chloé Zhao's Latest is Among the Year's Best](https://therollingtape.com/tiff-2025-hamnet-review-chloe-zhaos-latest-is-among-the-years-best/) - Chloé Zhao's Hamnet transcends the constraints of reality, beautifully articulating how love, anguish, and resentment in life are preparation for mourning.
- [NEWS 044: Venice & Telluride Festival Recap 2025](https://therollingtape.com/news-044-venice-telluride-festival-recap-2025/) - With Venice and Telluride Festivals wrapped up and TIFF in progress with many of our members in attendance, our team reviews the news and reactions out of Venice and Telluride, including the Golden Lion winner. We also discuss some in-progress reactions from our team at TIFF. Subscribe:The Rolling Tape Patreon Listen Here:SpotifyApple PodcastsAll Listening Platforms
- [TIFF 2025 ‘The Son and the Sea’ Finds Vulnerability on the Scottish Coast](https://therollingtape.com/tiff-2025-the-son-and-the-sea-finds-vulnerability-on-the-scottish-coast/) - Like the tide itself, The Son and the Sea carries traces of grief, tenderness, and joy all at once. It left me shaken because of how deeply it understands us.
- [TIFF 2025 Bad Apples Premiere was an Unsettling Debut that Interrogates Our Complicity](https://therollingtape.com/tiff-2025-bad-apples-premiere-was-an-unsettling-debut-that-interrogates-our-complicity/) - Bad Apples is not an easy film to watch, nor is it meant to be. It challenges us to embrace discomfort, to sit with our guilt, to feel the weight of it.
- [TIFF 2025: Squibb and Johansson Craft a Hilarious, Heartfelt Look at Grief in 'Eleanor the Great'](https://therollingtape.com/tiff-2025-squibb-and-johansson-craft-a-hilarious-heartfelt-look-at-grief-in-eleanor-the-great/) - Hilariously led by June Squibb, a woman who accidentally finds herself impersonating a Holocaust survivor, Eleanor the Great is a delightful dramedy.
- [TIFF 2025 ‘Poetic License’ Delivers A Fantastically Funny Directorial Debut for Maude Apatow](https://therollingtape.com/tiff-2025-poetic-license-delivers-a-fantastically-funny-directorial-debut-for-maude-apatow/) - The film brings forth enough verve and comedic wherewithal to justify its nepo-baby origins and Poetic License will likely find itself as a “comfort comedy."
- [TIFF 2025 'Hedda' Premieres with New Meaning, Magnetic Energy, and Delicious Sexual Tension](https://therollingtape.com/tiff-2025-hedda-premieres-with-new-meaning-magnetic-energy-and-delicious-sexual-tension/) - Hedda, in every sense of the word, is delicious with a sensational lead and empowering direction from DaCosta.
- [TIFF 2025 'Bayaan' Joins a Familiar, Painful Chorus of Films on Violence Against Women](https://therollingtape.com/tiff-2025-bayaan-joins-a-familiar-painful-chorus-of-films-on-violence-against-women/) - We are at a stage where progress is diminishing. I admire what Mishra is trying to achieve with Bayaan, but it becomes too heartbreaking to continue.
- [Review: 'The Conjuring: Last Rites' is a Sincere, Jumbled End to a Prolonged Franchise](https://therollingtape.com/review-the-conjuring-last-rites-is-a-sincere-jumbled-end-to-a-prolonged-franchise/) - The Conjuring: Last Rites feels nostalgic for an era where creaky doors and ghostly shadows appearing behind you could still get a jolt out of you.
- [TIFF 2025 ‘No Other Choice’ Turns Joblessness Into a Fight for Survival](https://therollingtape.com/tiff-2025-no-other-choice-turns-joblessness-into-a-fight-for-survival/) - On paper, this could play like a grim thriller. In Park’s hands, No Other Choice is kinetic, messy, and deliberately overwhelming.
- [TIFF 2025: Curry Barker’s Feature Debut ‘Obsession’ Burrows Under Your Skin](https://therollingtape.com/tiff-2025-curry-barkers-feature-debut-obsession-burrows-under-your-skin/) - Barker’s Obsession proves once again that the Midnight Madness program selects filmmakers with the willingness to push audience limits.
- [Review: The Only Mystery 'The Thursday Murder Club' Couldn't Solve Was How to Make a Good Adaptation](https://therollingtape.com/review-the-only-mystery-the-thursday-murder-club-couldnt-solve-was-how-to-make-a-good-adaptation/) - Overall, there is very little positivity for The Thursday Murder Club. It’s truly just bland and lacks the charm.
- [‘Rabbit Trap’ Review: Folk Horror With More Craft Than Clarity](https://therollingtape.com/rabbit-trap-review-folk-horror-with-more-craft-than-clarity/) - There’s something funny about Rabbit Trap: it might be one of the few horror films I’d recommend watching at home through headphones.
- [‘The Scarlet Letter’ for a New Generation: Why ‘Easy A’ Still Lasts](https://therollingtape.com/the-scarlet-letter-for-a-new-generation-why-easy-a-still-lasts/) - On paper, that premise sounds absurd. In practice, 2010’s Easy A made it irresistible.
- [TIFF 2025 ‘Junk World’ is a Bold and Ambitious Piece of Stop-Motion Animation That Improves Upon Its Predecessor](https://therollingtape.com/tiff-2025-junk-world-is-a-bold-and-ambitious-piece-of-stop-motion-animation-that-improves-upon-its-predecessor/) - Even before I became obsessed with Takahide Hori’s creepy yet whimsical sci-fi world, I knew I had to see Junk World at TIFF 50.
- [Glasgow Towering Cinema Closes its Doors, Signifying the End of an Era](https://therollingtape.com/glasgow-towering-cinema-closes-its-doors-signifying-the-end-of-an-era/) - This year, though, on Sept. 28, the cinema will be closing its doors.
- [A Century of The Phantom of the Opera: The Impetus of Horror in Hollywood](https://therollingtape.com/a-century-of-the-phantom-of-the-opera-the-impetus-of-horror-in-hollywood/) - Both film fans and institutions alike recognize the massive impact The Phantom of the Opera had on the horror genre and the Hollywood system alike.
- [TIFF 2025 Hollywood Still Has So Much to Learn from Ramesh Sippy’s 'Sholay'](https://therollingtape.com/tiff-2025-hollywood-still-has-so-much-to-learn-from-ramesh-sippys-sholay/) - Ramesh Sippy's Sholay, making its long-awaited North American premiere at TIFF, gives an opportunity for Western audiences and filmmakers to learn.
- [Gerwig, Baumbach, and ‘Mistress America’s' Revision of Coming-of-Age](https://therollingtape.com/gerwig-baumbach-and-mistress-americas-revision-of-coming-of-age/) - Mistress America's redirection of the coming-of-age genre to be more messy and imperfect with a dash of humor can be seen so clearly today.
- [Review: 'Splitsville' Resurrects Original Romantic Comedies](https://therollingtape.com/review-splitsville-resurrects-original-romantic-comedies/) - Here’s to hoping the original rom-com sees a resurrection with Splitsville, a movie more than worthy to start that journey!
- [NEWS 043: TIFF Preview 2025](https://therollingtape.com/news-043-tiff-preview-2025/) - With Venice and Telluride already underway, we’re now discussing the fall festivals specifically through the lens of the Toronto International Film Festival. We have ten team members who will be in attendance at the 50th edition of TIFF and today we discuss an in-depth look at the TIFF lineup and detail our schedules and priorities
- [TIFF 2025 Curtain Raiser](https://therollingtape.com/tiff-2025-curtain-raiser/) - This year marks the 50th Toronto International Film Festival. We have eleven journalists covering TIFF, sharing some of their most anticipated titles.
- [EP 154: Caught Stealing (2025)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-154-caught-stealing-2025/) - Caught Stealing is directed by Darren Aronofsky, from a screenplay written by Charlie Huston, and is based on Huston's book of the same name. The film stars Austin Butler, Regina King, Zoë Kravitz, Matt Smith, Liev Schreiber, Vincent D'Onofrio, Bad Bunny, Griffin Dunne, and Carol Kane. The film is described as follows, burned-out ex-baseball player
- [Analysis: The Current State of Film Criticism](https://therollingtape.com/analysis-the-current-state-of-film-criticism/) - Teams like The Rolling Tape, Offscreen Central, and Next Best Picture, show there are still many of us who know the value of creating space for film criticism.
- [Review: 'Honey, Don’t!' is a Major Disappointment We Should Have Seen Coming](https://therollingtape.com/review-honey-dont-is-a-major-disappointment-we-should-have-seen-coming/) - Honey, Don’t! is a huge disappointment from a prestigious and seasoned director like Ethan Coen. The film squanders amazing cast with a convoluted story.
- [RETROSPECTIVE 025: Darren Aronofsky](https://therollingtape.com/retrospective-025-darren-aronofsky/) - Before we review Darren Aronofsky’s Caught Stealing next week, we’re discussing his career up to this point through his 8 eclectic feature films in his filmography that often feature provocative and controversial themes of death, addiction, and extreme ambitions. We’ll unpack the signatures that define his work and of course talk about our expectations for
- [KPop Demon Hunters Tops Box Office Amidst Ted Sarandos's War Against Theaters](https://therollingtape.com/kpop-demon-hunters-tops-box-office-amidst-ted-sarandoss-war-against-theaters/) - KPop Demon Hunters manages a theatrical release, landing no. 1 at the domestic box office. How does this work with Netflix's war on theaters?
- [Review: ‘Weekend in Taipei’ is a Solid Action Film that Knows What It Is](https://therollingtape.com/review-weekend-in-taipei-is-a-solid-action-film-that-knows-what-it-is/) - Weekend in Taipei sees Agent John Lawlor (Luke Evans) return to the city for the weekend, where he hopes to collect a ledger from his informant to bring down Kwang (Sung Kang) as it contains every detail of his operation; however, it turns out that the informant (Wyatt Yang) is the son of his former
- [Review: The DCU Finds Its Footing in ‘Peacemaker’ Season 2, EP 1](https://therollingtape.com/review-the-dcu-finds-its-footing-in-peacemaker-season-2-ep-1/) - Based on this first episode, the second season of Peacemaker looks promising. James Gunn successfully reacquaints the audience with the show’s characters.
- [EP 153: Honey Don’t! (2025)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-153-honey-dont-2025/) - Honey Don't! is a neo-noir dark comedy detective film directed by Ethan Coen, who co-wrote the screenplay with Tricia Cooke. It is the second in a "lesbian B-movie trilogy" following Coen and Cooke's Drive-Away Dolls (2024). The film is described as follows: a dark comedy about small-town private investigator Honey O'Donahue, who delves into a
- [12 Movies & Shows to Watch for Virgo Season](https://therollingtape.com/12-movies-shows-to-watch-for-virgo-season/) - 12 Movies & TV Shows to Watch this Virgo Season — from Virgo-coded classics like “Days of Heaven” to modern hits like “Hacks” and “Dune: Part Two.”
- [NEWS 042: Fall Festival Preview, NYFF63 & TIFF50 Lineups](https://therollingtape.com/news-042-fall-festival-preview-nyff63-tiff50-lineups/) - The fall film festival cycle is gearing up once again with the major festivals announcing their lineups in recent weeks that will reveal to us many of the major awards players and flesh out the fall and winter 2025 theater schedule. We’ll discuss the lineups for NYFF and TIFF, highlighting some titles that stand out
- ['Nobody 2' Review: Bob Odenkirk is Game, But The Action Feels the Same](https://therollingtape.com/nobody-2-review-bob-odenkirk-is-game-but-the-action-feels-the-same/) - In the grand scheme of 87North films trying to recapture the zest of John Wick-style genre films, Nobody 2 feels like a dire warning.
- [Streaming and Serialization: The Current State of the Romantic Comedy](https://therollingtape.com/streaming-and-serialization-the-current-state-of-the-romantic-comedy/) - With every major media conglomerate now owning a SVOD service, releasing a romance or other non-guaranteed hit on streaming is becoming the status quo.
- [Analysis: Park Chan-wook’s WGA Expulsion and the Confusing Nature of Hollywood Guilds](https://therollingtape.com/analysis-park-chan-wooks-wga-expulsion-and-the-confusing-nature-of-hollywood-guilds/) - On Friday the Writers Guild of America (WGA) announced the expulsion of two members based on violating the terms and conditions of the 2023 strike.
- [‘Alien: Earth’ Review: Noah Hawley Delivers The Best Alien Entry Since Ridley Scott’s Original Film](https://therollingtape.com/alien-earth-review-noah-hawley-delivers-the-best-alien-entry-since-ridley-scotts-original-film/) - Alien: Earth is easily the best entry in the Alien franchise since the original. It may be overzealous to declare, especially since I’ve only seen six out of the eight episodes.
- [EP 152: Highest 2 Lowest (2025)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-152-highest-2-lowest-2025/) - Highest 2 Lowest is a 2025 crime thriller film directed by Spike Lee from a screenplay by Alan Fox. It is an English-language reinterpretation of Akira Kurosawa's 1963 Japanese film High and Low, itself loosely based on the 1959 novel King's Ransom. The film stars Denzel Washington, Ilfenesh Hadera, Jeffrey Wright, and A$AP Rocky. It’s
- ['Fixed' Review: Genndy Tartakovsky's Gorgeous 2D-Animation Mines Cheap Humor](https://therollingtape.com/fixed-review-genndy-tartakovskys-gorgeous-2d-animation-mines-cheap-humor/) - Cut to the present and one of the most significant voices in 2D animation and millennial cartoons, Genndy Tartakovsky has made 'Fixed.'
- [Review: ‘Ne Zha II’ is The Record-Breaking Epic that Pushes Animation and Audiences](https://therollingtape.com/review-ne-zha-ii-is-the-record-breaking-epic-that-pushes-animation-and-audiences/) - Ne Zha II returns to theaters courtesy of A24 with an English language dub starring Academy Award winner Michelle Yeoh and Crystal Lee.
- [Fifty Years of ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show:’ Keep On Time Warping](https://therollingtape.com/fifty-years-of-the-rocky-horror-picture-show-keep-on-time-warping/) - What a time it is to celebrate The Rocky Horror Picture Show’s 50th anniversary. I’m usually loath to call a film “impossible to make now;” this is one film I’d think fit.
- [Interview With 'The Bear' Sound Team, Steve "Major" Giammaria, Scott D. Smith & Evan Benjamin](https://therollingtape.com/interview-with-the-bear-sound-team-steve-major-giammaria-scott-d-smith-evan-benjamin/) - Ethan Simmie is joined by Steve "Major" Giammaria, Scott D. Smith, and Evan Benjamin, the Emmy-nominated sound team behind FX's hit dramedy series The Bear. The trio discusses the evolution of sound throughout the four seasons of the show, their favorite characters, and shares behind-the-scenes anecdotes about the challenges of curating the show's unique sound.
- [‘Weapons’ Review: Cregger’s Latest Establishes Him as an Exciting New Voice in Cinema](https://therollingtape.com/weapons-review-creggers-latest-establishes-him-as-an-exciting-new-voice-in-cinema/) - Weapons is one of the year's best films and makes Cregger a director to look out for as he upgrades his skills with each subsequent movie he makes.
- [‘Highest 2 Lowest’ Review: Spike Lee Reimagines Kurosawa Classic for the Modern Age](https://therollingtape.com/highest-2-lowest-review-spike-lee-reimagines-kurosawa-classic-for-the-modern-age/) - Spike Lee’s Highest 2 Lowest, a reimagining of Akira Kurosawa’s classic, sees Denzel Washington in a manic and electrifying thriller.
- [Bonus Review Round-Up: Together (2025), KPop Demon Hunters (2025) & Freakier Friday (2025)](https://therollingtape.com/bonus-review-round-up-together-2025-kpop-demon-hunters-2025-freakier-friday-2025/) - To catch up on a few recent releases that we have not covered on the main show of late, we’re doing a round up of reviews for some titles that have come to theaters or streaming in the last couple of weeks. The three we will be focusing on are NEON’s body horror Together, Netflix’s
- [Art, Agenda, and the National Awards: Who Really Wins?](https://therollingtape.com/art-agenda-and-the-national-awards-who-really-wins/) - From Shah Rukh Khan’s win to The Kerala Story backlash, a deep dive into the politics, credibility crisis, and debates shaping the 71st National Awards.
- [Interview with ‘Snoopy Presents: A Summer Musical’ (2025) Director Erik Wiese and Executive Producer/Writer Craig Schulz](https://therollingtape.com/interview-with-snoopy-presents-a-summer-musical-2025-director-erik-wiese-and-executive-producer-writer-craig-schulz/) - Charlie Brown is excited for his final year of summer camp, but his little sister Sally has her hesitations as she enters her first year. Ahead of the new Apple TV+ special Snoopy Presents: A Summer Musical, Risa Bolash chats with director Erik Wiese and executive producer/writer Craig Schulz, son of the original Peanuts comic
- [Review: ‘Snoopy Presents: A Summer Musical’ Will Leave You Better Than It Found You](https://therollingtape.com/review-snoopy-presents-a-summer-musical-will-leave-you-better-than-it-found-you/) - ‘Snoopy Presents: A Summer Musical’ inspires environmentalism and caring for the future generations, thanks to Craig Schulz and Erik Wiese.
- [‘Freakier Friday’ Review: This Second Switch-Up isn’t Quite as Fresh as the First](https://therollingtape.com/freakier-friday-review-this-second-switch-up-isnt-quite-as-fresh-as-the-first/) - Freakier Friday, a sequel that comes over 20 years after the fact, attempts to capture the simultaneously funny and heartfelt charm to mixed results.
- [‘But I’m a Cheerleader’ Taking Us to Camp for 25 Years](https://therollingtape.com/but-im-a-cheerleader-taking-us-to-camp-for-25-years/) - After 25 years, the colors are just as bright and the story is just as sweet in the sapphic Queen of all Camp films: But I’m a Cheerleader.
- [EP 151: Weapons (2025)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-151-weapons-2025/) - The highly anticipated follow-up to Zach Cregger’s breakout horror hit, Barbarian, has now arrived in theaters. Weapons is written and directed by Cregger, and follows the story of when all but one child from the same class mysteriously vanishes on the same night at exactly the same time, and a community is left questioning who
- [FANTASIA 2025 Review: ‘Rewrite’ is an Emotional Subversion of the Time-Loop Genre](https://therollingtape.com/fantasia-2025-review-rewrite-is-an-emotional-subversion-of-the-time-loop-genre/) - Rewrite is a surefire highlight coming out of Fantasia this year and speaks to our impact on those around us, regardless of how much time we spend with them.
- [*HOLLYSHORTS* Interview With 'Babka' (2025) Director, Serena Dykman](https://therollingtape.com/hollyshorts-interview-with-babka-2025-director-serena-dykman/) - Co-Founder Sara Ciplickas sits down with Director Serena Dykman to discuss her recent short, Babka, premiering at HollyShorts on August 9th. In the heart of Hasidic Brooklyn, a newly blind Jewish Orthodox baker (Saul Rubinek) forms an unlikely friendship with a Queer Catholic Latino guide dog trainer (Jonny Beauchamp), embarking on an eye-opening journey to overcome personal and cultural
- [Review: ‘Late Shift’ is an Unrelenting Depiction of the Burdens We Place on Healthcare Workers](https://therollingtape.com/review-late-shift-is-an-unrelenting-depiction-of-the-burdens-we-place-on-healthcare-workers/) - When Nurse Floria Lind (Leonie Benesch) checks in for the night shift, her patience is immediately thinned when she finds out the ward is understaffed. Late Shift, at times, can be relentless in its bleakness, but this is also the film's strength. Petra Biondina Volpe, the director behind the film, makes a difficult yet important
- [Early 2026 Best Actress Oscar Predictions: August](https://therollingtape.com/early-2026-best-actress-oscar-predictions-august/) - Ahead of the major fall festivals, we take a deep dive into the state of the Best Actress race at the Academy Awards and analyze possible contenders.
- [Review: 'Happy Gilmore 2' Swings and Lands Close to the Rough](https://therollingtape.com/review-happy-gilmore-2-swings-and-lands-close-to-the-rough/) - Overall, Happy Gilmore 2 may not reach the highs of its predecessor, but there are enough jokes to make for a decent watch.
- [FANTASIA 2025: Ma Dong-seok Gives Evil A Knuckle Sandwich in ‘Holy Night: Demon Hunters’](https://therollingtape.com/fantasia-2025-ma-dong-seok-gives-evil-a-knuckle-sandwich-in-holy-night-demon-hunters/) - Ma Dong-Seok returns to Korean action horror with fists of fury in Lim Dae-hee’s directorial debut Holy Night: Demon Hunters.
- [EP 150: The Naked Gun (2025)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-150-the-naked-gun-2025/) - The Naked Gun has returned after the trilogy through the late 80’s and early 90’s that starred Leslie Nielsen, now featuring Liam Neeson and directed by Akiva Schaffer as only one man has the particular set of skills - to lead Police Squad and save the world. The film also stars Pamela Anderson, Paul Walter Hauser,
- [A Quiet Con: SDCC 2025 Roundup and Why Hollywood is Quietly Leaving It Behind](https://therollingtape.com/a-quiet-con-sdcc-2025-roundup-and-why-hollywood-is-quietly-leaving-it-behind/) - Though a quiet SDCC can signal wider problems within the entertainment industry, the core of why the convention is so successful always remains firm.
- [Revisiting Jacob Anderson’s Remarkable Performance in 'Interview With The Vampire'](https://therollingtape.com/revisiting-jacob-andersons-remarkable-performance-in-interview-with-the-vampire/) - Season one of AMC’s Interview With The Vampire just dropped on Netflix US, allowing a new plethora of fans to explore this gothic-horror romantic drama.
- [Review: Vanessa Kirby and Joseph Quinn Lead ‘Fantastic Four: First Steps’ by Storm](https://therollingtape.com/review-vanessa-kirby-and-joseph-quinn-lead-fantastic-four-first-steps-by-storm/) - Fantastic Four: First Steps is a rather average, enjoyable watch that ultimately serves as just another step in the never-ending MCU staircase.
- [‘Diciannove’ Review: The Subdued, Exploratory Nature of a Coming-Of-Age Tale](https://therollingtape.com/diciannove-review-the-subdued-exploratory-nature-of-a-coming-of-age-tale/) - Tortorici’s first film, Diciannove, shows promise in style, execution, and story. But perhaps it could use the refinement that turns ambition into excellence.
- [‘The Naked Gun’ Review: A Refreshingly Zany Comedy in All the Right Ways](https://therollingtape.com/the-naked-gun-review-a-refreshingly-zany-comedy-in-all-the-right-ways/) - The Naked Gun is true-blue joke every second comedy with a unique lineup of gags and two committed performances.
- [FANTASIA 2025 ‘Lurker’ Review: Alex Russell’s Debut Feature Deftly Explores the Difference Between Love and Obsession](https://therollingtape.com/fantasia-2025-lurker-review-alex-russells-debut-feature-deftly-explores-the-difference-between-love-and-obsession/) - Depending on how you use and interact with it, social media can be a hellscape. Whether it be watching the same YouTubers each day, listening to that new up-and-coming music artist you hope stays underground, or following your favorite actors' every waking move, the celebrities and influencers that we love to watch and react to
- [Ladies Night 010](https://therollingtape.com/ladies-night-010/) - Taking a break from their discussions on fangirling and branding, The Ladies discuss the summer’s superhero films and the newly introduced Lois Lane and Sue Storm. Listen Here:SpotifyApple PodcastsAll Listening PlatformsFollow our team online:Sara Ciplickas on Letterboxd, Instagram, and XKam Ryan on Letterboxd, Instagram, and XSasha Raquel on Letterboxd, Instagram, and YouTube Have questions? Email info@therollingtape.comCredits: Theme music by Eugene Rocco Utley Artwork by
- [‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ Trailer Introduces Varang and a Darker Era for Pandora](https://therollingtape.com/avatar-fire-and-ash-trailer-introduces-varang-and-a-darker-era-for-pandora/) - The trailer for Avatar: Fire and Ash, the third entry in James Cameron’s sci-fi saga following Avatar (2009) and Avatar: Way of Water (2022), has officially arrived online following its theatrical debut ahead of Fantastic Four: First Steps. The film will open exclusively in theaters worldwide on December 19, 2025. Returning to Pandora, Fire and
- [EP 149: The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-149-the-fantastic-four-first-steps-2025/) - As the last piece of the July blockbuster season, The Fantastic Four: First Steps brings the family of four back to the big screen for the first time in a decade. Forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond, the Fantastic Four must defend Earth from a ravenous space
- [FANTASIA 2025: Alex Phillips Returns with Raunchy, Surreal Sophomore Feature ‘Anything That Moves’](https://therollingtape.com/fantasia-2025-alex-phillips-returns-with-raunchy-surreal-sophomore-feature-anything-that-moves/) - Alex Phillips' Anything That Moves, premiering at Fantasia, delivers a critical blow to the overgrowth of purity in pop culture with a gnarly second feature.
- [Review: 'House on Eden' Pits Social Media Stars in Found-Footage Trappings](https://therollingtape.com/review-house-on-eden-pits-social-media-stars-in-found-footage-trappings/) - Ever since the monumental success of The Blair Witch Project (1999), found-footage films have always benefited from being made on a small budget that can explode on a wide scale. Blair Witch was the work of amateur filmmakers who took a trio of actors into the woods and shot a horror film with virtually no
- [Review: Big Tech Divides and Conquers in Ari Aster's 'Eddington'](https://therollingtape.com/review-big-tech-divides-and-conquers-in-ari-asters-eddington/) - Ever since the viral sensation of his short film, The Strange Things About the Johnsons (2011), Ari Aster has been known as a provocateur of taboo subjects. Aster wrote the short after discussing divisive subjects for a thesis project at the AFI Conservatory. It was disturbing, uncomfortable, and had left many wondering, “why,” concerning an
- [‘Cloud’ Review: Kurosawa is Back with an Internet Thriller for the Modern Age](https://therollingtape.com/cloud-review-kurosawa-is-back-with-an-internet-thriller-for-the-modern-age/) - Kiyoshi Kurosawa has been a staple of Japanese and International cinema since his breakout hit, Cure, in 1997. Since then, he has made nearly a movie a year, consistently churning out films that are always a must-see…if you can view them. In his long and storied career, it has been hard to view his work
- ['Oh, Hi!' Review: Modern Dating Rom-Com (ish) Soars With Vibrant Performances](https://therollingtape.com/oh-hi-review-modern-dating-rom-com-ish-soars-with-vibrant-performances/) - Sophie Brooks’s Oh, Hi! (2025) charges off through its winding upstate New York roads with the kind of buzzy energy that makes you know you’re bound for a summertime rom-com: baskets of strawberries in the backseat, songs sung in off-key harmonies, a destination house that radiates warmth, and the promise of many romantic nights to
- [The Awards Tape: Oscar Predictions 2025 First Draft](https://therollingtape.com/the-awards-tape-oscar-predictions-2025-first-draft/) - Back in April we hosted our first conversation of the awards season with a way-too-early glimpse at the potential contenders ahead, and we’re now revisiting that conversation.With festival season just around the corner and conversations starting to heat up about potential contenders finding their world premieres in the fall festival cycle, today we are offering
- [NEWS 041: 82nd Venice International Film Festival (2025) Lineup Announcement](https://therollingtape.com/news-041-82nd-venice-international-film-festival-2025-lineup-announcement/) - We received the full lineup for the 82nd edition of the Venice International Film Festival and share our first reaction takeaways from the in- and out-of-competition lineups. We take an overall glimpse at how festival season is shaping up as a whole as well and select our blind picks for the top prize at Venice,
- [Review: ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’ Makes a Divisive Decision that Works](https://therollingtape.com/review-i-know-what-you-did-last-summer-makes-a-divisive-decision-that-works/) - This review contains spoilers, so be sure to watch the film before reading! Head back to the coastal town of Southport, where it seems like deja vu as events of 1997 seem to be happening all over again, this time with a new generation of young people hiding how interesting their summer was, and a
- [Very Early 2026 Best Picture Predictions: July](https://therollingtape.com/very-early-2026-best-picture-predictions-july/) - We are back! It’s time to begin predicting for the 98th Academy Awards! Last awards season was a tricky and windy road, where one moment Emilia Perez garnered 13 Oscar nominations and was considered the frontrunner (before it imploded), to Conclave having a late surgence, winning Bafta and SAG, ultimately to the Palme d’Or winning
- [EP 148: Eddington (2025)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-148-eddington-2025/) - Bookended by the two biggest superhero blockbusters of the summer is Ari Aster’s fourth feature, Eddington. The modern western is set in May of 2020, where a standoff between a small-town sheriff and mayor sparks a powder keg as neighbor is pitted against neighbor in Eddington, New Mexico. The film stars Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal,
- ['Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’s' True and Most Personal Ending](https://therollingtape.com/once-upon-a-time-in-hollywoods-true-and-most-personal-ending/) - With the news of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019) receiving a sequel with David Fincher directing and Quentin Tarantino writing, it made me revisit Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, specifically one sequence, ‘California Dreamin.’ Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is, without doubt, Tarantino's most personal film, pulling from the same passions
- [Five Looks From ‘Clueless’ That Are Still Iconic 30 Years On](https://therollingtape.com/five-looks-from-clueless-that-are-still-iconic-30-years-on/) - I speak for everyone when I say that Cher's (Alicia Silverstone) wardrobe in Clueless (1995) was what we all dreamed of having. From the rotating clothing rails to the color-coordinated organization, there was a vibrant and sophisticated outfit for any possible occasion, such as stylish yet sporty gym class wear and jaw-droppingly stunning date night
- [Review: Anurag Basu Brings Back Bollywood with 'Metro…In Dino'](https://therollingtape.com/review-anurag-basu-brings-back-bollywood-with-metroin-dino/) - Recently, a major complaint against the Hindi film industry is the sheer number of sequels and remakes. Box offices across the Hindi belt have hardly seen any new releases beyond XX2 or XX2 Returns. Metro….In Dino (translation: Metro…these days), too, is a sequel. Like many Hindi sequels, the storyline bears no relation to the prequel.
- [The Dehumanization of Desperation: ‘To a Land Unknown’ Review](https://therollingtape.com/the-dehumanization-of-desperation-to-a-land-unknown-review/) - “In a way, it’s sort of the fate of Palestinians, not to end up where they started, but somewhere unexpected and far away.” These words from Palestinian-American professor and activist Edward Said open To a Land Unknown, flickering noiselessly against a black screen, demanding that the audience digest the words. Director and co-writer Mahdi Fleifel
- [Interview With 'Drowning Dry' (2024) Director, Laurynas Bareisa](https://therollingtape.com/interview-with-drowning-dry-2024-director-laurynas-bareisa/) - Drowning Dry originally had its world premiere at Locarno Film Festival in 2024 and is now in limited theatrical release in the US. The film is described as follows: to celebrate Lukas' victory at the martial arts tournament and Tomas' birthday party, their wives Juste and Ernesta organize a weekend at the summer house with a
- [RETROSPECTIVE 024: Ari Aster](https://therollingtape.com/retrospective-024-ari-aster/) - Ahead of Ari Aster’s latest film Eddington, we look back through his filmography of three feature films and the trademarks that have defined them from the unique blends of horror and dark comedy to the violence and psychological interrogations of Hereditary, Midsommar, and Beau is Afraid. Subscribe:The Rolling Tape Patreon Listen Here:SpotifyApple PodcastsAll Listening Platforms Follow our
- [NEWS 040: Best of 2025 First Half & Most Anticipated of Second Half](https://therollingtape.com/news-040-best-of-2025-first-half-most-anticipated-of-second-half/) - At the midway point of the year, we evaluate our favorite films that have defined the first six months of 2025 from our personal favorites to the superlatives so far. We look at the trends of the year before turning the corner into the ensuing festival and awards season cycle. We also discuss our most
- [I Watched a Bunch of Westerns, So You Don't Have To](https://therollingtape.com/i-watched-a-bunch-of-westerns-so-you-dont-have-to/) - Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon premiered at Cannes on May 20th, and the reviews are nothing but awe-struck delight. Scorsese’s highly anticipated film, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, has been getting a lot of buzz recently. The term Western is getting used a lot to describe this epic crime drama. It has come to my
- [‘Inception’s 15th Anniversary: A Case For Nolan’s Best Film](https://therollingtape.com/inceptions-15th-anniversary-a-case-for-nolans-best-film/) - “You mustn’t be afraid to dream a little bigger, darling,” mutters Eames, played by Tom Hardy, as he defends his dream-infiltrating team from a barrage of gunfire occurring just outside the walls of a warehouse they are safely holed up in. Of course, he uses such a line to present a grenade launcher to stifle
- [EP 147: Superman (2025)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-147-superman-2025/) - Written and directed by James Gunn, Superman is the film of the newly rebranded DCU's Chapter One: Gods and Monsters, and the second reboot of the Superman film series. David Corenswet stars as Clark Kent / Superman, alongside Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult, Edi Gathegi, Anthony Carrigan, Nathan Fillion, and Isabela Merced.Superman must reconcile his alien
- ['Hot Milk' Review: Lenkiewicz Struggles To Adapt Dreamlike Novel](https://therollingtape.com/hot-milk-review-lenkiewicz-struggles-to-adapt-dreamlike-novel/) - Mother-daughter relationships have quietly been at the forefront of most evocative and devastating stories seen in film. From classic features like Autumn Sonata (1978), Terms of Endearment (1983), and Mermaids (1990) to more contemporary releases such as Lady Bird (2017), Petite Maman (2021), and Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022), the films that explore this
- [Review: ‘Stealing Pulp Fiction’ is a 'National Treasure' for Film Bros](https://therollingtape.com/review-stealing-pulp-fiction-is-a-national-treasure-for-film-bros/) - Physical media is making a comeback, with Criterion Collection sales boosting Blu-Ray and 4K collections and music artists returning to releasing albums on vinyl. For cinephiles, these are great pieces to collect, but what if you could own the original film print of one of cinema’s most iconic films? Stealing Pulp Fiction asks that question
- [Summer 2025 Box Office Draft Check-In](https://therollingtape.com/summer-2025-box-office-draft-check-in/) - As previously discussed in the first episode of this summer mini-series, we’re tracking box office for the movies on our radar between the first weekend of May and the end of August, with each team member on the show preparing a list of their predicted top ten box office earners of the summer, along with
- [‘Superman’ Review: Despite Its Flaws, James Gunn Proves There's Still Life Left in Superhero Movies](https://therollingtape.com/superman-review-despite-its-flaws-james-gunn-proves-theres-still-life-left-in-superhero-movies/) - Superman has been one of the marquee characters of our times for almost a century now. From 1930s comics to iterations from filmmakers across the map, one thing’s for certain: the Last Son of Krypton’s legacy is forever cemented. Now, over a decade since Zach Snyder’s stint with the 2013 Man of Steel, James Gunn
- [In The Shadow Of The Reboot, 2005’s ‘Fantastic Four’ Captured The Era Before Shared Universes](https://therollingtape.com/in-the-shadow-of-the-reboot-2005s-fantastic-four-captured-the-era-before-shared-universes/) - With just two weeks away until The Fantastic Four hits theaters, we look back at the original theatrical iteration of Marvel’s First Family.
- ['The Equalizer 3:' Denzel Washington's Slasher Performance](https://therollingtape.com/the-equalizer-3-denzel-washingtons-slasher-performance/) - In a career spanning forty-eight years, Denzel Washington has only ever done one film that could be considered horror, Fallen (1998); however, in The Equalizer 3, which has just dropped on Netflix UK, the question is finally asked: What if Washington played a slasher role? 2023’s The Equalizer 3 revolves around Robert McCall (Washington) finding
- [The Rule of Three: 5 Films to Scratch Your Love Triangle Itch After ‘Materialists’](https://therollingtape.com/the-rule-of-three-5-films-to-scratch-your-love-triangle-itch-after-materialists/) - We’ve compiled some of the most thrilling love triangles in cinema to give you enough juicy relationship tea to last all summer long.
- [EP 146: Jurassic World: Rebirth (2025)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-146-jurassic-world-rebirth-2025/) - Dinosaurs are returning to the big screen in the 7th edition of the Jurassic franchise with Jurassic World: Rebirth. Five years post-Jurassic World: Dominion (2022), an expedition braves isolated equatorial regions to extract DNA from three massive prehistoric creatures for a groundbreaking medical breakthrough. The film is directed by Gareth Edwards with David Koepp returning
- [Disney's Accidental Ode to the Coming-Out Experience: ‘Sky High’ 20 Years Later](https://therollingtape.com/disneys-accidental-ode-to-the-coming-out-experience-sky-high-20-years-later/) - On the surface, Sky High may just seem like a high school comedy. In reality, the film is thematically rich with ideas about authentic identity and pushing against societal structures.
- [Review: ‘The Old Guard 2’ Can Barely Keep Itself Alive](https://therollingtape.com/review-the-old-guard-2-can-barely-keep-itself-alive/) - A half-baked and barely compelling mess, ‘The Old Guard 2’ is another slog in Netflix’s mediocre catalog.
- [‘Blues Brothers’ 45th Anniversary: The SNL Skit that Turned into Movie Magic](https://therollingtape.com/blues-brothers-45th-anniversary-the-snl-skit-that-turned-into-movie-magic/) - The Blues Brothers, the SNL skit-turned-feature film celebrating its 45th anniversary this year, is a lightning-in-a-bottle film; everything just works. This was one of those gateway films for me at a young age, one that just took me aback and continues to do so now. It is a film that my Dad and I still
- [Ladies Night 009](https://therollingtape.com/ladies-night-009/) - After a chaotic primary discussion of “fangirling” the ladies continue to break down this industry phenomenon, discussing what it means to be a fangirl and which actors are capitalizing on the idea of “for the girls.” Listen Here:SpotifyApple PodcastsAll Listening PlatformsFollow our team online:Sara Ciplickas on Letterboxd, Instagram, and XKam Ryan on Letterboxd, Instagram, and XNeha Jha on Instagram, and XSasha Raquel on Letterboxd, Instagram,
- [Review: M3GAN 2.0 is a Pile of E-Waste](https://therollingtape.com/review-m3gan-2-0-is-a-pile-of-e-waste/) - Already, the 2020s have seen an exponential rise in the number of films incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) into their story. The Creator (2023) debates the morality of weaponizing AI in the form of a child, Brian & Charles (2022) explores how a scrappy AI robot can be used to aid loneliness, Free Guy (2021) breathes
- [The Rolling Remote: TV in 2025 & Emmy Nomination Predictions](https://therollingtape.com/the-rolling-remote-tv-in-2025-emmy-nomination-predictions/) - After our first four episodes of our new Rolling Remote podcast series covering Severance Season 2, The White Lotus Season 3, The Studio Season 1, and The Last of Us Season 2, we’re taking a broader lens at TV in 2025 and rounding up any other shows that stood out to us as a team.
