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
The Storytelling Problems in First Man
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.
Armchair Sociology
How the Villains Define the Themes of Pixar’s Incredibles Movies
Brad Bird’s Incredibles 2 asks a question that serves as the movie’s theme. But does the Pixar sequel provide a clear answer, or does it contradict itself?
Storytelling
What Solo Gets Right About the Theme of Star Wars
Director Ron Howard and star Alden Ehrenreich add new layers to the legendary antihero while staying true to the central theme of Star Wars.
Storytelling
10 Ways Iron Man’s Plot Created the Marvel Movie Formula
10 years after Marvel Studios released Iron Man, here’s how that movie’s success has been duplicated in every MCU film since.
Storytelling
How Jordan Peele Changed Get Out from Script to Screen
Compare the biggest changes between Jordan Peele’s screenplay for Get Out and his finished film.
Storytelling
10 Subtly Amazing Moments in Lady Bird
Lady Bird is a movie that does nearly everything right. Here’s why Greta Gerwig’s solo directorial debut works so well.
Storytelling
The Story Problems in Molly’s Game
Molly’s Game is missing three key ingredients that keep the story from being truly satisfying.