Entertainment and culture news covering film, television, music, arts, celebrity, and the creative industries.
This article explains the Backrooms internet phenomenon and its recent film adaptation. It argues that the film's success stems from the viral creepypasta origin, highlighting how a single 4chan post spawned an expansive mythology that resonated with online audiences.
This commentary reflects on the process and results of a reader poll to identify the 100 greatest living American songwriters. It discusses the challenges of defining songwriting, the dominance of singer-songwriters, and the diversity of reader tastes, arguing that the list reveals both consensus and a vast landscape of individual musical preferences.
This article reports on Variety's Power of Women London event, highlighting honorees Cynthia Erivo, Emilia Clarke, Suki Waterhouse, Emma Corrin, and Hannah Waddingham. It summarizes their speeches on career challenges, community, and advocacy, including Clarke's recovery from brain hemorrhages and Corrin's remarks as a non-binary recipient. The piece also covers Dame Joan Collins' surprise appearance and her reflections on reinvention.
This commentary celebrates the legacy of the Peanuts animated specials and announces a fan event in Valparaiso featuring Melanie Kohn, who voiced Lucy van Pelt. It traces the history of Lucy's voice actresses, highlighting the challenges of casting child actors whose voices mature. The piece argues that these specials remain a cherished cultural gift across generations.
This commentary reviews the new TV adaptation of 'Cape Fear', arguing that the series updates the classic thriller for modern audiences by exploring contemporary moral complexities. It contends that Javier Bardem's portrayal of Max Cady surpasses previous versions, offering a nuanced performance that balances charm and terror, while the plot delves into ambiguous guilt and hidden secrets.
This commentary discusses the film 'Saccharine' and its exploration of diet culture and body horror. The director and star argue that the genre effectively externalizes internal struggles with obsession and addiction, noting that the film's themes remain timely despite not being a direct response to current trends.
This commentary explores the origins and cultural significance of the Nutbush line dance in Australia, arguing that it has become an unofficial national tradition despite its American roots. It investigates how the dance spread through schools and social events, and why it remains uniquely Australian.
This concert review describes Saint Levant's Australian debut, highlighting how his music blends pop R&B with political themes related to Palestine. The article argues that his performance balances political expression with mainstream appeal, drawing a diverse audience from Melbourne's Arab diaspora.
This review argues that Netflix's docuseries 'Michael Jackson: The Verdict' transcends a mere trial recap, instead examining public obsession with celebrity and the dynamics of belief. It contends the series effectively uses archival footage and interviews to unpack the media circus and the trial's broader cultural significance, though the trial itself is not the most compelling element.
This commentary argues that YouTube-trained directors are now producing major box office hits, challenging traditional film school paths. It highlights several examples from 2026, noting the diverse backgrounds of these creators and suggesting that YouTube provides practical training for tomorrow's filmmakers.