#character-study
#character-study

Drayton and Mackenzie by Alexander Starritt review a warmly comic saga of male friendship

James Drayton, born to north London academics, is a socially awkward high achiever who privately measures himself against Christopher Columbus and Napoleon.

Books

I Think Of Them As The Work: Gene Hackman (1930-2025) | Tributes | Roger Ebert

Gene Hackman's authenticity and complexity make him a compelling figure in cinema.

fromDatebook | San Francisco Arts & Entertainment Guide

From Unforgiven to The Firm: Guardian writers pick their favourite Gene Hackman movies

Gene Hackman's roles in films like The French Connection and The Poseidon Adventure showcase his complexity as both hero and anti-hero.

Miscellaneous

Review: Kieran Culkin's tour de force performance dominates 'A Real Pain'

Independent films

20 Years Later, DC's Most Divisive Noir Thriller Is Getting A Huge Upgrade

Writing

Be Our Father Figure, Harris

fromItsnicethat

Film

Sophie Koko Gate's short film Hotel Kalura explores the malleability of desire

fromRoger Ebert

I Think Of Them As The Work: Gene Hackman (1930-2025) | Tributes | Roger Ebert

Gene Hackman's authenticity and complexity make him a compelling figure in cinema.

fromDatebook | San Francisco Arts & Entertainment Guide

From Unforgiven to The Firm: Guardian writers pick their favourite Gene Hackman movies

Gene Hackman's roles in films like The French Connection and The Poseidon Adventure showcase his complexity as both hero and anti-hero.

Miscellaneous

Review: Kieran Culkin's tour de force performance dominates 'A Real Pain'

Independent films

20 Years Later, DC's Most Divisive Noir Thriller Is Getting A Huge Upgrade

Writing

Be Our Father Figure, Harris

fromItsnicethat

Film

Sophie Koko Gate's short film Hotel Kalura explores the malleability of desire

Movies Aren't Real Life, But Who by Fire Comes Pretty Close

Philippe Lesage's 'Who by Fire' artfully weaves tension and reality in a unique character-driven drama that defies standard storytelling conventions.

Hulu Just Quietly Released Its Most Underbaked Indie Horror Movie

The film Control Freak explores the tension between public success and private turmoil of a motivational speaker.

Parenting

Grey Matter review feelgood Alzheimer's film is well-meaning life-lesson comedy

The film struggles to balance humor and sensitivity in addressing Alzheimer's and the caregiver experience.

fromwww.mercurynews.com

Review: Hit man movie Old Guy' is all flash, little substance

Old Guy struggles to blend generational humor with a hitman narrative, resulting in a disappointing execution of its premise.

The Nutty, Colorful, and Moving Sister Midnight Is Well Worth Seeing

Karan Kandhari's 'Sister Midnight' offers an imaginative portrayal of a young woman's frustrations in Mumbai, marked by character-driven narrative shifts.

Film

Josh O'Connor Is at His Hangdog Dirtbag Best in The Mastermind

Movies Aren't Real Life, But Who by Fire Comes Pretty Close

Philippe Lesage's 'Who by Fire' artfully weaves tension and reality in a unique character-driven drama that defies standard storytelling conventions.

Hulu Just Quietly Released Its Most Underbaked Indie Horror Movie

The film Control Freak explores the tension between public success and private turmoil of a motivational speaker.

Parenting

Grey Matter review feelgood Alzheimer's film is well-meaning life-lesson comedy

The film struggles to balance humor and sensitivity in addressing Alzheimer's and the caregiver experience.

fromwww.mercurynews.com

Review: Hit man movie Old Guy' is all flash, little substance

Old Guy struggles to blend generational humor with a hitman narrative, resulting in a disappointing execution of its premise.

The Nutty, Colorful, and Moving Sister Midnight Is Well Worth Seeing

Karan Kandhari's 'Sister Midnight' offers an imaginative portrayal of a young woman's frustrations in Mumbai, marked by character-driven narrative shifts.