- [Interview With 'Tummy Monster' (2025) Director, Ciaran Lyons & Actor, Lorn Macdonald](https://therollingtape.com/interview-with-tummy-monster-2025-director-ciaran-lyons-actor-lorn-macdonald/) - In our first coverage of a Scottish film, Tummy Monster is described as follows: when a self-centered tattoo artist discovers his latest client is a world-famous musician, his fixation on getting a selfie with his client embroils the pair into a bizarre and dangerous game. Matthew Allen joins director Ciaran Lyons and star Lorn Macdonald
- [F1® The Movie Review: An Extravagant Blockbuster Cruising on Autopilot](https://therollingtape.com/f1-the-movie-review-an-extravagant-blockbuster-cruising-on-autopilot/) - It was only thirty-five years ago when producers Jerry Bruckheimer and Don Simpson, fresh off the mega-success of Top Gun (1986), reunited with Tony Scott and Tom Cruise for the racing sports action flick, Days of Thunder (1990). It was a different era for Hollywood—the duo producers enjoyed Paramount’s five-year contract developing films similar to
- [10 Must-See Movies In July](https://therollingtape.com/10-must-see-movies-in-july/) - 2025 has been a mixed bag for cinema at best–the highs of titles like Mission: Impossible The Final Reckoning, Sinners, and most recently 28 Years Later rise among the Hurry Up Tomorrows of the year. As we enter July, this year may turn into a truly good movie year in one fell swoop. The summer
- [*TRIBECA 2025* Interview With 'Dear Ms.: A Revolution in Print' (2025) Directors, Salima Koroma, Alice Gu, Cecilia Aldarondo](https://therollingtape.com/tribeca-2025-interview-with-dear-ms-a-revolution-in-print-2025-directors-salima-koroma-alice-gu-cecilia-aldarondo/) - Ms. magazine has been a driver of substantial change in the lives of women and how they have been perceived over the past 50+ years. Through interweaving a wide array of archival footage, close analysis of the magazine’s most iconic cover stories and contemporary interviews with the women who made Ms. what it is, Dear Ms.:
- [EP 145: F1 The Movie (2025)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-145-f1-the-movie-2025/) - Based on the premier class of motorsport, F1 The Movie follows the international worldwide racing sport. The film is a sports drama starring Brad Pitt as a driver who returns to Formula One racing after a career cut short by injury. It was directed by Joseph Kosinski with a screenplay written by Ehren Kruger. It
- [Review: 'Jurassic World: Rebirth' Feels like a Much Needed Back to the Basics](https://therollingtape.com/review-jurassic-world-rebirth-feels-like-a-much-needed-back-to-the-basics/) - Jurassic World: Rebirth brings this series back to a more simplistic tone of the first couple of Jurassic sequels.
- [Interview With 'Ballerina' (2025) Supervising Sound Editor, Mark Stoeckinger](https://therollingtape.com/interview-with-ballerina-2025-supervising-sound-editor-mark-stoeckinger/) - Ethan Simmie joins Mark Stoeckinger, a three-time Oscar nominee and key contributor to the John Wick universe as a Supervising Sound Editor, who has crafted an electrifying soundscape for Ballerina, elevating its pulse-pounding action and gritty underworld atmosphere. Set during the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, the film follows Eve Macarro (Ana de Armas)
- [Aaron Sorkin to Lead The Social Network Part II](https://therollingtape.com/aaron-sorkin-to-lead-the-social-network-part-ii/) - Deadline has reported that Aaron Sorkin is set to write and direct The Social Network Part II. It will not be a direct sequel, but it will be a follow-up to the original film from 2010. There had been rumblings about a sequel to The Social Network for years now, but both Screenwriter Sorkin and
- [NEWS 039: Tribeca 2025 Recap ft. Larry Fried](https://therollingtape.com/news-039-tribeca-2025-recap-ft-larry-fried/) - Tribeca Festival in New York recently wrapped up and we had three members of our team helping to cover some film titles in the diverse lineup. We’ll discuss what we heard and saw through the festival from myself, Sara Ciplickas our Co-Founder and host of Ladies Night and the Pride Mini-Series, and writer Arleigh Rodgers
- [‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Review: An Imaginative Love Letter To K-Pop And Its Fans](https://therollingtape.com/kpop-demon-hunters-review-an-imaginative-love-letter-to-k-pop-and-its-fans/) - KPop Demon Hunters is a welcome surprise for fans of animated films that will likely fly under the radar.
- [Pride Mini-Series: Queer Television & Modern Cinema (Part Four)](https://therollingtape.com/pride-mini-series-queer-television-modern-cinema-part-four/) - As we enter the 90s and early 2000s the team discusses Queer cinema’s entrance into the mainstream and the films that we grew up with. We discuss The Oscars and the dramas that entered “high cinema,” as well as the low-budget comedies that came to define CAMP and the Queer pushback to the tragedies still
- [‘Holloway’ Review: Six Women Redefine What It Means To Be an Ex-Convict](https://therollingtape.com/holloway-review-six-women-redefine-what-it-means-to-be-an-ex-convict/) - When you hear a woman describe herself as a charity founder, a CEO, a business owner, an actress, an activist, or a mother, you immediately envisage a successful, well-put-together woman with fiery determination to put forth a version of themselves as a role model. What you would not expect is that these wildly accomplished women
- [EP 144: 28 Years Later (2025)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-144-28-years-later-2025/) - 23 years after Danny Boyle and Alex Garland’s genre-breaking dystopian zombie movie comes a direct sequel to that film with 28 Years Later, directed and written by the same creators. A group of survivors of the rage virus live on a small island. When one of the group leaves the island on a mission into
- [Bonus Review: Materialists (2025)](https://therollingtape.com/bonus-review-materialists-2025/) - After our main review for the weekend covering Mike Flanagan’s The Life of Chuck, we’re pairing that with a bonus review of Celine Song’s Materialists. The follow-up to Song's critically acclaimed and Oscar-nominated debut, Materialists follows a young, ambitious New York City matchmaker who finds herself torn between the perfect match and her imperfect ex. The film stars Dakota
- [‘28 Years Later’ Review: Danny Boyle Crafts a Modern Horror Marvel](https://therollingtape.com/28-years-later-review-danny-boyle-crafts-a-modern-horror-marvel/) - 8 Years Later showcases Boyle’s talents tremendously and handles all of its ideas with expert care.
- [DC/DOX: 'Any Problem is No Problem' Gives Insight Into Modern-Day Entrepreneurs](https://therollingtape.com/dc-dox-any-problem-is-no-problem-gives-insight-into-modern-day-entrepreneurs/) - The most wonderful part of this documentary is the focus it gives us on these five individuals and how it endears us to their personal goals.
- [50 Years Later, Steven Spielberg's 'Jaws' is Still a Masterclass in Cinema](https://therollingtape.com/50-years-later-steven-spielbergs-jaws-is-still-a-masterclass-in-cinema/) - Arguably one of the most monumental and culture shifting films the industry had seen to date is Jaws by Steven Spielberg.
- [‘How to Train Your Dragon’ Review: A Painful Reminder Of Hollywood’s Current State](https://therollingtape.com/how-to-train-your-dragon-review-a-painful-reminder-of-hollywoods-current-state/) - How to Train Your Dragon (2025) marks their Universal's attempt at translating a film into live-action
- [‘Materialists’ Review: A Subversive Rom-Com That Expertly Explores Messy Modern Love](https://therollingtape.com/materialists-review-a-subversive-rom-com-that-expertly-explores-messy-modern-love/) - Celine Song’s latest film, Materialists, tears down rom-com tropes to tell a grounded story about modern love and romance.
- [Jeremy Allen White Embodies Bruce Springsteen in 'Deliver Me From Nowhere' Trailer](https://therollingtape.com/jeremy-allen-white-embodies-bruce-springsteen-in-deliver-me-from-nowhere-trailer/) - 20th Century Studios releases first trailer for Springsteen biopic 20th Century Studios releases trailer for Springsteen biopic
- [Review: The Reluctant ‘Prime Minister’–Jacinda Ardern’s Empathetic Portrait of Leadership](https://therollingtape.com/review-the-reluctant-prime-minister-jacinda-arderns-empathetic-portrait-of-leadership/) - When you watch a documentary about Jacinda Ardern, you expect empathy and kindness woven into every frame. That's what New Zealand's former Prime Minister has always embodied, and it's an ethos she continues to champion through her dual fellowship at Harvard University, where she now studies and speaks on online extremism, leadership, and governance. The
- [ DC/DOX: 'The Right Track' is a Powerful Look at Sex Work, Trafficking, and Survivor Stories](https://therollingtape.com/dc-dox-the-right-track-is-a-powerful-look-at-sex-work-trafficking-and-survivor-stories/) - Across Europe, women sit behind glass windows on display. Thousands of miles away, a Nevada radio ad pitches “hot chocolate,” “vanilla,” and “everything in between,” women available for purchase. These jarring images are prevalent throughout The Right Track (2025), a searing new documentary that dissects our understanding of the “oldest profession in the world” and
- [DC/DOX: ‘Widow Champion’ Shines a Light on the Continued Fight Against Gender Inequality](https://therollingtape.com/dc-dox-review-widow-champion-shines-a-light-on-the-continued-fight-against-gender-inequality/) - Nowadays, social media allows us to stay more connected than ever to the sociopolitical landscape of various parts of the world. The increase in awareness of different countries' trials and tribulations, especially when support is needed most, has allowed positive action to be taken towards these causes. However, there are pitfalls to this means of
- [Pride Mini-Series: New Queer Cinema & Moving to Mainstream Hollywood (Part Three)](https://therollingtape.com/pride-mini-series-new-queer-cinema-moving-to-mainstream-hollywood-part-three/) - As we enter the 90s and early 2000s the team discusses Queer cinema’s entrance into the mainstream and the films that we grew up with. We discuss The Oscars and the dramas that entered “high cinema,” as well as the low-budget comedies that came to define CAMP and the Queer pushback to the tragedies still
- [EP 143: The Life of Chuck (2025)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-143-the-life-of-chuck-2025/) - Last year’s TIFF people’s Choice Award winner is now in wide release from NEON, Mike Flanagan’s The Life of Chuck: A life-affirming, genre-bending story based on Stephen King's novella about three chapters in the life of an ordinary man named Charles Krantz. Subscribe:The Rolling Tape Patreon Listen Here:SpotifyApple PodcastsAll Listening Platforms Chapter Timestamps: 0:00:00 Introduction &
- [*DC/DOX 2025* Interview With 'The Right Track' (2025) Director, Shareen Anderson & Participants, Yasmin Vafa and Audra Doody](https://therollingtape.com/dc-dox-2025-interview-with-the-right-track-2025-director-shareen-anderson-participants-yasmin-vafa-and-audra-doody/) - The Right Track (2025) is a powerful documentary that amplifies the voices of survivors of sextrafficking, revealing their resilience, heartbreak, and courage as they fight for freedom, justice, and a future where exploited individuals are no longer criminalized but protected. Kam Ryan sits down with Director Shareen Anderson and documentary participants Yasmin Vafa and Audra Doody
- [At 23, ‘Lilo & Stitch’ Remains The Most Subversive Animated Disney Film](https://therollingtape.com/at-23-lilo-stitch-remains-the-most-subversive-animated-disney-film/) - Lilo & Stitch is one of the most important children’s films of the 2000s due to its mature yet endearing approach to a fish-out-of-water narrative, blending complex emotional themes and an alternative version of family with a comedic and fun sci-fi children’s film.
- [TRIBECA ‘Lemonade Blessing’ Review: Teenage Angst Meets Catholic Guilt](https://therollingtape.com/tribeca-lemonade-blessing-review-teenage-angst-meets-catholic-guilt/) - Lemonade Blessing, directed by Chris Merola in his directorial debut, charts the highs and lows of teenage love in a Catholic-school setting.
- ['Charliebird,' 'Happy Birthday,' and 'Natchez' Take Top Honors at Tribeca Festival](https://therollingtape.com/charliebird-happy-birthday-and-natchez-take-top-honors-at-tribeca-festival/) - The 24th annual Tribeca Festival has announced the list of winners for 2025. Charliebird, Happy Birthday, and Natchez emerged as the big winners.
- [TRIBECA Review: Latvia’s ‘Dog of God’ Raises Hell in Psychedelic-Horror Rotoscope Animation](https://therollingtape.com/tribeca-festival-latvias-dog-of-god-raises-hell-in-psychedelic-horror-rotoscope-animation/) - A decaying orange wasteland strikes the opening of Dog of God (Dieva suns), directed by brothers Raitis and Lauris Abele. Two gleaming and chipped skulls face each other in the foreground, linked through the eye sockets by the curled skeleton of a snake. The ground is cracked, barren, and in the distance, an illusory figure
- [*DC/DOX 2025* Interview with Directors of 'Any Problem is No Problem,' Alyssa Fedele and Zachary Fink](https://therollingtape.com/dc-dox-2025-interview-with-directors-of-any-problem-is-no-problem-alyssa-fedele-and-zachary-fink/) - Any Problem is No Problem follows five young entrepreneurs—Brandon Tory, Chris Lee, Ryan Ouyang, Adam Levy, and Ellie Farrisi—all founders or co-founders of crypto startups, looking to solve problems in the digital space and raise money for the next part of their companies' journey. We sat down with Directors Alyssa Fedele and Zachary Fink to
- [‘Pavements’ Review: A Stunning Tribute To One Of The 90s’ Best Bands, Flipping The Biopic Genre On Its Head](https://therollingtape.com/pavements-review-a-stunning-tribute-to-one-of-the-90s-best-bands-flipping-the-biopic-genre-on-its-head/) - With Pavements, there’s a different way to tell these stories. This film can change the landscape for biopics, and I’m excited to see how this influences the genre in the future.
- [Bonus Review: From the World of John Wick: Ballerina (2025)](https://therollingtape.com/bonus-review-from-the-world-of-john-wick-ballerina-2025/) - For a bonus review this weekend on a weekend full of new releases and our main review settled on Wes Anderson’s The Phoenician Scheme, we’ve got so many John Wick heads on our team that we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to review the franchise’s first spin-off Ballerina, or formally From the World of John
- [*TRIBECA 2025* Interview With 'Widow Champion' (2025) Director, Zippy Kimundu](https://therollingtape.com/tribeca-2025-interview-with-widow-champion-2025-director-zippy-kimundu/) - ‘Widow Champion’ takes us to rural Kenya, where Rodah Nafula Wekesa spearheads a courageous movement, rallying fellow widows to reclaim their rightful property. Sara Ciplickas sits down with Director Zippy Kimundu to discuss the trust necessary to complete this documentary and the progress made in these women’s fight against widow inheritance and patriarchal traditions. The
- [*TRIBECA 2025* Interview With 'Dog of God' (2025) Co-Directors, Lauris Abele & Raitis Abele](https://therollingtape.com/tribeca-2025-interview-with-dog-of-god-2025-co-directors-lauris-abele-raitis-abele/) - After Flow won Best Animated Feature at this year's Academy Awards, Latvian animation offers something new again with Dog of God. The rotoscope animated film is co-directed by siblings Raitis and Lauris Ābele, who sit down with interview host Arleigh Rodgers at Tribeca Festival to discuss their nightmarish depiction of a 17th century witch trial in Livonia that uncovers
- [RETROSPECTIVE 023: Mike Flanagan](https://therollingtape.com/retrospective-023-mike-flanagan/) - Ahead of Mike Flanagan’s latest film The Life of Chuck, we look back through his filmography which predominantly features many entries to the horror genre both in feature film and TV formats. We’ll discuss his early work through Doctor Sleep as well as his highly acclaimed series work with The Haunting of Hill House, The Fall of
- [TRIBECA Review: ‘Dear Ms.: A Revolution in Print’ Inspires Next Generation of Changemakers](https://therollingtape.com/tribeca-review-dear-ms-a-revolution-in-print-inspires-next-generation-of-changemakers/) - Despite this entire documentary being about a magazine one could associate with ‘raging feminists,’ the film remains calm, composed, and wickedly intelligent.
- [*TRIBECA 2025* Interview With 'State of Firsts' (2025) Director Chase Joynt & Producer Jenna Kelly](https://therollingtape.com/tribeca-2025-interview-with-state-of-firsts-2025-director-chase-joynt-producer-jenna-kelly/) - Premiering at Tribeca, State of Firsts is an intimate documentary that follows Congresswoman Sarah McBride and her historic campaign to become the first out trans person elected to Congress. Sara Ciplickas sits down with Director Chase Joynt and Producer Jenna M. Kelly to discuss the process of documenting Sarah’s story. Review:State of Firsts Review (Sara Ciplickas) Listen
- [Pride Mini-Series: Cinema During Pride Movements & The AIDS Epidemic (Part Two)](https://therollingtape.com/pride-mini-series-cinema-during-pride-movements-the-aids-epidemic-part-two/) - In our second episode of our Pride miniseries, the team discusses the underground movements and larger star-studded productions from the 1970s and 1980s. Transitioning from Classic Hollywood, we breakdown the complexities and opposing strides of the two decades, contextualizing cinema within American history. Subscribe:The Rolling Tape Patreon Listen Here:SpotifyApple PodcastsAll Listening PlatformsFollow our team online:Sara
- [TRIBECA Review: ‘State of Firsts’ Takes a Strategic, Intimate Look at a Growing Politician](https://therollingtape.com/tribeca-review-state-of-firsts-takes-a-strategic-intimate-look-at-a-growing-politician/) - The United States is, arguably, the most divided it’s been since the Civil War. Naturally, one can expect our features and documentaries to reflect our socio-political divide and its consequences. In his latest documentary premiering at TIFF on June 7, Chase Joynt takes an intimate approach to following Congresswoman Sara McBride’s historic run in 2024
- [EP 142: The Phoenician Scheme (2025)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-142-the-phoenician-scheme-2025/) - Wes Anderson’s latest film is now out in theatrical wide release, The Phoenician Scheme which had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival just a few week ago. The movie is described as follows: wealthy businessman Zsa-zsa Korda appoints his only daughter, a nun, as sole heir to his estate. As Korda embarks on a new
- [Budding Filmmakers’ Shorts Take The Inaugural Year of SXSW London By Storm](https://therollingtape.com/budding-filmmakers-shorts-take-the-inaugural-year-of-sxsw-london-by-storm/) - Here are seven shorts by rising filmmakers, curated around the theme "Truth + Lies,” featured at this year’s SXSW festival in London.
- [Happy Birthday Nicole Kidman: See Her Best Performances](https://therollingtape.com/happy-birthday-nicole-kidman-see-her-best-performances/) - In celebration of Oscar-winner Nicole Kidman’s birthday, we dive into her extensive filmography and count down her ten best performances.
- [‘Ballerina’ Review: The Weakest ‘John Wick’ Entry is Still One of the Best Action Films of 2025](https://therollingtape.com/ballerina-review-the-weakest-john-wick-entry-is-still-one-of-the-best-action-films-of-2025/) - Assassin films featuring women often resort to the hypersexualized femme-fatale archetype that has become so popularized in cinema to cater to the male gaze. The John Wick series of films has notably provided a clear departure from this archetype, and a female-led film was inevitable at some point. Enter From The World of John Wick:
- [Memory, Masculinity, and the Ache of Queer Love: ‘Brokeback Mountain’ at 20](https://therollingtape.com/memory-masculinity-and-the-ache-of-queer-love-brokeback-mountain-at-20/) - A mountain range in the distance. A cigarette shared in silence. A shirt, folded over another. The images of Brokeback Mountain, captured with aching restraint by director Ang Lee, are simple, but they stay with you—quiet echoes of a love that was never allowed to speak. Two decades after its release, Lee’s tragic romance remains
- [‘The Ballad of Wallis Island’ Review: A Heartfelt and Mature Feature That Appreciates the Past and Helps Us Move Forward](https://therollingtape.com/the-ballad-of-wallis-island-review-a-heartfelt-and-mature-feature-that-appreciates-the-past-and-helps-us-move-forward/) - Ballad of Wallis Island, directed by James Griffiths with writing credits to Tom Basden and Tim Key, surprised me with how heartfelt it was. Most importantly, the mature approach in learning to appreciate the past, but ultimately moving forward, created a genuinely moving experience. This story started back in 2007 from a short, The One
- [Live Commentary: John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum (2019)](https://therollingtape.com/live-commentary-john-wick-chapter-3-parabellum-2019/) - *DISCLAIMER* Live commentary is not live with the movie due to ad breaks and technical difficulties. The commentary is edited for brevity and clarity. Ahead of Ballerina (2025), our two John Wick-heads, Paul Rai and Evan Miller, watch John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum (2019) together with commentary on the movie and the John Wick franchise as a whole.
- [Revisiting 'Promare:' The Hyper-Stylized, Action-Packed Trigger Anime That Became A Part of Queer Cinema](https://therollingtape.com/revisiting-promare-the-hyper-stylized-action-packed-trigger-anime-that-became-a-part-of-queer-cinema/) - A retrospective on the Trigger anime film, Promare, that explores certain elements that has made it become a part of queer cinema.
- [The Progression of Ethan Hunt, Told by Sound - A Dissection Into the Mission: Impossible Scores](https://therollingtape.com/the-progression-of-ethan-hunt-told-by-sound-a-dissection-into-the-mission-impossible-scores/) - "Our lives are the sum of our choices" is a message reiterated to agent Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) throughout the final installment in the Mission: Impossible film series. From breaking into the CIA headquarters to scaling the Burj Khalifa or riding a motorcycle off of a cliff, Hunt has been through it all during his
- [‘Hacks’ S4 Review: The View From The Top is Bittersweet — And The Show’s Best Season Yet](https://therollingtape.com/hacks-s4-review-the-view-from-the-top-is-bittersweet-and-the-shows-best-season-yet/) - Longtime watchers of Hacks (2021–Present) know how satisfying the premise of its fourth season is. After years of residencies, touring local comedy clubs, and a special that shoots her to stardom, Debora Vance (Jean Smart) finally achieves a long-awaited dream: to be the host of a late-night show, the job she lost out on years
- [Review: ‘Mountainhead’ Asks How 4 Billionaires Would Save The World in Jesse Armstrong’s Directorial Debut](https://therollingtape.com/review-mountainhead-asks-how-4-billionaires-would-save-the-world-in-jesse-armstrongs-directorial-debut/) - The “Jesse Armstrong Experience” is nothing short of a sensational expedition in satirical examination. It initially folded into the culture with the creation of his HBO Max television show Succession, which ran for five years, even though he’s been writing for TV since the early 2000s. Succession defined what he could offer in terms of
- [Pride Mini-Series: Early Cinema & LGBTQ in Classic Hollywood (Part One)](https://therollingtape.com/pride-mini-series-early-cinema-lgbtq-in-classic-hollywood-part-one/) - To celebrate Pride Month 2025, Sara Ciplickas hosts a special mini-series breaking down the progression of Queer cinema. In this four-part series, the team discusses different time periods, how Queer people are presented, notable figures, and films that both positively and negatively affected our perception of the LGBTQ community. For Episode One, the team discusses
- [‘Terrifier 3’ Review: A Surprisingly Stagnant Entry for Art the Clown](https://therollingtape.com/terrifier-3-review-a-surprisingly-stagnant-entry-for-art-the-clown/) - Two years ago, I took my dear friend to a little indie horror film on a whim: Damien Leone’s Terrifier 2 (2022). I knew next to nothing about the franchise other than the gruesome clips of the first film I had seen online. I went in expecting a schlocky gorefest with no substance, but instead,
- [‘Civil War’ Review: Dunst and Spaeny-Led Film Warns the World](https://therollingtape.com/civil-war-review-dunst-and-spaeny-led-film-warns-the-world/) - I read a review about Alex Garland’s Civil War saying it was a horror movie. And while I have become rather fond of war films and the gruesome truth they bring, nothing could have prepared me for the gut punch this film gave. Starring Kirsten Dunst and Cailee Spaeny, the film follows war photographers in
- [‘Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga’ Review: Miller Gives Origin to One of Cinema’s Most Badass Women](https://therollingtape.com/furiosa-a-mad-max-saga-review-miller-gives-origin-to-one-of-cinemas-most-badass-women/) - In 2015, George Miller revisited the post-apocalyptic wasteland in Mad Max: Fury Road, giving viewers one of the most thrilling modern action films with two compelling, mysterious leads–Max Rockatansky (Tom Hardy) and Imperator Furiosa (Charlize Theron). Miller successfully ‘rebooted’ the franchise – a triumph in itself, but he took his revisit a step further by
- [EP 141: Bring Her Back (2025)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-141-bring-her-back-2025/) - The Philippou brothers are back after their directorial feature debut in 2022, Talk To Me, with a new original horror film Bring Her Back. The film is described as follows: a brother and sister uncover a terrifying ritual at the secluded home of their new foster mother. Bring Her Back stars Billy Barratt, Sally Hawkins, Jonah Wren Phillips, and Mischa
- [Review: ‘Bring Her Back’ Cements The Philippous As Indie Horror Titans in ‘Talk To Me’ Follow-Up](https://therollingtape.com/review-bring-her-back-cements-the-philippous-as-indie-horror-titans-in-talk-to-me-follow-up/) - Audiences witnessed the grip YouTube duo RackaRacka (Danny and Michael Philippou) could have on the horror genre with 2023’s horror hit Talk To Me, in which teenagers meddle with an embalmed hand that allows them to commune with the dead. While undercooked in some places, I was eager to see what the duo’s sophomore feature
- [‘Dangerous Animals’ Review: Gnarly Shark Survival Horror is Back on the Menu](https://therollingtape.com/dangerous-animals-review-gnarly-shark-survival-horror-is-back-on-the-menu/) - Since the release of Steven Spielberg’s Jaws in 1975, it could be argued that shark horror films have managed to carve themselves deep into the genre thanks to the initial terror of that utter classic. Fifty years since the film's release, there is more variety to shark films than ever, with The Meg franchise and
- ['Talk to Me' Review: Disturbing Horror Film Showcases Exciting New Voices](https://therollingtape.com/disturbing-horror-film-showcases-exciting-new-voices/) - There has been a small trend throughout the last decade of horror that I suspect will grow more widespread as the years go by. Budding filmmakers who have taken to YouTube as a platform to publish their early work as they practice their craft have gone on to make some of the most original works
- [Ladies Night 008](https://therollingtape.com/ladies-night-008/) - The ladies are back in the studio to discuss the phenomenon of “fangirling" as part of internet culture in entertainment. We unpack the deconstruction of the male image in contemporary films, internet boyfriends, and the parasocial relationships between audiences and today’s biggest stars. Listen Here:SpotifyApple PodcastsAll Listening PlatformsFollow our team online:Sara Ciplickas on Letterboxd, Instagram, and XKam Ryan
- [Live Commentary: 78th Cannes Film Festival Awards Ceremony (2025)](https://therollingtape.com/live-commentary-78th-cannes-film-festival-awards-ceremony-2025/) - Our immediate live commentary on the Cannes Film Festival Awards Ceremony including our reaction to Jafar Panahi's Palme d'Or winning film It Was Just an Accident. See the video of our reactions on Patreon. Subscribe:The Rolling Tape Patreon Listen Here:SpotifyApple PodcastsAll Listening Platforms Follow our team online:Danny Jarabek Website, Letterboxd, Instagram, X, TikTok, and LinktreePaul Rai on Letterboxd, Instagram, and XOwen Wilczek on Letterboxd, and XTimmy
- [10 Movies to Celebrate Graduation in 2025](https://therollingtape.com/10-movies-to-celebrate-graduation-in-2025/) - Welcome to the end of May! This month represents not only flowers blooming and summer warmth around the corner but also celebration: Graduation. As with any major event in my life, I turn to the movies in this ceremony of joy and excitement. In the following ten movies, I hope you will also discover the
- [In Defense of ‘Mission: Impossible 2,’ A Great Vibes Film](https://therollingtape.com/in-defense-of-mission-impossible-2-a-great-vibes-film/) - During my Mission: Impossible franchise watch-through before The Final Reckoning, I arrived at Mission: Impossible 2, which, for many people, is the black sheep of the franchise. When I was younger, the film was my first introduction to Ethan Hunt and his adventures. I thought it was the coolest thing ever, and I loved it.
- [EP 140: Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning (2025)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-140-mission-impossible-the-final-reckoning-2025/) - Following up another franchise retrospective with Mission Impossible, we now trust Ethan Hunt one last time in our review of Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning. Ethan Hunt and the IMF team continue their search for the terrifying AI known as the Entity - which has infiltrated intelligence networks all over the globe - with
- [‘Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning’ Review: Ethan Hunt’s Saga Comes to a Close in a Messy but Thrilling Last Chapter](https://therollingtape.com/mission-impossible-the-final-reckoning-review-ethan-hunts-saga-comes-to-a-close-in-a-messy-but-thrilling-last-chapter/) - With eight films, a TV series, and almost thirty years of death-defying stunts, the Mission: Impossible franchise has cemented its status as one of our greatest action series. Film after film, one man fights for what he believes is the ‘greater good’ of the entire planet, saving everyone and the people he cares for the
- [Lewis Pullman Pulls Us In: The Subtle Star Power of the Internet’s Newest Crush](https://therollingtape.com/lewis-pullman-pulls-us-in-the-subtle-star-power-of-the-internets-newest-crush/) - Every few months, a new man becomes the collective fixation of the internet—a phenomenon known as the "Internet Boyfriend." It's a recurring trend where fans obsess over a specific actor or celebrity who projects some blend of charm, humility, and emotional vulnerability. Lewis Pullman is the latest to earn this title. Try as I might,
- [RETROSPECTIVE 022: Mission Impossible Franchise](https://therollingtape.com/retrospective-022-mission-impossible-franchise/) - With its 8th and (final?) entry coming to theaters this coming weekend with Mission: Impossible–The Final Reckoning, we look back at the storied action franchise that dates back to 1996. We’ll reflect on the legacy of the franchise and its 7 entries, along with the stars and directors who have contributed to its 30-year evolution.
- [Review: 'Final Destination Bloodlines' is a Gleefully Entertaining Entry](https://therollingtape.com/review-final-destination-bloodlines-is-a-gleefully-entertaining-entry/) - “Death is a relentless son-of-a-bitch,” remarks Gabrielle Rose as Iris, a woman whose premonition decades prior jumpstarted one of the most nihilistic horror franchises in the twenty-first century. Not only is death relentless, but he’s still got it with this latest entry coming fourteen years after 2011’s Final Destination 5, bookended by James Wong’s original
- [‘Revenge of the Sith’ 20th Anniversary: Revisiting a Classic & Reflecting Why I No Longer Care for ‘Star Wars’](https://therollingtape.com/revenge-of-the-sith-20th-anniversary-revisiting-a-classic-reflecting-why-i-no-longer-care-for-star-wars/) - When I went to see a showing of Star Wars: Episode 3 - Revenge of the Sith (2005) as part of its 20th Anniversary re-release, I experienced an emotion that I hadn’t felt in quite some time for virtually any Star Wars-related content: curiosity. Like other people my age, I loved Star Wars as a
- [EP 139: Final Destination: Bloodlines (2025) ft. Derrick Murray](https://therollingtape.com/ep-139-final-destination-bloodlines-2025-ft-derrick-murray/) - After our franchise retrospective last week discussing the five previous Final Destination films, we are now reviewing the latest, Final Destination: Bloodlines, the sixth entry into the franchise. Directed by Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein, the movie is described as follows: plagued by a recurring violent nightmare, a college student returns home to find
- [Review: ‘Hurry Up Tomorrow’ Is An Excruciating Exercise In Style Over Substance](https://therollingtape.com/review-hurry-up-tomorrow-is-an-excruciating-exercise-in-style-over-substance/) - A global superstar experiencing an active downfall - whether physically or mentally - is a story that has been told a million times. Hurry Up Tomorrow makes it a million and one, and does nothing to warrant its inclusion in the high-potential subgenre. The 106-minute runtime acts as an examination of the addiction he has
- [‘Fight or Flight’ Review: Josh Hartnett Soars in a Mid-Altitude B-Movie That Knows Exactly What It Is](https://therollingtape.com/fight-or-flight-review-josh-hartnett-soars-in-a-mid-altitude-b-movie-that-knows-exactly-what-it-is/) - There’s something comforting about a 90-minute action movie. They’re the kind of films that can signal the health of the Hollywood ecosystem: mid-budget thrillers that move fast, entertain boldly, and don’t waste your time. If the movie industry can still regularly produce punchy, effective action films with decent stars and a seat-shaking sound mix, it
- [RETROSPECTIVE 021: Final Destination Franchise](https://therollingtape.com/retrospective-021-final-destination-franchise/) - After 14 years, the Final Destination franchise is back with its sixth entry coming out in wide release next month, Final Destination: Bloodlines. Ahead of our review, we’re taking a look back through the franchise’s previous entries dating back to 2000, and discussing all the highs, lows, and gruesome deaths along the way. Subscribe:The Rolling
- [Tom Cruise Honored With BFI Fellowship: Why an American Deserves this British Award](https://therollingtape.com/tom-cruise-honored-with-bfi-fellowship-why-an-american-deserves-this-british-award/) - Throughout May, the British Film Institute (BFI) has dedicated an entire season to the illustrious career of Tom Cruise in celebration of him being awarded the BFI Fellowship - an accolade awarded to individuals who have made a significant impact on British cinema. The award dates back to 1983 with Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger
- [5 Films That Nail the Truth About Our Work Lives](https://therollingtape.com/5-films-that-nail-the-truth-about-our-work-lives/) - From corporate sharks to gig workers, explore five global films that reveal the evolving nature of work, power, and burnout in today’s world.
- [EP 138: PFS SpringFest, Chicago Critics Film Festival & Friendship (2025)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-138-pfs-springfest-chicago-critics-film-festival-friendship-2025/) - For our main show, we’re recapping two festivals covered by TRT staff: Philadelphia Film Society’s SpringFest and the Chicago Critics Film Festival alongside reviewing one film that appeared at both. We’ll discuss the films seen at each by Danny Jarabek and Adam Patla, respectively, and share our thoughts on the limited release of Friendship, directed
- [‘Clown in a Cornfield’ Review: Frendo the Clown Debuts on the Big Screen in a Mixed Bag of a Slasher](https://therollingtape.com/clown-in-a-cornfield-review-frendo-the-clown-debuts-on-the-big-screen-in-a-mixed-bag-of-a-slasher/) - Adapted from the book of the same name, 2025’s Clown in a Cornfield aims to follow the classic tropes of your average horror slasher but with a slightly clever spin of generational commentary. Director Eli Craig attempts to utilize the same comedic subversion techniques seen in his 2010 feature Tucker and Dale vs. Evil, but
- [CHICAGO CRITICS FILM FEST: ‘It Ends’ is Alex Ullom’s Bright Beginning](https://therollingtape.com/chicago-critics-film-fest-it-ends-is-alex-ulloms-bright-beginning/) - IT ENDS boasts a bright beginning for writer-director-editor Alex Ullom as he paints an existential horror story for Gen-Z.
- [‘Tummy Monster’ Review: An Exciting Glimpse into Scottish Cinema’s Future](https://therollingtape.com/tummy-monster-review-an-exciting-glimpse-into-scottish-cinemas-future/) - I have always believed in supporting homegrown films, especially when it is a first feature from a budding director. So when I heard about Tummy Monster, the directorial debut from Scottish and Irish director Ciaran Lyons, I was ecstatic. The film is set in Glasgow, Scotland, a place not far from my home, and stars
- [‘Thunderbolts*’ Review: A Baby Step in the Right Direction for Marvel](https://therollingtape.com/thunderbolts-review-a-baby-step-in-the-right-direction-for-marvel/) - The most common question this past weekend was “Is Marvel Back?” Long-time franchise fans seem to think so, but Thunderbolts*, in my eyes, is more of a step in the right direction than “we are so back.” As a longtime fan of Marvel myself, this was the best time I have had in a Marvel
- [Summer 2025 Box Office Draft](https://therollingtape.com/summer-2025-box-office-draft/) - With the summer movie season kicking off this weekend with Marvel's latest, Thunderbolts*, we’re taking a look at what's ahead for the summer schedule and also adding a bit of competitive spirit to the mix. We’ll discuss the movies on our radar between the first weekend of May and the end of August, but also
- ['Another Simple Favor' Review: Another Simple Sequel](https://therollingtape.com/another-simple-favor-review-another-simple-sequel/) - Disappointingly, Another Simple Favor does everything right and everything wrong that its predecessor did. Feig is unable to grasp what it takes to make a sequel like this work in a meaningful way.
- [‘Parthenope’ Review:  A Character Journey that Goes Nowhere](https://therollingtape.com/parthenope-review-a-character-journey-that-doesnt-go-anywhere/) - Paolo Sorrentino is a director who has always been interested in the idea of beauty, specifically female beauty, and how it transfixes individuals. That same idea is seen in Parthenope, Sorrentino’s newest outing, as Parthenope (Celeste Dalla Porta) is referred to as a goddess by all the men around her in Naples. When watching Parthenope,
- [‘The Surfer’ Review: Nic Cage Strives to Ride Waves in this Anxiety-Inducing Thriller](https://therollingtape.com/the-surfer-review-nic-cage-strives-to-ride-waves-in-this-anxiety-inducing-thriller/) - Nicolas Cage has an extensive pantheon of films of all kinds of shapes and sizes, and yet, The Surfer (2025) manages to stand out as one of his most bizarre. Director Lorcan Finnegan designs a surrealist, anxiety-inducing, sun-baked film in his fourth feature outing, molding all sorts of toxic masculinity and cult themes within its
- [CHICAGO CRITICS FILM FEST: The Dizzying and Delirious ‘Mr. K’](https://therollingtape.com/chicago-critics-film-festival-the-dizzying-and-delirious-mr-k/) - It may be because it was my third screening of the day and it started at midnight, but Tallulah Hazekemp Schwab’s Mr. K made me feel utterly dizzy and delirious. Crispin Glover stars as Mr. K, a traveling magician who cannot locate the exit of the hotel where he stayed the night before. The harder
- [Trump’s Tariffs on Film: Don’t Panic, Just Pay Attention](https://therollingtape.com/trumps-tariffs-on-film-dont-panic-just-pay-attention/) - Last night, Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social that “The Movie Industry in America is DYING a very fast death. Other Countries are offering all sorts of incentives to draw our filmmakers and studios away from the United States.” He continued, “Therefore, I am authorizing the Department of Commerce, and the United States Trade Representative,
- [EP 137: Thunderbolts* (2025)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-137-thunderbolts-2025/) - Kicking off the summer movie season, there’s a new Marvel out! Thunderbolts* is described as follows: after finding themselves ensnared in a death trap, an unconventional team of antiheroes must embark on a dangerous mission that will force them to confront the darkest corners of their pasts. Directed by Jake Schreier, the film stars Florence
- [CHICAGO CRITICS FILM FEST: Alex Russell’s Haunting & Nuanced Debut ‘Lurker’](https://therollingtape.com/chicago-critics-film-fest-alex-russells-haunting-nuanced-debut-lurker/) - If you’ve spent more than ten seconds on social media, chances are you’ve encountered the feverish fan culture that’s seeped its way into our society. The art takes a backseat to obsessive chart tracking. Passion morphs into vitriolic discourse. Personhood is trumped by entitlement, and artists become objects. All for a relationship that doesn’t exist.
