No Content For Old Men

Could this Peter Farrelly comedy signal a thawing of the icy comedy landscape? Meanwhile, funnyman Adam Sandler plays it straight in “Spaceman” on Netflix.

Denis Villeneuve's epic is receiving rapturous reviews and raking in money the box office. Could it be the blueprint for blockbuster entertainment in the future?

When will Hollywood fall out of love with winking meta comedy? The end can't come soon enough, as demonstrated by the utterly absurd new spy comedy from Matthew Vaughn.

If this Oscar nominated Spanish language movie wasn't real…meh. But the story it tells is almost too incredible to believe. And it actually happened!

This is TV season every year, but why does it feel so muted this year? Has TV lost its juice? Let's talk “True Detective: Night Country” and my thoughts on the Oscar snubs of Margot Robbie and Greta Gerwig.

It's not going to happen! Yet another version of the high school story is back on the big screen, bringing us a pair of new stars and a whole lotta reheated leftovers. Plus: Jake Johnson directs a neat little thriller on Hulu!

Yes, Zac Efron got ludicrously ripped to play a 1970s wrestler. But once you acclimate to his force of nature, you'll find a surprisingly layered and rewarding movie. Check it out.

We've watched them. We've ranked them. Now all that's left after debating the merits of more than 70 movies this year is…what did it all mean?

Plus all the movies from the past two weeks: “Ferrari,” “Maestro,” “Poor Things,” “Anyone But You,” “The Boys In The Boat,” “American Fiction,” “Zone Of Interest”

Netflix has the stars, and the budgets, to be an awards juggernaut every year. Why do they usually fall short? Sam Esmail and Todd Haynes can't buck the trend.

What a year for filmmakers past 80! Maybe you're less familiar with the Japanese animation king, but allow me to explain his particular appeal to audiences of all ages.

Ridley Scott has a big historical epic out at the age of 85. Should I be grading on a curve? Plus a reflection on Jacob Elordi after seeing “Saltburn,” and the super fun slasher flick “Thanksgiving.”

Nicholas Cage stars as a professor who appears in people's dreams, but the real nightmare is inside his own head. What's with all these anxiety movies?

No one does serial killer movies like David Fincher, and led by a career-best Michael Fassbender, this is one of my favorite movies of the year.

Martin Scorcese's three-and-a-half hour epic isn't exactly a fun popcorn movie but it builds a world so immersive that it leaves you talking about the history more than the movie itself. That's effective.

A distinctive look and full realized world aren't enough to save this original sci-di epic from a familiar, obvious story. And that makes me sad.

In the 2023 landscape, movies are either cinema or content. What's the difference? Let's discuss, using for example the new Hulu release starring Kaitlyn Dever!

Few movies want to take on modern politics and technology but this social satire about the GameStop saga takes them head-on. Plus: “A Haunting In Venice.”

We've got new movies from Martin Scorcese, David Fincher, Ridley Scott, Michael Mann, Richard Linklater, Yorgos Lanthimos, and many other marquee filmmakers coming this fall. Here's everything you need to know!

Denzel Washington is in full movie star mode as the vigilante warrior that's become his late career signature. I'm down to watch him beat up some more bad guys if you are?

A big screen comedy that's as funny as the TikToks the kids are watching for hours each day. But is that a good thing? If you're either of these young comedy stars, the answer is yes.

A complete guide to the world's most popular streaming service! If you like this kind of thing let me know, because the August box office is looking pretty empty.

An advocacy movie about sex trafficking grossed more money than Mission: Impossible! How?? Plus: A24 does it again with horror hit “Talk To Me.”

Nolan has audiences under his spell once again with an epic spectacle. It's not as if there's no substance behind it, but it's definitely style-first. Allow me to explain.

Greta Gerwig's take on the pink-clad doll has taken over the world, and I for one am thrilled about it. Let's talk about the phenomenon and the movie itself, and why both matter.

Harrison Ford is hanging up his fedora at the ripe ol' age of 80, in a movie that is sturdy but weighed down by the excess of modern blockbusters.

