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Eighteen years after the first film kicked its way into theaters, the fourth installment of the “Kung Fu Panda” franchise, titled “Kung Fu Panda 4,” was released on March 8. Right from the get-go, “Kung Fu Panda 4” stepped away from its dependency on the star-studded martial arts group the Furious Five. Instead, the film gave its titular protagonist Po (voiced by Jack Black) a new task: hanging up his hat and becoming the spiritual mentor to the next Dragon Warrior.
Netflix’s new movie, “Damsel,” was released on Friday, March 8, starring Millie Bobby Brown and directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo. Even though there was a novel published in 2023 under the same name with the same story, Netflix’s film and the novel are both based on the same original screenplay by Dan Mazeau, just using different mediums to tell the story.
In recent years, only a few science fiction films come to mind that are both as exhilarating and as much of a masterclass of creativity and perfection as “Dune: Part Two.” Returning to direct, write and produce, Denis Villeneuve once again amazes audiences with breathtaking visuals, gorgeous cinematography, unique sound design, wonderful production design and amazing worldbuilding.
By the year’s end, 2023 arguably became one of the strongest years in film, as there was a plethora of striking works throughout the cinematic spectrum. Legendary auteurs continued to hone their craft across a wide range of stories and genres, and for once, there was no shortage of unique blockbusters. As is the case every year, there were more than a few films that slipped through the cracks and were only known to a niche in the moviegoing population. The following five titles are a fraction of such films.
The story of the Von Erich family has long been viewed as a story of tragedy, addiction and love that is anything but normal. On Dec. 22, 2023, the anticipated biographical sports drama “The Iron Claw” was released in the United States. Since its release, the film has received acclaim for its emotional portrayal of the family, with the National Board of Review naming “The Iron Claw” one of the top 10 films of 2023.
There is a scene in “The Holdovers’’ in which boarding school teacher Paul Hunham (Paul Giamatti) asks Angus Tully (Dominic Sessa), a troubled student whom he is the guardian of over winter break, what the bottle of pills on his bed is for. Angus quickly brushes them off as being for his “low energy,” to which Paul bluntly responds, “You mean for depression?” Angus changes the subject and walks out of the room while Paul takes a few of the pills.
The growing world of movie musicals is a diverse and inviting place where beloved musicals come to life on the big screen, thrilling long-time fans. Entering the chromatic, jazzy ambiance of Damien Chazelle’s “La La Land,” viewers are charmed by the beauty and art of jazz and the symbolism of colors. With the release of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “Tick, Tick… Boom!” in 2021, one is swept away into the musical, chaotic and heartbreaking story of Jonathan Larson’s life as an aspiring playwright. Each spontaneous break into song makes the film that much more delightful and the theatrical choreography adds another layer of enjoyment.
On Friday, Sept. 8, fans of the wildly popular “The Conjuring” films had the opportunity to kick off the start of spooky season with the franchise’s latest addition: “The Nun II.” However, those looking to repeat the sinisterly religious experience of “The Nun” might find the newest film lacking the same qualities that made the first one so powerful.
Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie,” released on July 21, was the poppy, pink and star-studded blockbuster comedy event of the summer. Starring Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken, the film made over $150 million on opening weekend in the United States and was also the largest domestic opening for a female director, according to Deadline.
In 1985, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation announced that a deceased bear was found in the woods just south of the Tennessee border, which in itself, is a seemingly normal occurrence. What was not quite normal however, were the 40 opened and partially consumed containers of cocaine that were also found at the scene.
The anticipated apocalyptic psychological horror film “Knock at the Cabin” was released in theaters across the United States on Friday, Feb. 3.
When “Teen Wolf” premiered in 2011, MTV did not know that the little TV show would develop a huge fanbase.
Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey did what most journalists only aspire to do – prove that the pen is mightier than the sword.
From the opening shot to the closing credits, Edward Berger’s adaptation of Erich Maria Remarque’s 1929 novel, “All Quiet on the Western Front,” is a spectacle unlike any other. Released earlier this year at the Toronto International Film Festival in September, the film is a beautifully, yet horrifically, captured portrayal of the life of a soldier in World War I.
Sequels to classic films have become a stable trend in Hollywood over the last few decades and, in some cases, have seen great success.
Netflix’s psycho-thriller “Blonde” is based on the novel by Joyce Carol Oates depicting Marilyn Monroe’s life and some of the most painful tragedies she experienced.
Dragon Ball’s newest film, “Dragon Ball Super: Superhero” is a film set three years after the events of 2018’s “Broly” movie.
From the initial announcement of a prequel of the highly acclaimed 2022 slasher film “X,” fans have been at the edge of their seats waiting for “Pearl” to finally grace their screens.
Netflix’s new teen dramedy, “Do Revenge,” released Friday, Sept. 16, and quickly gained popularity over social media.
What seems to be the most anticipated and talked about movie of the year finally came out in theaters last Friday, Sept. 23. “Don’t Worry, Darling” is proving that it’s unable to stand up to the hype that was created before it even hit the big screen, and critics are saying it is just not worth the watch.