- [*PFS SpringFest* ‘The Threesome’ Review: Fantasy to Friction and Rewriting the Rules of the Modern Rom-Com](https://therollingtape.com/pfs-springfest-the-threesome-review-fantasy-to-friction-and-rewriting-the-rules-of-the-modern-rom-com/) - If 2024 told us anything, it's that three-way relationship dynamics are back, baby! After Zendaya took care of her little white boys, and Lily Rose-Depp found herself at the center of an erotic fever dream of carnal desire, it’s undeniable that the mainstream throuple is in full throttle regardless of genre. Whether or not writer
- [‘Freaky Tales’ Review: A Fun Love Letter to Exploitation Cinema](https://therollingtape.com/freaky-tales-review-a-fun-love-letter-to-exploitation-cinema/) - When watching Freaky Tales from Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, both of whom also have writing credits, there is an unapologetic punk energy wrapped around a tribute to the exploitation cinema of the '60s and early '80s. Freaky Tales takes place in Oakland in 1987. The narrator (Too $hort) describes a special energy in the
- ['Black Mirror S7' Review: Brooker Attempts to Salvage the Sadistic yet Satirical Stamp on the Show](https://therollingtape.com/black-mirror-s7-review-brooker-attempts-to-salvage-the-sadistic-yet-satirical-stamp-on-the-show/) - Black Mirror (2011-) continues to have the most unique television show run of its time. Spanning almost 15 years, the 33-episode anthology (as well as a movie) explores the moral and ethical ambiguity of the rapid rise in technological innovation. Show creator Charlie Brooker stated that the show's intention is "not finger-wagging, saying 'all technology
- [‘The Accountant 2’ Review: The IRS’s Attempt at Franchise Filmmaking](https://therollingtape.com/the-accountant-2-review-the-irss-attempt-at-franchise-filmmaking/) - At long last, the sequel we’ve all been waiting for has arrived. Gavin O’Connor, Ben Affleck, and Jon Bernthal return for The Accountant 2 nearly a decade after the original’s release, elevating the stakes and toning down the self-seriousness of its predecessor. The film follows Christian Wolff (Affleck) and his brother Braxton (Bernthal) as they
- [The Persistence of the New Flesh: A David Cronenberg Retrospective](https://therollingtape.com/the-persistence-of-the-new-flesh-a-david-cronenberg-retrospective/) - With his twenty-third feature film, The Shrouds, releasing last week, I find it apt to perform a dissection of sorts on David Cronenberg’s filmography. In all phases of his career, Cronenberg has never shied away from honing in on the gross and the desirable in equal measure, never failing to add in his own personal
- [Juliette Binoche, Halle Berry, Jeremy Strong, and More Announced for Cannes Jury](https://therollingtape.com/juliette-binoche-halle-berry-jeremy-strong-and-more-announced-for-cannes-jury/) - The 2025 Cannes Film Festival announced its Jury members on Monday morning, with Three Colours: Blue and The English Patient actress Juliette Binoche named President. Joining Binoche are American actress and filmmaker Halle Berry (Monster’s Ball, X-Men), Indian director and screenwriter Payal Kapadia (All We Imagine as Light), Italian actress Alba Rohrwacher (Maria, Happy as
- [The Awards Tape: Way-Too-Early Oscar’s Predictions ft. Matt Neglia](https://therollingtape.com/the-awards-tape-way-too-early-oscars-predictions-ft-matt-neglia/) - Almost 2 months removed from the 97th Academy Awards, we’re taking a way-too-early first glance at the slate of potential contenders for the year ahead. We’ll evaluate films that could be priorities later in the year for major studios, the Cannes lineup as the first major festival in just a few titles, wild card independent
- [Official Trailer for Zach Cregger’s ‘Weapons’ Unveiled](https://therollingtape.com/official-trailer-for-zach-creggers-weapons-unveiled/) - After about two weeks of eerie security cam footage, ominous messages, and a spooky website, Warner Bros. Pictures and New Line Cinema have released today the official trailer for Zach Cregger’s second feature film, Weapons (2025), which is currently set for a release date of August 8th, 2025. Just yesterday for Entertainment Weekly, Cregger discussed
- [Review: 'Until Dawn' has a Love-Hate Relationship with its Source Material](https://therollingtape.com/review-until-dawn-has-a-love-hate-relationship-with-its-source-material/) - Another entry from PlayStation Studios as Sony aims to adapt their library. Until Dawn was released in 2015 by Supermassive on PlayStation 4, where eight friends with troubling pasts reunite during a winter storm; however, the hook was that Until Dawn fell under the Telltale game genre, where whatever decision the player makes affects the
- ['Havoc' Review: Gareth Evans’ Latest Action Thriller Pulls No Punches](https://therollingtape.com/havoc-review-gareth-evans-latest-action-thriller-pulls-no-punches/) - Netflix hasn’t exactly had the greatest track record with their original titles, with The Electric State (2025), one of the most expensive films ever made, recently carrying universal disdain. It’s incredibly hard to believe CEO Ted Sarandos said that the streaming giant is “saving Hollywood.” Many Netflix Originals come and go with little acclaim or
- [EP 136: The Accountant 2 (2025)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-136-the-accountant-2-2025/) - In a sequel to Gavin O’Connor’s 2016 action thriller, The Accountant is back for tax season 2025 with The Accountant 2. Christian Wolff applies his brilliant mind and illegal methods to reconstruct the unsolved puzzle of a Treasury chief's murder. The film stars Ben Affleck, Jon Bernthal, Cynthia Addai-Robinson, J.K. Simmons, and Daniella Pineda. Listen
- [‘Taste the Revolution’ Premieres, Nearly 25 Years After Filming, at New Orleans Film Festival](https://therollingtape.com/taste-the-revolution-premieres-nearly-25-years-after-filming-at-new-orleans-film-festival/) - Over several days in 2001, swaths of would-be revolutionaries swarmed a borrowed estate in Utica, New York, to hold their first “World Summit” of KAOS (Killing the Apathy of Society). Though originally swayed by the charisma of their leader, Mac Laslow (Mahershala Ali), the swift shift from optimistic activism to combative antagonism occurs as the
- [*NOFF 2024* Recap: Southern Films and Filmmakers Highlight New Orleans-based Program](https://therollingtape.com/noff-2024-recap-southern-films-and-filmmakers-highlight-new-orleans-based-program/) - Last week, I attended the New Orleans Film Festival in person and virtually. While the Oscar-qualifying festival boasted some high-profile films that have circumnavigated the festival circuit — such as the triumphant feature Nickel Boys (2024) or the compelling documentary Rebel Nun (2024) — NOFF was also notable for its array of highlighted southern filmmakers,
- [Jason Bourne: A Franchise Identity Crisis   ](https://therollingtape.com/jason-bourne-a-franchise-identity-crisis/) - Back in 2002, The Bourne Identity arrived at an interesting time in the spy genre. Die Another Day, Pierce Brosnan’s fourth outing as James Bond, had come at a point when Agent 007 had lost its charm. In comes Jason Bourne, a much-needed, fresh take on the spy genre whose new ideas made it such
- [Live Commentary: The Accountant (2016)](https://therollingtape.com/live-commentary-the-accountant-2016/) - Heading into a review of the upcoming The Accountant 2, our team files their taxes with a live commentary of The Accountant, the 2016 action crime drama. As a math savant uncooks the books for a new client, the Treasury Department closes in on his activities, and the body count starts to rise. Listen Here:SpotifyApple
- [Top 10 “Dual Roles” in Movies](https://therollingtape.com/top-10-dual-roles-in-movies/) - Actors taking on dual roles in films is one of Hollywood's acting bedrocks, dating back to 1930! For the last 95 years, there have been more than a handful of iconic instances where one actor portrays multiple characters in a film. Now, in 2025, that tactic seems to be making a massive resurgence with the
- [Academy Adds Accountability to Voting Procedures](https://therollingtape.com/academy-adds-accountability-to-voting-procedures/) - On Monday, The Academy released that it will require voters to watch all nominated films before final voting. Members will be able to access final ballots after they confirm they watched all nominated films. Viewing will be monitored through The Academy’s members-only streaming platform. If members viewed the films at other events, such as festivals
- [From the Awards Editor: The Greatest Day of Anora's Life](https://therollingtape.com/from-the-awards-editor-the-greatest-day-of-anoras-life/) - It truly was the greatest night of their lives, as the entire cast and crew of Anora dominated the 97th Academy Awards with five Oscar wins in Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Film Editing (all of whom went to Sean Baker, tying Walt Disney as the recipient with the most Oscars won
- [Box Office Update: ' Sinners’ on the Offense and Fans on the Defense](https://therollingtape.com/box-office-update-sinners-on-the-offense-and-fans-on-the-defense/) - Ryan Coogler’s Sinners, as reported on Rotten Tomatoes, earned $48 M in its opening weekend, tagging on another $7.8 M this Monday, bringing it to $55.8 M domestically and $75.5M worldwide, according to Deadline. This strong debut puts the film among the biggest debuts of an original film post-pandemic. With a strong offense, fans are
- ['Sinners' Review: Music is the Beating Heart of Ryan Coogler’s Ambitious New Film](https://therollingtape.com/sinners-review-music-is-the-beating-heart-of-ryan-cooglers-ambitious-new-film/) - Ryan Coogler’s Sinners (2025) is an ambitious film that navigates race, history, power, desire, love, and survival. Oh, and it’s also a vampire film. But it is the binding force of music, specifically, blues music, that grounds the film and defines it at its very best. The film opens with a narration explaining certain musicians’
- [EP 135: Sinners (2025)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-135-sinners-2025/) - After discussing Ryan Coogler’s career through his first four feature films, we review Sinners: trying to leave their troubled lives behind, twin brothers return to their hometown to start again, only to discover that an even greater evil is waiting to welcome them back. Listen Here:SpotifyApple PodcastsAll Listening Platforms Chapter Timestamps: 0:00:00 Initial Thoughts 0:23:56
- [‘The Ugly Stepsister’ Review: This Twisted Classic Fairy Tale is Grotesque in All the Right Ways](https://therollingtape.com/the-ugly-stepsister-review-this-twisted-classic-fairy-tale-is-grotesque-in-all-the-right-ways/) - The famous fairy tale of Cinderella has been told in many incredibly distinct ways over many centuries, from Disney’s 1950 and 2015 reimaginings to the countless books that have been adapted from the story. But no Cinderella story has been told quite like Emilie Blichfeldt’s Norwegian horror film, The Ugly Stepsister (2025). The Ugly Stepsister
- [20 Years of Joe Wright's 'Pride & Prejudice:' An Encapsulation of All Facets of Love](https://therollingtape.com/20-years-of-joe-wrights-pride-prejudice-an-encapsulation-of-all-facets-of-love/) - It is hard to have lived your life without seeing a piece of media that has, in some way, been adapted or inspired by a Jane Austen novel. Without Austen's revolutionary influence, coming-of-age films like Frances Ha (2012), introspective narratives like Perfect Days (2023), and timeless classics like The Sound of Music (1965) would simply
- [Review: 'Warfare' is an Intense Experimentation of Unconventional Storytelling](https://therollingtape.com/review-warfare-is-an-intense-experimentation-of-unconventional-storytelling/) - Last year, Alex Garland’s Civil War received heavy criticism due to its lack of perspective in portraying a divided America engaged in a second civil war. The unspecified politics of its ethos in following photojournalists brought about Garland’s lack of understanding of America’s political strife. I found it hard to buy into those critiques since
- [The Rolling Remote: White Lotus (S3)](https://therollingtape.com/the-rolling-remote-white-lotus-s3/) - In the second episode of The Rolling Remote, a new podcast series dedicated to television coverage where we discuss week-to-week television events and Emmy’s awards season coverage, we’re discussing Season 3 of HBO’s The White Lotus written and directed by Mike White. The series is a social satire following the exploits of various guests and
- [‘The Last of Us’ - Season 2, Episode 1 Review: A Promising Start to a Pivotal Season](https://therollingtape.com/the-last-of-us-season-2-episode-1-review-a-promising-start-to-a-pivotal-season/) - HBO’s first season of The Last of Us (2023-) was a game-changer. It proved that if done right, video games can be an apt format to adapt to film and television after decades of failed attempts with countless properties. Not only was The Last of Us done right, but it became a prestige destination television
- [‘G20’ Review: Viola Davis’ ‘Die Hard’ Knockoff with Geopolitics](https://therollingtape.com/g20-review-viola-davis-die-hard-knockoff-with-geopolitics/) - I have always enjoyed inspired Die Hard knockoffs, which 2025 so far has been a year with two: G20 and Fight or Flight. Looking at the recently released G20, we follow President Sutton (Viola Davis) at the G20–a meeting of the world's biggest economies– who is hoping to gain support for her deal that aims
- [5 Sitcoms that Tackle Politics Without Preaching](https://therollingtape.com/5-sitcoms-that-tackle-politics-without-preaching/) - Let’s get straight into it. The world seems bleak right now, with political turmoil, economic struggle, shifting workplace priorities, and individual desperation about our collective future. And yet, we find ways to survive, thrive, and continue because life goes on, even after the credits roll. So, what do we do? We can’t shut our eyes
- [EP 134: Warfare (2025)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-134-warfare-2025/) - Almost exactly a year since the release of Civil War, Alex Garland returns with A24 to co-direct Warfare alongside Ray Mendoza. Warfare is described as follows: a platoon of Navy SEALs embark on a dangerous mission in Ramadi, Iraq, with the chaos and brotherhood of war retold through their memories of the event. The film
- [NEWS 038: 78th Cannes Film Festival Lineup Announcement](https://therollingtape.com/news-038-78th-cannes-film-festival-lineup-announcement/) - As the first step into a new season of potential award contenders, the Cannes Film Festival announced a partial lineup, with a majority of its in competition titles, for the 78th edition of the festival. The Cannes lineup gives us a glimpse into the pulse of global cinema and kickstarts the next awards season, and
- [Interview With 'Playland' (2023) Executive Producer, Emily Ruhl](https://therollingtape.com/interview-with-playland-2023-executive-producer-emily-ruhl/) - Emily Ruhl is a model, actress, producer, writer, and director who made her producing, directorial, and writing debut with Blue Moon in 2021. Emily also founded Public School Pictures, a production company with a nine picture slate to date. This led her to executive produce with Public School Pictures Georden West's feature film Playland, which
- [EP 104: Megalopolis (2024) ft. Ethan Simmie](https://therollingtape.com/ep-104-megalopolis-2024-ft-ethan-simmie/) - A 40-year development for one of the most prolific American film directors, Francis Ford Coppola’s $120 million self-financed Megalopolis has finally come to fruition. The story follows the city of New Rome in the main conflict between Cesar Catilina, a brilliant artist in favor of a utopian future, and the greedy mayor Franklyn Cicero. Between
- [The Awards Tape: Oscars Recap 2025 ft. Ethan Simmie](https://therollingtape.com/the-awards-tape-oscars-recap-2025-ft-ethan-simmie/) - In the final Awards Tape of the season, we recap the Oscars ceremony debriefing everything from our reactions to this year’s winners to Conan’s performance as the host to 5-minute 40-second speeches in the finale of a tumultuous awards season. Listen Here:SpotifyApple PodcastsAll Listening Platforms Follow our guest online:Ethan Simmie on Letterboxd, Instagram, X, The Movie Draft Podcast, 24 Minutes
- [EP 132: The Assessment (2025)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-132-the-assessment-2025/) - For a bonus review this weekend, we discuss a staff choice selection of The Assessment, where in the near future where parenthood is strictly controlled, a couple's seven-day assessment for the right to have a child unravels into a psychological nightmare. The film is Fleur Fortune’s directorial debut and stars Alicia Vikander, Elizabeth Olsen, and
- ['The White Lotus: Season 3' Review: The Yin-Yang of Brilliance and Boredom](https://therollingtape.com/the-white-lotus-season-3-review-the-yin-yang-of-brilliance-and-boredom/) - Major Spoilers Ahead. Late into the third installment of HBO staple The White Lotus (2021–Present), our dear, bereft Chelsea (Aimee Lou Wood) describes herself and her lover, Rick (Walton Goggins), as yin and yang. The comparison is straightforward but fitting enough: Chelsea acts as the soothing force to Rick’s impulsive anger. She loves him like
- [The Academy Announces ‘Stunt Design Oscar’ Category is Coming to Their 100th Show](https://therollingtape.com/the-academy-announces-stunt-design-oscar-category-is-coming-to-their-100th-show/) - Ladies and gentlemen, it finally happened. The Hollywood Reporter confirms today that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will establish a Stunt Design Oscar, which will start being presented at the 100th Academy Awards in 2028. Many academy members and film fans have been clamoring for something like this to happen for years,
- [The World of ‘John Wick’ Expands Further with Three New Movies Announced](https://therollingtape.com/the-world-of-john-wick-expands-further-with-three-new-movies-announced/) - Many questioned whether the current The Continental (2023) and From the World of John Wick: Ballerina (2025) spinoffs would be the only expansions we see from the John Wick franchise, but we have confirmation today that this is not the case. Deadline reports from CinemaCon that we are getting a spin-off focusing on Donnie Yen’s
- [Beatlesmania Returns in 2028](https://therollingtape.com/beatlesmania-returns-in-2028/) - In February of 2024, Sam Mendes announced that he would be telling the story of The Beatles, saying “I'm honored to be telling the story of the greatest rock band of all time, and excited to challenge the notion of what constitutes a trip to the movies.” Sunday night Mendes confirmed the rumored cast at
- ['The Amateur' Review: Rami Malek’s Promising Thriller That We Have Seen Before](https://therollingtape.com/the-amateur-review-rami-maleks-promising-thriller-that-we-have-seen-before/) - Rami Malek is back on our screens this April with The Amateur. The techno-spy thriller debuts in a year where the box office has not had many blockbuster draws. I saw the trailer in front of countless films, piquing my interest, but I was not sure how this film would play out in terms of
- [‘Drop’ Review: Blumhouse’s New Phone-centric Thriller is a Solid Pulse Pounder](https://therollingtape.com/drop-review-blumhouses-new-phone-centric-thriller-is-a-solid-pulse-pounder/) - The wave of recent Blumhouse original films over the past few years has had significantly more misses than hits. There's their recent smash cultural phenomenon M3GAN (2023), and the American remake of Speak No Evil (2024) was surprisingly pretty alright, but their duds — 2024’s Night Swim and Imaginary especially — miss the mark in
- [Cannes Unveils its 2025 Lineup](https://therollingtape.com/cannes-unveils-its-2025-lineup/) - Cannes delegate general Thierry Frémaux and President Iris Knobloch have officially announced the 78th Annual Cannes Film Festival film slate. The festival will take place from May 13th to the 24th. It was announced earlier that Christopher McQuarrie’s Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning (2025) will premiere at the festival, bringing Tom Cruise back to
- [What Possible China Ban on US Films Means for Hollywood and the World](https://therollingtape.com/what-possible-china-ban-on-us-films-means-for-hollywood-and-the-world/) - China is reportedly considering banning the import of US films as part of its countermeasures against US tariffs. The proposed ban comes as Hollywood gears up for major blockbuster releases that the ban will directly impact. Beyond the economic impact, a ban may also demonstrate China’s confidence in a ploy for global hegemon status. Hollywood’s
- [RETROSPECTIVE 020: Ryan Coogler](https://therollingtape.com/retrospective-020-ryan-coogler/) - Before our review of Sinners, we take a look back through the small but mighty career of Ryan Coogler through his four feature films, Fruitvale Station, Creed, Black Panther, and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. After swapping release dates with Mickey 17, Sinners will be in wide release next week and we will discuss a preview
- [NEWS 037: Cinema Con 2025](https://therollingtape.com/news-037-cinema-con-2025/) - This past week we had one of the biggest events of the film industry’s news cycle in Cinema Con, the world’s largest gathering for the motion picture theater industry featuring major studios sharing their slate with theater owners for the rest of the year and beyond. We’ll discuss the panels and various announcements from the
- [EP 133: A Minecraft Movie (2025)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-133-a-minecraft-movie-2025/) - For our main review this week, we are covering the adaptation based on the world famous 2011 sandbox game Minecraft, A Minecraft Movie. Four misfits are suddenly pulled through a mysterious portal into a bizarre, cubic wonderland that thrives on imagination. To get back home, they'll have to master this world while embarking on a
- ['Adolescence' Review: Britain’s Latest Miniseries Sparks Conversations but Misses Target Audience](https://therollingtape.com/adolescence-review-britains-newest-miniseries-sparks-conversations-but-misses-target-audience/) - When you walk into work on a Monday morning and pass coworkers, hearing their thoughts and debates on the latest series they binged over the weekend, it is a clear sign of success for the show creators. Netflix's original limited series Adolescence (2025) is the newest show that’s caught everyone’s attention, with British ratings body
- [Ladies Night 007](https://therollingtape.com/ladies-night-007/) - This week the Ladies celebrate one year of the series and Women’s History Month. The finish up their Oscars 2025 discussion and begin new debates on tester audiences and the ‘women in male roles’ trend. Listen Here:SpotifyApple PodcastsAll Listening PlatformsFollow our team online:Sara Ciplickas on Letterboxd, Instagram, and XSasha Raquel on Letterboxd, Instagram, and YouTubeNeha Jha on Instagram, and XAnjani Chaha on Instagram, and X
- [The Rolling Roulette: Matt Minton & Sara Ciplickas (New Year Noir)](https://therollingtape.com/the-rolling-roulette-matt-minton-sara-ciplickas-new-year-noir/) - The Rolling Roulette is a brand-new podcast series from The Rolling Tape! Each month, fate takes the wheel as our team members are randomly paired together to exchange film recommendations based on a central theme. For the month of January, the theme was "New-Year Noir." Matt Minton and Sara Ciplickas discuss Gilda and Notorious. Listen Here:SpotifyApple
- [‘The Wedding Banquet’ Review: Andrew Ahn’s Tender Ode to Chosen Family](https://therollingtape.com/the-wedding-banquet-review-andrew-ahns-tender-ode-to-chosen-family/) - Very rarely does a remake seem warranted in today’s industry landscape. However, the world is far different for the LGBTQ+ community than it was when Ang Lee’s The Wedding Banquet came out in 1993. It might seem foolish to try and remake a beloved comedy, but because writer-director Andrew Ahn shifts the story forward into
- [Lionsgate Releases the First Trailer for the Second Hunger Games Prequel Film](https://therollingtape.com/lionsgate-releases-the-first-trailer-for-the-second-hunger-games-prequel-film/) - After a decade-long hiatus, the world of Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games made its glorious return in 2020 with the prequel The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, promising more on the way. In true Hollywood fashion, a film adaptation starring Rachel Zegler, Tom Blyth, Hunter Schaefer, and Viola Davis was released back in 2023 to
- [The Rolling Remote: Severance (S2)](https://therollingtape.com/the-rolling-remote-severance-s2/) - In the inaugural episode a The Rolling Tape’s newest series, we present The Rolling Remote–a podcast series dedicated to television coverage where we discuss week-to-week television events and will eventually entertain Emmy’s awards season coverage. For our first episode, we discuss season 2 of Severance, the hit Apple TV+ psychological thriller. The show is described
- [Queer’ Review: A Somber Meditation on Identity and Connection](https://therollingtape.com/queer-review-a-somber-meditation-on-identity-and-connection/) - Luca Guadagnino’s Queer (2024) begins with the main character, Lee (Daniel Craig), speaking directly to the audience as he states, “You’re not queer.” These past three months since the film’s release in theaters, I have not stopped thinking about this opening. Following its release on Max, I finally allowed myself to ponder why. What is
- ['Coyote Vs. Acme' Officially Sells to Ketchup Entertainment](https://therollingtape.com/coyote-vs-acme-officially-sells-to-ketchup-entertainment/) - Fans of Looney Tunes and movies alike can rest knowing the embattled Coyote Vs. Acme (2026) has been saved. Deadline reported today that Ketchup Entertainment finalized their deal with Warner Brothers for worldwide distribution rights for the film to around $50 million with a 2026 release date. The live-action/animated hybrid has had a long and
- [‘Holland’ Review: Mimi Cave’s Tulip-Infused Sophomore Effort Wilts Under Baffling Mystery](https://therollingtape.com/holland-review-mimi-caves-tulip-infused-sophomore-effort-wilts-under-baffling-mystery/) - Mimi Cave burst onto the scene with her buzzy debut Fresh (2022). The chilling horror film from Hulu, starring Daisy Edgar-Jones and Sebastian Stan, was the second-most-watched film the week of its release and heralded the arrival of a promising new directorial voice. When the announcement came that Cave’s follow-up would star Nicole Kidman, Holland
- [She’s Just The Girl You Want: Tank Girl Turns 30](https://therollingtape.com/shes-just-the-girl-you-want-tank-girl-turns-30/) - Who knew Furiosa had a cool older sister? Thirty years ago, the world was graced with one of the most ambitious low-budget action films of the time. Based on Alan Martin and Jamie Hewlett’s comic series, Tank Girl (1995) is a wacky post-apocalyptic action-comedy set in Australia, as the remaining survivors of humanity fight against
- [EP 131: Death of a Unicorn (2025)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-131-death-of-a-unicorn-2025/) - This week we’re reviewing A24’s latest, Death of a Unicorn directed by Alex Scharfman. Premiering earlier this year at SXSW, father-Daughter duo Elliott and Ridley hit a unicorn with their car and bring it to the wilderness retreat of a mega-wealthy pharmaceutical CEO. The film stars Jenna Ortega, Paul Rudd, Anthony Carrigan, Richard E. Grant,
- ['Severance' Season 2 SPOILER Review: Love is Survival in This Year’s Best Show](https://therollingtape.com/severance-season-2-spoiler-review-love-is-survival-in-this-years-best-show/) - Here’s the thing — I won’t delay my thoughts on Severance (2022–Present) with some funny, devastating, or intriguing scene from the show to capture your interest. I won’t waste your time here. You’re already interested, and maybe you already know what I’m going to say. Severance’s second season is impeccable. It’s better than I imagined
- [The Rolling Roulette: Landon Defever & Cameron Ritter (New Year Noir)](https://therollingtape.com/the-rolling-roulette-landon-defever-cameron-ritter-new-year-noir/) - The Rolling Roulette is a brand-new podcast series from The Rolling Tape! Each month, fate takes the wheel as our team members are randomly paired together to exchange film recommendations based on a central theme. For the month of January, the theme was "New-Year Noir." Landon Defever and Cameron Ritter discuss Brick and One False Move.
- ['Sister Midnight' Review: Karan Kandhari Delivers a Film to Sink Your Teeth Into](https://therollingtape.com/sister-midnight-review-karan-kandhari-delivers-a-film-to-sink-your-teeth-into/) - Over the last few years, there has been a surge of films centered around strong-minded, complex female characters set in India receiving critical acclaim and widespread admiration. Laapataa Ladies (2023), Santosh (2024), and All We Imagine As Light (2024) are just a few examples. While it has gotten better over time, India still struggles with
- [Review: Disney Once Again Fails to Recreate Magic  with 'Snow White'](https://therollingtape.com/review-disney-once-again-fails-to-recreate-magic-with-snow-white/) - In Disney’s new-found tradition of yanking iconic animated characters out of the vault and regurgitating them as live-action features, Snow White is the seventh Disney Princess to reenter the theaters. Adapted from Walt Disney’s first animated feature film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the studio arguably faced its biggest challenge yet by reimaging one
- [Review: Seth Rogen Lovingly Lampoons the Hollywood System in ‘The Studio’](https://therollingtape.com/review-seth-rogen-lovingly-lampoons-the-hollywood-system-in-the-studio/) - Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg’s creative partnership ages like the finest of wines. Since bursting onto the scene with Superbad (2007), the two delivered a wide array of raucous and raunchy comedies that embrace the ever-evolving culture. While they actively seek to push buttons, they also understand that comedy changes with the times. In fact,
- [EP 130: Snow White (2025)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-130-snow-white-2025/) - After our retrospective discussing Disney live-action remakes, we review Disney’s latest bringing the classic fairytale of Snow White back to the screen. A princess joins forces with seven dwarfs to liberate her kingdom from her cruel stepmother the Evil Queen. A live-action adaptation of the 1937 Disney animated film "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.”
- [‘Opus’ Review: A24 Cult Horror Without A God to Follow](https://therollingtape.com/opus-review-a24-cult-horror-without-a-god-to-follow/) - Midway through the film Opus (2025), directed by Mark Anthony Green, Ariel Acton (Ayo Edebiri) asks the 90s pop legendy Alfred Moretti (John Malkovich) something to the effect of, “What’s the point of all of this?” In the scene before, Ariel and Alfred had watched a man in indigo-blue clothing shuck oysters in a flame-colored
- [The Most Magical Live-Action Disney Princess Remakes](https://therollingtape.com/the-most-magical-live-action-disney-princess-remakes/) - Everyone has one special Disney animated feature film that reinvigorates the child-like wonder into their lives, remembering precisely where they were watching it for the first time and how it made them feel. Often these become special and formative experiences of growing up, finding parts of ourselves within these worlds. Upon rewatch, it brings them
- [‘Ash’ Review: Flying Lotus’ Debut Feature Amounts to a Visually Arresting, Narratively Congesting Sci-Fi Descent into Hell](https://therollingtape.com/ash-review-flying-lotus-debut-feature-amounts-to-a-visually-arresting-narratively-congesting-sci-fi-descent-into-hell/) - The musician-to-film director pipeline is prevalent in the entertainment industry, spanning generations and perspectives. Figures primarily known for their music, such as Prince, Questlove, and Ice Cube, have made the jump to directing shorts, documentaries, and feature films, all with their own stories to tell. Fresh off its premiere out of SXSW this past weekend,
- [Review: 'The Electric State' is a Dire Warning for the State of Cinema](https://therollingtape.com/review-the-electric-state-is-a-dire-warning-for-the-state-of-cinema/) - After the box office success of Avengers: Endgame in 2019, The Russo Brothers were on top of the world. They reaped billions of dollars, galvanized the last form of movie monoculture before COVID shuttered movie theaters, and achieved the decade-long plan of Marvel’s three-phase strategy. At the same time, Martin Scorsese made comments that compared
- [RETROSPECTIVE 019: Disney Live-Action Remakes](https://therollingtape.com/retrospective-019-disney-live-action-remakes/) - Before our review of Snow White, we look back through the live-action remakes of Disney classics. From Cinderella to The Little Mermaid, Disney has continued to bring their animated classics to new audiences through live-action and photorealistic techniques. Although not always warmly received, the films garner significant box office and cultural attention. Snow White is
- [‘Black Bag’ Review: The Hardest Working Director in Hollywood’s Best Film in Years](https://therollingtape.com/black-bag-review-the-hardest-working-director-in-hollywoods-best-film-in-years/) - I can’t tell you what a joy it is to be blessed with two (2) Steven Soderbergh films in the first quarter of 2025. He kicked off the year with his experimental horror film Presence and is already back with the best film of the year so far in Black Bag. The film follows married
- [EP 129: Opus (2025)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-129-opus-2025/) - In a weekend jam-packed with new releases, our team selected Opus directed by Mark Anthony Green. A writer travels to the compound of a pop icon who disappeared years ago. Surrounded by his cult of sycophants, as well as a group of fellow journalists, she soon discovers his twisted plans for the gathering. The film
- [*Slamdance 2025* ‘Banr’ Review: Mortality and Memory Intertwined](https://therollingtape.com/slamdance-2025-banr-review-mortality-and-memory-intertwined/) - Dementia and Alzheimer’s are often referenced as some of the most challenging conditions on both the person with the condition themselves and their family. Trying to navigate through the often rapid declines, as both the person with dementia and as the caretaker/family, is difficult. Banr, the directorial debut from Erica Xia-Hou, follows a family trying
- [Unpacking Hollywood’s Obsession with the Irish](https://therollingtape.com/unpacking-hollywoods-obsession-with-the-irish/) - Ireland is having its moment. Some of Hollywood’s current top A-listers hail from the small nation of around five million. Whether it’s Andrew Scott on Broadway, Colin Farrell on your television, or Saoirse Ronan on the big screen, it is almost impossible to not catch wind of an Irish celebrity in our current pop culture
- [‘The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie’ Review: A Dream Come True for Fans of the Toons](https://therollingtape.com/the-day-the-earth-blew-up-a-looney-tunes-movie-review-a-dream-come-true-for-fans-of-the-toons/) - As a lifelong fan of Looney Tunes, I’ve found the ways Warner Brothers has been treating its iconic characters as of late disheartening, to say the least. Since the company merged with Discovery to become Warner Brothers Discovery (WBD) in 2022, CEO David Zaslav has shelved several high-profile projects to obtain tax write-offs that would
- ['Mickey 17' Review: Bong Joon-ho Elevates Sci-Fi Novel to New Heights of Absurdity ](https://therollingtape.com/mickey-17-review-bong-joon-ho-elevates-sci-fi-novel-to-new-heights-of-absurdity/) - Our society has deemed knowledge as one of the most powerful commodities. An obsessive nature is associated with unravelling the unknown, where individuals in positions of high authority exploit their seemingly unlimited resources in this pursuit. No-one can deny the importance of seeking out knowledge. It has allowed for the continual progression of civilization and
- [EP 128: Mickey 17 (2025)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-128-mickey-17-2025/) - In Bong Joon-ho’s first film since the Best Picture-winning Parasite, he returns to science fiction by adapting the novel Mickey7 by Edward Ashton. Robert Pattinson stars as an "expendable" - a disposable crew member on a space mission, selected for dangerous tasks because he can be renewed if his body dies, with his memories largely
- [10 Must-Watch Movies to Celebrate Women’s History Month](https://therollingtape.com/10-must-watch-movies-to-celebrate-womens-history-month/) - What are movies without women? This question might elicit some sexist answers. For decades, female characters have been limited to romantic interests, jealous girlfriends, and crazy women proclaiming their love for a man who couldn’t care less but was still the “hero of her heart” or the quintessential “knight in shining armor.” Women in films
- [Live Commentary: Okja (2017)](https://therollingtape.com/live-commentary-okja-2017/) - Alongside our review of Bong Joon Ho's latest film, Mickey 17, we take a look back to his last English-language film, Okja, and discuss a live commentary of the film. A young girl risks everything to prevent a powerful, multinational company from kidnapping her best friend - a fascinating beast named Okja. Listen Here:SpotifyApple PodcastsAll
- [*CIFF 2024* ‘Eephus’ Review: Muted Baseball Dramedy About the Pitfalls of Aging Knocks it Out of the Park](https://therollingtape.com/ciff-2024-eephus-review-muted-baseball-dramedy-about-the-pitfalls-of-aging-knocks-it-out-of-the-park/) - Baseball is one of those things that means the world to you or doesn’t, with little in-between. For a long time growing up, I was the latter. Part of it came from not having a sports fan for a father and my hobbies leaning more towards media, but the concept of getting lost in watching
- [Looking Back At ‘Red Riding Hood’: Beware The Wolf…And Twilight Knockoffs](https://therollingtape.com/looking-back-at-red-riding-hood-beware-the-wolfand-twilight-knockoffs/) - Who doesn’t love a bit of a YA love triangle now and then? In March of 2011, Catherine Hardwicke of Twilight (2008) success would fizzle out with the release of Red Riding Hood, based on the Grimm fairytale of the same name. Starring Amanda Seyfried and Gary Oldman, the film explores a young woman and
- [Bong Joon-ho, Ranked](https://therollingtape.com/bong-joon-ho-ranked/) - At long last, Academy Award-winner Bong Joon-ho returns to the big screen after cleaning up at the 92nd Academy Awards. Known for his abrupt tonal shifts, Bong Joon-ho is a director that cannot be boxed in by a genre. He’s touched everything from dark comedy, crime thriller, monster movie, etc, while infusing his works with
- [*International Feature Film Festival* 'Mvera' Review: Kenya’s Feminist Look into the Horrors of Modern-Day Slavery](https://therollingtape.com/international-feature-film-festival-mvera-review-kenyas-feminist-look-into-the-horrors-of-modern-day-slavery/) - Kenya’s first submission to the Academy Awards was fairly recent. In 2012, they submitted Nairobi Half Life (2012) for the 85th ceremony. Since then, the Kenyan film industry continues to experience significant growth in independent films that exist outside of a typical Hollywood lens. Mvera (2023), the nation’s eighth submission to the Oscars, is evident
- [My Favorite Short Films from Slamdance](https://therollingtape.com/my-favorite-short-films-from-slamdance/) - In February I had the opportunity to digitally cover Slamdance Film Festival, which features emerging artists in a week-long Oscars qualifying festival in Los Angeles. Since my team and I have experience reviewing feature length films, I challenged myself to watch most of the short films submitted. Almost like reading a book of poems, the
- [NEWS 036: Slamdance 2025 Recap](https://therollingtape.com/news-036-slamdance-2025-recap/) - Established by filmmakers who wanted to showcase the unfiltered voice of independent artists, Slamdance is an ongoing experiment that features emerging artists in a week-long Oscars qualifying festival now held in Los Angeles. Our team had the opportunity to cover the festival and see many of the films hosted in this year’s selection. Listen Here:SpotifyApple
- [RETROSPECTIVE 018: Bong Joon-Ho](https://therollingtape.com/retrospective-018-bong-joon-ho/) - Before our review of Mickey 17, we’re looking back through the filmography of Bong Joon Ho, a South Korean filmmaker who has defined his career by blending genres and inciting sharp social commentary. From his earlier Korean works such as the mystery procedural of Memories of Murder to the monster spectacle of The Host, all
- [EP 127: Ne Zha 2 ft. Larry Fried](https://therollingtape.com/ep-127-ne-zha-2-ft-larry-fried/) - After shattering global box office records including the highest-grossing animated film of all time and top 10 grossing films of all time, we’re taking a look at Chinese blockbuster, Ne Zha 2. The sequel is described as follows, after the catastrophe, although the souls of Nezha and Aobing were saved, their bodies would soon be
- [*SLAMDANCE 2025* Interview With 'Memories of Love Returned' (2025) Writer/Director, Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine](https://therollingtape.com/slamdance-2025-interview-with-memories-of-love-returned-2025-writer-director-ntare-guma-mbaho-mwine/) - At Slamdance Film Festival, Red Broadwell interviews writer/director, Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine, of Memories of Love Returned. On April 24th, 2002, Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine’s car broke down in the small town of Mbirizi, Uganda. While waiting for the car's repair he stumbled upon a photo studio and met photographer Kibaate Aloysius Ssalongo, whose work
- [Final Oscar Predictions 2025](https://therollingtape.com/final-oscar-predictions/) - Final Oscar Predictions 2025 Award Wars 2025CategoryDanny JarabekLandon DefeverOwen WilczekTate FowlerAdam PatlaSara CiplickasPaulGabe LillianthalKam RyanBryan SudfieldCameron RitterMatt MintonLive Action Short FilmA LienThe Man Who Could Not Remain SilentA LienA LienA LienA LienA LienA LienA LienA LienA LienA LienAnimated Short FilmYuck!Wander to WonderWander to WonderWander to WonderWander to WonderWander to WonderWander to WonderYuck!In the Shadows of
- [*International Feature Film Festival* 'Los últimos' Review: Introspective Climate Documentary Charts Wildfire Damage in Paraguay](https://therollingtape.com/international-feature-film-festival-los-ultimos-review-introspective-climate-documentary-charts-wildfire-damage-in-paraguay/) - Los últimos (2023), or The Last, directed by Sebastian Peña Escobar, frequently returns to the visual motif of a neon-green bug screen. Attracted by the bright, tempting light, the moths and other diminutive many-winged creatures land on an expansive sheath of translucent fabric, and sometimes they crowd so densely, the net disappears. They vary in
- [2025 Best Picture Nominees Ranked](https://therollingtape.com/2025-best-picture-nominees-ranked/) - The Oscars are just a few days away, and this awards season has been full of twists and turns. This Best Picture race, and the awards season in general, will certainly go down as one of the most chaotic in recent memory. The Oscars are a culmination of world cinema throughout the year, and this
- [‘The Unbreakable Boy’ Review: Faith-Based Feel-Good Autism Biopic on an Entirely Different Wavelength from Reality](https://therollingtape.com/the-unbreakable-boy-review-faith-based-feel-good-autism-biopic-on-an-entirely-different-wavelength-from-reality/) - To understand Jon Gunn’s The Unbreakable Boy (2025), it’s important to know its history. Filmed during the COVID-19 pandemic, the biographical drama was originally set for release in early 2022. However, the film was delayed several times until finally releasing this past Friday. No one knows why The Unbreakable Boy was delayed for so long
- [The Awards Tape: Oscars Model ft. Cole Curtiss-Fuentes & Mitchell Curtiss](https://therollingtape.com/the-awards-tape-oscars-model-ft-cole-curtiss-fuentes-mitchell-curtiss/) - In an appendix to our final Oscar predictions episode, we simply can’t stay away from awards season conversations, and as such, are adding one more conversation before the ceremony on March 2. We are bringing back a pair of guests to discuss the Oscars Model, an algorithmic mathematical model that attempts to predict the Oscars.
