Storytelling
Why The Queen’s Gambit Is Such Smart Visual Storytelling
How specific writing, filming, and editing choices turned this story about chess and addiction into a masterclass in visual storytelling.
Storytelling
Is Booksmart One of the All-Time Best High School Comedies?
Booksmart, Olivia Wilde’s directorial debut, is a glorious mess, just like its characters… and it works.
Storytelling
Game of Thrones’s Biggest Surprise of All Was… a Satisfying Ending?
The final episode of Game of Thrones leaves no one entirely happy… and that’s exactly the way it should be.
Storytelling
How “The Bells” Ruins Several Major Character Arcs in Game of Thrones
In the penultimate Game of Thrones episode “The Bells,” the show explores the ugly side of war, power, and consequences — but is it good storytelling?
Storytelling
Why Game of Thrones’ Battle of Winterfell Is Such Disappointing Storytelling
In “The Long Night,” Game of Thrones — a story built on unpredictability, mystery, and sacrifice — has now completely diverged from what made it great.
Storytelling
How Avengers: Endgame Succeeds on the Strength of Marvel’s Characters
Avengers: Endgame owes its success to one word: character.
Storytelling
What Went Wrong with Bad Times at the El Royale?
This caper flick wants you to believe it’s full of twists and turns… but it’s frustatingly empty.
Storytelling
Why Damien Chazelle’s First Man Feels So Empty
Why, despite some stellar filmmaking, does First Man fail to satisfy?
Storytelling
What Makes the Best Pilot Episodes in TV History Tick?
From The Sopranos to Westworld, how the 10 of the best TV shows displayed their game-changing brilliance from their very first episodes.
Storytelling
8 Reasons Why Ocean’s 8 Is the Perfect Feel-Good Heist Movie
From the humor to the pacing, Ocean’s 8 works in a way that provides a template for other heist movies to follow.