Alex Carter 
This past weekend was a significant one for Marvel Studios. Kevin Feige, head of Marvel Studios, made a grand appearance in the revered Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con on Saturday, showcasing a slew of exclusive clips, announcements, and more exciting news about upcoming Marvel projects. Interestingly, just a few days prior, the very same … Read more
In a much-needed boost for the movie industry, the latest Marvel installment, “Deadpool & Wolverine,” has demonstrated a strong showing at the U.S. box office. It set a new record for the highest-grossing opening weekend of an R-rated movie in the country. According to data from Comscore, the film raked in a whopping $205 million … Read more
The moment dementia takes a central role in any family, the devastating effects of loss begin. In this unsettling environment, where confusion prevails, Japanese director Kei Chika-ura crafts his deeply poignant film, “Great Absence.” It portrays a harsh father suffering from dementia and the detached son’s exploration into their past. With a masterful screenplay by … Read more
Senior Sisterhood in ‘The Fabulous Four’ The film,”The Fabulous Four,” features a group of four women, well into their twilight years, played by a renowned ensemble of adored and critically acclaimed actresses. They embark on a holiday where their enduring friendships and deep-seated habits face trials, leading to a satisfying journey of self-discovery. But, doesn’t … Read more
Famed billionaire filmmaker Tyler Perry’s latest film did not fare well on Rotten Tomatoes, earning a disappointing 0%. However, Perry seems undeterred by the critical response. As Perry shared on the “Baby, This is Keke Palmer” podcast, the opinions of his fanbase are of far greater importance to him than the views of prestigious critics. … Read more
It is widely accepted among enthusiasts that filmmaking is an inherently collaborative art form. This belief is vividly illustrated by the mesmerizing films of the English director Michael Powell and his Hungarian counterpart Emeric Pressburger. Their cinema masterpieces from the 1940s, such as “The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp,” “Black Narcissus” and “The Red … Read more
Harvey Weinstein, the once-powerful Hollywood producer currently facing a rape retrial in New York, has once again been admitted to the hospital. According to records from the New York Corrections Department, the 72-year-old Weinstein was moved from the Rikers Island jail complex to a secure ward at Bellevue Hospital. Weinstein is receiving treatment at Bellevue … Read more
Welcome! This is Mark Olsen bringing you your regular guide to the world of Exceptional Movies. We have been experiencing a remarkable period for movie lovers in Los Angeles. However, this week marks a setback with the closing of the Westwood Village and Bruin theaters. The Westwood Village has been a long-standing venue for glamorous … Read more
Welcome to Screen Banter, the newsletter for those feeling the intensity right now. That is, the intensity of “Love Island USA.” This series, a spin-off from the original UK version, which we analyzed in depth in 2022, has monopolized the discussion among reality TV enthusiasts this summer like never before. This week’s “Guest Appearance” subject, … Read more
In the era of Y2K, a memorable line was sung by Mark Hoppus of Blink-182: “Well, I guess this is growing up.” The band’s popular track “Dammit” came out in 1997, a decade before the timeline of Sean Wang’s first narrative feature, “Dìdi”, which is set in 2008 Fremont, California. Still, the touching pop-punk sentiment … Read more