- [Best Actor Winners of the 2020s Ranked](https://therollingtape.com/best-actor-winners-of-the-2020s-ranked/) - For our final rankings of the Academy Award acting categories across the 2020s, we arrive at Best Actor in a Leading Role. The Best Actor Award has been presented 97 times to 86 actors across the Academy Awards history. The 2020s wins have been laced with upsets, snubs, and long-awaited victories. As we await to
- [EP 126: The Monkey (2025)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-126-the-monkey-2025/) - Following up last years viral sensation with Longlegs, Osgood Perkins is back with The Monkey, a horror comedy based on a short story by Stephen King. When twin brothers Bill and Hal find their father's old monkey toy in the attic, a series of gruesome deaths start. The siblings decide to throw the toy away
- [My Top 10 Movies About Movies](https://therollingtape.com/my-top-10-movies-about-movies/) - Award season will come to a close with the 97th Annual Academy Awards on March 2, the biggest celebration of the film industry. What better way to honor the celebration than by diving into films about the laughter, love, and tears that go into making films? Without further ado, here are my Top Ten Movies
- [*International Feature Film Festival* ‘Supermarket’ Review: A Glittering and Unnerving Oscar Bid from Montenegro](https://therollingtape.com/international-feature-film-festival-supermarket-review-a-glittering-and-unnerving-oscar-bid-from-montenegro/) - It is a truth universally acknowledged that locations with a closing time are intriguing for what happens after the lights go off. These liminal spaces—shuttered in darkness, empty of patrons, silent as a grave—compel our interest because of their inaccessibility, tempting our desire to know what occurs while no one is looking. The unassuming doll
- [*International Feature Film Festival* ‘Bad Living’ Review: Portugal’s Quiet Revolutionary Soap Opera](https://therollingtape.com/international-feature-film-festival-bad-living-review-portugals-quiet-revolutionary-soap-opera/) - I had never seen a Portuguese film before I watched Bad Living (2023). The country nestled next to Spain on the Iberian peninsula is one whose culture and arts I had not had the privilege of knowing. Ironically, my journey into the country’s film industry comes right after the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) “The
- [‘The Monkey’ Review: Osgood Perkins’ Most Violent Film Is Also His Most Absurd](https://therollingtape.com/the-monkey-review-osgood-perkins-most-violent-film-is-also-his-most-absurd/) - Existentialism is more evident in film than ever given the current societal shifts. In recent and upcoming films, there are common themes about life, death, and our place in the world concerning issues big and small. As humans, we are constantly looking for answers to life’s big, unanswered questions. According to Osgood Perkins, a film
- [*International Feature Film Festival* ‘Memory Lane’ Review: The Netherlands’ Endearing and Irritating Look at the Reality of Aging](https://therollingtape.com/international-film-festival-memory-lane-review-the-netherlands-endearing-and-irritating-look-at-the-reality-of-aging/) - The power of international filmmaking, like all cinema, is the power of perspective and the opportunity to learn about foreign cultures. In 2024 alone, audiences learned about the forced disappearance of Brazilian politician Rubens Paiva (I’m Still Here), a story of paranoia amid political unrest in Iran (The Seed of the Sacred Fig), and a
- [Live Commentary: 31st Screen Actors Guild Awards (2025)](https://therollingtape.com/live-commentary-31st-screen-actors-guild-awards-2025/) - We react live to the 2025 SAG Awards just hours after our final Oscar predictions episode where many of our predictions were dependent on the results we received in this ceremony. One of the last major steps before the Oscars, we now have our SAG winners! Listen Here:SpotifyApple PodcastsAll Listening PlatformsFollow our team online:Danny Jarabek Website, Letterboxd, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok,
- ['I'm Still Here' Review: Walter Salles Navigates the Challenge of Redefining Yourself](https://therollingtape.com/im-still-here-review-walter-salles-navigates-the-challenge-of-redefining-yourself/) - "New year, new me" - an overtly optimistic phrase everyone has heard at least once. It is rooted in the concept of reinvention, specifically the control an individual has to change their life for the better. Whether it be exercising more, meeting new people, or starting that diet you've been putting off for a while,
- [The Awards Tape: Final Oscar Predictions 2025](https://therollingtape.com/the-awards-tape-final-oscar-predictions-2025/) - With one week to go before the 97th Academy Awards, cast our final predictions pre-SAG for all 23 categories. After a long and tumultuous awards season, we are at the last hurdle before the ceremony on the evening of March 2. Listen Here:SpotifyApple PodcastsAll Listening Platforms Follow our team online:Danny Jarabek Website, Letterboxd, Instagram, Bluesky, X, TikTok, and LinktreePaul Rai on Letterboxd, Instagram, and XAdam
- [The Rolling Roulette: Red Broadwell & Nandita Joshi (New Year Noir)](https://therollingtape.com/the-rolling-roulette-red-broadwell-nandita-joshi-new-year-noir/) - The Rolling Roulette is a brand-new podcast series from The Rolling Tape! Each month, fate takes the wheel as our team members are randomly paired together to exchange film recommendations based on a central theme. For the month of January, the theme is "New-Year Noir." Red Broadwell and Nandita Joshi discuss After Hours and Double Indemnity.
- [*SLAMDANCE 2025* Interview With 'Stolen Kingdom' (2025) Writer/Directors, Joshua Bailey](https://therollingtape.com/slamdance-2025-interview-with-stolen-kingdom-2025-writer-directors-joshua-bailey/) - Landon Defever speaks with Stolen Kingdom writer/director Joshua Bailey on his background and connection to the Disney universe and how it brought him to documenting its hidden stories. Stolen Kingdom is a documentary that delves into the history of mischief, scandal, and theft at Walt Disney World, ultimately leading to the theft of an animatronic
- [‘Zero Day’ Review: De Niro’s Mini-Series Gets Muddied in the Waters of Well-Intentioned Calls to Action](https://therollingtape.com/zero-day-review-de-niros-mini-series-gets-muddied-in-the-waters-of-well-intentioned-calls-to-action/) - If there is any indication of what films or shows to expect during Trump 2.0, Zero Day is a strong starting point. A month into President Trump’s second term, Netflix’s mini-series starring Robert De Niro makes nothing but obvious remarks regarding the status of the current political and social climate. Despite its stumble to find
- [Marvel’s Politics of Apathy: There’s Nothing Brave to 'Captain America: Brave New World'](https://therollingtape.com/marvels-politics-of-apathy-theres-nothing-brave-to-captain-america-brave-new-world/) - At the beginning of Captain America: Brave New World (2025), Harrison Ford’s Thaddeus Ross stands before a crowd to celebrate his election victory. On stage, Ross bolsters hope for a new era in America; behind him, the word “Together” looms large on a screen. Ross is an ex-general previously seen in the MCU hunting down
- [EP 125: Captain America: Brave New World (2025)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-125-captain-america-brave-new-world-2025/) - Captain America: Brave New World marks Sam Wilson’s first solo film as the new Captain America, ushering in a new era for the character and the MCU. Sam Wilson, the new Captain America, finds himself in the middle of an international incident and must discover the motive behind a nefarious global plan. Listen Here:SpotifyApple PodcastsAll
- [How Badly Did ‘The Duff’ Age?](https://therollingtape.com/how-badly-did-the-duff-age/) - Often, it seems that the high school comedy has become overshadowed by social media, the primary entertainment for teenagers. By 2015, most teenagers scrolled Instagram instead of going to the movies with friends. Fortunately for us, the high school comedy would try and fail to make a comeback with The DUFF (2015), now celebrating its
- [Best Actress Winners of the 2020s Ranked](https://therollingtape.com/best-actress-winners-of-the-2020s-ranked/) - Continuing with our rankings of the acting categories throughout the 2020s, we turn our attention to Best Actress in a Leading Role. Historically, the category is quite competitive, leaving pundits and fans guessing until awards night. The 2020s (so far) provide a mixture of actresses receiving their long-awaited due and powerhouses going for a victory
- [3rd Annual TRT Awards](https://therollingtape.com/3rd-annual-trt-awards/)
- [EP 124: Paddington in Peru (2025) ft. Jonathan Fujii](https://therollingtape.com/ep-124-paddington-in-peru-2025-ft-jonathan-fujii/) - For the third entry into the lovable world of Paddington bear and the Brown family, Paddington returns to Peru to visit his beloved Aunt Lucy, who now resides at the Home for Retired Bears. With the Brown family in tow, a thrilling adventure ensues when a mystery plunges them into an unexpected journey. The film
- [Live Commentary: 13 Going on 30 (2004)](https://therollingtape.com/live-commentary-13-going-on-30-2004-2/) - To celebrate Valentine's Day here at The Rolling Tape, we host a watchalong of a classic rom-com with 13 Going on 30. Unpopular schoolgirl Jenna Rink makes an unusual wish on her birthday. Miraculously, her wish comes true and the 13-year-old Jenna wakes up the next day as a 30-year-old woman. Listen Here:SpotifyApple PodcastsAll Listening
- [The Meaning of Love is in the 'Jackass' Franchise](https://therollingtape.com/the-meaning-of-love-is-in-the-jackass-franchise/) - The phrase “you find love in the most unexpected places” is perhaps cheesy and overwrought, but there’s a kernel of truth there. Love exists beyond just romance. Sometimes love, through witness or experience, comes into our lives with no preamble and changes our understanding of what it is and what forms it can take. And
- [RETROSPECTIVE 017: Captain America & The Avengers](https://therollingtape.com/retrospective-017-captain-america-the-avengers/) - Before our review of Captain America: Brave New World, we’re looking back through the legacy of the superhero previously as Steve Rogers played by Chris Evans and now helmed by Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson. We discuss the MCU films relevant to the journey of the Captain America figure including the character’s standalone films and
- [EP 123: Love Hurts (2025)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-123-love-hurts-2025/) - It’s Valentine’s Day week and love is in the air for Jonathan Eusebio’s martial arts action comedy Love Hurts starring Ke Huy Quan, Ariana DeBose, and Mustafa Shakir. The film is described as follows: a realtor is pulled back into the life he left behind after his former partner-in-crime resurfaces with an ominous message. With
- [The Rolling Roulette: Bryan Sudfield & Evan Miller (New Year Noir)](https://therollingtape.com/the-rolling-roulette-bryan-sudfield-evan-miller-new-year-noir/) - The Rolling Roulette is a brand-new podcast series from The Rolling Tape! Each month, fate takes the wheel as our team members are randomly paired together to exchange film recommendations based on a central theme. For the month of January, the theme is "New-Year Noir." Bryan Sudfield and Evan Miller kick off the series discussing The
- [NEWS 035: Sundance 2025 Recap](https://therollingtape.com/news-035-sundance-2025-recap/) - Sundance is the first major festival of the calendar year featuring the largest collection of independent films in the United States. We’ll be recapping the Park City, Utah 2025 edition with one of our team members who was on the ground and in the cold. Listen Here:SpotifyApple PodcastsAll Listening PlatformsFollow our team online:Danny Jarabek Website, Letterboxd, Instagram, Bluesky, X, TikTok,
- ['The Newsreader' Final Season Review: A Missed Opportunity for a Newsworthy Ending](https://therollingtape.com/the-newsreader-final-season-review-a-missed-opportunity-for-a-newsworthy-ending/) - We need to talk about The Newsreader (2021-2025). The Australian television series set in the cutthroat world of television news in the 1980s has consistently delivered complex characters, witty dialogue, and high-paced tension since its release in 2021. It captures the high-comedy drama shows like Succession mastered while also mixing in one of my favorite
- [‘No Other Land’ Review: An Essential Partnership Delivers One of the Decade’s Best Documentaries](https://therollingtape.com/no-other-land-review-an-essential-partnership-delivers-one-of-the-decades-best-documentaries/) - “Tragedy cannot be the end of our lives. We cannot allow it to control and defeat us.” - Izzeldin Abuelaish, I Shall Not Hate: A Gaza Doctor’s Journey on the Road to Peace and Human Dignity No Other Land (2024) marks a pivotal moment in documentary filmmaking–a movie of the moment that perfectly encapsulates the
- [SUNDANCE 2025: Rohan Kanawade Removes the Thorns from ‘Cactus Pears’ in Tender Debut](https://therollingtape.com/sundance-2025-rohan-kanawade-removes-the-thorns-from-cactus-pears-in-tender-debut/) - About halfway through Cactus Pears (2025), Anand (Bhushaan Manoj) eats a cactus pear gifted to him by Balya (Suraaj Suman). One of his relatives warns him to watch for thorns before enjoying, but Anand marvels that Balya took the time to pluck all the thorns out for him. This seemingly small gesture perfectly encapsulates the
- [India’s Oscar Dilemma: Why India’s Best Films Struggle for Oscar Glory](https://therollingtape.com/indias-oscar-dilemma-why-indias-best-films-struggle-for-oscar-glory/) - This year, India waited with bated breath for an Oscar nomination but it eluded the country again. Two women-led, women-directed, and women-oriented Indian films–Payal Kapadia’s All We Imagine As Light (AWIAL) and Kiran Rao’s Laapata Ladies–did not make it to the 97th Academy Awards despite rave reviews, positive word-of-mouth from critics and audiences alike, and
- [5 Underrated Upcoming Releases to Add to Your 2025 Watchlist](https://therollingtape.com/5-underrated-upcoming-releases-to-add-to-your-2025-watchlist/) - New year, new movies to look forward to! 2025 promises to be a jam-packed year for film. Audiences will meet a new Clarke Kent, return to Pandora, say goodbye to Ethan Hunt, and fly back to Oz this fall. This does not even count the upcoming releases from beloved auteurs such as Paul Thomas Anderson’s
- [Ladies Night 006](https://therollingtape.com/ladies-night-006/) - In their first discussion of 2025, the Ladies speed run through various 2024 awards contenders giving their thoughts on gender at the Oscars, how international films are presented, and why Emilia Perez just doesn’t work. Listen Here:SpotifyApple PodcastsAll Listening PlatformsFollow our team online:Sara Ciplickas on Letterboxd, Instagram, and XSasha Raquel on Letterboxd, Instagram, and YouTubeNeha Jha on Instagram, and X Have questions? Email
- [Speed Run Reviews of A Complete Unknown (2024), A Different Man (2024), Babygirl (2024) & Queer (2024)](https://therollingtape.com/speed-run-reviews-of-a-complete-unknown-2024-a-different-man-2024-babygirl-2024-queer-2024/) - This is a special episode because we aren’t just reviewing one movie, we are reviewing four movies. We’ve selected four films that stood out in 2024 that we did not get a chance to review on the main show, and bringing back the speed run format from 2022 to review each in short 15-20 minute
- [‘Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man’ Review: A Simultaneously Fresh & Classic Take On Marvel’s Most Popular Hero](https://therollingtape.com/your-friendly-neighborhood-spider-man-review-a-simultaneously-fresh-classic-take-on-marvels-most-popular-hero/) - The following is a SPOILER-FREE review for all 10 episodes of Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, which drops episodes on Disney+ every Wednesday at 12 AM PST/3 AM EST. Aside from What If…? Season 3 (2024), Marvel Animation has been on a roll after fans praised X-Men '97's (2024) jaw-droppingly detailed animation and intricate storytelling. The
- [SUNDANCE 2025 ‘Predators’ Review: Filmmaker David Osit Searches for Answers in ‘To Catch a Predator’s’ Legacy](https://therollingtape.com/sundance-2025-predators-review-filmmaker-david-osit-searches-for-answers-in-to-catch-a-predators-legacy/) - A walk around the corner. The sliding glass door opens in the back. A familiar voice says hello. A little chit-chat. A walk out of frame, only to be greeted by an unfamiliar presence. An awkward, uncomfortable flash of realization. Cameras and lights close in. A frank interrogation with no answers. The world collapses. “You’re
- ['We Live In Time' Review: A Sobering Reminder That Life Is Fleeting](https://therollingtape.com/we-live-in-time-review-a-sobering-reminder-that-life-is-fleeting/) - Over the past few months, there has been this weight suffocating me about the rapid passage of time and how everything is so fleeting and quite often over too soon. In the grand scheme of the universe, we represent such a minute fraction of its lifespan. It can often feel hopeless to imagine any importance
- [The Best Supporting Actress Winners of the 2020s Ranked](https://therollingtape.com/the-best-supporting-actress-winners-of-the-2020s-ranked/) - In the first edition of our 2020s Oscar Rankings, I ranked the Best Supporting Actor Winners of the 2020s. Now, it’s time I turn your attention towards the Best Supporting Actress category. What differentiates this category’s victors so far this decade is that all winners are not newly discovered ingenues. Some of these winners have
- [SUNDANCE 2025: No Apologies Necessary from Eva Victor’s Beautiful, Complicated Debut ‘Sorry, Baby’](https://therollingtape.com/sundance-2025-no-apologies-necessary-from-eva-victors-beautiful-complicated-debut-sorry-baby/) - After Sorry, Baby (2025) premiered at Sundance on January 27, my timelines immediately erupted with endless praise for the debut feature. Much to my delight, it was one of the films available for the virtual portion of the festival so I added it to my lineup and tried to temper my lofty expectations. Sorry, Baby
- [Review: Despite its Glitches, ‘Companion’ is a Solid Debut for Drew Hancock](https://therollingtape.com/review-despite-its-glitches-companion-is-a-solid-debut-for-drew-hancock/) - A new subgenre of sci-fi horror has emerged to coincide with the increasing use of AI in everyday life, engaging with anxieties about what this technology can do if unregulated. Companion (2025) further engages these anxieties, exploring an emotional support robot (Sophie Thatcher) and her growing sentience as a tragic event befalls a weekend trip.
- [SUNDANCE 2025: Dylan O’Brien Gives the Performance of His Career in Beautifully Goofy ‘Twinless’](https://therollingtape.com/sundance-2025-dylan-obrien-gives-the-performance-of-his-career-in-beautifully-goofy-twinless/) - Some of us have always known Dylan O’Brien possesses a special x-factor. Since he burst onto the scene in MTV’s hit series Teen Wolf (2011), O’Brien has demonstrated incredible charisma and presence. Since then, he’s accumulated a diverse resume, consistently proving himself reliable in whatever context he’s thrown into. However, no project has fully allowed
- [EP 122: Companion (2025)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-122-companion-2025/) - In a psychological thriller from director Drew Hancock and the producers of Barbarian, Companion follows a billionaire's death which sets off a chain of events for Iris and her friends during a weekend trip to his lakeside estate. The film stars Sophie Thatcher, Jack Quaid, and Lukas Gage. Listen Here: Spotify Apple Podcasts All Listening
- [Live Commentary: Den of Thieves (2018)](https://therollingtape.com/live-commentary-den-of-thieves-2018/) - Alongside the recent release of Den of Thieves 2: Pantera, we revisit Christian Gudegast's 2018 action heist thriller. The film follows an elite unit of the LA County Sheriff's Dept. and the state's most successful bank robbery crew clash as the outlaws plan a seemingly impossible heist on the Federal Reserve Bank. Watch along with
- [‘Presence’ Review: Promising Haunted-House Horror Never Rises Above Gimmicky Premise](https://therollingtape.com/presence-review-promising-haunted-house-horror-never-rises-above-gimmicky-premise/) - A family tours an empty home—grand hardwood floors and beaming-bright, naturally lit bedrooms—and buys it almost immediately. But this alluring estate is more intriguing because of the perspective from which we see it. The soon-to-be furnished rooms seem to protract and grow hazy through the gaze of a hidden spectator: a ghostly “presence” that haunts
- [‘Flight Risk’ Review: Gibson’s Thriller Struggles to Maintain Second Half Altitude](https://therollingtape.com/flight-risk-review-gibsons-thriller-struggles-to-maintain-second-half-altitude/) - Ah, The Black List: The annual survey of the “most-liked” screenplays in Hollywood not yet produced. Published every year since 2005, The Black List has done a lot of good for emerging screenwriters looking to get their projects noticed, launching massively successful projects like Argo (2012), Spotlight (2015), and Slumdog Millionaire (2008). However, not all
- [‘Inheritance’ Review: January’s Low-budget, Adequate, Under-the-radar Espionage Film](https://therollingtape.com/inheritance-review-januarys-low-budget-adequate-under-the-radar-espionage-film/) - For years, franchises like Mission Impossible, Jason Bourne, and James Bond have dominated the espionage genre. These films often have massive budgets and rely on stunts and big action set pieces rather than telling a compelling story. The best of these franchises combine spectacle and story (see 2012’s Skyfall, my favorite example). Given the massive
- [Review: ‘Severance’ Season 2’s Triumphant Return](https://therollingtape.com/review-severance-season-2s-triumphant-return/) - Do we all remember where we were when we watched the conclusion of Severance's (2022–Present) first season? For me, it was in South Dakota around Christmastime. My sister mentioned some sci-fi show we should watch—considering its premise of characters who “sever” their work brain from their home brain, I expected a workplace satire—but suddenly, just
- [My Favorties on MUBI Right Now](https://therollingtape.com/my-favorties-on-mubi-right-now/) - For a long time, MUBI was my trusted destination for discovering hidden gems of world cinema. I’ve had the opportunity to watch films by Krzysztof Kieslowski and Agnès Varda, primarily because I discovered them on the platform. However, over time, I’ve realized that it’s not just a treasure trove of international films—there’s also a fantastic
- [The Awards Tape: Oscar Nomination Recap 2025](https://therollingtape.com/the-awards-tape-oscar-nomination-recap-2025/) - After the Oscar nomination announcements for the 97th Academy Awards, we break down the results by analyzing all of the expected nominations we received along with any surprises and snubs. We reveal how accurate our final predictions were before we move into analyzing the final phase of Oscar campaigning leading up to the announcement of
- [Why You Should Give Slow Cinema a Chance](https://therollingtape.com/why-you-should-give-slow-cinema-a-chance/) - Within the medium of cinema - where much of its modern work has become so commercialized and bombarded with stimuli, always having to be quicker, louder, and bigger - true filmmaking boldness is now to be found in silence and stillness. Every so often, we hear criticism of a film for being “too slow” or
- [The Best Supporting Actor Winners of the 2020s Ranked](https://therollingtape.com/the-best-supporting-actor-winners-of-the-2020s-ranked/) - The roaring 2020s have brought a plethora of challenges to the film industry. A pandemic, multiple strikes, and more have all shaken Hollywood to the core. However, not all of the changes that have come with this decade are negative. For example, the Oscars awards body has steadily diversified its voting membership each year. It
- [Live Commentary: Oscar Nominations Live Reactions 2025](https://therollingtape.com/live-commentary-oscar-nominations-live-reactions-2025/) - Oscar Nominations for the 97th Academy Awards have been announced live by Bowen Yang and Rachel Sennott! Here are our live, uncut reactions to the nomination announcement ceremony with immediate analysis following the ceremony.Our guests:Eugene Rocco Utley and Courtney WardFollow our team online:Danny Jarabek Website, Letterboxd, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Linktree Resources:Oscar NominationsHave questions? Email info@therollingtape.comCredits: Theme music by Eugene Rocco Utley
- [From the Awards Editor: Final Oscar Predictions Part 1](https://therollingtape.com/from-the-awards-editor-final-oscar-predictions-part-1/) - This has been one of the most chaotic awards seasons in recent memory, and that’s not including the horrifying wildfires in Los Angeles that have devasted the area. Simply put, no one knows which film will win Best Picture. It’s an open season for the unlikeliest contenders to emerge as soft frontrunners, but it remains
- [From the Awards Editor: Final Oscar Predictions Part 2](https://therollingtape.com/from-the-awards-editor-final-oscar-predictions-part-2/) - Continuing from Part 1 of my final Oscar predictions for 2025, below is the remaining categories and my analysis of who is going to be nominated Thursday Morning. Best Costume Design: Paul Tazewell – Wicked Linda Muir – Nosferatu Jacqueline West – Dune: Part II Arianne Phillips – A Complete Unknown Massimo Cantini Parrini –
- [EP 121: Wolf Man (2025)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-121-wolf-man-2025/) - To kick off 2025 with our first review of a January release, we’re discussing Wolf Man directed by Leigh Whannell, the newest iteration of the Universal classic monster franchise. The film is described as follows: a family at a remote farmhouse is attacked by an unseen animal, but as the night stretches on, the father
- [‘Wolf Man’ Review: Shining New Moonlight Onto Another Classic Monster](https://therollingtape.com/wolf-man-review-shining-new-moonlight-onto-another-classic-monster/) - Wolf Man (2025) is a reminder of how heartening it is to see classic movie monsters on screen. Before The Invisible Man (2020) was released, the fate of Universal’s classic monsters’ existence in our modern landscape was in flux. Universal had tried and failed to launch a cinematic universe, which they haphazardly dubbed the “Dark
- ['Better Man' Review: Let Robbie Entertain You](https://therollingtape.com/better-man-review-let-robbie-entertain-you/) - There is a binary and polarising outlook on biopics. You either love spending a weekend casually viewing the next one that happens to be playing on the TV, or you groan as you rapidly flick past it. This is especially true for those centered around musicians, with many people of the opinion that each one
- [The Awards Tape: BAFTA, PGA & Revised Final Oscar Nomination Predictions](https://therollingtape.com/the-awards-tape-bafta-pga-revised-final-oscar-nomination-predictions/) - Oscar nomination morning has been delayed to January 23, and since our final nomination predictions episode last week, we have received additional insight to the race through BAFTA and PGA nominations as well as some guild announcements. We revise some of our predictions and discuss the implications of the latest precursors. Listen Here:SpotifyApple PodcastsAll Listening PlatformsFollow
- [‘One of them Days’ Review: Keke Palmer & SZA Breathe Some Life into the January Doldrums](https://therollingtape.com/one-of-them-days-review-keke-palmer-sza-breathe-some-life-into-the-january-doldrums/) - January is famously a rough month for movies. While Oscar hopefuls move out of limited release, studios dump their—to put it kindly—rougher offerings onto a screen near you. But, if anyone could breathe some life into the January doldrums, it would be Keke Palmer and SZA. The duo comes together in the buddy comedy One
- [EP 120: Nickel Boys (2024)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-120-nickel-boys-2024/) - Adapted from Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name, we are reviewing Nickel Boys directed by RaMell Ross. Nickel Boys chronicles the powerful friendship between two young African-American men navigating the harrowing trials of reform school together in Florida. The film stars Ethan Herisse, Brandon Wilson, and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor.Listen Here:SpotifyApple PodcastsAll Listening PlatformsChapter
- [Best of 2024 Recap & Most Anticipated of 2025](https://therollingtape.com/best-of-2024-recap-most-anticipated-of-2025/) - With 2024 and the second full calendar year of The Rolling Tape in the books, we celebrate the year’s best moments in cinema by talking about our favorite films, performances, scenes, and all the superlatives in between before unveiling our team’s top film of the year. We then look ahead at 2025 and discuss our
- [How Viral Marketing Made ‘Cloverfield’ a Monstrous Success](https://therollingtape.com/how-viral-marketing-made-cloverfield-a-monstrous-success/) - It’s 2007. The public has two years before the introduction of the first iPhone, and the latest Spider-Man film is a commercial flop. As you settle into your movie theater seat for Michael Bay’s Transformers, a strange trailer about a mysterious attack on New York City plays with no title, but the promise of J.J.
- [2024 CIC Windie Award Winners](https://therollingtape.com/2024-cic-windie-award-winners/) - Chicago Indie Critics (CIC) have announced their winners for their 2024 Windie Awards. The winners are… BEST INDEPENDENT FILM Anora The Brutalist I Saw the TV Glow Sing Sing The Substance ** BEST STUDIO FILM Challengers A Complete Unknown Dune: Part Two** Nosferatu Wicked BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM All We Imagine as Light Emilia Pérez Flow**
- [The Awards Tape: Final Oscar Nomination Predictions 2025](https://therollingtape.com/the-awards-tape-final-oscar-nomination-predictions-2025/) - With Oscar nomination morning just around the corner on January 23, we break down category by category our final predictions for what will be nominated at the 97th Academy Awards this coming March. We discuss our predictions for everything from Best Makeup & Hairstyling to Best Picture and all of the categories in between providing
- ['Den of Thieves 2: Pantera' Review: Gerard Butler and O’Shea Jackson Jr. Carry Silly yet Surprising Heist Film](https://therollingtape.com/den-of-thieves-2-pantera-review-gerard-butler-and-oshea-jackson-jr-carry-silly-yet-surprising-heist-film/) - Den of Thieves 2: Pantera (2025) surprised me (complimentary). Whereas the first Den of Thieves, released in 2018, exemplifies the epitome of a “dumb bro movie” with a bunch of gung-ho manly men shooting people, hanging out in strip clubs, and talking about how cool they are since they shoot people and hang out in
- [The Many Woes of Universal’s Wolf Men](https://therollingtape.com/the-many-woes-of-universals-wolf-men/) - Remakes, sequels, and reboots–the horror! Especially in horror, sequels, remakes, and reboots are plentiful and are mostly stinkers. It’s a tradition that goes extends to the earliest horror sequels in one of cinema’s earliest cinematic universes: Universal’s Monster Mash. While Universal certainly hasn’t been kind to any of its monsters, arguably the one that’s been
- [‘Nickel Boys' Review: RaMell Ross' Bold, Poetic Vision Breaks the Boundaries of Film and Perspective](https://therollingtape.com/nickel-boys-review-ramell-ross-bold-poetic-vision-breaks-the-boundaries-of-film-and-perspective/) - I initially experienced (I say experienced because my screening truly transcended simply watching a movie) Nickel Boys in October at the Chicago International Film Festival. As the final image played and the credits began to roll, I realized my face was wet and I’d been crying for who knows how long. I was so absorbed
- [EP 119: The Brutalist (2024)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-119-the-brutalist-2024/) - After winning Best Drama Film at the recent Golden Globes, for our last review before the Oscar nominations we are discussing The Brutalist directed by Brady Corbet which premiered last year at the Venice International Film Festival. When a visionary architect and his wife flee post-war Europe in 1947 to rebuild their legacy and witness
- [‘Trap’ Review: Josh Hartnett Invokes Concert Chaos](https://therollingtape.com/trap-review-josh-hartnett-invokes-concert-chaos/) - Having only seen Split (2016) and Knock at the Cabin (2023) beforehand, engaging with an M. Night Shyamalan film comes with a bit of nuance for me. I often find myself confused by joke after joke about his status in Hollywood as “the director with the big twist at the end." In my experience, I’ve
- ['The Iron Giant' 25 Years Later— An Enduring Legacy of Healing and Humanity](https://therollingtape.com/the-iron-giant-25-years-later-an-enduring-legacy-of-healing-and-humanity/) - My first experience with The Iron Giant occurred one random evening while watching Cartoon Network. I couldn’t have been more than six years old, but I remember being utterly captivated by my television screen. I was so in awe of the titular Giant (Vin Diesel), and I wanted to be best friends with Hogarth Hughes
- [Revisiting "Forks:" Every Second Counts in ‘The Bear’s’ Best Episode](https://therollingtape.com/revisiting-forks-every-second-counts-in-the-bears-best-episode/) - The Primetime Emmys were held on Sunday, September 15th. Naturally, viewers were prepared for a second year of The Bear potentially sweeping the comedy categories. (See the winners here.) However, the episode that I would argue is the show’s strongest to date, “Forks” wasn’t specifically nominated in the writing or direction categories. Therefore, I find
- [TRT's Favorite Scenes from 2024](https://therollingtape.com/trts-favorite-scenes-from-2024/) - This year has been pretty solid for cinema, bringing us many memorable scenes. Below, our team compiled a list of our favorite 2024 moments on screen. The opening from The Wild Robot The final point of Challengers Also from Challengers, "When I became the ball." Smile 2's opening sequence The final scene in The Idea
- [NEWS 034: SAG & DGA Nominations](https://therollingtape.com/news-034-sag-dga-nominations/) - On a day filled to the brim with awards season headlines, we debrief the nominations from two of the most impactful guilds, SAG and DGA, and how they affect the performance and director races.Listen Here:SpotifyApple PodcastsAll Listening PlatformsFollow our team online:Danny Jarabek Website, Letterboxd, Instagram, X, TikTok, and LinktreePaul Rai on Letterboxd, Instagram, and XOwen Wilczek on Letterboxd, and XHave questions? Email info@therollingtape.comCredits: Theme music by Eugene
- [The Awards Tape: Best Costume Design, Production Design & Makeup and Hairstyling Oscar Predictions](https://therollingtape.com/the-awards-tape-best-costume-design-production-design-makeup-and-hairstyling-oscar-predictions/) - Our final episode in the category-by-category prediction series brings us to the craft categories with Best Costume Design, Best Production Design, and Best Makeup and Hairstyling. With just two weeks to go before the Oscar nomination announcements, this is our final look before our annual mega predictions episode covering all categories.Follow our team online:Danny Jarabek Website, Letterboxd, Instagram, Bluesky, X, TikTok,
- [The Awards Tape: 2025 SAG Film Nominations Predictions](https://therollingtape.com/the-awards-tape-2025-sag-film-nominations-predictions/) - One of the most important precursors in the awards season is the Screen Actors Guild of America. Encompassing actors in film and television, the guild casts a wide net of performances that are on top of voters’ minds. Usually, populist films with recognizable names get nominated by the guild. This year presents an interesting wrinkle
- [EP 118: Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl (2025)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-118-wallace-gromit-vengeance-most-fowl-2025/) - To kick off 2025, we are entering Aardman Animation Studios with a return to the Wallace & Gromit universe in Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl. Top dog Gromit springs into action to save his master when Wallace's high-tech invention goes rogue and he's framed for a series of suspicious crimes. The film is directed
- [FYC: ‘I Saw the TV Glow’ and I Smashed My Head Through the Screen](https://therollingtape.com/fyc-i-saw-the-tv-glow-and-i-smashed-my-head-through-the-screen/) - There is no possible scenario where I can write anything about I Saw the TV Glow without the piece transitioning into something horrifically personal. It’s an odd, though not totally unwelcome, quality that this film seems to evoke by nature. I’ve joked a few times this is a film created in a lab for me
- [For Your Consideration: Keith Kupferer for Best Actor](https://therollingtape.com/for-your-consideration-keith-kupferer-for-best-actor/) - 2024 is arguably the most interesting Best Actor race in years. Looking at the recurring names appearing in various precursors, one could make a strong case for any of these men to win the Oscar. However, as more and more major awards bodies announce their nominations, one name remains overlooked. The indie darling Ghostlight (2024)
- [2024 CIC Windie Awards Nominees](https://therollingtape.com/2024-cic-windie-awards-nominees/) - Chicago Indie Critics (CIC) have announced their nominees for their 2024 Windie Awards. The winners will be announced on January 18th, 2025. Here are the nominees. BEST INDEPENDENT FILM Anora The Brutalist I Saw the TV Glow Sing Sing The Substance BEST STUDIO FILM Challengers A Complete Unknown Dune: Part Two Nosferatu Wicked BEST INTERNATIONAL
- [Live Commentary: 82nd Golden Globes (2025)](https://therollingtape.com/live-commentary-82nd-golden-globes-2025/) - We react live to the 82nd Golden Globes for the 2025 ceremony. After our live reaction, we immediately debrief and recap our takeaways for the winners and the implications for the rest of the awards season.Listen Here:SpotifyApple PodcastsAll Listening PlatformsFollow our team online:Danny Jarabek Website, Letterboxd, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and LinktreeCameron Ritter on Letterboxd, Instagram, X, and TikTokPaul Rai on Letterboxd, Instagram, and XAdam Patla on Letterboxd, Instagram, Bluesky, X, TikTokKam Ryan on Letterboxd, Instagram, X,
- [The Awards Tape: 82nd Golden Globes (2025) Final Predictions](https://therollingtape.com/the-awards-tape-82nd-golden-globes-2025-final-predictions/) - With the Golden Globes approaching this coming Sunday, we make our final predictions for all film categories before live reacting to the ceremony.Categories: Cinematic and Box Office Achievement Original Song Original Score Screenplay Director Actor in Supporting Role Female Actor in Supporting Role Male Actor (Musical/Comedy) Female Actor (Musical/Comedy) Male Actor (Drama) Female Actor (Drama)
- [‘Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl’ Review: England’s Beloved Duo is Back and Better than Ever](https://therollingtape.com/wallace-gromit-vengeance-most-fowl-review-englands-beloved-duo-is-back-and-better-than-ever/) - It’s been 35 years since a British inventor and his intelligent pooch had a grand day out, sending themselves rocketing to the moon in response to a cheese shortage, and stop-motion animation has never quite been the same. Since then, Nick Park’s subdued, quirky duo Wallace and Gromit have built quite the empire for themselves:
- [The Awards Tape: Best Animated Feature, International Feature & Documentary Feature](https://therollingtape.com/the-awards-tape-best-animated-feature-international-feature-documentary-feature/) - Nearing the end of our category-by-category prediction series, we are discussing the three feature categories for Animated Feature, International Feature, and Documentary Feature after receiving the AMPAS shortlists last week.Follow our team online:Danny Jarabek Website, Letterboxd, Instagram, Bluesky, X, TikTok, and LinktreePaul Rai on Letterboxd, Instagram, and XAdam Patla on Letterboxd, Instagram, Bluesky, X, TikTokFilms mentioned:Letterboxd listHave questions? Email info@therollingtape.comCredits: Theme music by Eugene Rocco Utley Artwork by Danny Jarabek Edited
- [RETROSPECTIVE 015: Animation in 2024](https://therollingtape.com/retrospective-015-animation-in-2024/) - As one of our wrap-up conversations of 2024 before we enter the new year, our retrospective this week is celebrating another medium of storytelling. Similar to our horror retrospective for Halloween, we are celebrating the animation of 2024 today recapping our way through the year all the way back from Orion and the Dark to
- [EP 117: Nosferatu (2024) ft. Kenzie Vanunu](https://therollingtape.com/ep-117-nosferatu-2024-ft-kenzie-vanunu/) - With our final review of the year, and following our recent retrospective conversation on the career of Robert Eggers, we succumb to the darkness in his latest work, Nosferatu. In a reimagining of the 1897 novel and 1922 silent film, Nosferatu’s legacy of adaptation is rich and extensive. In the 2024 iteration, Eggers delivers a
- [Five Years Since 'Cats:' What Was All That?](https://therollingtape.com/five-years-since-cats-what-was-all-that/) - I cannot think of a film with a bigger “collective fever dream” energy than the absolute mess that was the 2019 movie musical extravaganza Cats. Tom Hooper’s second attempt to bring the spectacle and majesty of live musical theatre to film–the follow-up to his Oscar-winning Les Miserables–was a disaster, plain and simple. Five years have
- [‘Babygirl’ Review: Kidman Solidifies Her Fearless Self in Halina Reijn’s Bold Sophomore Feature](https://therollingtape.com/babygirl-review-kidman-solidifies-her-fearless-self-in-halina-reijns-bold-sophomore-feature/) - I’ve said for years that Nicole Kidman is one of our last weirdos—she’s fearless in her roles and the stories she selects and embraces subject matter that may be considered taboo. With each performance, Kidman continues cementing herself as one of the greats, and her work in Halina Reijn’s seductively melancholic sophomore feature Babygirl is
- [10 Video Game Movies That Are Kind Of Worth Your Time](https://therollingtape.com/10-video-game-movies-that-are-kind-of-worth-your-time/) - So, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 right? It’s crazy that we live in a world where the Sonic franchise is largely carried by its movies rather than games. But, honestly, Sonic is a rarity amongst video game movies: a label that’s been maligned ever since the concept of adapting games to film became a reality. Arguably,
- [The Awards Tape: Best Sound, Original Score & Original Song Oscar Predictions](https://therollingtape.com/the-awards-tape-best-sound-original-score-original-song-oscar-predictions/) - In resuming our category-by-category prediction series, we continue below the line after the AMPAS announcement of their shortlists to predict Best Sound, Original Score, and Original Song.Follow our team online:Danny Jarabek Website, Letterboxd, Instagram, Bluesky, X, TikTok, and LinktreePaul Rai on Letterboxd, Instagram, and XEthan Dayton on Letterboxd, Bluesky, and XAdam Patla on Letterboxd, Instagram, Bluesky, X, TikTokOwen Wilczek on Letterboxd, and XFilms mentioned:Letterboxd listHave questions? Email info@therollingtape.comCredits: Theme music by Eugene Rocco Utley Artwork by
- [RETROSPECTIVE 014: Robert Eggers](https://therollingtape.com/retrospective-014-robert-eggers/) - Robert Eggers has carved a distinctive niche in contemporary storytelling particularly in horror, renowned for his meticulous attention to detail and period accuracy of historical and mythological narratives. With a career spanning three feature films, Eggers has already established himself as one of the most visionary directors of his generation. From the gothic dread of
- [‘Girls Will Be Girls’ Review: The Year’s Most Compelling Indian Film](https://therollingtape.com/girls-will-be-girls-review-the-years-most-compelling-indian-film/) - In March 2024, India welcomed a new film on OTT that showcased women's empowerment from a slightly ‘freedom of choice’ perspective. People celebrated it, and the country sent it to the Oscars. It’s December 2024, and OTT has welcomed yet another movie that is not just written, produced, and directed by a woman (Shuchi Talati)
- [23 Festive Films To Have Yourself A Very TRT Christmas](https://therollingtape.com/23-festive-films-to-have-yourself-a-very-trt-christmas/) - It is that time of the year again, December has come and you immediately want to cozy up in a blanket with a cup of hot chocolate in front of your TV watching Christmas films all day. Lucky for you, The Rolling Tape Team has compiled some of our holiday favorites. Whether it's a certified
- [‘Mufasa: The Lion King’ Review: Jenkins Does His Best to Salvage the Remnants of Favreau’s Vision](https://therollingtape.com/mufasa-the-lion-king-review-jenkins-does-his-best-to-salvage-the-remnants-of-favreaus-vision/) - Five years have passed since Jon Favreau tried his hand at photorealistically reinventing The Lion King (1994). While the film was a massive financial success, its legacy lives in a divisive shadow. The list of common criticisms is miles long: little to no narrative variation from the original film, a lack of emotion from the
- [EP 116: Juror #2 (2024)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-116-juror-2-2024/) - In our last review before the holidays, our team decided to step inside the courtroom for the Max release of Clint Eastwood’s Juror #2. While serving as a juror in a high-profile murder trial, a family man finds himself struggling with a serious moral dilemma, one he could use to sway the jury verdict and
- [Review: 'Kraven The Hunter' is a Sad Ending to a Pathetic Cinematic Universe](https://therollingtape.com/review-kraven-the-hunter-is-a-sad-ending-to-a-pathetic-cinematic-universe/) - Cinematic universes come and go like a fad. Zack Snyder’s DCEU carcass went through peaks until it died with a whimper, Universal’s Dark Universe couldn’t survive beyond The Mummy (2017), and Disney’s MCU isn’t immune to audience fatigue. Now, Sony’s non-Spider-Man cinematic universe seems to be done after six films, with J.C. Chandor’s Kraven the
- [Ladies Night 005](https://therollingtape.com/ladies-night-005/) - For the final get together of the year, the Ladies recap the “Female-led genre” of 2024 returning to some of their previous conversions on ‘The Substance,’ ‘Barbie,’ and other films reviewed this year. They also begin to break down award prospects and give recommendations for the holiday season.Listen Here:SpotifyApple PodcastsAll Listening PlatformsFollow our team online:Sara
- [Retrospective: ‘Little Women’ and Holiday Comforts](https://therollingtape.com/retrospective-little-women-and-holiday-comforts/) - Little Women (1994) is one of those films I will never grow out of—from the first time I watched it until my rewatch for this article, I’ll always cherish the stubborn sharpness of Winona Ryder’s Jo, the awkward eagerness of Trini Alvarado’s Meg, the sweetness of Claire Danes’s Beth, and the duality of a tempestuous
- [‘Juror #2’ Review: Eastwood’s Best Film This Century Further Certifies His Towering Legacy](https://therollingtape.com/juror-2-review-eastwoods-best-film-this-century-further-certifies-his-towering-legacy/) - It was hard for me to watch Clint Eastwood’s Juror #2 (2024), the legendary director’s 40th feature film, without thinking about a fellow nonagenarian whose life I greatly admire: my grandmother Marietta Dickman. A mother of six, twice widowed, and a two-time cancer survivor, Marietta was the closest relationship I ever had with a grandparent.
