Essays

From Anchorman to Michael Clayton: Brian Raftery on the Movies of the Bush Years

The creator and host of "Mission Accomplished" discusses the defining films of the aughts

Sep 1 •

Gabriel Frieberg

Weekend Read: Documentarian Laurent Bouzereau on JAWS @ 50

Spielberg's PTSD, "No Notes" perfect movies, Laurent's dream documentary subject, and more

Aug 24 •

Gabriel Frieberg

The Trouble (So Far) with Alien: Earth

Spoiler-free review of Episodes 1 and 2

Aug 17 •

Gabriel Frieberg

Weapons is Locked, Loaded, and Lethal

A chilling, slow-burn ensemble piece that blends visual mastery, rich performances, and just enough menace to keep you scanning the shadows.

Aug 10 •

Gabriel Frieberg

Weekend Read: Eddington is a Modern Classic 🤠

Screens everywhere, heroes nowhere, and a country way past saving

Jul 20 •

Gabriel Frieberg

Blood, Faith, and Fallout: '28 Years Later' Finds God at the End of the World

Boyle and Garland reunite for a zombie epic that trades brute horror for spiritual reckoning—and still leaves you breathless.

Jun 22 •

Gabriel Frieberg

Why is everyone turning on Wes Anderson? A defense of 'The Phoenician Scheme'

the reports of Wes Anderson’s demise have been greatly exaggerated

Jun 8 •

Gabriel Frieberg

2025 Cannes Report Part 4: The Past

Reaching back with mixed results: Nouvelle Vague, Sound of Falling, The Mastermind, The History of Sound

May 30 •

Gabriel Frieberg

2025 Cannes Report Part 3: The Personal

Getting intimate: Die My Love, The Phoenician Scheme, Splitsville, Highest 2 Lowest, Sentimental Value

May 29 •

Gabriel Frieberg

2025 Cannes Report Part 2: Politics

Speaking truth to power on the world stage: It Was Just an Accident, Yes!, The Secret Agent

May 28 •

Gabriel Frieberg

2025 Cannes Report Part 1: Plagues

Afflictions are on the mind: The Plague, Eddington, Sirât, Alpha

May 27 •

Gabriel Frieberg

The Rebellion Is Here: 'Andor' Sets the Gold Standard for IP Adaptation

5 lessons other franchises could learn from the Tony Gilroy-created series

Apr 27 •

Gabriel Frieberg

#nojs-banner { position: fixed; bottom: 0; left: 0; padding: 16px 16px 16px 32px; width: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; background: red; color: white; font-family: -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 13px; line-height: 13px; } #nojs-banner a { color: inherit; text-decoration: underline; } This site requires JavaScript to run correctly. Please turn on JavaScript or unblock scripts