In 2016, she was on top of the world. Now, it seems like J-Law doesn't care what anyone else thinks. So why not make a studio sex comedy? I'm all for it!

Wes Anderson is one of our true film masters, even as his style has become a parody on TikTok and AI platforms. Let's discuss why! Plus a little “Extraction 2” talk for Netflix.

Celine Song's debut feature is everything we can hope for and more, giving us a lovely story on the surface and a million things to think about beneath that. Plus, Sydney Sweeney stars in “Reality” on Max!

What's so special about this movie to melt my heart of stone toward Marvel? Nothing less than every single thing I wish those other superheroes movies could be.

Nicole Holofcener is the bard of female midlife crisis, and America's favorite charismatic a-hole is her perfect avatar for this deeply considered and specific story about the lies we tell the people we love.

Christopher Abbott and Margaret Qualley would've been huge movie stars 20 years ago after a movie like this. Today? If a tree falls in the box office and no one hears it, does it even make a sound?

Wholesome, heartfelt movies don't often sneak their way through the system. Especially good ones. This is both! Plus, the David Bowie movie is on streaming finally and two really good streaming recs!

Another Guy Ritchie movie, already? This one isn't about cockney gangsters, but I'll always turn out for one of my favorite directors. That's more than I can say for AppleTV+‘s “Ghosted,” which I had to let our Bad Movie Correspondent Justin Birnbaum review for me.

This week, two new movies in my top 3 for the year so far! In addition to Ari Aster's epic, there's the provocatively titled “How To Blow Up A Pipeline.” Check ‘em out!

Ben Affleck and Matt Damon are back together again to sell us some shoes, and their revolutionary new production studio. I'm buying.

On one end of the spectrum, a gritty Sundance indie. On the other, an expensive Netflix sequel. Want to take a pick which one I liked more?

If comic book sensibilities dominated the last 10-15 years of blockbuster cinema, the next decade-plus could be ruled by videogame logic. I'll let you decide if that's a good thing or a bad thing.

From early March to the end of May is a new annual tradition: TV season. Find out why two dozen really good shows are all coming out at the same time, and why 20 of them will be forgotten by summertime.

Packed week! Head over to Mattscraig.substack.com to join my Oscars picks pool before Sunday night's show! Or if awards aren't your think, stay turned for my thoughts on Creed and Guy Ritchie! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

It's a movie about a bear…on cocaine. The trailer ruled, so does the movie even need to be good? Plus an update on the Oscars race after a series of guild awards. Let's do this! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

It's free to play and has a winner-take-all prize pool of $2 per number of entrants. So get your friends to sign up and try to guess all 23 categories correctly! Also: my thoughts on “Somebody I Used To Know,” “An Affair To Remember,” and “The Forgiven” --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Plus: “Magic Mike's Last Dance,” “Your Place Or Mine,” and the reality competition show I'm currently obsessed with. Long episode today! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

I've trashed his last few movies in my newsletter, and though I enjoyed “Knock at the Cabin” more than those, I still don't get why people seem to love this guy like they do. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Streaming services are trying like hell to bring back rom-coms. But are they succeeding? Let's discuss. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

After months of speculation we finally have our set of Oscar nominees. What do they tell us about the past and present of the movie business? --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

The biggest hit at the box office this month is a so-bad-it's-good horror comedy about a murderous AI doll. What has the movie world come to. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

The star-studded conversation movie from Sarah Polley takes center stage this week, as I explain how it brought me to tears. Plus Netflix's “The Pale Blue Eye,” if you're more into the whole Christian Bale thing. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Netflix's strategy of carte blanche is a filmmaker's dream, but then why do the movies feel disappointing? Let's talk about it, through the lens of three high profile releases from late 2022. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

It's a mad dash to the end of the year and tons of new movies are dropping. Is the new “Knives Out” sequel any good? What about the new drop from one of my favs, Damien Chazelle? Guess you'll have to listen to find out. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

James Cameron's long-awaited sequel to the most successful movie of all time is a big fat hit. I didn't like it. Let me explain why. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app