- [TRT's Favorite Pop-Culture Moments of the Year](https://therollingtape.com/trts-favorite-pop-culture-moments-of-the-year/) - As 2024 winds down, the team collected some of their favorite moments from the past year. From press tours to outrageous trends, let us know in the comments what you enjoyed following on social media! Brat Summer Chances are, lime green has wormed its way into your life in some way, shape, or form this
- [The Awards Tape: State of the Awards Race & Precursor Recaps ft. Cole Curtiss-Fuentes](https://therollingtape.com/the-awards-tape-state-of-the-awards-race-precursor-recaps-ft-cole-curtiss-fuentes/) - We take a brief pause on our category-by-category prediction series to assess the current state of the race as a checkpoint after a major first-wave of precursors. We discuss at large the impacts of AFI, NBR, LAFCA, NYFCC, Golden Globes, and Critics Choice Association to assess trends we are seeing from the rise of The
- [‘The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim’ Review: A Bold Return to Middle Earth](https://therollingtape.com/the-lord-of-the-rings-the-war-of-the-rohirrim-review-a-bold-return-to-middle-earth/) - The world of Middle Earth is no stranger to animation. Audiences are likely most familiar with the Oscar-winning live-action adaptations of J.R.R. Tolkien’s works directed by Peter Jackson, but Jackson’s work is predated by the animated adaptations released between 1977 and 1980 that partly inspired his journey through Middle Earth. The Lord of the Rings:
- [EP 115: Kraven the Hunter (2024)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-115-kraven-the-hunter-2024/) - The final chapter of the Sony Spider-Man Universe has been written with J.C. Chandor’s Kraven the Hunter. Following in the footsteps of the Venom series, Morbius, and Madame Web, the sixth and supposedly final SSU movie Kraven's complex relationship with his ruthless father, Nikolai Kravinoff, starts him down a path of vengeance with brutal consequences,
- [Review: The Gift of Sabrina Carpenter’s ‘A Nonsense Christmas’](https://therollingtape.com/review-the-gift-of-sabrina-carpenters-a-nonsense-christmas/) - Jesus was a carpenter, but there’s a new vixen here for Christmas. (Well, if this is going to be a proper Sabrina Carpenter review, there has to be one joke-innuendo-entendre, right?) Carpenter—hot off her Short n’ Sweet summer album release and midway through her subsequent tour—released a Netflix “musical comedy holiday special with celebrity guests”
- [Critics Choice Awards Nominations](https://therollingtape.com/critics-choice-awards-nominations/) - The 2025 Critics Choice Awards (CCA) nominations were announced earlier today. The winners will be revealed on January 12, 2025. Below are this year’s film nominees. BEST PICTUREA Complete UnknownAnoraThe BrutalistConclaveDune: Part TwoEmilia PérezNickel BoysSing SingThe SubstanceWicked BEST ACTORAdrien Brody – The BrutalistTimothée Chalamet – A Complete UnknownDaniel Craig – QueerColman Domingo – Sing SingRalph
- [Disrupting Bollywood: Farah Khan’s Post-Modern Marvels](https://therollingtape.com/disrupting-bollywood-farah-khans-post-modern-marvels/) - In his 1977 essay “Death of an Author,” literary theorist Roland Barthes proposed a radical shift in the relationship between the reader and the text, suggesting that the meaning of a text is not inherently tied to the author's identity. The seminal essay served as the framework for several works departing from the modernist approach,
- [The Awards Tape: Best Cinematography, Film Editing and Visual Effects Oscar Predictions](https://therollingtape.com/the-awards-tape-best-cinematography-film-editing-and-visual-effects-oscar-predictions/) - As we continue our category-by-category prediction series through all 21 feature awards for the upcoming 97th Academy Awards, we take our first trek below the line covering Best Cinematography, Editing, and Visual Effects.Listen Here:SpotifyApple PodcastsAll Listening PlatformsFollow our team online:Danny Jarabek Website, Letterboxd, Instagram, Bluesky, X, TikTok, and LinktreePaul Rai on Letterboxd, Instagram, and XAdam Patla on Letterboxd, Instagram, Bluesky, X, TikTokEvan Miller on Letterboxd, Bluesky, X, Instagram, and TikTokFilms mentioned:Letterboxd listHave questions? Email info@therollingtape.comCredits: Theme
- [2025 Sundance Film Festival Lineup Announcement](https://therollingtape.com/2025-sundance-film-festival-lineup-announcement/) - Today the Sundance Institute announced the first wave of their 2025 lineup, with the full slate of Features and Episodic Programs being announced. Below is the list of films making up these categories. The Sundance Film Festival will once again take place in Park City, Utah from January 23rd to February 2nd. U.S. Dramatic Competition
- [Review: 'Hard Truths' is a Maddeningly Brilliant Tragic Comedy](https://therollingtape.com/review-hard-truths-is-a-maddeningly-brilliant-tragic-comedy/) - In one of Mike Leigh’s best films, Happy-Go-Lucky (2008), Eddie Marsan has an emotional breakdown of anger and resentment towards one of the most annoying, happiest characters you’ll see in a film. He lashes out and projects his insecurities and disturbed attitudes onto a woman whose only sin is living a life of bliss and
- [‘A Complete Unknown’ Review: Timothée Chalamet Sings His Way to an Oscar](https://therollingtape.com/a-complete-unknown-review-timothee-chalamet-sings-his-way-to-an-oscar/) - Bob Dylan once sang, “Come writers and critics, who prophesize with your pen.” Well, if this critic has the ability to prophesize anything, Timothée Chalamet is about to become the youngest actor to win the Academy Award for Best Actor. Chalamet stars as Bob Dylan in James Mangold’s A Complete Unknown (2024). While he proves
- [Live Commentary: 82nd Golden Globes (2025) Nominations](https://therollingtape.com/live-commentary-82nd-golden-globes-2025-nominations/) - We react live to the 82nd Golden Globes Nominations for the 2025 ceremony. After our live reaction, we come back to debrief and recap our takeaways for the nominations for the rest of the awards season.Follow our team online:Danny Jarabek Website, Letterboxd, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and LinktreeTate Fowler on Letterboxd and InstagramEvan Miller on Letterboxd, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTokCameron Ritter on Letterboxd, Instagram, X, and TikTokRed Broadwell on Letterboxd, X, and InstagramOwen Wilczek on Letterboxd, and XLandon
- [Golden Globes 2025 Nominations](https://therollingtape.com/golden-globes-2025-nominations/) - The 2025 Golden Globes were announced this morning, December 9th. Below is the full list of nominations. The winners will be announced during the Golden Globes ceremony on Sunday, January 5th at 8 pm Eastern/5 pm Pacific. This year’s ceremony is hosted by Nikki Glaser. Film Nominees Motion Picture, Drama The Brutalist A Complete Unknown
- [EP 114: Y2K (2024)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-114-y2k-2024/) - Kyle Mooney’s directorial debut distributed by A24 brings us back to the night before the world was supposed to end. Two high school nobodies make the decision to crash the last major celebration before the new millennium on New Year's Eve 1999. The night becomes even crazier than they could have ever dreamed when the
- [‘Y2K’ Review: Kyle Mooney’s Nostalgic Debut Cracks at the Edges](https://therollingtape.com/y2k-review-kyle-mooneys-nostalgic-debut-cracks-at-the-edges/) - Every New Year’s Eve my mother recounts the end of 1999, when everyone believed the world’s end was one clock tick away. She recounts going outside and not seeing planes crashing, cell towers falling, and the general end of civilization. But what if there was an end as the clock struck midnight on January 1st,
- [From the Awards Editor: 2025 Golden Globe Nominations Predictions](https://therollingtape.com/from-the-awards-editor-2025-golden-globe-nominations-predictions/) - Continuing our discussion from The Awards Tape, where we break down the Oscar race, I lay out my predictions for the 2025 Golden Globe nominations. The 82nd Golden Globe Nominations will be announced on December 9th. This will be the second year where the new voters of the Globes will continue to differentiate from the
- [Interview With 'Flow' (2024) Writer/Director, Gints Zilbalodis](https://therollingtape.com/interview-with-flow-2024-writer-director-gints-zilbalodis/) - Landon Defever speaks with Gints Zilbalodis, the co-writer/director of this year's independent animated sensation Flow. The film centers around a pack of various animals, navigating the challenges of a changing world, caused by a great flood that's displaced them. Zilbalodis discusses his creative choices, being self-taught as an animator, and the collaborative process on his latest
- [Interview With 'Memoir of a Snail' (2024) Writer/Director, Adam Elliot](https://therollingtape.com/interview-with-memoir-of-a-snail-2024-writer-director-adam-elliot/) - Landon Defever speaks with Adam Elliot, writer/director of Memoir of a Snail, an animated tragicomedy for the ages sweeping attention at this year's festival circuit. Memoir of a Snail is the fictional life story of Grace Pudel, who's haunted by misfortune and loss, yet continues to push forward in search of a brighter future. Elliot discusses the eight
- [From the Awards Editor: Best Picture Predictions](https://therollingtape.com/from-the-awards-editor-best-picture-predictions/) - Welcome to the Awards Tape's first Oscar prediction editorial. Here, our writers will be breaking down the Oscar race in extensive detail regarding certain categories, performances, films, and everything in between. To kick off this series, we will start with my breakdown of the Best Picture race so far. This is a weird Oscar season,
- [The Awards Tape: Best Lead Actor, Lead Actress, Supporting Actor & Supporting Actress Oscar Predictions](https://therollingtape.com/the-awards-tape-best-lead-actor-lead-actress-supporting-actor-supporting-actress-oscar-predictions/) - In continuing forward on our category-by-category prediction series through all 21 feature awards for the upcoming 97th Academy Awards, we move into the elusive and contentious performance categories. The acting quartet of Lead and Supporting Actors and Actresses are always exciting races to follow, and this year is no different.Follow our team online:Danny Jarabek Website, Letterboxd, Instagram, Bluesky, X, TikTok, and LinktreePaul
- [Review: 'September 5' is a Compelling, Empty Journalist Thriller](https://therollingtape.com/review-september-5-is-a-compelling-empty-journalist-thriller/) - Some of the best journalism movies involve real-life figures combating institutions of power, highlighting dynamics that lead to corruption and distrust. All The President’s Men (1974), Spotlight (2016), and The Post (2017) are noteworthy entries in the genre as they demonstrate principled practices of research and investigation into higher authorities of power distorting facts and
- ['All We Imagine As Light' Review: Payal Kapadia’s Love Letter To Mumbai](https://therollingtape.com/all-we-imagine-as-light-review-payal-kapadias-love-letter-to-mumbai/) - Recently, I traveled to India for the first time in seven years. I used to visit frequently, going almost every year to see relatives. Upon returning, a wave of memories from my childhood visits came back. Comfort and warmth arose from the smell of freshly fried jalebis from street vendors to the constant sound of
- [EP 113: A Real Pain (2024) ft. Larry Fried](https://therollingtape.com/ep-113-a-real-pain-2024-ft-larry-fried/) - Premiering all the way back at Sundance earlier this year, Jesse Eisenberg’s sophomore feature A Real Pain is now in wide release with Searchlight Pictures. Mismatched cousins reunite for a tour through Poland to honor their beloved grandmother. The adventure takes a turn when the odd couple's old tensions resurface against the backdrop of their
- [‘Moana 2’ Review: A Haphazardly Structured Story Persists in Disney’s Latest Disappointment](https://therollingtape.com/moana-2-review-a-haphazardly-structured-story-persists-in-disneys-latest-disappointment/) - The original Moana (2016) was an unexpected lightning rod for Disney Animation. Coming out in a stacked year for animation, side-by-side with fellow Disney titan Zootopia (2016), the film was a massive success in its own right, grossing $687 million worldwide. In the four years since Disney+’s launch, Moana became one of the streaming service’s
- [‘I Want to Talk’ Review: Humor, Heart, and Abhishek Bachchan’s Stellar Performance Steal the Show](https://therollingtape.com/i-want-to-talk-review-humor-heart-and-abhishek-bachchans-stellar-performance-steal-the-show/) - One look at the trailer of Shoojit Sircar’s I Want to Talk, and you would probably dismiss it as another medical drama–death looming large and set in a depressing hospital. Can’t blame the audience, though! The Bengali filmmaker made October (2018) entirely set in a hospital where the female protagonist falls off a building and
- [The Awards Tape: Best Director, Original Screenplay & Adapted Screenplay Oscar Predictions](https://therollingtape.com/the-awards-tape-best-director-original-screenplay-adapted-screenplay-oscar-predictions/) - Last week we kicked off our category-by-category series through all 21 feature awards for the upcoming 97th Academy Awards. After our Best Picture conversation last week, with continue today with Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Adapted Screenplay.Follow our team online:Danny Jarabek Website, Letterboxd, Instagram, Bluesky, X, TikTok, and LinktreePaul Rai on Letterboxd, Instagram, and XBryan Sudfield on Letterboxd, Instagram, X, and Life Moves Pretty FastAdam Patla on Letterboxd, Instagram, Bluesky, X, TikTokCameron
- [Ten(ish) Films about Food for the Holiday Season](https://therollingtape.com/tenish-films-about-food-for-the-holiday-season/) - Well, we did it. We have reached the end of another year, and the holiday season is upon us. The onset of the holiday season signals many things, including delicious, seasonal food. Whether doing a Friendsgiving potluck, a good holiday dinner with your family, volunteering at a food bank, or trying to recreate a cool
- [Revisiting ‘The Babadook:’ The Faceless Silence of Jennifer Kent’s Horror Legend](https://therollingtape.com/revisiting-the-babadook-the-faceless-silence-of-jennifer-kents-horror-legend/) - Ten years have passed since Jennifer Kent’s spectacular horror film The Babadook was released. Celebrated by a limited theatrical run in October and a screening at this year’s 40th Sundance Film Festival in January—where the film originally made its debut in the Midnight section of the festival—the film, and its horrifying emblem, have since become
- ['Wicked' Screenings Spark Online Debate about Phones in Cinemas](https://therollingtape.com/wicked-screenings-spark-online-debate-about-phones-in-cinemas/) - The highly-anticipated Wicked movie sparks debate over movie theater etiquette as fans share images and recordings from inside their screenings. Fans take to social media to share their favorite moments from the film causing mixed reactions and questions over phone usage in movie theaters. Content includes recordings of musical numbers, easter eggs within specific scenes,
- ['Gladiator II’ Review: An Epically Pointless Sequel](https://therollingtape.com/gladiator-ii-review-an-epically-pointless-sequel/) - Audiences return to the arena as Ridley Scott’s quarter-century-in-the-making Gladiator II hits theaters. The sequel to the award-winning historical epic from 2000 promises to entertain with its star-studded cast, bloody action scenes, and, perhaps most of all, simple nostalgia. But don’t be fooled. Beyond the handsome faces and well-choreographed fight sequences, Gladiator II serves a
- [EP 112: Wicked (2024) & Gladiator II (2024)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-112-wicked-2024-gladiator-ii-2024/) - With this two-part mega episode, we’re covering both halves of the Glicked weekend for the Rome to the Oz, the swords clanging to the wands waving, the arena to the yellow brick road reviewing Wicked and Gladiator II. In Wicked, Elphaba, a misunderstood young woman because of her green skin, and Glinda, a popular girl,
- [The Awards Tape: Best Picture Oscar Predictions](https://therollingtape.com/the-awards-tape-best-picture-oscar-predictions/) - In the wake of our second draft above-the-line predictions, we are now kicking off our category-by-category series through all 21 awards for the rest of the Oscar’s season. Today we are starting with Best Picture, and the upcoming episodes will group categories of 3 together with each ensuing week.Follow our team online:Danny Jarabek Website, Letterboxd, Instagram, Bluesky, X, TikTok, and LinktreePaul Rai
- [RETROSPECTIVE 013: Ridley Scott](https://therollingtape.com/retrospective-013-ridley-scott/) - Ridley Scott’s nearly five-decade-long career of filmmaking has produced some of film history’s most iconic stories and characters ranging from Ripley’s relentless Alien-fighting perseverance to Deckard terminating replicants to Maximus entertaining the arena. His career has vastly spanned genres from historical epics to sci-fi futures, and one of his greatest defining features as an auteur
- [‘Wicked’ Review—Jon M. Chu’s Wickedly Electric Adaptation is Just What We Need](https://therollingtape.com/wicked-review-jon-m-chus-wickedly-electric-adaptation-is-just-what-we-need/) - It’s been a long, winding, Yellow Brick Road to get to the film adaptation of the smash Broadway musical Wicked, based on the Gregory Maguire novel. An attempt at a film adaptation was initially announced in 2012 after the success of Les Misérables (2012), but, since then, the film has seen several directors, release dates,
- [‘Red One’ Review: A Christmas Film Devoid of Any Christmas Spirit](https://therollingtape.com/red-one-review-a-christmas-film-devoid-of-any-christmas-spirit/) - To put it plainly, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson has had a lackluster career. Most of his recent films are just versions of himself in different costumes, punching villains across rooms as his frame takes up 70% of the screen. This is still the case in 2024 with his most recent film, Red One (2024), dialing
- [EP 111: Emilia Pérez (2024)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-111-emilia-perez-2024/) - Following a Cannes World Premiere that resulted in two awards for a Jury Prize and Best Actress to the ensemble cast, Jacques Audiard’s Emilia Pérez has garnered a divisive response. Now available to stream on Netflix, the film stars Zoe Saldana, Karla Sofía Gascón, Selena Gomez, and Adriana Paz.Listen Here:SpotifyApple PodcastsAll Listening PlatformsChapter Timestamps: 0:00:00
- [Goofy Goobers Forever: Celebrating 20 Years of ‘The Spongebob SquarePants Movie’](https://therollingtape.com/goofy-goobers-forever-celebrating-20-years-of-the-spongebob-squarepants-movie/) - Everyone remembers the first movie they ever watched in a theater. For many, this core memory can be directly referred to as what made them fall in love with cinema. When the lights dim and you can feel the booming sound in your chest, it’s a feeling that Madame AMC theaters herself Nicole Kidman aptly
- ['Bird' Review: Andrea Arnold’s Raw yet Fantastical Coming-Of-Age](https://therollingtape.com/bird-review-andrea-arnolds-raw-yet-fantastical-coming-of-age/) - After taking an eight-year break from helming feature films, English filmmaker Andrea Arnold returns with Bird, a fantastical coming-of-age drama that separates itself from her previous outings while also staying true to what makes her style so unique. Everyone’s coming-of-age journey is different, and while Arnold’s signature grit is present, she balances it out with
- [Horror Reimagined: Top 5 Best and Worst Indian Horror Movies](https://therollingtape.com/horror-reimagined-top-5-best-and-worst-indian-horror-movies/) - 2024 belongs to the horror genre. There have been many interesting movies, sequels, and brilliant new supernatural amalgamations of complicated human emotions. It wouldn’t be an overstatement to say that horror has evolved, with audiences being highly receptive to it. In India, where horror films were traditionally considered an inferior genre, it’s surprising to see
- ['Look Back' Review: The Life-Affirming Tragedy We Need](https://therollingtape.com/look-back-review-the-life-affirming-tragedy-we-need/) - What is the point of creating art? What is there to do when something you love so much doesn’t love you back? It’s an ever-pressing question, especially now when art is progressively devalued and commodified between generative AI, garbage working conditions for animators, and the churn-and-burn pacing of the anime and manga industries. And yet,
- [EP 110: Heretic (2024)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-110-heretic-2024/) - After a TIFF world premiere, creative duo Scott Beck and Bryan Woods bring their brand of horror to wide release. Heretic, distributed by A24, follows two young religious women who are drawn into a game of cat-and-mouse in the house of a strange man. The film stars Hugh Grant, Sophie Thatcher, and Chloe East.Listen Here:SpotifyApple
- [The Awards Tape: Oscar Predictions 2024 Second Draft](https://therollingtape.com/the-awards-tape-oscar-predictions-2024-second-draft/) - With festival season now behind us and the field of contenders coming into a more clear picture, we follow up on our first draft predictions with a second draft of above-the-line categories including Picture, Director, the Original and Adapted Screenplay and all four performance categories. After this round of predictions, we will move category by
- [Top 15 Movie Musicals](https://therollingtape.com/top-15-movie-musicals/) - Movie musicals have never been a sure thing, but in our current movie landscape, they feel more hit or miss than ever. In 2024 alone I’ve witnessed two musical misfires —Joker: Folie à Deux (2024) and Emilia Pérez (2024) — so, needless to say, I am yearning for a decent musical. Jon M. Chu is
- [*CIFF 2024* ‘Here’ Review: Zemeckis Continues Downward Spiral with Schmaltzy, Gimmicky Dramedy](https://therollingtape.com/ciff-2024-here-review-zemeckis-continues-downward-spiral-with-schmaltzy-gimmicky-dramedy/) - 30 years ago, director Robert Zemeckis changed the landscape of American cinema with Forrest Gump — the fictional story of a man (played by Tom Hanks) with a low IQ accomplishing great things in his life, all while unknowingly influencing some of America’s most defining moments. The film was a tremendous success, grossing $678 million
- [Zemeckis’ ‘A Christmas Carol’: Uncanny Mess or Frightening Classic?](https://therollingtape.com/zemeckis-a-christmas-carol-uncanny-mess-or-frightening-classic/) - Most audiences remember at least one version of Charles Dickens’ holiday ghost story A Christmas Carol. From Muppet to Barbie-themed adaptations there is without a doubt a version of the story for every age. With the countless versions of the three ghosts who visit Ebenezer Scrooge on that fateful Christmas Eve, many forget about the
- [EP 109: Anora (2024)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-109-anora-2024/) - After taking home the Palme d’Or at this year’s Cannes Film Festival and playing 35mm prints in limited release around the country, Sean Baker’s Anora has now hit wide release in theaters. Anora, a young sex worker from Brooklyn, meets and impulsively marries the son of an oligarch. Once the news reaches Russia, her fairytale
- [60th Annual Chicago International Film Fest: Angelina Jolie Grounds a Larger Than Life Figure in ‘Maria’](https://therollingtape.com/60th-annual-chicago-international-film-fest-angelina-jolie-grounds-a-larger-than-life-figure-in-maria/) - There is a moment in Maria (2024) when someone asks Maria Callas (Angelina Jolie) if he should refer to her as Maria, her given name, or La Callas, her mythic title in the opera world. Maria coyly replies that it is up to him. But, from the look on her face, we know there is
- [*CIFF 24* ‘The Piano Lesson’ Review: Malcolm Washington Captures the Spirit of August Wilson in Ethereal Adaptation](https://therollingtape.com/ciff-24-the-piano-lesson-review-malcolm-washington-captures-the-spirit-of-august-wilson-in-ethereal-adaptation/) - August Wilson’s poetic command of language and storytelling is nothing short of legendary within the theatre world. Since Wilson’s death in 2005, Denzel Washington spearheaded two adaptations—Fences (2016) and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (2020) — in an effort to preserve Wilson’s legacy and bring his work to new audiences. When it comes to those adaptations,
- [Unmasking Longevity: The Lasting Impact of 'The Incredibles' in a Superhero-Weary World](https://therollingtape.com/unmasking-longevity-the-lasting-impact-of-the-incredibles-in-a-superhero-weary-world/) - Nowadays, if someone so much as utters the phrase "superhero film,” you are bound to hear at least one person sigh. A genre that reached heights that no one anticipated is now at an all-time low of enjoyment levels, with many of us feeling the infamous "superhero fatigue." Whilst the genre has been prevalent for
- ['The Brutalist' Review: An Exemplarary Meditation of America's Institutes](https://therollingtape.com/the-brutalist-review-an-exemplarary-meditation-of-americas-institutes/) - From the damp, crowded, darkly lit hull of a ship – like Pinocchio confined inside the stomach of Monstro – The Brutalist (2024) opens on an anxious and distraught László Tóth (Adrien Brody), a Jewish Hungarian Holocaust survivor, brushing past people and looking for a way outside. It’s 1947, and Tóth is on his own.
- [NEWS 033: Philadelphia Film Festival 2024 Recap ft. Larry Fried](https://therollingtape.com/news-033-philadelphia-film-festival-2024-recap-ft-larry-fried/) - To round out our festival season, we recap the Philadelphia Film Festival with a few contributors from our own team, as well as with a returning guest. We discuss the evolving state of the festival and its jam-packed lineup from the Philadelphia Film Society and highlight the films on each of our slates.Listen Here:SpotifyApple PodcastsAll
- [Halloween Special: Horror in 2024](https://therollingtape.com/halloween-special-horror-in-2024/) - To celebrate spooky season and all the thrills and chills we’ve witnessed so far this year, we are doing a genre retrospective today covering the spectrum of horror movies released in 2024. Going all the way back to Night Swim, we recap our way through the year unpacking the best and worst of the genre
- [‘The Shadow Strays’ Review: Maximalist Martial Arts](https://therollingtape.com/the-shadow-strays-review-maximalist-martial-arts/) - When you break down a story, there’s always a component of good versus evil. If you’re looking for an action flick, the best of this genre takes the concept and maximizes it. We see this a lot in films like John Wick and it goes back all the way to the great samurai films of
- [NEWS 032: Chicago International Film Festival 2024 Recap](https://therollingtape.com/news-032-chicago-international-film-festival-2024-recap/) - Listen Here:SpotifyApple PodcastsAll Listening PlatformsFollow our team online:Danny Jarabek Website, Letterboxd, Instagram, X, TikTok, and LinktreeLandon Defever on Letterboxd, Instagram, X, TikTok, Films for the VoidAdam Patla on Letterboxd, Instagram, X, TikTokFilms mentioned:Letterboxd listResources:Memoir of a Snail ReviewThe Seed of the Sacred Fig ReviewHave questions? Email info@therollingtape.comCredits: Theme music by Eugene Rocco Utley Artwork by Danny Jarabek Edited by Danny Jarabek Support the show The Rolling Tape is a multimedia film
- ['Timestalker' Review: Alice Lowe Should Be Your Next Obsession](https://therollingtape.com/timestalker-review-alice-lowe-should-be-your-next-obsession/) - To quote Charli XCX, it really is so confusing sometimes to be a girl. The film industry seems aware of this reality, producing movies like Coralie Fargeat’s The Substance (2024), exploring self-hatred, or Marielle Heller’s Nightbitch (2024), tackling motherhood and female rage–both receiving rave reviews. And yet, fans of these movies have likely missed the
- [The Gothams 2024 Nominees Announced](https://therollingtape.com/the-gothams-2024-nominees-announced/) - Today the Gotham Film & Media Institute announced its nominations for the 34th annual Gotham Awards, giving us the first taste of the awards season to come. The Institute announced nominees in nine categories, highlighting the year’s best films and performances, with Sean Baker’s Anora leading the way with four nominations. The nominees are selected
- ['Saw' Twenty Years Later: Jigsaw’s Silly Little Games Live On](https://therollingtape.com/saw-twenty-years-later-jigsaws-silly-little-games-lives-on/) - After ending the twentieth century with a brief slasher revival, sparked by the 1996 release of Scream, the horror genre, in Hollywood, at least, was in a slump. The juggernauts that dominated the last third of the twentieth century– Michael, Jason, Leatherface, and Freddy–were presumed dead, Ghostface just wrapped up a pretty open-and-shut trilogy, and
- [*NOFF 2024* ‘Rebel Nun’ Review: Homecoming Screening in New Orleans Highlights Nun’s Legacy of Fighting the Death Penalty](https://therollingtape.com/noff-2024-rebel-nun-review-homecoming-screening-in-new-orleans-highlights-nuns-legacy-of-fighting-the-death-penalty/) - Sister Helen Prejean has fought the death penalty for decades — but when a new documentary that screened on October 20 at the New Orleans Film Festival turned a delicate eye toward Prejean’s work, it showcased not just her enduring legacy to save the lives of those on Death Row but also provided a novel
- [EP 108: Conclave (2024) ft. Ezra Cubero](https://therollingtape.com/ep-108-conclave-2024-ft-ezra-cubero/) - Edward Berger’s sophomore feature after the critical and awards success of All Quiet on the Western Front brings him inside the confines of the papacy with Conclave. When Cardinal Lawrence is tasked with leading one of the world's most secretive and ancient events, selecting a new Pope, he finds himself at the center of a
- [In Defense of Rob Zombie’s ‘Halloween’ Duology](https://therollingtape.com/in-defense-of-rob-zombies-halloween-duology/) - We all know the story: on an eerie Halloween night, little Michael Myers stabs his older sister Judith to death and is committed to a sanitorium for the rest of his days (that is, until he escapes). 1978’s Halloween is the definitive slasher movie to nearly everyone these days, spearheading one of the most important
- [*CIFF 24* ‘The Seed of the Sacred Fig’ Review: Mohammad Rasoulof’s Radical Portrait of a Family Unraveling](https://therollingtape.com/ciff-24-the-seed-of-the-sacred-fig-review-mohammed-rasoulofs-radical-portrait-of-a-family-unraveling/) - There is a specific fig species that falls on existing tree branches and roots as seeds. When it blooms, it wraps itself around the tree and strangles it. The tree dies and the fig prevails. Writer-director Mohammad Rasoulof opens The Seed of the Sacred Fig (2024) with this agricultural tidbit, planting a thematic seed that
- [*NewFest 2024* Interview With 'Duino' (2024) Co-Directors, Juan Pablo Di Pace & Andrés Pepe Estrada](https://therollingtape.com/newfest-2024-interview-with-duino-2024-co-directors-juan-pablo-di-pace-andres-pepe-estrada/) - Matt Minton sits down to chat with co-directors Juan Pablo Di Pace and Andrés P. Estrada about their new film “Duino,” which had its New York premiere at NewFest 2024. The romantic, tender film executive produced by Norman Lear follows a decades-spanning relationship and a filmmaker’s attempt to understand the past through a new medium.
- [‘Woman of the Hour’ Review: A Killer Win For Anna Kendrick](https://therollingtape.com/woman-of-the-hour-review-a-killer-win-for-anna-kendrick/) - The most interesting true crime stories are those in which a killer is someone the average person wouldn’t expect. They're the relatable, charming person one could imagine seeing on television, perhaps a game show. Not knowing a person has a darkness hidden inside them makes these stories as alluring as they are dour and tragic.
