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4/29/26

How “The Ugly Stepsister” Painfully Explores the Need to be Beautiful

I’ve watched the trailer for Emilie Blichfeldt’s The Ugly Stepsister over 5 times now. It all started when my best friend sent me the trailer on Instagram and I was immediately intrigued. The idea of reworking Cinderella into a horror movie from the perspective of one of her stepsisters sounded like an excellent way of embracing the story’s grim (pun very much intended) roots.

4/29/26

Awards Season: Stan Twitter's Super Bowl

Everything has become stan twitter, and stan twitter has become sports fandom. Here’s how it’s affecting awards season.

10/22/25

The Black Guy Dies First

The “black guy dies first” line has become shorthand for a long-standing, maddening expectation in American horror: Black characters show up, they warn us of danger (or crack a joke), and then, too often, get dispatched before the final credits roll. That shorthand isn’t just a punchline; it’s a pattern with roots in Hollywood’s representational habits, and it carries cultural meaning about expendability, narrative function, and who is allowed to survive fear on screen. Robin R. Means Coleman...

10/22/25

Women in Horror: Revenge of the Stereotype

We want WEIRD horror. We want women lead horror. And studios are delivering. Women have always been a crucial and integral part of any good horror film. Carrie (1976), Scream (1996), and Alien (1979) all come to mind when thinking of classic horror films that feature a female lead. Recently however women have been featured throughout horror movies in a new way. With the rise of women starring on the screen in horror as a heroine - even if she is a demented one - rather than a cutaway gag...

7/26/25

Superman (2025) Review - James Gunn’s Man of Steel Swoops In to Save the DCU

After seeing James Gunn’s interpretation of Superman, I am glad to say good riddance to Zack Snyder’s reign of dark, hard-to-see, gritty “realistic” movies. For a long time, the Snyderverse seemed to be the only hope for DC to break into the mainstream, but they always fell short. The issue with Snyder’s films was the fact that they were always so grim and gloomy compared to Marvel’s free-spirited, comedic, action-filled fun (and star power). Sure, the point may have been to show how this...

4/28/25

We Can’t Follow the Spotlight Forever: The Last Showgirl and Expectations of Female Performers

In 2022, the sensationalized relationship between actress Pamela Anderson and Mötley Crue’s Tommy Lee became a victim to the limited series biopic wave of television.

1/12/25

The Haunting Vision of The Woods: A Deep Dive with Director Sarah Lyons

In the realm of independent filmmaking, few debuts captivate and linger as deeply as Sarah Lyons’ The Woods . Set against the backdrop of dense, shadowy forests, this psychological thriller unfolds a chilling narrative of mystery, memory, and haunting metaphors. In a candid conversation, Lyons, the creative force behind the film, shared insights about her journey from conception to execution, as well as the personal and practical elements that shaped her cinematic vision. From Page to Screen...

12/30/24

Glory and Gore: Corruption and Masculinity Through a Feminine Lens

In an era of entertainment where the majority of Hollywood productions are sequels or remakes, audiences are starving for original and authentic stories. While independent In an era of entertainment where the majority of Hollywood productions are sequels or remakes, audiences are starving for original and authentic stories. While independent filmmakers have the stories, the lack of funding prevents their work from reaching a wider audience. With all of social media’s vices, free marketing...

10/27/24

Five Final Girls Who Made Us Say “Good for Them”

These girls have not only defeated their movie’s “big bad,” but by the time you get there, you are deeply rooting for them.

10/27/24

‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ Review: A Nostalgic Frankenstein's Monster

Michael Keaton’s absurd demon and Winona Ryder’s goth baby bangs are back on screen in a nostalgia-filled, undeniably Tim Burton sequel.

4/29/26

You, Me & Tuscany: Black Films and The Myth of Profitability in Hollywood

Nina Lee, award-winning filmmaker and creator of The Girls Room and Sorry About That, recently posted a thread on X (formerly Twitter) where she revealed that the sale of two of her romance film projects depends on how well the new romantic comedy film You, Me & Tuscany does in theaters. She said in the thread, “A film that has nothing to do with me could quite literally change my life.”

4/29/26

Re-Visiting Andrea Arnold’s 2011 Filmed Adaptation of Wuthering Heights: A Conversation About Adaptations

Emily Brontë’s sole published work, Wuthering Heights, is not a beautiful story. It’s barely even a love story, much less “the greatest love story of all time” as the tagline for Emerald Fennell's upcoming adaptation goes. Brontë wrote this story to showcase the brutal ugliness of humanity by exploring the devastating fallout of generational abuse, racism, and classism.

10/22/25

The Rise of Coogler

Ryan Coogler’s career is often described as meteoric, but his rise as a filmmaker is also a testament to vision, discipline, and collaboration. From his earliest short films to helming one of the highest-grossing superhero movies of all time, Coogler has built a reputation as both a sensitive storyteller and a bold director unafraid to tackle cultural and political themes head-on. At the heart of his journey is his recurring partnership with actor Michael B. Jordan, a collaboration that has...

8/20/25

Bring Back Comedy: How American High is Bringing New Life to the Coming-of-Age Comedy in the Digital Age

While most production companies are focused solely on making content for the big screen, American High saw the potential to grow on the smaller screen. The Syracuse-based production company, founded by Jeremy Garelick and Will Phelps, was founded on the passion to make this generation’s teen comedies. Their dedication was solidified when they bought an abandoned high school to operate as their home base for their production office and filming location for future projects. The studio has grown...

7/2/25

Brewing Empathy Through Film: An Interview with Gabriel Noble, Writer/Director of A Cup of Tea

In an intimate, candid conversation full of empathy, insight, and mutual understanding, filmmaker Gabriel Noble opens up about the journey behind their debut short film , A Cup of Tea, a layered portrait of grief, community, and the humanity behind headlines. The project, born out of adversity, became not only a personal triumph but also a work that stirs collective reflection on justice and healing. Recently graduated from Stony Brook University with a Master's in Fine Arts majoring in Film...

2/28/25

Love Jones: The Evolution of Black Love

Black love is an unparalleled force, but it has historically not been spotlighted in mainstream media.

1/7/25

Golden Globes Recap: And so it begins

Unsurprisingly, the show was filled with major cinematic achievements and disappointments, with snubs and exciting wins all at once.

12/23/24

The Timeless Charm of Classic Holiday Films: How They Shaped the Movies We Love Today

Holiday movies are more than just seasonal entertainment.

10/27/24

If You Like This, Try That (Spooky Edition) 

Here’s my certified “if you like this, try that” list (horror movie edition)!

10/27/24

Horror, Witchcraft, and the Media: A Discussion with Sarah Lyons

Sarah Lyons' work as a writer and filmmaker challenges conventional portrayals of witchcraft and horror

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