Film

Josh O'Connor Is at His Hangdog Dirtbag Best in The Mastermind

more#film-review

fromPortland Mercury

2 weeks ago

Movie Review: Nothing Bad Happens to the Kitten in 'Sorry, Baby'

Agnes, portrayed by Eva Victor, initially seems to have it all: a picturesque lifestyle, a prestigious job, and charming friendships, yet an undercurrent of unease constantly haunts her reality.

Film

fromConsequence

3 weeks ago

Ethel Cain Unveils New Song "Fuck Me Eyes": Stream

"Fuck Me Eyes" functions as a bit of a character study for Cain, describing a teenage girl known for her promiscuity and reputation in town.

Music

#humor

Humor

The Gay Dirtbag Lives On

fromBusiness Insider

4 weeks ago

NYC startup

BI sat down with Johnny Hilbrant Partridge about his parody of private equity, which has become a cult hit on Wall Street and an unlikely side hustle.

fromThe Hollywood Reporter

Humor

The Gay Dirtbag Lives On

fromBusiness Insider

4 weeks ago

NYC startup

BI sat down with Johnny Hilbrant Partridge about his parody of private equity, which has become a cult hit on Wall Street and an unlikely side hustle.

Film

Apple TV's New Thriller Stars Sydney Sweeney, Julianne Moore, and an Outlandish Twist

Film

'In Cold Light' Review: Maika Monroe and Troy Kotsur Boost a Flawed but Fast-Paced Crime Thriller

fromSlate Magazine

fromThe Hollywood Reporter

Film

Apple TV's New Thriller Stars Sydney Sweeney, Julianne Moore, and an Outlandish Twist

Film

'In Cold Light' Review: Maika Monroe and Troy Kotsur Boost a Flawed but Fast-Paced Crime Thriller

How to Root for a Merciless Man, According to Wes Anderson

Wes Anderson's new film 'The Phoenician Scheme' explores themes of wealth and folly in a modern context.

#netflix

fromtime.com

DC food

Netflix's Dept. Q Is One Character Short of a Great Detective Show

Parenting

God Is in the Details': Embracing Boredom in Art and Life

fromtime.com

DC food

Netflix's Dept. Q Is One Character Short of a Great Detective Show

Parenting

God Is in the Details': Embracing Boredom in Art and Life

more#netflix

fromstupidDOPE | Est. 2008

See the Tricks 'Agatha All Along' Used To Walk the Witches' Road

Part of what makes "Agatha All Along" an interesting character study is picking up with Agatha Harkness (Kathryn Hahn) when she's lost her power and seeing just what she'll do to get it back.

Music

Fashion & style

LOEWE's FW25 Pre-Collection Campaign Blurs Reality Through a Cinematic Lens | stupidDOPE | Est. 2008

LOEWE's Fall/Winter 2025 pre-collection showcases an intimate, character-driven campaign that emphasizes subtlety and innovative design in fashion.

fromPitchfork

Bring Her Back Review: Fear Mommy Dearest

Hawkins' performance as Laura is a captivating blend of fragility, charm, and psychotic desperation, making her a complex and empathetic character in a thriller setting.

Independent films

Boston Bruins

fromwww.mercurynews.com

Review: Thunderbolts*' bends, but doesn't break, the superhero mold

Marvel's latest film offers a deeper character exploration with a focus on emotional struggles among anti-heroes.

Dope Thief Premiere Recap: Let Me Tell You a Bedtime Story

Dope Thief compellingly explores themes of crime, identity, and survival through the eyes of Ray Driscoll, a Black man navigating a harsh reality.

Beer

The Interview': Bill Murray Says He's Not the Man He Used to Be

Writing

'The Last Showgirl' Writer Kate Gersten's Intimate Story Was Built for the Stage - but Made for the Big Screen

Dope Thief Premiere Recap: Let Me Tell You a Bedtime Story

Dope Thief compellingly explores themes of crime, identity, and survival through the eyes of Ray Driscoll, a Black man navigating a harsh reality.