- [*CIFF 2024* ‘Memoir of a Snail’ Review: Adam Elliot Molds an Existential Treasure for the Ages](https://therollingtape.com/ciff-2024-memoir-of-a-snail-review-adam-elliot-molds-an-existential-treasure-for-the-ages/) - Snails are not often thought of as essential animals, but they possess many unique qualities. When snails feel threatened, they retreat into their shells for protection. They have no backbone and keep the same shell for their entire life. They live unexpectedly long lives, making it to 25 years on average. Most importantly though, by
- [EP 107: Smile 2 (2024)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-107-smile-2-2024/) - Parker Finn returns to the world of smiling demons 2 years after the original Smile with Smile 2. About to embark on a world tour, global pop sensation Skye Riley begins experiencing increasingly terrifying and inexplicable events. Overwhelmed by the escalating horrors and the pressures of fame, Skye is forced to face her past. The
- [The Making of a Star: The Power of PR, Propaganda, and Prowess in Ranbir Kapoor's Career](https://therollingtape.com/the-making-of-a-star-the-power-of-pr-propaganda-and-prowess-in-ranbir-kapoors-career/) - I was 13 when Bachna Ae Haseeno, produced by Yash Raj Films featuring Ranbir Kapoor, was about to be released. The chatter was about how Rishi Kapoor's son was poised to be the next big star; all the newspapers and tabloids were abuzz with praise for this tall, lean lad with the illustrious Kapoor genes.
- [“The Feeling That The Time For Doing Something Has Passed” Review: Expert Use of Irony to Showcase the Mundane](https://therollingtape.com/the-feeling-that-the-time-for-doing-something-has-passed-review-expert-use-of-irony-to-showcase-the-mundane/) - After months of anticipation, I finally caught Joanna Arnow's latest feature, The Feeling That the Time for Doing Something Has Passed, which I’ve been looking forward to after seeing that Richard Brody placed it on his list of standout films from 2024. Here’s a film that captures the oxymoronic idea of being enjoyable in an
- ['Saturday Night' Review: A Frenetic, Yet Unforgettable Night](https://therollingtape.com/saturday-night-review-a-frenetic-yet-unforgettable-night/) - October 11, 1975. The start of something new - something big, was imminent. NBC debuted the now long-running sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live. Many have wondered, "What happened leading up to that first taping?” Director Jason Reitman and his co-writer Gil Kenan have answered this question with their latest collaboration Saturday Night. Some filmmakers
- [5 Movies to Watch Before the End of 2024 ](https://therollingtape.com/5-movies-to-watch-before-the-end-of-2024/) - 2024 saw an exciting blend of movies worldwide. From horror evolving as quite an interesting genre to sequels nearly as exciting as the prequel, 2024 has seen some quality and technological prowess in film. As the medium of entertainment changes rapidly, audiences have many movies to choose from or take inspiration from. Even as OTT
- [NEWS 031: NYFF 2024 Recap](https://therollingtape.com/news-031-nyff-2024-recap/) - The 62nd New York Film Festival has come to a close, and we debrief the lineup and festivities as the major festival season begins to wrap up.Listen Here:SpotifyApple PodcastsAll Listening PlatformsFollow our team online:Danny Jarabek Website, Letterboxd, Instagram, X, TikTok, and LinktreeBryan Sudfield on Letterboxd, Instagram, X, and Life Moves Pretty FastOwen Wilczek on Letterboxd, and XCameron Ritter on Letterboxd, Instagram, X, and TikTokFilms mentioned:Letterboxd listHave questions? Email info@therollingtape.comCredits: Theme music by
- [‘Piece by Piece’ Review: Williams Wants You to Win in an Uplifting, Crowd-Pleasing Documentary](https://therollingtape.com/piece-by-piece-review-williams-wants-you-to-win-in-an-uplifting-crowd-pleasing-documentary/) - Pharrell Williams wears many hats in the entertainment industry. He’s a singer, songwriter, producer, rapper, fashion designer, influencer, mogul. However, there once was a time when Williams lived in the projects of Virginia Beach with his parents and two brothers. He struggled in school and lacked direction, only connecting with his passion for music and
- ['Blitz' Review: McQueen Struggles With Too Much To Say in Too Little Time](https://therollingtape.com/blitz-review-mcqueen-struggles-with-too-much-to-say-in-too-little-time/) - Any young person who spent their formative schooling years in Britain would likely agree with me when I say that Steve McQueen's Blitz (2024) is a combination of a harrowing war retelling and a Sunday afternoon BBC family drama that struggles to blend well. Set in 1940s Britain during World War II, single mother and
- [EP 106: Saturday Night (2024)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-106-saturday-night-2024/) - LIVE FROM THE ROLLING TAPE ITS SATURDAY NIGHT! At 11:30pm on October 11th, 1975, a ferocious troupe of young comedians and writers changed television forever. Find out what happened behind the scenes in the 90 minutes leading up to the first broadcast of Saturday Night Live. Directed and co-written by Jason Reitman, the film brings
- [‘The Texas Chainsaw Massacre’ (1974): Creating Shocking Art](https://therollingtape.com/the-texas-chainsaw-massacre-1974-creating-shocking-art/) - October 11th marks the 50th anniversary of what many know as Tobe Hooper’s masterpiece, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974). This anniversary has a unique element to it since Terrifier 3 is being released the same day. The two films share a commonality as both are considered “shocking art”. Even fifty years after Texas Chainsaw, horror
- [Review: 'The Apprentice' is a Light Touch on a Complicated Figure](https://therollingtape.com/review-the-apprentice-is-a-light-touch-on-a-complicated-figure/) - At the tail end of 2008, Oliver Stone’s W. painted a reflective portrait of President Bush as his second term ended and people were getting ready to move on. That film felt too tame and empathetic for such a divisive figure, which made for a reductive film. Now, 16 years later, Ali Abassi’s The Apprentice
- [Review: 'Above the Knee' Cuts Itself Off at the Leg](https://therollingtape.com/review-above-the-knee-cuts-itself-off-at-the-leg/) - Above the Knee, which had its world premiere at BeyondFest 2024, follows a man so desperate to cut off his own leg that it consumes his life. Like in his first feature Good Boy (2022), director Viljar Bøe delves into an absurd yet somehow plausible human phenomenon and turns it into a character study. Above
- [‘Hold Your Breath’ Review: A Weak Addition to the 2024 Female-Led Horror Portfolio](https://therollingtape.com/hold-your-breath-review-a-weak-addition-to-the-2024-female-led-horror-portfolio/) - A few weeks back, my colleague Evan Miller reviewed Never Let Go (2024), a horror film about a mother and her two children whom she is trying to protect from an unseen evil in a secluded area. Much to my surprise (and minor disappointment), I was greeted by the same concept this week with Hold
- [RETROSPECTIVE 011: Jason Reitman](https://therollingtape.com/retrospective-011-jason-reitman/) - Jason Reitman is a Canadian-American filmmaker known for directing films including Thank You for Smoking (2005), Juno (2007), Up in the Air (2009), Young Adult (2011), Ghostbusters: Afterlife. His career has featured frequent collaborations with screenwriter Diablo Cody while ranging from independent features to the blockbuster scale. His ability to tackle contemporary issues while blending
- [‘Your Monster’ Review: A Wacky Rom-com Bubbling with Rage](https://therollingtape.com/your-monster-review-a-wacky-rom-com-bubbling-with-rage/) - 2024 is officially the year of making movie monsters your boyfriend. Earlier this year we got the criminally underappreciated Lisa Frankenstein (2024), a story about a teen who falls for a Frankenstein-like monster. Now, we turn to werewolves with Caroline Lindy’s Your Monster (2024). Based on the 2019 short of the same name, Your Monster
- ['Joker: Folie à Deux' Review: Todd Phillips Proves You Can Only Get Lucky Once](https://therollingtape.com/joker-folie-a-deux-review-todd-phillips-proves-you-can-only-get-lucky-once/) - After leaving my theater screening of Joker: Folie à Deux (2024), above all other emotions, I mostly felt confused. As I walked home and furiously texted everyone that this movie was nothing more than a pile of garbage, I kept asking myself: “What on earth was the point of this?” I can’t even try to
- [EP 105: Joker: Folie À Deux (2024)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-105-joker-folie-a-deux-2024/) - Following the 2019 bombshell origin story that became the first R-rated movie to gross over $1 billion, Todd Phillips returns to the world of the Clown Prince of Crime with the sequel, Joker: Folie À Deux. Arthur Fleck is institutionalized at Arkham, awaiting trial for his crimes as Joker. While struggling with his dual identity,
- [Ladies Night 004](https://therollingtape.com/ladies-night-004/) - For the 4th edition of Ladies Night this week, we break down ‘The Substance’ for our main discussion continuing our analysis of “the true female experience in film.” We also cover our favorites of 2024, thirst over ‘Gladiator 2,’ and get a visit from a very special spoon.Listen Here:SpotifyApple PodcastsAll Listening PlatformsFollow our team online:Sara
- [‘Agatha All Along’ Review: The Unlikely Spin-Off That Could](https://therollingtape.com/agatha-all-along-review-the-unlikely-spin-off-that-could/) - The following is a SPOILER review for Episodes 1-4 of Agatha All Along, which streams on Disney+ every Wednesday at 6 PM PST/9 PM EST. Let it be known to the reader before you embark on my spoiler-filled review of Marvel Television’s latest series, Agatha All Along (2024), that I am a self-proclaimed Wanda-stan. That
- [‘Megalopolis’ Review: A Sun-Baked Saga of Self-Portraiture](https://therollingtape.com/megalopolis-review-a-sun-baked-saga-of-self-portraiture/) - For over half his life (which is quite a long time for an 85-year-old man), Francis Ford Coppola has carried the weight of an artistic obsession yearning for relief. The director has covered the gamut of successes and failures over six decades of filmmaking, carrying the accreditation of some of film history’s most revered products.
- ['Wolfs' Review: When the Juice Isn’t Worth the Squeeze](https://therollingtape.com/wolfs-review-when-the-juice-isnt-worth-the-squeeze/) - The moment many filmgoers have been waiting for has finally arrived: George Clooney and Brad Pitt’s long-anticipated on-screen reunion has come by way of Jon Watts’ Wolfs, following them as a pair of “fixers” who must work together to finish a seemingly simple clean-up job. As they get deeper into the evening they realize this
- [Daniel Day-Lewis ends retirement and returns to the screen for upcoming film ‘Anemone’](https://therollingtape.com/daniel-day-lewis-ends-retirement-and-returns-to-the-screen-for-upcoming-film-anemone/) - Daniel Day-Lewis is officially ending his retirement. The three-time Academy Award winning actor will make his acting return in Focus Features and Plan B’s Anemone. Anemone is being directed by Day-Lewis’ son, Ronan Day-Lewis and marks his feature directorial debut. The film is a joint partnership between the father and son, having co-written the script.
- ['Lyvia's House' Review: A Thriller That Often Misses Its Mark](https://therollingtape.com/lyvias-house-review-a-thriller-that-often-misses-its-mark/) - Part thriller and part mystery, Lyvia’s House is a new independent film directed by Niko Volonakis and written and produced by Patricia V. Davis. While this is Patricia’s first venture into writing for the screen, she is no stranger to mystery writing or writing in general as an established author, best known for her work
- [‘Will & Harper’ Review: Ferrell and Steele’s Camaraderie Shines in a Kind-hearted, Long-winded Road Trip](https://therollingtape.com/will-harper-review-ferrell-and-steeles-camaraderie-shines-in-a-kind-hearted-long-winded-road-trip/) - If the introduction of Josh Greenbaum’s Will & Harper (2024) makes one fact clear, it’s that Will Ferrell deeply admires his close friend Harper Steele. Not just for their 27 years of friendship, beginning on Saturday Night Live in the late ‘90s, but the countless memories they’ve collected. Described as “a loveable curmudgeon with a
- ['The Wild Robot' Review: A Refreshing Change of Pace for Dreamworks](https://therollingtape.com/the-wild-robot-review-a-refreshing-change-of-pace-for-dreamworks/) - Dreamworks Animation has had an interesting track record over the past few years. Between whatever was going on with Ruby Gilman: Teenage Kraken (2023) and the brief light that was Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022), it’s fair to say they’ve had their fair share of hits and misses. With this in mind, my
- [EP 103: The Wild Robot (2024)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-103-the-wild-robot-2024/) - The Wild Robot is the latest in the DreamWorks Animation studio catalog. Written and directed by Chris Sanders based on a book series of the same name, the film is also distributed by Universal Pictures. In the film, Roz, voiced by Nyong'o, is a robot shipwrecked on an uninhabited island, must adapt to her surroundings,
- ['Crumb' 30th Anniversary - Unraveling the American Nightmare](https://therollingtape.com/crumb-30th-anniversary-unraveling-the-american-nightmare/) - No documentary has left me shaken to my core in terms of constructing a window into another life that is so separate from me, yet humanistic and and detailed. Crumb (1994) destroys the hackneyed trope of the misunderstood artist by peeling back the layers of the mystique and acclaim in revealing a raw, unresolved nerve
- [Revisiting ‘Howl’s Moving Castle’: Celebrating the Enchanting Ghibli Film’s 20th Anniversary](https://therollingtape.com/revisiting-howls-moving-castle-celebrating-the-enchanting-ghibli-films-20th-anniversary/) - What do I want to tell you about Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)? I could start anywhere with the Studio Ghibli film, directed by icon Hayao Miyazaki, whose other films, like Spirited Away (2001) and My Neighbor Totoro (1988), have long been part of my life. I’ve been watching the English dub of the film since
- [5 Performances That Prove Adam Driver is One of the Best Actors Working Today](https://therollingtape.com/5-performances-that-prove-adam-driver-is-one-of-the-best-actors-working-today/) - Martin Scorsese once said that Adam Driver is "​​one of the best, if not the best, actors of his generation," and well, he is not wrong. Over the course of his career, he has worked with a diverse catalog of talent including Noah Baumbach, Jim Jarmusch, Leos Carax, Spike Lee, Ridley Scott, and now, more
- [RETROSPECTIVE 010: DreamWorks Animation Studio](https://therollingtape.com/retrospective-010-dreamworks-animation-studio/) - DreamWorks Animation has been a major force in the world of animated storytelling since its inception in 1994. Founded by Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg, and David Geffen, DreamWorks brought a new vision that has consistently pushed creative boundaries, and challenged industry norms, delivering beloved franchises like Shrek, Madagascar, and How to Train Your Dragon. This retrospective explores the
- [‘Transformers One’ Review: Revitalizing a Dying Franchise](https://therollingtape.com/transformers-one-review-revitalizing-a-dying-franchise/) - Another week, another IP release. It really does feel like we see a sequel, prequel, lega-sequel, or reboot of one franchise or another almost weekly. Surprisingly, no original films have cracked the top ten at the domestic box office thus far in 2024, and that doesn’t seem to be changing any time soon. This isn’t
- ['The Substance' Review: A Visceral Notch on Fargeat’s Belt](https://therollingtape.com/the-substance-review-a-visceral-notch-on-fargeats-belt/) - Showbiz can be a monster, just as the misogyny rampant within it can be. Coralie Fargeat takes these ideas, dials them up to 11, and then shatters the scale in The Substance (2024), her recent feature starring Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley, and Dennis Quaid. Following a fading star (Moore) who undergoes a particularly shady treatment
- ['La Strada' (1954) at 70: Finding Purpose in Our Lives](https://therollingtape.com/la-strada-1954-at-70-finding-purpose-in-our-lives/) - Federico Fellini is one of those filmmakers who gets brought up regarding the foundation of modern cinema, and that’s for good reason. Whether it be La Dolce Vita (1960), 8 1⁄2 (1963), or even Amarcord (1973), Fellini delivered rich human dramas with a certain Italian flair. In 1954, Fellini took on the tale of a
- [EP 102: The Substance (2024)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-102-the-substance-2024/) - From director Coralie Fargeat is the biggest sensation of body horror 2024 has to offer. The Substance premiered at Cannes earlier this year before playing Midnight Madness at TIFF. The story follows a fading celebrity who decides to use a black-market drug, a cell-replicating substance that temporarily creates a younger, better version of herself. The
- [*TIFF 2024* Interview With 'Freedom Way' (2024) Writer & Executive Producer, Blessing Uzzi](https://therollingtape.com/tiff-2024-interview-with-freedom-way-2024-writer-executive-producer-blessing-uzzi/) - Matt Minton sits down to talk with Blessing Uzzi, the writer and executive producer of the Nigerian film Freedom Way, which is world premiering at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival. Blessing talks about her inspiration for the film’s unique structure, the political importance of the story and her initiative as the founder of Bluhouse Studios.Listen Here:SpotifyApple
- [20 Years of Mysteries, 20 Years of Happiness - How 'LOST' Became the Television Juggernaut](https://therollingtape.com/20-years-of-mysteries-20-years-of-happiness-how-lost-became-the-television-juggernaut/) - On September 22nd, 2004, audiences were stunned as they witnessed the beginning of one of the most revolutionary and influential television series in history. Twenty years later, that show, LOST, remains one of the most iconic shows with its numerous mysteries, eclectic cast of characters, and beautiful Michael Giacchino tunes. Over six seasons, LOST boasted
- [‘Never Let Go’ Review: Tension That Never Lets Up](https://therollingtape.com/never-let-go-review-tension-that-never-lets-up/) - Parents sometimes tell their children things that may not necessarily be true to ensure their safety. Whether it’s a white lie that teaches young children not to talk to strangers or go places where they aren’t supposed to, children are impressionable. In the case of Never Let Go (2024), the audience is placed directly in
- [‘Sleep’ Review: Jason Yu crafts a Suspenseful Yet Haphazard High-concept Thriller](https://therollingtape.com/sleep-review-jason-yu-crafts-a-suspenseful-yet-haphazard-high-concept-thriller/) - After a slew of festival appearances earlier this year, including a spot in the 76th Cannes Film Festival’s Critics’ Week, Jason Yu’s Sleep (2023) finds its way over to the United States after premiering in South Korea earlier this month. Receiving praise from critics upon release, the hype surrounding Sleep is palpable, with early praise
- ['8 AM Metro' Review: A Journey of Human Connection, Loss, and Mental Health](https://therollingtape.com/8-am-metro-review-a-journey-of-human-connection-loss-and-mental-health/) - There are anticipated movies that are expected to take the movie world by storm and rake in millions at the box office. Fans eagerly await their arrival, and OTT platforms scramble to get rights. Then, some movies come quietly to the theaters and leave without making much noise. They are not spoken about until a
- [‘Uglies’ Review: Late-Coming YA Adaptation Arrives at the Wrong Time](https://therollingtape.com/uglies-review-late-coming-ya-adaptation-arrives-at-the-wrong-time/) - In an early scene of Uglies, directed by McG, Tally Youngblood (Joey King) stands in front of her bedroom mirror, her mouth in a hard line, her face resolute. She inspects her cheeks and squinty eyes, the namesake of her Ugly nickname: Squint. “Mirror, make me Pretty,” she instructs, dull but nervous. We can imagine
- [Marbella International Film Festival Kicks off this October with Screenings Featuring Anthony Hopkins, Diane Keaton](https://therollingtape.com/marbella-international-film-festival-kicks-off-this-october-with-screenings-featuring-anthony-hopkins-diane-keaton/) - The 19th annual Marbella International Film Festival will kick off this October and feature 40 films from all over the world, including the United States of America, Canada, Italy, Iran, the UK, and many more. This year’s festival, a five-day experience that kicks off on October 2 in Marbella, Spain, will screen a vast variety
- [‘The Killer’s Game’ Review: Killing in Style](https://therollingtape.com/the-killers-game-review-killing-in-style/) - As a fan of action movies, I often appreciate it when incredible action is paired with some substance that makes me care about the protagonist. When John Wick (2014) makes the viewer weep for the loss of John’s puppy, you care not only about the emotional toll but also root for him to get his
- ['Amadeus' 40 Years Later— The Perfect Film for the Digital Age](https://therollingtape.com/amadeus-40-years-later-the-perfect-film-for-the-digital-age/) - A forty-year-old period piece about rival classical composers doesn’t seem like it would hold a lot of weight in today’s digitally-driven culture. On the surface, Amadeus (1984), is an opulent Oscar darling operating at the highest caliber in every department. (It won eight Academy Awards including Best Picture.) It details a fictional and petty rivalry
- [NEWS 030: TIFF 2024 Recap](https://therollingtape.com/news-030-tiff-2024-recap/) - The Rolling Tape is home from Toronto as the festival has wrapped up and we are here to recap our stay at TIFF 2024. We discuss the People's Choice Winner, highlight our favorites of the fest, and share stories while on the ground in Toronto.Listen Here:SpotifyApple PodcastsAll Listening PlatformsFollow our team online:Danny Jarabek Website, Letterboxd, Instagram, X, TikTok, and LinktreeMatt Minton
- [*TIFF 24* ‘The Life of Chuck’ Review: A Glossy Rumination on Mortality](https://therollingtape.com/the-life-of-chuck-review-a-glossy-rumination-on-mortality/) - What comes next in the story after the world is doomed to end? Unlike most stories, director Mike Flanagan’s adaptation of Stephen King’s 2020 novella The Life of Chuck starts at the end, going from Act III back to Act I. It’s one of the film’s unique attributes that makes it feel different from other
- [Review: ‘Omni Loop’ Falls Victim to It's Own Premise](https://therollingtape.com/review-omni-loop-falls-victim-to-its-own-premise/) - If you could change anything about your life, what would it be? Like the many time-loop stories before it, Bernardo Britto’s Omni Loop (2024) explores this question quite literally. Omni Loop poignantly captures life and all its mundanity. Unfortunately, the story is weighed down by its popular time-bending premise. The science fiction melodrama follows Zoya
- [*TIFF 24* ‘Nightbitch’ Review: A Feral Take on Motherhood](https://therollingtape.com/nightbitch-review-a-feral-take-on-motherhood/) - Ever since The Diary of a Teenage Girl (2015) made a splash at the Sundance Film Festival, Marielle Heller has continued her career by making films that straddle the line between appealing to more arthouse audiences while also having something you could show to your parents. Ironically enough, her latest outing Nightbitch — a film
- [*TIFF24* How Milad Tangshir and Ibrahima Sambou Approached Remaking ‘Bicycle Thieves’](https://therollingtape.com/how-milad-tangshir-and-ibrahima-sambou-approached-remaking-bicycle-thieves/) - Discussing 'Anywhere Anytime' At first glance, director Milad Tangshir’s feature directorial debut Anywhere Anytime has much in common with the Italian Neorealist classic Bicycle Thieves (1948). That is intentional and wasn’t a feat that Tangshir took lightly at any point throughout the six-year process. “I think it’s insane to approach a timeless masterpiece and remake
- [*TIFF 24* ‘Paying For It’ Review: Graphic Novel Adaptation Puts Relationships into the Spotlight](https://therollingtape.com/paying-for-it-review-graphic-novel-adaptation-puts-relationships-into-the-spotlight/) - While many adaptations of graphic novels and comic books often rely on colorful animation, zany characters, and strong stylistic choices to bring the essence of the source material to life, director Sook-Yin Lee opts for a more reserved, laid-back approach to the various sexual encounters depicted in Chester Brown’s original graphic novel — here, aptly
- [*TIFF 24* ‘Anora’ Review: Sean Baker Reaches Another Level](https://therollingtape.com/tiff-24-anora-review-sean-baker-reaches-another-level/) - As moviegoers, sometimes we’re lucky enough to witness the birth of a movie star in real-time. Whether it’s Emma Stone’s role in 2016’s La La Land or Cher’s turn in Moonstruck (1987), sometimes a role is so good that it allows the actor to fully blossom right then and there. With NEON’s Anora, Sean Baker
- ['Léon: The Professional' (1994): French Cinema in New York](https://therollingtape.com/leon-the-professional-1994-french-cinema-in-new-york/) - French cinema has always had a certain aura to it. The films feel elevated to a level higher than their North American counterparts; it’s almost as if they exist in a fantasy world. Maybe it’s the way stories are told or the way the cinematography is treated, but it feels like we’re peeking into a
- [Analyzing the TIFF 2024 People’s Choice Winners](https://therollingtape.com/analyzing-the-tiff-2024-peoples-choice-winners/) - After much speculation following multiple titles being buzzed about for the win, the top three winners for the 2024 TIFF People’s Choice Winners were The Life of Chuck directed by Mike Flanagan, Emilia Pérez directed by Jacques Audiard, and Anora directed by Sean Baker. The Life of Chuck, taking the number one spot, echoes the
- [‘The 4:30 Movie’ Review: A Familiar but Satisfactory Walk Through ‘80s Nostalgia Lane](https://therollingtape.com/the-430-movie-review-a-familiar-but-satisfactory-walk-through-80s-nostalgia-lane/) - Time flies when you’re having fun, and writer/director Kevin Smith’s latest film The 4:30 Movie (2024) shows he’s had a hell of a lot of it over his prolific career. It’s been thirty years since the release of Clerks (1994), the audaciously subversive microbudget comedy that put Smith on the map. Since then, Smith has
- [NEWS 029: Venice Festival Recap 2024](https://therollingtape.com/news-028-venice-festival-recap-2024/) - With the Venice International Film Festival coming to a close, we recap the films and events of the fest and assess the slate of award winners including the Golden Lion winner.Listen Here:SpotifyApple PodcastsAll Listening PlatformsFollow our team online:Gabe Lillianthal on Letterboxd, and XOwen Wilczek on Letterboxd, and XClotilde Chinnici Website, Letterboxd, XFilms mentioned:Letterboxd listHave questions? Email info@therollingtape.comCredits: Theme music by Eugene Rocco Utley
- [Jeremy Saulnier's 'Rebel Ridge' is an Exceptional Thriller](https://therollingtape.com/jeremy-saulniers-rebel-ridge-is-an-exceptional-thriller/) - De-escalation is the prevailing theme surrounding Jeremy Saulnier’s Rebel Ridge (2024), which is a form of inversion to most of Saulnier’s works. In Blue Ruin (2013) and Green Room (2015), the escalation of violence is the driving momentum that pits his characters into dangerous situations where chaos continuously builds on itself. His characters often lack
- [The 10 Best Chess Scenes in Films](https://therollingtape.com/the-10-best-chess-scenes-in-films/) - There seems to be an inherent fascination with chess in cinema. Films from a wide range of genres and countries use the game as an allegory, as a metaphor, for the battles within and sometimes the battlefield itself. Chess scenes are often used to showcase any given character's intelligence as well as the dynamic between
- [*TIFF 24* 'Sad Jokes' Review: Absurdly Dramatic Sketches of Everyday Life](https://therollingtape.com/tiff-24-sad-jokes-review-absurdly-dramatic-sketches-of-everyday-life/) - The dramatic and the absurd often go hand-in-hand — often when we least expect it. Case in point: Fabian Stumm’s second German feature Sad Jokes. Take Joseph (Stumm). Like many of us, he’s enraptured by the moving image. He’s working on a new feature about Automatonophobia (or fear of statues) of all things. Also, like
- [EP 101: Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-101-beetlejuice-beetlejuice-2024/) - The juice is loose! Tim Burton returns to the afterlife with a sequel to his iconic 1988 classic Beetlejuice. After a family tragedy, three generations of the Deetz family return home to Winter River. Still haunted by Beetlejuice, Lydia's life is turned upside down when her teenage daughter, Astrid, accidentally opens the portal to the
- [Brady Corbet's The Brutalist Acquired by A24](https://therollingtape.com/brady-corbets-the-brutalist-acquired-by-a24/) - A24 is crashing the Oscar race this Fall by acquiring the U.S. distribution rights for Brady Corbet’s American epic, The Brutalist (2024). The news follows its Silver Lion win at the 81st Venice Film Festival. Starring Adrien Brody, Guy Pearce, and Felicity Jones, the film is a three-and-a-half-hour epic that follows Brody as Hungarian-born, Jewish
- ['Beetlejuice Beetlejuice' Review: Tim Burton Resurrects a Thirty-Six-Year-Old Character with a Lively Legacy Sequel](https://therollingtape.com/beetlejuice-beetlejuice-review-tim-burton-resurrects-a-thirty-six-year-old-character-with-a-lively-legacy-sequel/) - We are in the Age of the Legacy Sequel. This summer alone we saw Twisters (2024) and Alien: Romulus (2024). The nostalgia-soaked trend can be hit or miss, often feeling like an unnecessary walk down memory lane that leaves you wishing they just left your favorite movie alone. For every Top Gun: Maverick (2022), there’s
- [Review: 'The Deliverance' Falls Short of Being Dramatic and Horrifying](https://therollingtape.com/review-the-deliverance-falls-short-of-being-dramatic-and-horrifying/) - Elements of horror run rampant in most of Lee Daniels's films, whether it's the ferocious nature of Mo’Nique as an abusive mother in Precious (2009) or the antagonistic nature of the FBI jailing Billie Holiday in The United States vs. Billie Holiday (2021). The Deliverance (2024) finds Daniels entering a different type of horror: supernatural.
- [Horror in 2024: The Devil is Inside Me and I Don’t Want It There](https://therollingtape.com/horror-in-2024-the-devil-is-inside-me-and-i-dont-want-it-there/) - The horror genre kicked 2024 off with an anomaly: two films, made by two completely different studios, with similar premises, released mere weeks from each other. Immaculate and The First Omen ushered in horror with a bang of demonic babies, corrupt nunneries, and fears of unwanted parenthood. Then, after much anticipation, Longlegs was released. Beyond
- [RETROSPECTIVE 009: Tim Burton](https://therollingtape.com/retrospective-009-tim-burton/) - Tim Burton's career is a journey through the surreal and the gothic, where the ordinary meets the bizarre in a visually stunning blend of emotion and imagination. Emerging in the mid-1980s, Burton quickly established himself as a director with a singular vision, blending elements of horror, fantasy, and humor to create unforgettable cinematic worlds. His
- [ 5 Female-Directed Films to Catch This Fall](https://therollingtape.com/5-female-directed-films-to-catch-this-fall/) - The fall film festival season is in full swing! Audiences are being bombarded with critic reviews, press tours, red carpet photos, and letterboxd lists all sharing which films have mandated viewings this fall. Within the festival circuit and award season buzz, female-directed films are garnering attention. Marielle Heller returns with her comedy-for-women and horror-for-men Nightbitch.
- [Ten TIFF Midnight Madness Gems](https://therollingtape.com/ten-tiff-midnight-madness-gems/) - Midnight Madness at the Toronto International Film Festival has been a staple of the film festival circuit since its inception. Currently programmed and hosted by Peter Kuplowsky, Midnight Madness is a unique and boundary-pushing showing of horror, thriller, sci-fi, comedy, and action films. To me, Midnight Madness is the crown jewel in the world of
- [‘Rear Window’ at 70: Hitchcock’s Masterpiece is as Pertinent as Ever](https://therollingtape.com/rear-window-at-70-hitchcocks-masterpiece-is-as-pertinent-as-ever/) - I have a confession: I have more cinematic blindspots than I care to count. It’s a constant source of stress, honestly. The sea of content throughout the medium’s inception feels limitless, and catching up to 120+ years of filmmaking is a hefty task. But, recently, I found that there’s a hidden curiosity that comes with
- [Netflix Acquires Pablo Larraín’s 'Maria' Starring Angelina Jolie](https://therollingtape.com/netflix-acquires-pablo-larrains-maria-starring-angelina-jolie/) - The first major acquisition out of the 81st Venice Film Festival comes courtesy of Netflix, as they have acquired the U.S. distribution rights to Maria (2024), the Pablo Larraín-directed biopic of American opera Singer, Maria Callas, starring Academy Award winner Angelina Jolie. Maria follows the final days of famed opera singer Maria Callas in 1970s
- ['Strange Darling' Upends a One-Night Stand to a Crazed Thriller](https://therollingtape.com/strange-darling-upends-a-one-night-stand-to-a-crazed-thriller/) - Exercises in genre pastiche can go both ways. Quentin Tarantino benefits from utilizing his encyclopedic knowledge of cinema history in a fresh and innovative manner. At the same time, this year’s MaXXXine (2024) displayed Ti West’s inability to untangle style and references without offering a distinct directorial vision. In his sophomore outing, writer/director JT Mollner
- [‘The Crow’ Review: A Dark Fantasy So Dull That Reality Seems Brighter](https://therollingtape.com/the-crow-review-a-dark-fantasy-so-dull-that-reality-seems-brighter/) - To start this review with an endorsement: fans of the 1994 version of The Crow, directed by Alex Proyas and starring the late Brandon Lee, who tragically died from an on-set accident during filming, have every right to protest the existence of Lionsgate’s The Crow. With how beloved and essential that film has become to
- [Ladies Night 003](https://therollingtape.com/ladies-night-003/) - This month, in the wake of Gladiator 2 thirst traps, the ladies come back to the studio to break down “girl marketing” and the female gaze when applied to film distribution. They also tackle the micro-trend “older woman-young man” and how this trope has progressed since the 40s. Listen Here:SpotifyApple PodcastsAll Listening PlatformsFollow our team online:Sara Ciplickas on Letterboxd, Instagram,
- [‘Stree 2’ Review: A Horror Comedy with a Heart](https://therollingtape.com/stree-2-review-a-horror-comedy-with-a-heart/) - A severed head rolling down roads and slopes, a floating witch with a veil covering her head, three musketeers, and a mysterious woman who comes and goes as she pleases or as required. The small town of Chanderi has everything needed for a perfect ghost setting–so does the movie Stree 2. Set in the narrow
- [NEWS 028: TIFF Preview 2024](https://therollingtape.com/news-028-tiff-preview-2024/) - With three team members from The Rolling Tape going to TIFF in a couple of weeks time, we discuss an in-depth look at the TIFF lineup and detail our schedules and priorities for what we want to see and do while in Toronto starting September 4. Listen Here:SpotifyApple PodcastsAll Listening PlatformsFollow our team online:Danny Jarabek Website, Letterboxd, Instagram, X, TikTok, and LinktreeBryan
- [‘Between the Temples’ Review: Jason Schwartzman Leads an Acerbic Comedy that Stumbles at the Finish Line](https://therollingtape.com/between-the-temples-review-jason-schwartzman-leads-an-acerbic-comedy-that-stumbles-at-the-finish-line/) - I was shocked to learn that Nathan Silver’s Between the Temples (2024) is the director’s ninth feature film, as Temples has the scrappy energy of a debut. Silver’s filmography runs the gamut, from pregnant teens in Uncertain Terms (2014) to deception and intrigue in Thirst Street (2017). Yet he still finds himself on the fringes
- [Interview with 'Lyvia’s House' Writer and Producer Patricia V. Davis and Lead Actor Joshua Malekos](https://therollingtape.com/interview-with-lyvias-house-writer-and-producer-patricia-v-davis-and-lead-actor-joshua-malekos/) - Coming to VOD in October, Lyvia’s House is a mystery thriller film directed by Niko Volonakis and written and produced by Patricia V. Davis who is also known as a fictional author for her paranormal mystery series, “The Secret Spice Café.” Lyvia’s House follows Tara Manning (Tara Nichol Cadwell), a young journalist, whose life radically
- [‘The Wizard of Oz’ 85 Years Later: What Makes a Film Canon?](https://therollingtape.com/the-wizard-of-oz-85-years-later-what-makes-a-film-canon/) - It’s been 85 years since Dorothy Gale accidentally got swept away to Oz, dropped a house on a witch, and famously used her ruby red slippers to return home. Since our adventure down the yellow brick road, The Wizard of Oz has been referenced as a revolutionary film and widely accepted as a quintessential classic.
