The pop culture branding explosion
From to Shrek eyeshadow to Squid Game whisky, nothing is left untouched by IP.
ByFilm industry
Sean Baker’s American dreams
The Oscar-winning director of Anora is an old-fashioned auteur fascinated by those on the margins, with little interest in big-budget…
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Fear, lust and paranoia at the Berlin Film Festival
Gaza, free speech and the ascendant far right were unavoidable themes at the 75th Berlinale.
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How Emilia Pérez sabotaged its own Oscars campaign
The chaotic, crude film was nominated for 13 Academy Awards – then the media storm came.
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I watched Emilia Pérez with a fuming friend
Now we have nightmares about bums.
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Let’s share the cultural experience, but not our food
When the pizza arrived mid sex scene, I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
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The show must go on for the Oscars
Also this week: The Wild Robot’s ode to mums and the triumph of Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter.
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The monumental achievement of The Brutalist
Brady Corbet’s uncompromisingly long, high-concept epic about a Hungarian architect might seem pretentious – but it demands to be seen.
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Journalism films give me the ick
Victims are sidelined, while hacks make unworthy heroes.
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The triumph of Paddington Inc
How Paddington Bear became one of Britain’s most distinctive international brands.
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Against child stardom
As another former teen idol’s story ends in tragedy, we must ask: should we let children become famous?
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Film in the family
Plus: my paean to female friendship and Ian McKellen on marvellous form.
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Ali Abbasi’s gift to Donald Trump at Cannes
A star-studded film festival will never effectively oppose an anti-elite, populist candidate.
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Our obsession with “spoilers” reveals everything wrong with pop culture
The anti-spoiler fixation shows the sad reality of contemporary media: most of it relies on cheap bids for attention.
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Why Barbenheimer won’t save cinema
July’s blockbusters made box office records – but the industry’s crisis is only deepening.
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In defence of selling out
A slew of indie directors have taken on blockbusters, from Greta Gerwig to Ben Wheatley. Have they traded their credentials…
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America’s real-life crime thriller
Also this week: why journalists should back Hollywood’s strikes.
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In praise of the DVD
The infinite choice of TV streaming has led to banality and fatigue – it’s time to embrace physical media once…
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Stop with the movie remakes
A Harry Potter series, Star Wars TV, and live-action versions of Disney films: will it ever end?
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There’s nothing funny about Hugh Grant punching down on the industry that made him famous
His career sits atop a pyramid of others, even lowly showbiz journalists, who could not do the same without risking…
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