Beer

The Interview': Bill Murray Says He's Not the Man He Used to Be

Writing

'The Last Showgirl' Writer Kate Gersten's Intimate Story Was Built for the Stage - but Made for the Big Screen

more#film-adaptation

9-1-1 Recap: Mister Cellophane

Archie's story is one of invisibility, highlighted when he gets fired from his job and trapped under the bed, only to discover his girlfriend's betrayal.

Boston Bruins

Music

fromPitchfork

Destroyer: Dan's Boogie

Dan Bejar's latest album, Dan's Boogie, continues his exploration of absurdity while showcasing a character study of himself through controlled, melodic production.

Relationships

Anora's Ending Is No Fairy Tale

Sean Baker's 'Anora' poignantly contrasts the fantasy of romance with the harsh realities of its protagonist's life, reflecting on unsimulated connection.

#crime

Adolescence review the closest thing to TV perfection in decades

Adolescence reveals the complexities of youth and the disconnect with adults in a gripping, single-take drama that challenges perceptions of culpability.

Dope Thief review this crime caper's hilarious moments are like Brooklyn Nine-Nine meets Breaking Bad

The balance of ambition and reality is crucial, especially for the characters spiraling into crime for survival and camaraderie.

Adolescence review the closest thing to TV perfection in decades

Adolescence reveals the complexities of youth and the disconnect with adults in a gripping, single-take drama that challenges perceptions of culpability.

fromwww.kaltblut-magazine.com

Dope Thief review this crime caper's hilarious moments are like Brooklyn Nine-Nine meets Breaking Bad

The balance of ambition and reality is crucial, especially for the characters spiraling into crime for survival and camaraderie.

more#crime

Pain

The interrogation thus becomes a macabre dance of mirrors: both of them, unaware, play roles that are not their own, masks that merge into a single face.

Fashion & style

Gene Hackman and the Pugnacious Nature of Surprise

Gene Hackman skillfully blended warmth with menace, drawing audiences to morally complex characters throughout his impressive career.

#hbo

7 months ago

Independent films

How 'The Penguin' Built on 'The Batman' and Made Colin Farrell Unrecognizable

fromBustle

Writing

Exclusive: Parker Posey Wants You To Meme Her 'White Lotus' Accent

7 months ago

Independent films

How 'The Penguin' Built on 'The Batman' and Made Colin Farrell Unrecognizable

fromBustle

fromwww.newsshopper.co.uk

Writing

Exclusive: Parker Posey Wants You To Meme Her 'White Lotus' Accent

more#hbo

DocDoc is a hilariously funny new show in Bromley that had everyone in stitches

The show revolves around six characters, each with their unique OCD, as they wait for their session with the late Doctor Cooper, creating comedic interactions.

Miscellaneous

'Common Side Effects' Is Keeping Surreal Adult Animation Alive

We spend more money than ever on healthcare and everyone's still sick. The whole system is sick.

Miscellaneous

Gerard Butler Letting Loose Is a Beautiful Thing to Behold

This sequel ditches the detailed procedural thrills of its predecessor, opting for a wild emotional energy that creates an engaging experience for audiences.

Miscellaneous

Video games

fromPolygon

Anora actor says his terrible gaming became a happy accident

Anora is a potential Oscar contender, showcasing a unique blend of comedy and sadness within New York's Russian-American community.

7 months ago

Matlock review Kathy Bates has spent years waiting for a role like this

Matlock is not just a rehash of the original series; it starts as a legal drama but evolves into something more substantial and intriguing as it unfolds.

Miscellaneous

fromJuxtapoz

Juxtapoz Magazine - Samual Weinberg "Lost Huron" @ Moosey Norwich

Weinberg’s character embarks on a quest for meaning amidst distractions and loss, embodying the universal desire to find purpose in a chaotic world.

Miscellaneous

fromPortland Mercury