- [EP 100: The Silence of the Lambs (1991) & The Rolling Tape Anniversary Special](https://therollingtape.com/ep-100-the-silence-of-the-lambs-1991-the-rolling-tape-anniversary-special/) - In honor of our 100th main show episode of the podcast, we hosted a bracket on social media asking you all to vote between 32 films selected by our team, with the winner being the selection for this review episode. All of our team members were assigned by random draw one year within the last
- [NEWS 027: Fall Festival Preview 2024](https://therollingtape.com/news-027-fall-festival-preview-2024/) - The fall film festival cycle is gearing up once again with the major festivals announcing their lineup of films that will reveal to us many of the major awards players and flesh out the fall and winter 2024 theater schedule. We break down major lineup announcements from Venice, TIFF, NYFF, and speculate on what titles
- [16 Underrated Animated Gems](https://therollingtape.com/16-underrated-animated-gems/) - Time and time again, animation proves to be one of our most valuable mediums. It serves as a vehicle to make complicated themes and ideas accessible while pushing the limits of what is achievable on camera. I would argue that some of the best films ever made are animated. Earlier this month, we celebrated the
- ['Monkey Man' Review: Dev Patel’s Engine for Kinetic Stunts and Static Social Commentary](https://therollingtape.com/monkey-man-review-dev-patels-engine-for-kinetic-stunts-and-static-social-commentary/) - If there was an Oscar for the Biggest Miracle of a Production that takes into account its constraints, obstacles, and chaos relative to its budget, you could very well consider the race over with the release of Monkey Man. Ranging from a COVID shutdown to financier back-outs to broken hands and broken cameras, Dev Patel’s
- [‘Longlegs’ Review: The Multiple Personalities of a Supernatural Fairytale](https://therollingtape.com/longlegs-review-the-multiple-personalities-of-a-supernatural-fairytale/) - In a media-possessed world where perception is reality and calling 458-666-HELL returns the voice of Nicolas Cage in full-tilt serial killer sicko mode, it’s no wonder that Osgood Perkins’ nightmare-fueled procedural is set to clear $20 million in its opening weekend, more than doubling boutique distributor NEON’s previous total box office best. In manufacturing a
- [‘Alien: Romulus’ Review: The Ultimate Space Horror Trip](https://therollingtape.com/alien-romulus-review-the-ultimate-space-horror-trip/) - Legacy sequels are a recent trend, and we’ve had enough of them to be able to pick out what works and what doesn’t. While I really liked Hellraiser (2022) and Halloween Ends (2022), I wasn’t a fan of where they took The Exorcist: Believer (2023) or Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024). A personal opinion on a
- [Fifteen Years Later, ‘Coraline’ 3D Remaster is a Rich Rendering of Subtle Artistry](https://therollingtape.com/fifteen-years-later-coraline-3d-remaster-is-a-rich-rendering-of-subtle-artistry/) - Coraline (2009) celebrates its 15th anniversary this week with a theatrical run, where audiences don plastic 3D glasses (rather than button eyes) and enter this still-effervescent and unsettling adventure into the Other World. But who, exactly, is this 3D re-release and remaster for? Back in 2009, Coraline was production company Laika’s first-ever stop motion film
- [FANTASIA FEST ‘Cuckoo’ Review: Reproductive Horror Falls Short of Reality’s Dangers](https://therollingtape.com/fantasia-fest-cuckoo-review-reproductive-horror-falls-short-of-realitys-dangers/) - With a world premiere at the Berlinale in February, a full circuit of spring festivals, and a victory lap at Canada’s Fantasia Fest before its August theater release, it's almost incredible that the resounding takeaway after six months of screenings is a simple question: what is Cuckoo about? Although Tilman Singer’s script works overtime in
- [EP 099: Alien: Romulus (2024)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-099-alien-romulus-2024/) - With a long line of auteurs lending their hand to the Alien franchise, Fede Alvarez takes a turn with the standalone effort Alien: Romulus. Taking place between the events of Alien and Aliens, while scavenging the deep ends of a derelict space station, a group of young space colonists come face to face with the
- [‘The Instigators’ Review: Big Stars Shine Through Rocky Crime Comedy](https://therollingtape.com/the-instigators-review-big-stars-shine-through-rocky-crime-comedy/) - Since the release of Steven Soderbergh’s Ocean’s Thirteen in 2007, fans have been clamoring for a sequel to reunite that brilliant cast. While that doesn’t appear to be happening any time soon, the 2024 film slate has a couple of offerings that pair members from the iconic cast within the crime genre. Later this fall
- [‘Skincare’ Review: Elizabeth Banks Assertively Leads a Well-contoured Thriller](https://therollingtape.com/skincare-review-elizabeth-banks-assertively-leads-a-well-contoured-thriller/) - In a superficial world that idolizes perfection under the guise of hard work, struggle, and determination, we often see the result of success without experiencing the bumps and bruises attained along the way. We might think we know the specifics of someone’s rags-to-riches story, but when instant gratification is the new norm, the details get
- [‘Freddy vs. Jason,’ Over 20 Years Later: Remnants of a Bygone Era?](https://therollingtape.com/freddy-vs-jason-over-20-years-later-remnants-of-a-bygone-era/) - Ah, 2003–the days of Bratz and flip phones. While I have no memory of this year, I find that looking back on the films of that period gives me a good idea of the pop culture climate of the time, especially its landmark horror films. It was drastically different from what we see nowadays in
- [‘It Ends With Us’ Review: A Rom-Drama to Handle with Care](https://therollingtape.com/it-ends-with-us-review-a-rom-drama-to-handle-with-care/) - It is a universally acknowledged fact that Hollywood will have its hands on a novel the second it lands on a bestseller list. Not all book-to-screen adaptations are made equal, but Justin Baldoni’s record is pretty solid so far in his career. After directing the adaptation of Five Feet Apart (2019), Baldoni has moved on
- [Review: ‘The Sweet East’ Delivers a Flamboyant Dramedy Through a Lost America](https://therollingtape.com/review-the-sweet-east-delivers-a-flamboyant-dramedy-through-a-lost-america/) - The tagline “Everything will happen” is a promise that rings true in The Sweet East. This satirical epic follows a high school trip gone rogue. All innocence is lost as a cynical Lillian, played by Talia Ryder, takes the audience on a journey exploring American political fringes and fanaticism. Not only is it an 84-minute
- [RETROSPECTIVE 008: Alien Franchise](https://therollingtape.com/retrospective-008-alien-franchise/) - The Alien movie franchise, spanning over four decades, is one of the most iconic and enduring series in science fiction and horror filmmaking history. What began in 1979 with Ridley Scott's Alien has since evolved into a sprawling narrative universe known for its heroine Ellen Ripley, its groundbreaking visual effects, and the image of the
- [FANTASIA FEST ‘Chainsaws Were Singing’ Review: Chainsaws Singing Offends and Assaults Your Senses](https://therollingtape.com/fantasia-fest-chainsaws-were-singing-review-chainsaws-singing-offends-and-assaults-your-senses/) - When it comes to cult hit films it’s quite hard nowadays for a movie as abrasive and unapologetic as Chainsaws Were Singing (2024) to achieve a passionate following without the assistance of home video. As streaming becomes omnipresent, films that thrive on audience participation and reaction need festivals like Fantasia to make waves and become
- ['Rebel Moon Director’s Cut' Proves Zack Snyder Has Nothing Left](https://therollingtape.com/rebel-moon-directors-cut-proves-zack-snyder-has-nothing-left/) - Zack Snyder's career has been an interesting one. From the early 2000s to the 2010s, he was known for making stylistically unique and individual films. In the past decade, though, his image as a filmmaker has shifted into something completely different. Snyder has always flourished with directors’ cuts, but his overreliance on these alternate versions
- [“Serial Mom” Retrospective: 30 Years of Fly Swatting](https://therollingtape.com/serial-mom-retrospective-30-years-of-fly-swatting/) - Beverly Sutphin (Kathleen Turner) is the perfect example of the suburban fantasy: she regularly attends PTA meetings, makes dinner for her loving family every night, and has a reliable group of female friends to gossip with over happy-hour drinks. What more could she want out of life? There’s just one small tick that most people
- [EP 098: Cuckoo (2024)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-098-cuckoo-2024/) - Originally premiering at Berlin International Film Festival before also showing at SXSW, Tilman Singer’s sophomore feature Cuckoo follows up his 2018 effort Luz. In Hunter Schafer’s first major leading role, 17-year-old Gretchen is forced to move with her family to a resort where things are not what they seem. She is plagued by strange noises and bloody visions until
- [‘Borderlands’ Review: Welcome to Blandora](https://therollingtape.com/borderlands-review-welcome-to-blandora/) - After a certain point in a movie’s prolonged development cycle, you must wonder whether it’s worth it to keep going. Should you cut your losses to avoid being responsible for the creation of what could potentially be one of the worst movies of all time or continue to create something that may be fantastic? In
- [Hollywood Has Turned 100: Origins, History, and Legacy of the Major Studios](https://therollingtape.com/hollywood-has-turned-100-origins-history-and-legacy-of-the-major-studios/) - In the past year, every major studio in Hollywood has celebrated or will be celebrating its 100th birthday Just in the first half of 2024, both Columbia Pictures and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer hit this important milestone. Similarly, Disney and Warner Brothers both recently celebrated their biggest birthday in 2023. But this is more than just a celebration:
- [‘Revenge Of The Nerds’ (1984): Still Radical After 40 Years?](https://therollingtape.com/revenge-of-the-nerds-1984-still-radical-after-40-years/) - The 80s were a golden age for comedy films, especially those taking a coming-of-age approach focusing on characters in high school and university. The world of movies had become wildly profitable by this time. The CBC Archives states that the late 80s saw the video rental market as a 2 billion dollar-a-year business. Everyone was
- [EP 097: Sing Sing (2024)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-097-sing-sing-2024/) - Originally premiering at TIFF in 2023, Greg Kwedar’s portrait of the titular maximum security prison and the Rehabilitation Through the Arts program that was instituted within its walls is now coming to theaters in wide release. The story follows Divine G, imprisoned at Sing Sing for a crime he didn't commit, who finds purpose by
- [‘Harold and the Purple Crayon’ Review: A Too Familiar, Cra-yawn of an Adaptation Deserving Better Care](https://therollingtape.com/harold-and-the-purple-crayon-review-a-too-familiar-cra-yawn-of-an-adaptation-deserving-better-care/) - Crockett Johnson’s 1955 picture book Harold and the Purple Crayon isn’t talked about with the same passion as other adolescent literary giants like Winnie the Pooh or Pinocchio, but its warm atmosphere and simple, earnest style helped it survive over the last seventy years. The book is about curious four-year-old Harold and his magic purple
- [‘Kneecap’ Review: Irish Rap Group Stands Centerstage in Ireland’s Oscars Bid](https://therollingtape.com/kneecap-review-irish-rap-group-stands-centerstage-in-irelands-oscars-bid/) - The appeal of Kneecap arrives in two bombastic waves. First, that the eponymous hip-hop group successfully achieves revolutionary and musical notoriety by the film’s scrappy conclusion; and second, that the biopic’s fictionalized hilarity — much like the group at its center that thwarts authority and expectations — subverts the nonfiction-inspired form’s oppressive demands and rules.
- [RETROSPECTIVE 007: M. Night Shyamalan](https://therollingtape.com/retrospective-007-m-night-shyamalan/) - Born in India and raised outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, M. Night Shyamalan has received critical acclaim over the last 2+ decades as a director, writer, and producer. Best known for his films with supernatural plots and horror storylines, Shyamalan gained international recognition when he wrote and directed The Sixth Sense in 1999, which was nominated
- [EP 096: Trap (2024)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-096-trap-2024/) - M. Night Shyamalan takes on his own eras tour as he continues on the comeback era with Trap, following a father and his teen daughter attending a pop concert only to realize they've entered the center of a dark and sinister event. Brat summer is over making way for Trap summer as the film has
- [‘Coup!’ Review: Serving Up a Clever Class-Struggle Comedy ](https://therollingtape.com/coup-review-serving-up-a-clever-class-struggle-comedy/) - In a sea of transatlantic accents and hedonism, greed is the real pandemic in Joseph Schuman and Austin Stark’s Coup! With a runtime of 97 minutes, Shuman and Stark deliver a sharp and sophisticated comedy depicting a power struggle that covers a much darker human impulse. Coup! captures its audience through bleeding-heart characters, witty dialogue,
- ['The Beast' Review: A Slow-Burning Sci-Fi To Make Criterion Debut in August](https://therollingtape.com/the-beast-review-a-slow-burning-sci-fi-to-make-criterion-debut-in-august/) - Let’s suppose, for argument’s sake, that one can distill one’s life to a series of individual choices. Mundane ones, to start: today’s outfit, this evening’s dinner, tomorrow’s commute. Those decisions are quotidian, even bland or mindless; perhaps they are the result of living in one’s society. Then there are the complications, the weightier selections: the
- [EP 095: Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-095-deadpool-wolverine-2024/) - Infamous and beloved characters, respectively, in their own timelines and universes, Deadpool & Wolverine features its two titular superheroes share the screen for the first time. Thanks to the 2019 merger of Disney and 20th Century Fox, the MCU now has the capability of bringing X-men into the MCU. In this first edition of that
- [‘Fairy Folk’ Review: A Fresh, Absurd Story of Man and Nature](https://therollingtape.com/fairy-folk-review-a-fresh-absurd-story-of-man-and-nature/) - The story of Adam and Eve is familiar to many. The couple was placed in the Garden of Eden where they lived in harmony with nature. Entrusted with caring for the garden, their actions took a pivotal turn when they ate from the forbidden tree of knowledge, resulting in the 'Fall of Man'. While the
- ['The Coffee Table' Review: The Anxiety Inducing Dark Comedy of 2023](https://therollingtape.com/the-coffee-table-review-the-anxiety-inducing-dark-comedy-of-2023/) - Not everyone is cut out for parenting. Caye Casas’ most recent work The Coffee Table depicts this uncomfortable truth to its most horrifying extent. For an all-too-quick 87 minutes, Casas throws the audience headfirst into the most terrifying anxieties about becoming a new parent, with the extra spice of a failing relationship thrown in for
- ['Crumb Catcher' Review: Cringe-Inducing Entertainment](https://therollingtape.com/crumb-catcher-review-cringe-inducing-entertainment/) - The balance of cringe as entertainment is a hard one to strike. Cringe comedy, as of late, has a tendency to devolve into being mean-spirited; I’ve found that cringe in genre films can just fall flat on its face. Crumb Catcher, the first feature from writer-director Chris Skotchdopole, takes basic social faux pas to the
- [The Awards Tape: Oscar Predictions 2024 First Draft](https://therollingtape.com/the-awards-tape-oscar-predictions-2024-first-draft/) - Welcome to the launch of The Awards Tape! The Awards Tape is a dedicated episode series of The Rolling Tape podcast for coverage of all things awards season. With festival season just around the corner and conversations starting to heat up about potential contenders finding their world premieres in the fall festival cycle, today we
- [NEWS 026: 81st Venice International Film Festival Lineup Announcement](https://therollingtape.com/news-026-81st-venice-international-film-festival-lineup-announcement/) - Today’s major headline is the announcement of the full lineup for the 81st edition of the Venice International Film Festival where we can now expect an outpouring of celebrities to hit the red carpet on August 28th until September 7th. We share our first reaction takeaways from the in- and out-of-competition lineups. Follow our team
- [EP 094: Twisters (2024) ft. Manning Franks](https://therollingtape.com/ep-094-twisters-2024-ft-manning-franks/) - As a standalone story within the universe of the 1996 film Twister, Lee Isaac Chung brings tornadoes back to the big screen with lega-sequel Twisters which follows a retired tornado-chaser and meteorologist who is persuaded to return to Oklahoma to work with a new team and new technologies. The Minari director assembles a cast composed
- [Review: 'Twisters' is the Perfect Storm of a Blockbuster](https://therollingtape.com/review-twisters-is-the-perfect-storm-of-a-blockbuster/) - It’s funny to me that the term “blockbuster” has become such an all-encompassing term for, essentially, a movie made to make a lot of money. They serve generally as crowd-pleasers, a film that is seen less under the microscope of “craft” and more under the purview of cookie-cutter entertainment. But blockbusters are evolving – I
- ['Kalki 2898 A.D.' Review: All Spectacle, No Substance?](https://therollingtape.com/kalki-2898-a-d-review-all-spectacle-no-substance/) - What’s common between mythology and sci-fi? They are expansive imaginations rooted in past evidence and present technological advancements. Both emerge from the human mind and will likely die with human civilization. Something that is also common with both genres is how they embody brilliant figments of our imagination. Kalki 2898 A.D is no different. Director
- [RETROSPECTIVE 006: Twister (1996) ft. Brandon King](https://therollingtape.com/retrospective-006-twister-1996-ft-brandon-king/) - With the upcoming release of Lee Isaac Chung’s Twisters, we revisit the 1996 original Twister directed by Jan de Bont and starring Helen Hunt, Bill Paxton, and Cary Elwes. We discuss the significance and legacy of the film while musing on why revisiting the source material in 2024 may feel just right as a standalone
- [Josh Safdie and Timotheé Chalamet to Team Up for Ping Pong Movie “Marty Supreme” From A24](https://therollingtape.com/josh-safdie-and-timothee-chalamet-to-team-up-for-ping-pong-movie-marty-supreme-from-a24/) - If you were a fan of Challengers (2024), get ready for another tennis film. Well, table tennis, that is. According to Variety, Timotheé Chalamet will be center stage in an upcoming A24 film, inspired by professional ping pong player Marty Reisman, titled Marty Supreme. Chalamet, whose turn as Paul Atreides in Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part
- [EP 093: Longlegs (2024) ft. Larry Fried](https://therollingtape.com/ep-093-longlegs-2024-ft-larry-fried/) - Surrounded by one of the most viral marketing campaigns in recent memory, Longlegs directed by Osgood Perkins and distributed by NEON has set the stage to be one of the most terrifying films of the year. Longlegs follows an FBI agent who, in pursuit of a serial killer, uncovers a series of occult clues that
- [‘Dandelion’ Review: A Sweeping, Subdued Musical Romance](https://therollingtape.com/dandelion-review-a-sweeping-subdued-musical-romance/) - One of the opening images of Nicole Riegel’s latest indie drama captures the intricacies behind playing the guitar as we watch self-titled artist Dandelion (KiKi Layne) tune-up for her next performance. Quickly, though, we get the sense that she hasn’t really performed before — at least, not to a crowd that hasn’t so casually talked
- [NEWS 025: Midyear Review 2024](https://therollingtape.com/news-025-midyear-review-2024/) - The Rolling Tape reviews the first half of 2024 revealing each of our team member’s top 5 of the first six months. We look at the trends of the year and choose our superlatives before turning the corner into the ensuing festival and awards season cycle. We also discuss our most anticipated for the second
- [EP 092: MaXXXine (2024) ft. Daniel Berrios](https://therollingtape.com/ep-092-maxxxine-2024-ft-daniel-berrios/) - Ti West’s ‘X’ Trilogy began just two years ago with an immediate follow up months later in the form of the prequel, Pearl. He has now rounded out the 80’s aesthetic slasher series with MaXXXine where in 1980s Hollywood, adult film star and aspiring actress Maxine Minx finally gets her big break. But as a
- [Review: 'A Quiet Place: Day One' is a Thrillingly Emotional Prequel](https://therollingtape.com/review-a-quiet-place-day-one-is-a-thrillingly-emotional-prequel/) - Part of the allure of the disaster movie genre is allowing viewers to impart themselves within the chaos and anarchy of overwhelming events ranging from out-of-control weather to invasive alien forces. It’s one of my favorite genres, full of exemplary filmmakers who have strived to envision what the end of the world means to them.
- [EP 091: A Quiet Place: Day One (2024)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-091-a-quiet-place-day-one-2024/) - As the third entry into the post-apocalyptic universe of silence, A Quiet Place: Day One brings us back to the beginning and follows two previous entries, this time in a new location with a new set of characters to follow as they discover how to survive an alien invasion. The prequel follows a woman named
- [EP 090: Kinds of Kindness (2024) ft. Clotilde Chinnici](https://therollingtape.com/ep-090-kinds-of-kindness-2024-ft-clotilde-chinnici/) - Kinds of Kindness is Greek auteur Yorgos Lanthimos’s follow-up to the Academy Awards hit film Poor Things and is a contemporary set anthology following many of the same performers as unique characters within three separate stories. A man seeks to break free from his predetermined path, a cop questions his wife's demeanor after her return
- [Love, Loss, and Rock Music: Why We Needed to See 'Rockstar' on the Big Screen Again](https://therollingtape.com/love-loss-and-rock-music-why-we-needed-to-see-rockstar-on-the-big-screen-again/) - Movies are re-releasing in theaters amid a lack of new releases. A steady decline in theatre footfall has led to multiplexes incurring huge losses. The movie-watching experience has changed with the arrival of OTTs and most movies are finding a release on our smartphones and laptops instead of the big screen. Nevertheless, screening a cult
- [EP 089: The Bikeriders (2024)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-089-the-bikeriders-2024/) - The Bikeriders is written and directed by Jeff Nichols telling a fictionalized story of the rise and fall of the Chicago Vandals in the 1960s. After a chance encounter, headstrong Kathy is drawn to Benny, member of Midwestern motorcycle club the Vandals. As the club transforms into a dangerous underworld of violence, Benny must choose
- [‘The Bikeriders’ Review: Trapped Riding Between Lanes](https://therollingtape.com/the-bikeriders-review-trapped-riding-between-lanes/) - A common desire that ties human beings together is that of wanting to belong somewhere. It’s an essential piece of the human condition that writer and director Jeff Nichols primarily tries to explore in his long-gestating movie about bike riders, The Bikeriders (2024); even something as menacing as a motorcycle gang can originate as a
- [RETROSPECTIVE 005: Yorgos Lanthimos](https://therollingtape.com/retrospective-005-yorgos-lanthimos/) - Greek auteur Yorgos Lanthimos is known for the absurd worlds his characters inhabit laying forth unsettling questions of social norms. Coming off his most successful awards and box office project with Poor Things, he is back again with Kinds of Kindness going into limited theatrical release this upcoming weekend after its world premiere earlier this
- ['LSD 2' Review: Decoding the Dystopian Dilemmas of a Digital Age](https://therollingtape.com/lsd-2-review-decoding-the-dystopian-dilemmas-of-a-digital-age/) - When Dibakar Banerjee’s Love, Sex aur Dhokha (LSD) first came out, I was just 10 years old. The very title of the film seemed like a warning sign, enough to keep a curious child at a safe distance for years. It wasn't until much later that I finally dared to watch it. The film cleverly
- [EP 088: Inside Out 2 (2024) ft. Landon Defever](https://therollingtape.com/ep-088-inside-out-2-2024-ft-landon-defever/) - After Inside Out captured global audiences to the tune of $850 million global box office success, Pixar is returning with a sequel to it’s 2015 emotional hit. The movie continues to follow Riley now in her teenage years as encounters new emotions in her mind headquarters. Anxiety and others make a appearance and set Riley
- ['Manthan:' A Triumphant Return Celebrating India's Dairy Revolution and Social Change](https://therollingtape.com/manthan-a-triumphant-return-celebrating-indias-dairy-revolution-and-social-change/) - When the almost 50-year-old Manthan (1976) was re-released worldwide the past week, one did not expect millennials and Gen-Z audiences to take any particular interest. After all, milk co-operative societies and their struggle to establish themselves in India’s rural heartland are not things they can relate to, right? So wrong! Movie screens across India reported
- [RETROSPECTIVE 004: Pixar Animation Studios ft. Adam Patla](https://therollingtape.com/retrospective-004-pixar-animation-studios-ft-adam-patla/) - Pixar is one of the most prominent animation studios working today with 27 feature films, 23 Academy Awards, and since the award’s inauguration in 2001, 11 Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature. The studio’s history goes back to the computer graphics division of Lucasfilm in 1979, with a spin-off as an independent corporation in 1986,
- [‘The Watchers’ Review: Twists and Turns Without Purpose](https://therollingtape.com/the-watchers-review-twists-and-turns-without-purpose/) - For better or worse, the name “Shyamalan” has become synonymous with the concept of twists. Whether you love his films or hate them, you at least have to appreciate M. Night Shyamalan’s dedication to providing people with exactly what they’ve come to expect: a thought-provoking — or at times simply dumbfounding — twist. With The
- [EP 087: Hit Man (2024) ft. Will Bjarnar](https://therollingtape.com/ep-087-hit-man-2024-ft-will-bjarnar/) - After premiering on the festival circuit in 2023 at Venice, TIFF, and NYFF, Richard Linklater’s Hit Man has made its way to a limited theatrical release and Netflix drop as of June 7. Directed by Richard Linklater and written by Linklater and Glen Powell, the film follows a professor moonlighting as a hit man of
- [Richard Linklater’s Top 12 Movies](https://therollingtape.com/richard-linklaters-top-12-movies/) - Richard Linklater’s filmmaking career can be defined as a champion of the American independent cinema movement of the ’90s, a chameleon of the film industry navigating diverse genres and modes of filmmaking, and a unique self-taught storyteller born and bred in the south of Texas. He is a director with a plethora of trademarks and
- [RETROSPECTIVE 003: Richard Linklater](https://therollingtape.com/retrospective-003-richard-linklater/) - Richard Linklater’s next film, ‘Hit Man,’ is currently out in limited theatrical release before dropping on Netflix on June 7. Before we review the Texas-based auteur’s latest action crime comedy, we’re going to take a step back through his career and offer a retrospective on the characteristics and themes present in the director’s work. Linklater’s
- [EP 086: I Saw the TV Glow (2024)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-086-i-saw-the-tv-glow-2024/) - I Saw The TV Glow directed by Jane Schoenbrun follows two teenagers as they bond over their love of a supernatural TV show, but it is mysteriously cancelled. The film is Schoenbrun’s follow up to the 2021 film We’re All Going to the World’s Fair. Both films premiered at their respective Sundance Film Festivals. I
- [NEWS 024: Cannes Recap 2024](https://therollingtape.com/news-024-cannes-recap-2024/) - With the 77th Cannes International Film Festival now complete and the Palme d’Or handed out, we recap the season’s first major festival to kick off the summer looking at the reactions from those in attendance and the awards given out by the jury.Follow our team online:Danny Jarabek Website, Letterboxd, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and LinktreePaul Rai on Letterboxd, Instagram, and TwitterFilms mentioned:Letterboxd listHave questions? Email info@therollingtape.comCredits:
- [EP 085: Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024) ft. Derrick Murray](https://therollingtape.com/ep-085-furiosa-a-mad-max-saga-2024-ft-derrick-murray/) - Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is the fifth entry into the Mad Max universe from director George Miller following most recently Mad Max: Fury Road in 2015. This prequel is the origin story of renegade warrior Furiosa before her encounter and teamup with Mad Max. The film stars Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Hemsworth, and Tom Burke.Chapter
- [‘Jaggi’ Review: An Unflinching Dive into Toxic Masculinity](https://therollingtape.com/jaggi-review-an-unflinching-dive-into-toxic-masculinity/) - The sound of water dripping fills the air while a young boy is seen ingesting something wrapped in a piece of newspaper without any water. He peeks outside the door; seemingly to check if anyone is around. The next moment he turns his back to us, unzips his pants, sits on the ground, and begins.
- [Ten Years Later the X-Men Still Need Redemption](https://therollingtape.com/ten-years-later-the-x-men-still-need-redemption/) - A 10th Anniversary Retrospective on X-Men: Days of Future Past X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014) is the movie that turned me into an X-Men fan. I was 12 when the film was released. At this point in my life, I had seen all the other X-Men films, albeit out of order. I had the
- [EP 084: Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-084-kingdom-of-the-planet-of-the-apes-2024/) - The Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes is the 4th entry to the trilogy that set forth in 2011 and 10th overall within the Apes franchise going back to 1968. This iteration directed by Wes Ball is set 300 years after War for the Planet of the Apes and stars Freya Allen and Kevin
- [Ladies Night 002](https://therollingtape.com/ladies-night-002/) - The Ladies are back in the studio tackling ‘girl movies’ and the stereotypes we grew up with. The ladies breakdown various female character tropes still used in films today as well as the clichés that affected them the most as young girls.Follow our team online:Sara Ciplickas on Letterboxd, Instagram, and TwitterKatie Mann on Letterboxd, Instagram, and TwitterAnjani Chaha on Instagram, and TwitterNeha Jha
- [‘The Idea of You’ Review: Are Premium Fanfics Now a Thing?](https://therollingtape.com/the-idea-of-you-review-are-premium-fanfics-now-a-thing/) - The Wattpad to Movie pipeline is often taken as a joke. What becomes more interesting is when movies based on fanfiction start to gain more attention, such as the Fifty Shades of Grey series from the 2010s. Often, sites like Wattpad or fanfiction.net offer nocive writers a chance to gain a following with their fantasy
- [‘Unfrosted’ Review: A Low-risk Comedy That Kept Pop-Tarts Average](https://therollingtape.com/unfrosted-review-a-low-risk-comedy-that-kept-pop-tarts-unexceptional/) - In the never-ending trend of either super ambitious or super outrageous “brand to screen” films, we have witnessed the true and not-so-true stories behind the Blackberry, Flamin Hot Cheetos and Air Jordans. Before that, some directors attempted to take a more, dare I say serious, approach to origin films in House of Gucci (2021), The
- ['Devi' Review: A Haunting Tale of Religious Dogma and Women's Plight](https://therollingtape.com/devi-review-a-haunting-tale-of-religious-dogma-and-womens-plight/) - Satyajit Ray. The name is enough. The man needs no introduction. A study of filmmaking, characters, depth, and social commentary, Ray’s work haunts us decades after their release. His movies are essential in film society screenings and almost always invite elaborate discussions. Although Ray never identified himself as a political filmmaker, his 1960 masterpiece Devi
- ['Do You Say What You Mean?" Review: A Stellar Debut with a Glimpse into Our Own Lives](https://therollingtape.com/do-you-say-what-you-mean-review-a-stellar-debut-with-a-glimpse-into-our-own-lives/) - There is no doubt that every filmmaker loves movies. (A bold and optimistic statement, I know.) I often think back to Cinema Paradiso (1968), Hugo (2011), and Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood (2019), where directors dare to visually capture cinephilia on the screen–filmmakers paying homage to the greats before them. I would argue that perhaps the
- [EP 083: Challengers (2024) ft. Red Broadwell](https://therollingtape.com/ep-083-challengers-2024-ft-red-broadwell/) - After originally being set to open the Venice International Film Festival in 2023 and a long delay for its release, we have finally made it to the official arrival of Luca Guadagnino’s Challengers starring Zendaya, Josh O’Connor, and Mike Faist. The tennis-centered sports relationship drama features Tashi, a former tennis prodigy turned coach, who turned
- [Review: 'Challengers' is an Electric Grand Slam](https://therollingtape.com/review-challengers-is-an-electric-grand-slam/) - The wait for the hottest, sexiest, most intense movie of the year is finally over. After an arduous two-year wait, Challengers has finally hit theatres. Directed by Luca Guadagnino, the film follows tennis star Tashi Duncan (Zendaya) and her relationship with two other players, Art Donaldson (Mike Faist) and Patrick Zweig (Josh O’Connor), two tennis-playing
- ['Baby Reindeer' Review: An Anguished Artist’s Reflections on Fame](https://therollingtape.com/baby-reindeer-review-an-anguished-artists-reflections-on-fame/) - Spoilers ahead Drawing from his semi-autobiographical play, English writer and actor Richard Gadd's Baby Reindeer has captured attention for its nuanced depiction of stalking and assault. The 7-episode series, now available for streaming on Netflix, revolves around Donny, a struggling 30-something comedian (Gadd) who works in a pub to make ends meet. Enter Martha (Jessica
- [RETROSPECTIVE 002: Luca Guadagnino](https://therollingtape.com/retrospective-002-luca-guadagnino/) - Luca Guadagnino’s next film, ‘Challengers,’ comes out in theaters this upcoming weekend. Before watching and reviewing the film, we discuss the director’s career leading up to his breakout film ‘Call Me By Your Name’. Luca Guadagnino's career has been marked by a willingness to explore different genres and themes, from romance to horror to sports
- [Review: 'Abigail' is a Bloody Good Vampire Ballerina B-movie](https://therollingtape.com/review-abigail-is-a-bloody-good-vampire-ballerina-b-movie/) - Few people have had as good a past few years in horror as Radio Silence. Following the breakout success of Ready Or Not, the filmmaking collective set its sights towards an ambitious goal: taking the reins from the late Wes Craven and delivering a pair of Scream remake/sequel films. Though the franchise’s future may currently
- [Review:  Snyder's ‘Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver’ is a Vacant Exhibition](https://therollingtape.com/review-snyders-rebel-moon-part-two-the-scargiver-is-a-vacant-exhibition/) - For a year at the movies that include Dune: Part Two (2024), Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024), Twisters (2024), and Joker: Folie à Deux (2024), 2024 is not going to be short on highly anticipated sequels to beloved predecessors. But where does a sequel to a bad film land in the sea of Netflix’s
- [EP 082: Abigail (2024)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-082-abigail-2024/) - From the makers of Ready or Not and Scream 6, Radio Silence Productions returns with another horror entry into their filmography. This time taking on vampires, Abigail follows a group of criminals who kidnap the ballerina daughter of a powerful underworld figure. They then retreat to an isolated mansion, unaware that they're locked inside with
- [NEWS 023: Philadelphia Springfest Festival Recap 2024 ft. Larry Fried](https://therollingtape.com/news-023-philadelphia-springfest-festival-recap-2024-ft-larry-fried/) - As our spring festival series continues, we’re breaking down Philadelphia’s Springfest, a weekend festival curated through the Philadelphia Film Society. Joined by returning festival guest Larry Fried, we return to the festival scene and discuss each of the films we were able to catch over the past weekend.Follow our guest online:Larry Fried on Letterboxd, Twitter, Authory, Geek Vibes Nation,
- [Quentin Tarantino Drops ‘The Movie Critic’ as his Tenth and Final Film](https://therollingtape.com/quentin-tarantino-drops-the-movie-critic-as-his-tenth-and-final-film/) - The word “what” appeared in the screenplay for The Movie Critic so often that writer/director Quentin Tarantino killed the project entirely. Academy Award-winner Tarantino shocked the industry Wednesday night when he decided to scratch The Movie Critic as his final film. Tarantino has notoriously claimed since 2012 that he will retire after he directs his
- [‘The Night of the Hunter,’ Nearly 70 Years Later](https://therollingtape.com/the-night-of-the-hunter-nearly-70-years-later/) - The Night of the Hunter has stood the test of time ever since its release in 1955. While it was considered a box office failure at the time — sadly becoming the only project that famed actor Charles Laughton ever directed — it has become greatly appreciated over the decades. In the 2022 Sight &
- [*SXSW 2024* Interview With 'We Were Dangerous' (2024) Director Josephine Stewart-Te Whiu, Writer Maddie Dai & Producer Morgan Waru](https://therollingtape.com/sxsw-2024-interview-with-we-were-dangerous-2024-director-josephine-stewart-te-whiu-writer-maddie-dai-producer-morgan-waru/) - 'We Were Dangerous' follows Nellie, Daisy and Lou who attend an institution for delinquent girls on an isolated island in 1954. The trio rail against the system, finding strength in their friendship but this is challenged when the school's matron divides them. Gabe Lillianthal discusses the film with Director Josephine Stewart-Te Whiu, Writer Maddie Dai,
- [Review: ‘The First Omen’ Makes You A Believer](https://therollingtape.com/review-the-first-omen-makes-you-a-believer/) - On June 6th, 2006, my father and I walked into a theater to watch The Omen (2006), a remake of the Richard Donner classic. Once it was over, I was left feeling unfazed by the stereotypical trappings in most 2000s horror remakes. That was it for The Omen; the legacy of the original was put
- [EP 081: Civil War (2024) & Do You Say What You Mean? (2024) ft. Win Marks](https://therollingtape.com/ep-081-civil-war-2024-do-you-say-what-you-mean-2024-ft-win-marks/) - In a special edition guest episode, we first catch back up with Win Marks, who previously joined us for an interview episode to discuss his upcoming film, Do You Say What You Mean? which is now making its festival run. Win also joins us for our weekly review, this week covering Civil War as we discussed during
- [Sadie Benning: A Retrospective Look at Works of Feminist Self-Portraiture](https://therollingtape.com/sadie-benning-a-retrospective-look-at-works-of-feminist-self-portraiture/) - At age 17, I began recording videos on my malfunctioning Acer laptop's webcam. I was inspired by YouTube self-talk videos where YouTubers would talk about the triumphs and tribulations of their lives. I was part of the hunt for a medium to journal my days without having to scribble for hours in my diary. This
- [My Top 5 Most Anticipated Films in the Cannes Line-Up](https://therollingtape.com/my-top-5-most-anticipated-films-in-the-cannes-line-up/) - When Spring is in the air, it only means one thing to film lovers and cinephiles everywhere: Cannes is just around the corner. The uber-popular and acclaimed film festival that debuted films such as Parasite, Titane and Anatomy of a Fall is among one of the most revered institutions in the film world. Presenting a
- [Redefined Chick-flicks: Beyond Men and Romance](https://therollingtape.com/redefined-chick-flicks-beyond-men-and-romance/) - Chick-flicks have always been treated as an inferior ‘category.’ A clear ‘demarcation’ of sorts for the male and female sexes, action movies would be higher up the ladder while chick flicks remain a wrung lower on the movie ladder. While the former would attract audiences of all genders, chick flicks would solely remain for women,
- [RETROSPECTIVE 001: Alex Garland](https://therollingtape.com/retrospective-001-alex-garland/) - Alex Garland’s next film, Civil War, comes out in theaters this upcoming weekend. But before we review his latest effort, we take a look back at the director’s career and discuss the films that have brought him to this point in his career. Most notably known as a writer, Garland has also directed some notable
- [Bits and Bobbidi-Boos From Disney](https://therollingtape.com/bits-and-bobbidi-boos-from-disney/) - Amid changes to its release calendar for the next two years, Disney announced dates for several films that previously had unknown windows from The Hollywood Reporter. On Friday, Disney confirmed Toy Story 5 (2026) will hit theaters on June 19, 2026. The project is one of several sequels the studio revealed was in the works
- [EP 080: Monkey Man (2024) ft. Daniel Berrios](https://therollingtape.com/ep-080-monkey-man-2024-ft-daniel-berrios/) - Dev Patel steps behind the camera for the first time with his directorial debut, Monkey Man, which he also writes and stars in. The story follows an anonymous young man who unleashes a campaign of vengeance against the corrupt leaders who murdered his mother and continue to systemically victimize the poor and powerless.Chapter Timestamps: 0:00:00
- [NEWS 022: Golden Globes New Location, First-Look Deals & Industry News Updates](https://therollingtape.com/news-022-golden-globes-new-location-first-look-deals-industry-news-updates/) - With another week full of a variety of stories, announcements, and trailers, we unpack some of the biggest of the past few days including the recent announcement of the new official home for the Golden Globes, the new wave of first-look deals in the industry, and the release of a number of announcements and trailers
- [Dan Lin Steps Into New Role as Netflix’s Head of Film](https://therollingtape.com/dan-lin-steps-into-new-role-as-netflixs-head-of-film/) - It was quite a shock in January 2024 when Netflix announced that Scott Stuber would leave the company as its head of film. In the seven years Stuber was at Netflix, he brought some of the industry’s best talents over to make films for the streamer. Although many of the movies he helped get made
- [Review: 'Asphalt City' Pummels You Into Wretched Submission](https://therollingtape.com/review-asphalt-city-pummels-you-into-wretched-submission/) - The first ten minutes of Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire’s Asphalt City (2024) begins with Tye Sheridan’s Ollie Cross, a rookie EMT, awakening from a haze of disorientation and responding to a call involving a gunshot victim. The seasoned EMTs around him yell and berate him to leave the person with a shot foot and respond to the
- [EP 079: Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-079-godzilla-x-kong-the-new-empire-2024/) - To kick off the new post-Oscars cycle of reviews, we have the ultimate heavyweight fight, the title card of creature features, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire directed by Adam Wingard and starring Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry, and Dan Stevens. Two ancient titans, Godzilla and Kong, clash in an epic battle as humans unravel
- [Review: ‘Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire’ Is Dumb Enough to Be Fun](https://therollingtape.com/review-godzilla-x-kong-the-new-empire-is-dumb-enough-to-be-fun/) - It’s both a blessing and a curse that Adam Wingard’s Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024) should come out after the historic Oscar win for Takashi Yamazaki’s Godzilla: Minus One (2023). Between Toho’s efforts in reinventing the brand and the current Monsterverse serving as a classic Hollywood blockbuster spectacle, Godzilla has never felt so
- [‘Mom’ Review: An Honest Slice of Women’s Lives and Recovery](https://therollingtape.com/mom-review-an-honest-slice-of-womens-lives-and-recovery/) - The receptionist at the hospital retorts when Bonnie (Allison Janney) keeps harping on why her daughter Christy (Anna Faris) has put her sponsor Marjorie (Mimi Kennedy) as the emergency contact instead of her mother. This is the premise of the CBS sitcom Mom, which follows three generations of women who grew up with drugs and
- [Leigh Whannell's 'Wolf Man' Delayed to January 2025](https://therollingtape.com/leigh-whannells-wolf-man-delayed-to-january-2025/) - The moon isn’t full enough for director Leigh Whannell’s Wolf Man (2025) remake to hit its original prime Halloween release date of Oct. 25, 2024. The Hollywood Reporter brought the news Friday that the film will instead move to Jan. 17, 2025, a three-month delay. Universal Pictures, the studio producing the film with Blumhouse, set
- [From 'Mean Girls' to 'Wicked:' Are Musicals Back?](https://therollingtape.com/from-mean-girls-to-wicked-are-musical-films-back/) - The inner theater kid in me is screaming out of joy at the thought of 2024 being bookended by two Broadway adaptions: Mean Girls, which hit theatres in January, and Wicked: Part 1, which will land in cinemas in November. Last year, we had a few musical hits, from the delightful Wonka to the sensational
- [*SXSW 2024* Interview With 'The Hobby' (2024) Director, Simon Ennis and Cast Members, Candice Harris & Dan Corbett](https://therollingtape.com/sxsw-2024-interview-with-the-hobby-2024-director-simon-ennis-and-cast-members-candice-harris-dan-corbett/) - From the World Series of Board Games on the Vegas strip and dating back to ancient Mesopotamia, "The Hobby" is an affectionate, character-driven portrait of the massive and diverse subculture of board games. With a fascinating cast of charming subjects – including the “Roger Ebert of board games”, a rock-climbing board game philosopher, and a
- [Scarlett Johansson is the Official Pick to Lead the Next 'Jurassic World' Film](https://therollingtape.com/scarlett-johansson-is-the-official-pick-to-lead-the-next-jurassic-world-film/) - The next Jurassic World film has just taken another giant stomp in the right direction. Reported in early March by online film pundit Jeff Sneider, The Hollywood Reporter confirmed Monday that Scarlett Johansson is officially in talks to lead director Gareth Edwards’ new entry in the Jurassic franchise. The details of the possibility of the
- [‘Road House’ Review: You Can Take the House From the Road, But Not the Road From the House](https://therollingtape.com/road-house-review-you-can-take-the-house-from-the-road-but-not-the-road-from-the-house/) - Of all the campy and ridiculous action movies released in the 1980s, Road House (1989), starring Patrick Swayze, might be the craziest. It’s a film that perfectly set the stage for the high-octane and unbelievably insane action movies that ruled cinema in the 1990s, like Demolition Man (1993) and Face/Off (1997). The reason why these
- [*SXSW 2024* Interview With 'The Queen of My Dreams' (2024) Writer/Director, Fawzia Mirza](https://therollingtape.com/sxsw-2024-interview-with-the-queen-of-my-dreams-2024-writer-director-fawzia-mirza/) - Programmed at SXSW 2024, The Queen of My Dreams is set in 1999, when the sudden death of her father Hassan sends queer Muslim grad student Azra flying back to her ancestral home in Pakistan, where her stern mother Mariam demands she play the role of the perfect grieving daughter. But through flashbacks to Mariam's own life
- [Review: Nostalgia Chillingly Decays in ‘Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire’](https://therollingtape.com/review-nostalgia-chillingly-decays-in-ghostbusters-frozen-empire/) - There’s a line from Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021) when Annie Potts’s Janine greets Carrie Coon’s Callie Spengler, Callie asks if the house she inherited from her father (Harrold Ramis’s Egon) is completely worthless. Janine responds, “You mean, aside from the sentimental value?” The quote feels pertinent when considering how evolved (or de-evolved) Ghostbusters has been since
- [Review: 'Late Night With The Devil' Catapults Dastmalchian to Infamy](https://therollingtape.com/review-late-night-with-the-devil-catapults-dastmalchian-to-infamy/) - From his screen debut in The Dark Knight (2008), David Dastmalchian has thrived playing creeps, criminals, and deranged sad individuals in which he makes an indelible impression with the most limited screentime. Prisoners (2013) showed him as a disturbed ex-kidnapping victim doomed from the moment he was on the screen. He became a reluctant superhero
- [SXSW 2024 Ranked](https://therollingtape.com/sxsw-2024-ranked/) - I was very fortunate to attend this year’s South by Southwest Festival for the first time. Throughout the eight-day-long festival, I managed to catch 22 films, and sitting down to compile my ranking was a challenge in itself. After a few days of marinating and constantly switching titles around, the list was created. Here are
- [TIFF 2023 Ranked](https://therollingtape.com/tiff-2023-ranked/) - Bryan Sudfield's 27 Films of TIFF 2023 As the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival reaches its conclusion, I thought I’d look back on all 27 films I watched throughout my six-day period of attendance. This being my first ever TIFF, the excitement was through the roof. Plenty of major awards buzzed titles made their way
- [Interview With 'Masters of the Air' Supervising Sound Editor Jack Whittaker & Re-Recording Mixers, Michael Minkler and Duncan McRae](https://therollingtape.com/interview-with-masters-of-the-air-supervising-sound-editor-jack-whittaker-re-recording-mixers-michael-minkler-and-duncan-mcrae-2/) - In “Masters of the Air” (Apple TV+), airmen forge a brotherhood in courage, loss, and triumph as they risk their lives with the 100th Bomb Group during World War II. Supervising sound editor Jack Whittaker, and re-recording mixers, Michael Minkler and Duncan McRae utilize authentic and groundbreaking sound design to immerse viewers in the true
- [*SXSW 2024* Interview With 'The Black Sea' (2024) Directors & Cast, Crystal Moselle, Derrick B. Harden & Izabella Tzenkova](https://therollingtape.com/sxsw-2024-interview-with-the-black-sea-2024-directors-cast-crystal-moselle-derrick-b-harden-izabella-tzenkova/) - Inspired by Derrick B. Harden’s travels to Bulgaria, The Black Sea is the transformative journey of a man who finds unexpected connections in a small coastal Eastern European town even as he finds himself to be the only black person around. Gabe Lillianthal speaks with co-director Crystal Moselle, co-director and cast member Derrick B. Harden,
- [Review: Finding Oneself in 'Laapataa Ladies'](https://therollingtape.com/review-finding-oneself-in-laapataa-ladies/) - People do not always stay glued to their seats after the credits roll down, hoping to see after-credits. Laapataa Ladies (2024) made audiences do just that! People remained seated, hoping for something to happen—some after-story of the characters who just found their happiness without ever envying the other. This is the beauty of the movie,
- [NEWS 021: SXSW Festival Recap 2024 ft. Larry Fried](https://therollingtape.com/news-021-sxsw-festival-recap-2024-ft-larry-fried/) - We recently had the opportunity as an outlet to cover one of the most prominent spring festivals, SXSW in Austin, Texas. As the festival comes to a close, we recap our festival experiences as an outlet joined by guest Larry Fried, Senior Writer at Geek Vibes Nation. We discuss some of the highlights, special shout-outs,
- [EP 078: Oscars 2024 Recap](https://therollingtape.com/ep-078-oscars-2024-recap/) - With a full week to debrief the 96th Academy Awards, we gather our reflections, discuss our favorite (and least favorite) moments of the ceremony, and break down what we learned from this year’s voting results. We assess the highs and lows of the night, what we were most surprised, disappointed, and happiest about, and look
- [Yorogos Lanthimos's 'Kinds of Kindness' Sets Summer 2024 Release Date](https://therollingtape.com/yorogos-lanthimoss-kinds-of-kindness-sets-summer-2024-release-date/) - We may not have to wait for Yorgos Lanthimos and Emma Stone’s next venture too long.The Hollywood Reporter reported on Thursday, that Searchlight Pictures has announced Lanthimos’s ninth directorial feature film, Kinds of Kindness (2024), will have a theatrical release date set for June 21, 2024. The news follows Lanthimos’s recent Poor Things (2023) winning
- [Ladies Night: Women’s History Month](https://therollingtape.com/ladies-night-womens-history-month/) - The girls are all here! This week we got together to discuss Women’s History Month and some of our favorite women in film. Listen to us discuss Barbie, international film, gender, female-led films and more in this very special episode hosted and discussed by TRT’s female team members.Follow our team online:Sara Ciplickas on Letterboxd, Instagram, and TwitterKatie Mann
- [‘The Hobby’ Is More Than Just Colorful Cardboard](https://therollingtape.com/the-hobby-is-more-than-just-colorful-cardboard/) - The world of board games is much bigger than just Monopoly and Risk. Simon Ennis, a director and avid gaming hobbyist, dives head first into the gargantuan subculture of board games of all kinds in The Hobby, which premiered this past weekend at the South By Southwest Film and TV Festival. This unique documentary uses
- ['Malta' Review: A Colombian Story With Universal Resonance](https://therollingtape.com/malta-review-a-colombian-story-with-universal-resonance/) - The grass will always be greener on the other side, especially when your side is covered in graffiti and tight city streets. Malta, which recently premiered at the South By Southwest Film and TV Festival, isn’t just an exotic locale or just the title of this film, it’s the promise of a new beginning for
- ['We Were Dangerous' Review: Impressively Not Based on a True Story](https://therollingtape.com/we-were-dangerous-review-impressively-not-based-on-a-true-story/) - There was one nagging question swirling around my head throughout my viewing of We Were Dangerous: is the “based on a true story” credit going to be at the end of the movie? To my amazement, this film is wholly original. This revelation was a pleasant surprise, and it raised my enthusiasm even higher than
- [2024 Oscar Winners](https://therollingtape.com/2024-oscar-winners/) - The 96th Annual Oscars occurred last Sunday, and attendees and fans alike were left buzzing with delight. From a lackluster showing from Killers of the Flower Moon to a stellar outing for Poor Things, the awards did not disappoint. To no surprise, Oppenheimer came home with the most wins for a single film, totaling 7
- ['Imaginary' is an Unimaginative, Horror-Free Dead Zone](https://therollingtape.com/imaginary-is-an-unimaginative-horror-free-dead-zone/) - Blumhouse Pictures continues its recent trend of PG-13 horror films where, much in the vein of Five Nights At Freddy’s (2023) and Night Swim (2024), horror elements are kneecapped to appeal to a mass audience of tweens and children with bare-bones exposure to the genre. Imaginary feels like an amalgamation of Blumhouse’s best operating at
- [EP 077: 96th Academy Awards Live Reactions](https://therollingtape.com/ep-077-96th-academy-awards-live-reactions/) - The 96th Academy Awards ceremony has happened! Here are our live, uncut reactions to the full night from the red carpet to the Best Picture. We will return next week with a full recap and breakdown of the results. Congratulations to all of the winners, with Oppenheimer taking home 7 awards including Best Picture.Our guests:Sean
- [Sarah Polley Prances Away From Disney’s ‘Bambi’ Live-Action Remake](https://therollingtape.com/sarah-polley-prances-away-from-disneys-bambi-live-action-remake/) - Cameras haven’t even started rolling yet, and Bambi’s mother is already dead. Too soon? The Wrap reported Thursday that Academy Award-winner Sarah Polley has exited her role as director on Disney’s upcoming live-action remake of Bambi (1942). Polley won her Oscar in the Adapted Screenplay category in 2023 for writing Women Talking (2022), a film
- [70 Years After The Black Lagoon: Average Story with Artistic Excellence ](https://therollingtape.com/70-years-after-the-black-lagoon-average-story-with-artistic-excellence/) - The last film in Universal’s famous “Monster Movie” portfolio and notably one of the first films to feature a monster designed by a woman, Milicent Patrick, Creature from the Black Lagoon may have lost its thrills and fright, but 70 years after it’s initial release, the artistry of a “real life” monster deserves continuous celebration.
- [Viral Popup “Wonka Experience” Gone Wrong Spawns Feature Film](https://therollingtape.com/viral-popup-wonka-experience-gone-wrong-spawns-feature-film/) - A new “Willy Wonka” spinoff horror movie has been announced, and like its source material, viewers may need to take a closer look at it before purchasing their golden tickets. Bloody Disgusting reported Monday that Scotland-based film production company Kaledonia Pictures will produce The Unknown. If the connection to one of author Roald Dahl’s signature
- [EP 076: Dune: Part Two (2024)](https://therollingtape.com/ep-076-dune-part-two-2024/) - Denis Villeneuve’s long-awaited return to Arrakis is here bringing us Dune: Part 2, the continuation of the 6 Oscar-winning Dune: Part 1. Adapted from the 1965 Frank Herbert sci-fi classic, the film stars Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, and Austin Butler. Following the heir to the house Atreides, one of the
- ['Dune: Part Two' Extends its Epic Scope and Material Grasp](https://therollingtape.com/dune-part-two-extends-its-epic-scope-and-material-grasp/) - Like Paul Atreidis (Timothee Chalamet) trekking the sands of Arrakis and navigating the beautiful landscapes, Dennis Villeneuve invites the viewer into his sandbox to transport us into the luscious world of Dune. Very few filmmakers are given the tools and capabilities to create vividly realized images and moments that impress the viewer with how transportive
- [NEWS 020: Final Oscar Predictions 2024](https://therollingtape.com/news-020-final-oscar-predictions-2024/) - In the closing couple of weeks before the 96th Academy Awards with all major televised awards now in the rearview mirror, we cast our final predictions for all feature categories. We discuss the state of the awards race as it comes to a close before the ceremony on Sunday March 10th.Follow our team online:Danny Jarabek Website, Letterboxd, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok,
- [‘Hundreds of Beavers’ Review: A Fresh, Outrageously Funny Homage to Silent Filmmaking](https://therollingtape.com/hundreds-of-beavers-review-a-fresh-outrageously-funny-homage-to-silent-filmmaking/) - While “Hundreds of Beavers” certainly pays homage to silent films, it makes such a stamp with its own outlandish world that it’s difficult to imagine it not inspiring young filmmakers down the line.
- [‘Drive-Away Dolls’ Review: A Mid-Coen Raunchy Queer Romp](https://therollingtape.com/drive-away-dolls-review-a-mid-coen-ranchy-queer-romp/) - There’s an irreverence to Drive-Away Dolls (2024), Ethan Coen’s first solo directorial effort, that walks and talks like a classic Coen Brothers film–every accentuated southern accent, every phallic object, and every moment of back-and-forth bickering. All the elements we’ve come to love and admire about their style are omnipresent in this brisk 84-minute road trip
- ['Gladiator' Sequel Reportedly Goes Over Production Budget by $145 Million](https://therollingtape.com/gladiator-sequel-reportedly-goes-over-production-budget-by-145-million/) - Paramount executives are not entertained. The Hollywood Reporter reported on Friday that production on the long-gestating sequel to director Ridley Scott’s Academy Award-winning Gladiator (2000) has seen a few unexpected hiccups in its budget. Originally budgeted at $165 million, that number has skyrocketed towards the neighborhood of $310 million. “It’s a runaway,” one anonymous source
- [Sony to Take Over Physical Media Production for Disney](https://therollingtape.com/sony-to-take-over-physical-media-production-for-disney/) - The state of physical media just became even more complicated. The Digital Bits reported Tuesday that Disney is passing all responsibilities regarding the company’s production of physical media to Sony. Sony will now take over manufacturing, marketing, and distribution duties for all DVDs, Blu-Ray discs, and other physical media produced for Disney releases. Disney will
- [NEWS 019: TRT Award Winners & News Updates](https://therollingtape.com/news-019-trt-award-winners-news-updates/) - Another week with stories, announcements, and trailers to look at, we will discuss a few headlines in our news roulette once again before we announce the winners to the second annual TRT Awards. We cast our nominations as a team, and over the past month you have been voting on our website, so today we
- [‘It Happened One Night:’ 90 Years with the First Rom-Com](https://therollingtape.com/it-happened-one-night-90-years-with-the-first-rom-com/) - The idea of watching a 1930s black-and-white movie that hit the theatres when our grandparents were kids is not a usual weekend watch idea for millennials and Gen-Z alike. Except It Happened One Night is entertaining and makes for a good watch. Why wouldn’t it? The flirtations haven’t changed. Nor has people’s snarky attitude towards
- [EP 075: Madame Web (2024) ft. David Rosen](https://therollingtape.com/ep-075-madame-web-2024-ft-david-rosen/) - Within the Sony-owned Spider-Man universe in connection with Marvel characters, Madame Web is an origin story for the titular character played by Dakota Johnson and directed by S.J. Clarkson. Following a NYC paramedic who grapples with episodes of seeing the future, the film also stars Sydney Sweeney, Isabela Merced, Celeste O’Connor, and Tahar Rahim. We
- ['Madame Web' Review: A Tangled Web of Cash Grab](https://therollingtape.com/madame-web-review-a-tangled-web-of-cash-grab/) - Ever since Sony bought the rights for Spider-Man in 1999 for a reported $7 million, they’ve been hellbent on whoring out their cash cow of a web-slinger and any tangentially-related characters to replicate the MCU. After three reboots, Sony seems to have settled on a Spider-Man that can stay with the series for the foreseeable
- [Paramount Plus and Peacock May Become a Combined Streaming Service](https://therollingtape.com/paramount-plus-and-peacock-may-become-a-combined-streaming-service/) - Paramount Plus’ trademark mountain of entertainment could become a lot more colorful in the future. The Wall Street Journal reported Friday that Paramount Global and NBCU's parent company, Comcast, recently discussed pairing their services under one streaming banner. Should a partnership between the two companies emerge, they could pose a greater competition against their biggest
- ["Lisa Frankenstein" Review: Embracing Love Within The Bizarre](https://therollingtape.com/lisa-frankenstein-review-embracing-love-within-the-bizarre/) - The popular culture trend of replicating the 1980s continues with Zelda Williams’ feature film directorial debut Lisa Frankenstein. From the initial trailer and posters leading up to the film’s release, it was clear that this was a project steeped in the bright-colored neon of the 80s; the movie explodes with vibrant production design and costumes
- [Marvel Studios Finds Its ‘Fantastic Four’ With Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Joseph Quinn](https://therollingtape.com/marvel-studios-finds-its-fantastic-four-with-pedro-pascal-vanessa-kirby-ebon-moss-bachrach-and-joseph-quinn/) - Marvel’s first family has finally assembled. After months of rampant speculation, Marvel Studios put the rumor mill to rest on Valentine’s Day. Via their social media channels, the studio announced the core cast of The Fantastic Four (2025) consists of Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm, Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm,
- [Celine Song and A24 Re-Teaming for Sophomore Feature 'Materialists'](https://therollingtape.com/celine-song-and-a24-re-teaming-for-sophomore-feature-materialists/) - Celine Song, the director of Oscar-nominated Past Lives, is set to work with A24 on her upcoming romantic comedy titled “Materialists.” According to Variety, Chris Evans, Dakota Johnson, and Pedro Pascal are set to star in the movie, which is believed to start production in May. The specific roles of each actor have not been
- [Oscars Announce New “Achievement in Casting” Category for 2026](https://therollingtape.com/oscars-announce-new-achievement-in-casting-category-for-2026/) - The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced its first new category for the Oscars ceremony in over two decades. According to Variety, an award acknowledging achievement in casting will begin at the 98th Academy Awards ceremony in 2026, honoring films released in 2025. The last category created for the Oscars, Best Animated
- [Barbie’s Signature Win Might Not be Best Picture- And That’s Okay](https://therollingtape.com/barbies-signature-win-might-not-be-best-picture-and-thats-okay/) - At the midpoint of awards season, big hitters have come and gone, and it seems like a new supreme rises every week. That being said, Barbie (2023) has seemingly fizzled out in key categories despite massive box office numbers and flaming hot awards buzz early in the season…Except for its music. At the Grammy Awards
- [Streaming Services Might Be Hurting Women’s Movements - What Do We Do?](https://therollingtape.com/streaming-services-might-be-hurting-womens-movements-what-do-we-do/) - “Streamers are all run by accountants. They’re not creative people anymore.” In my recent interview with Camille Hardman and Gary Lane, the filmmakers behind the 2022 documentary, Still Working 9 to 5, we discussed how streaming services are creating what independent filmmakers call a “volatile” environment when it comes to buying films. In our discussion,
- [Interview with 'Still Working 9 to 5' Documentary Directors Camille Hardman and Gary Lane](https://therollingtape.com/interview-with-still-working-9-to-5-documentary-directors-camille-hardman-and-gary-lane/) - Camille Hardman has been producing documentaries and reality TV series in both her native Australia and Los Angeles. She started in TV in Sydney over 15 years ago making animal and travel documentaries before turning to human interest documentaries and film. Camille has produced and directed documentaries that have been screened on many networks including
- [“Still Working 9 to 5” Review: A Perfect Balance of Entertainment and Empowerment](https://therollingtape.com/still-working-9-to-5-review-a-perfect-balance-of-entertainment-and-empowerment/) - In 1980, three frustrated women lived every office worker’s dream and gave their boss a bit of his own medicine. Starring Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and Dolly Parton, 9 to 5 was a groundbreaking female buddy film whose message was larger than the United States realized. Now, over 40 years after the film, and the

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- [Home 2025](https://therollingtape.com/) - Scroll Down THE ROLLING TAPE We are the new voice of cinema. 01 About to the category 02 Podcasts to the category 03 Publications to the category 04 News to the category 05 Oscar Board to the category 06 Polls to the category Publications Emerging Filmmakers Shine in the Sundance NEXT SectionAt Sundance 2026, the
- [Sundance 2026](https://therollingtape.com/sundance-2026/) - letterboxd-decal-dots-pos-rgbCreated with Sketch. Twitter Sundance 2026 The final Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, is finally upon us. After a month-long process of Sundance selecting its new location, The Rolling Tape could not be more thrilled to have a team on the ground this year to experience the largest independent American festival in its
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- [Best Sound](https://therollingtape.com/best-sound/) - Best Sound-Adam PatlaAdam Patla1Sinners2F13Frankenstein4One Battle After Another5Sirāt678910 Best Sound-Cameron RitterCameron Ritter1F12Sinners3One Battle After Another4Frankenstein5Sirat6Wicked: For Good7Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere8Avatar: Fire and Ash9Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning10Superman Best Sound-Danny JarabekDanny Jarabek1Sinners2One Battle After Another3F14Sirat5Frankenstein6Avatar: Fire and Ash7Wicked: For Good8Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning9Superman10Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere Best Sound-Ethan SimmieEthan Simmie1F12Sinners3One Battle After
- [Best Original Song](https://therollingtape.com/best-original-song/) - Best Song-Adam PatlaAdam Patla1Golden (KPop Demon Hunters)2I Lied to You (Sinners)3Train Dreams (Train Dreams)4Dear Me (Diane Warren: Relentless)5Sweet Dreams of Joy (Viva Verdi!)678910 Best Song-Cameron RitterCameron Ritter1Golden (KPop Demon Hunters)2I Lied to You (Sinners)3The Girl in the Bubble (Wicked: For Good)4Dear Me (Diane Warren: Relentless)5Train Dreams (Train Dreams)6No Place Like Home (Wicked: For Good)7Last Time
- [Best Original Score](https://therollingtape.com/best-original-score/) - Best Score-Adam PatlaAdam Patla1Sinners2One Battle After Another3Hamnet4Frankenstein5Bugonia678910 Best Score-Cameron RitterCameron Ritter1Sinners2One Battle After Another3Frankenstein4Hamnet5Bugonia6Sirat7F18Marty Supreme9Train Dreams10Tron: Ares Best Score-Danny JarabekDanny Jarabek1Sinners2One Battle After Another3Frankenstein4Hamnet5Bugonia6F17Marty Supreme8Train Dreams9Sirat10Jay Kelly Best Score-Ethan SimmieEthan Simmie1Sinners2One Battle After Another3Hamnet4Marty Supreme5F16Frankenstein78910 Best Score-Jacob DiedenhoferJacob Diedenhofer1Sinners2One Battler After Another3Hamnet4Frankenstein5Sirat6Marty Supreme7F18Train Dreams9Bugonia10Jay Kelly Best Score-Kam RyanKam Ryan1One Battle After Another2Hamnet3Sinners4Frankenstein5Bugonia678910 Best Score-Owen WilczekOwen
- [Best Animated Feature](https://therollingtape.com/best-animated-feature/) - Best Animated-Adam PatlaAdam Patla1KPop Demon Hunters2Zootopia 23Arco4Little Amelie or the Character of Rain5Elio678910 Best Animated-Cameron RitterCameron Ritter1Zootopia 22KPop Demon Hunters3Arco4Little Amelie or The Character of Rain5Elio6Scarlet7In Your Dreams8The Bad Guys 29Chainsaw Man - The Movie: Reze Arc10Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle Best Animated-Danny JarabekDanny Jarabek1KPop Demon Hunters2Zootopia 23Little Amélie or the Character of
- [Best Documentary Feature](https://therollingtape.com/best-documentary-feature/) - Best Documentary-Adam PatlaAdam Patla1The Perfect Neighbor2The Alabama Solution3Mr Nobody Against Putin4Come See Me in the Good Light5Cutting Through Rocks678910 Best Documentary-Cameron RitterCameron Ritter1The Perfect Neighbor22000 Meters to Andriivka3Cover-Up4My Undesirable Friends: Part 1 - Last Air in Moscow5Apocalypse in the Tropics6Seeds7The Alabama Solution8Cutting Through Rocks9Come See Me in the Good Light10Mr. Nobody Against Putin Best Documentary-Danny
- [Best International Feature](https://therollingtape.com/best-international-feature/) - Best International-Adam PatlaAdam Patla1The Secret Agent (Brazil)2It Was Just an Accident (France)3Sentimental Value (Norway)4Sirāt (Spain)5The Voice of Hind Rajab (Tunisia)678910 Best International-Cameron RitterCameron Ritter1The Secret Agent (Brazil)2It Was Just An Accident (France)3Sirat (Spain)4Sentimental Value (Norway)5The Voice of Hind Rajab (Tunisia)6No Other Choice (South Korea)7Sound of Falling (Germany)8Belen (Argentina)9Left-Handed Girl (Taiwan)10Kokuho (Japan) Best International-Danny JarabekDanny Jarabek1The
- [Best Editing](https://therollingtape.com/best-editing/) - Best Editing-Adam PatlaAdam Patla1One Battle After Another2F13Sinners4Marty Supreme5Sentimental Value678910 Best Editing-Cameron RitterCameron Ritter1One Battle After Another2Marty Supreme3Sinners4Hamnet5F16No Other Choice7It Was Just an Accident8The Secret Agent9Sentimental Value10Frankenstein Best Editing-Danny JarabekDanny Jarabek1One Battle After Another2Marty Supreme3Sinners4Hamnet5F16Bugonia7Frankenstein8A House of Dynamite9Sirat10Sentimental Value Best Editing-Ethan SimmieEthan Simmie1One Battle After Another2Sinners3Marty Supreme4F15Hamnet6It Was Just An Accident7Sentimental Value8No Other Choice910 Best Editing-Jacob
- [Best Visual Effects](https://therollingtape.com/best-visual-effects/) - Best VFX-Adam PatlaAdam Patla1Avatar: Fire and Ash2F13Superman4The Lost Bus5Jurassic World Rebirth678910The Electric State Best VFX-Cameron RitterCameron Ritter1Avatar: Fire and Ash2F13The Lost Bus4Superman5Wicked: For Good6Sinners7Tron: Ares8Jurassic World: Rebirth9Frankenstein10The Electric State Best VFX-Danny JarabekDanny Jarabek1Avatar: Fire and Ash2F13Superman4The Lost Bus5Wicked: For Good6Sinners7Frankenstein8Jurassic World: Rebirth9Tron: Ares10The Electric State Best VFX-Ethan SimmieEthan Simmie1Avatar: Fire and Ash2F13Superman4Frankenstein5Wicked: For Good6The Lost
- [Best Cinematography](https://therollingtape.com/best-cinematography/) - Best Cinematography-Adam PatlaAdam Patla1Sinners2One Battle After Another3Train Dreams4Frankenstein5Marty Supreme678910 Best Cinematography-Cameron RitterCameron Ritter1Sinners2One Battle After Another3Marty Supreme4Train Dreams5Frankenstein6F17Hamnet8Sirat9Bugonia10Nouvelle Vague Best Cinematography-Danny JarabekDanny Jarabek1Sinners2Train Dreams3One Battle After Another4Frankenstein5Marty Supreme6F17Hamnet8Sound of Falling9Nouvelle Vague10Wicked: For Good Best Cinematography-Ethan SimmieEthan Simmie1Train Dreams2One Battle After Another3Sinners4Hamnet5Marty Supreme6Frankenstein7F18910 Best Cinematography-Jacob DiedenhoferJacob Diedenhofer1Sinners2One Battle After Another3Marty Supreme4F15Train Dreams6Hamnet7Bugonia8Frankenstein9Sentimental Value10Sirat Best Cinematography-Kam RyanKam
- [Best Supporting Actress](https://therollingtape.com/best-supporting-actress/) - Best Supporting Actress-Adam PatlaAdam Patla1Teyana Taylor (One Battle After Another)2Wunmi Mosaku (Sinners)3Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas (Sentimental Value)4Amy Madigan (Weapons)5Elle Fanning (Sentimental Value)678910 Best Supporting Actress-Cameron RitterCameron Ritter1Teyana Taylor (One Battle After Another)2Amy Madigan (Weapons)3Odessa Azion (Marty Supreme)4Wunmi Mosaku (Sinners)5Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas (Sentimental Value)6Ariana Grande (Wicked: For Good)7Emily Blunt (The Smashing Machine)8Regina Hall (One Battle After Another)9Gwyneth
- [Best Lead Actress](https://therollingtape.com/best-lead-actress/) - Best Lead Actress-Adam PatlaAdam Patla1Jessie Buckley (Hamnet)2Rose Byrne (If I Had Legs I'd Kick You)3Emma Stone (Bugonia)4Renate Reinsve (Sentimental Value)5Kate Hudson (Song Sung Blue)678910 Best Lead Actress-Cameron RitterCameron Ritter1Jessie Buckley (Hamnet)2Renate Reinsve (Sentimental Value)3Rose Byrne (If I Had Legs I'd Kick You)4Emma Stone (Bugonia)5Chase Infiniti (One Battle After Another)6Amanda Seyfried (The Testament of Ann Lee)7Cynthia
- [Best Adapted Screenplay](https://therollingtape.com/best-adapted-screenplay/) - Best Adapted Screenplay-Adam PatlaAdam Patla1One Battle After Another2Hamnet3Frankenstein4Bugonia5Train Dreams678910 Best Adapted Screenplay-Cameron RitterCameron Ritter1One Battle After Another2Hamnet3Frankenstein4Bugonia5Train Dreams6No Other Choice7Wake Up Dead Man8Nouvelle Vague9Wicked: For Good10Pillion Best Adapted Screenplay-Danny JarabekDanny Jarabek1Paul Thomas Anderson (One Battle After Another)2O'Farrell, Zhao (Hamnet) 3Guillermo Del Toro (Frankenstein)4Bentley, Kwedar (Train Dreams)5Will Tracy (Bugonia) 6Rian Johnson (Wake Up Dead Man)7Lee, Lee,
- [Best Lead Actor](https://therollingtape.com/best-lead-actor/) - Best Lead Actor-Adam PatlaAdam Patla1Timotheé Chalamet (Marty Supreme)2Michael B. Jordan (Sinners)3Leonardo DiCaprio (One Battle After Another)4Wagner Moura (The Secret Agent)5Ethan Hawke (Blue Moon)678910 Best Lead Actor-Cameron RitterCameron Ritter1Timothee Chalamet (Marty Supreme)2Leonardo DiCaprio (One Battle After Another)3Michael B. Jordan (Sinners)4Wagner Moura (The Secret Agent)5Ethan Hawke (Blue Moon)6Dwayne Johnson (The Smashing Machine)7Joel Edgerton (Train Dreams)8Oscar Isaac (Frankenstein)9Lee
- [Best Original Screenplay](https://therollingtape.com/best-original-screenplay-2/) - Best Original Screenplay-Adam PatlaAdam Patla1Sinners2It Was Just An Accident3Marty Supreme4Sentimental Value5Blue Moon678910 Best Adapted Screenplay-Cameron RitterCameron Ritter1One Battle After Another2Hamnet3Frankenstein4Bugonia5Train Dreams6No Other Choice7Wake Up Dead Man8Nouvelle Vague9Wicked: For Good10Pillion Best Original Screenplay-Danny JarabekDanny Jarabek1Ryan Coogler (Sinners)2Trier, Vogt (Sentimental Value)3Bronstein, Safdie (Marty Supreme)4Jafar Panahi (It Was Just an Accident)5Zach Cregger (Weapons)6Robert Kaplow (Blue Moon)7Kleber Mendonça Filho
- [Best Director](https://therollingtape.com/best-director/) - Best Director-Adam PatlaAdam Patla1Paul Thomas Anderson (One Battle After Another)2Ryan Coogler (Sinners)3Chloe Zhao (Hamnet)4Joachim Trier (Sentimental Value)5Josh Safdie (Marty Supreme)678910 Best Director-Cameron RitterCameron Ritter1Paul Thomas Anderson (One Battle After Another)2Ryan Coogler (Sinners)3Joachim Trier (Sentimental Value)4Chloe Zhao (Hamnet)5Josh Safdie (Marty Supreme)6Jafar Panahi (It Was Just an Accident)7Guillermo del Toro (Frankenstein)8Kleber Mendonca Filho (The Secret Agent)9Zach Cregger
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- [News](https://therollingtape.com/news/) - News February 5, 2026 ‘Sinners’ Takes Top Prizes as IFSCA Announces its 6th Annual Award Winners The International Film Society Critics Association (IFSCA) has announced its winners for its 6th annual IFSCA Awards. In January, the nominat... Read More February 3, 2026 Sundance Film Festival Recap 2026 he 2026 Sundance Film Festival was held in
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- [Award Wars: Oscars Prediction Game](https://therollingtape.com/product/awards-wars-2025/) - The battle for Oscar glory is on! Think you can predict Hollywood’s biggest winners on Oscars night? Make your picks, score points, and prove you’re the ultimate awards season expert in Award Wars: The Rolling Tape's Oscars Prediction Game. Compete with your Oscars party to see who can rack up the most points in this

## Projects

- [The Conformist](https://therollingtape.com/project/the-conformist/) - WHERE TO WATCH SYNOPSIS: A weak-willed Italian man becomes a fascist flunky who goes abroad to arrange the assassination of his old teacher, now a political dissident.
- [Taipei Story](https://therollingtape.com/project/taipei-story/) - WHERE TO WATCH SYNOPSIS: A young woman urgently seeks to navigate the maze of contemporary Taipei and find a future. She hopes that her boyfriend Lung is the key to the future, but Lung is stuck in a past that combines baseball and traditional loyalty that leads him to squander his nest egg bailing her father
- [Election](https://therollingtape.com/project/election/) - WHERE TO WATCH SYNOPSIS: Jim McAllister, a well-liked high school government teacher, can't help but notice that successful student Tracy Flick uses less than ethical tactics to get what she wants. When Tracy runs for school president, Jim feels that she will be a poor influence on the student body and convinces Paul, a dim-witted
- [Frances Ha](https://therollingtape.com/project/frances-ha/) - WHERE TO WATCH SYNOPSIS: An aspiring dancer moves to New York City and becomes caught up in a whirlwind of flighty fair-weather friends, diminishing fortunes and career setbacks.
- [Dead Poets Society](https://therollingtape.com/project/dead-poets-society/) - WHERE TO WATCH SYNOPSIS: At an elite, old-fashioned boarding school in New England, a passionate English teacher inspires his students to rebel against convention and seize the potential of every day, courting the disdain of the stern headmaster.
- [The Perks of Being a Wallflower](https://therollingtape.com/project/the-perks-of-being-a-wallflower/) - WHERE TO WATCH SYNOPSIS: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 1991. High school freshman Charlie is a wallflower, always watching life from the sidelines, until two senior students, Sam and her stepbrother Patrick, become his mentors, helping him discover the joys of friendship, music and love.
- [Creep](https://therollingtape.com/project/creep/) - WHERE TO WATCH SYNOPSIS: Looking for work, Aaron comes across a cryptic online ad: “$1,000 for the day. Filming service. Discretion is appreciated.” Low on cash and full of naiveté, he decides to go for it. He drives to a cabin in a remote mountain town where he meets Josef, his cinematic subject for the
- [The Greatest Show](https://therollingtape.com/project/the-greatest-show/) - At the end of last year, Bumblebee emerged as one of the big surprise blockbusters of the year. While Transformers movies of the past didn’t fare all that well when it came to approval from critics, the Travis Knight film upended that trend, and seduced both writers and audiences with an effortless charm, wonderful heart,
- [See You Again](https://therollingtape.com/project/see-you-again/) - At the end of last year, Bumblebee emerged as one of the big surprise blockbusters of the year. While Transformers movies of the past didn’t fare all that well when it came to approval from critics, the Travis Knight film upended that trend, and seduced both writers and audiences with an effortless charm, wonderful heart,
- [Mad World](https://therollingtape.com/project/mad-world/) - At the end of last year, Bumblebee emerged as one of the big surprise blockbusters of the year. While Transformers movies of the past didn’t fare all that well when it came to approval from critics, the Travis Knight film upended that trend, and seduced both writers and audiences with an effortless charm, wonderful heart,
- [Midnight City](https://therollingtape.com/project/midnight-city/) - At the end of last year, Bumblebee emerged as one of the big surprise blockbusters of the year. While Transformers movies of the past didn’t fare all that well when it came to approval from critics, the Travis Knight film upended that trend, and seduced both writers and audiences with an effortless charm, wonderful heart,
- [Castle In The Snow](https://therollingtape.com/project/castle-in-the-snow/) - At the end of last year, Bumblebee emerged as one of the big surprise blockbusters of the year. While Transformers movies of the past didn’t fare all that well when it came to approval from critics, the Travis Knight film upended that trend, and seduced both writers and audiences with an effortless charm, wonderful heart,
- [Under Pressure](https://therollingtape.com/project/under-pressure/) - At the end of last year, Bumblebee emerged as one of the big surprise blockbusters of the year. While Transformers movies of the past didn’t fare all that well when it came to approval from critics, the Travis Knight film upended that trend, and seduced both writers and audiences with an effortless charm, wonderful heart,
- [Getting Along](https://therollingtape.com/project/getting-along/) - At the end of last year, Bumblebee emerged as one of the big surprise blockbusters of the year. While Transformers movies of the past didn’t fare all that well when it came to approval from critics, the Travis Knight film upended that trend, and seduced both writers and audiences with an effortless charm, wonderful heart,
- [I Miss the Misery](https://therollingtape.com/project/i-miss-the-misery/) - At the end of last year, Bumblebee emerged as one of the big surprise blockbusters of the year. While Transformers movies of the past didn’t fare all that well when it came to approval from critics, the Travis Knight film upended that trend, and seduced both writers and audiences with an effortless charm, wonderful heart,
- [Always Remember Us This Way](https://therollingtape.com/project/always-remember-us-this-way/) - At the end of last year, Bumblebee emerged as one of the big surprise blockbusters of the year. While Transformers movies of the past didn’t fare all that well when it came to approval from critics, the Travis Knight film upended that trend, and seduced both writers and audiences with an effortless charm, wonderful heart,
- [Radioactive](https://therollingtape.com/project/radioactive/) - At the end of last year, Bumblebee emerged as one of the big surprise blockbusters of the year. While Transformers movies of the past didn’t fare all that well when it came to approval from critics, the Travis Knight film upended that trend, and seduced both writers and audiences with an effortless charm, wonderful heart,

## Categories

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- [Becca Harleen](https://therollingtape.com/category/author-pages/becca-harleen/)
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- [Valerie Buvat De Virginy](https://therollingtape.com/category/author-pages/valerie-buvat-de-virginy/)
- [Owen Wilczek](https://therollingtape.com/category/author-pages/owen-wilczek/)
- [Jake Fittipaldi](https://therollingtape.com/category/author-pages/jake-fittipaldi/)
- [Ethan Simmie](https://therollingtape.com/category/author-pages/ethan-simmie/)
- [Jacob Diedenhofer](https://therollingtape.com/category/author-pages/jacob-diedenhofer/)
- [Joshua Mbonu](https://therollingtape.com/category/author-pages/joshua-mbonu/)
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- [Sundance 2026](https://therollingtape.com/category/sundance-2026/)

## Tags

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