Two low-budget horror films, Obsession and Backrooms, have outperformed major studio franchise releases in 2026, signaling a potential shift in cinema economics. Directed by internet-native creators Curry Barker and Kane Parsons, these films have grossed hundreds of millions of dollars globally, drawing in a younger demographic that has largely abandoned traditional multiplexes, according to data … Read more
Musician Andrew Bird and composer Gavin Brivik hosted a benefit concert at Largo at the Coronet to raise funds for healthcare worker mental health initiatives. The performance highlighted “Need Someone,” the only lyrical song featured in the HBO drama The Pitt, which explores the professional and personal toll on emergency medical staff. Bird and Brivik … Read more
Universal Pictures Reverses Course: A Five-Weekend Theatrical Window Signals a Shift in Hollywood Universal Pictures is recalibrating its release strategy, committing to a minimum of five weekends of theatrical exclusivity for its films in 2026, escalating to seven weekends in 2027. This marks a significant departure from the pandemic-era practice of shortened theatrical windows, initially … Read more
The Elvis Effect: How Music Cinema is Reshaping the Box Office Nearly 60 years after stepping away from a movie star career, Elvis Presley is once again a box office draw. The success of Baz Luhrmann’s 2022 “Elvis” and Sofia Coppola’s 2023 “Priscilla” has paved the way for a new wave of music-themed cinematic experiences, … Read more
‘Here Lies Love’ and the Rising Tide of Political Theater David Byrne’s musical “Here Lies Love,” currently playing at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles, isn’t just a retelling of Imelda Marcos’s rise, and fall. It’s a mirror reflecting anxieties about contemporary political landscapes, both in the Philippines and abroad. The production arrives at … Read more
The Streaming Ad Reckoning: Will Quality Control Save the Future of TV? Streaming television is booming, and with it, a surge in advertising revenue. But a growing chorus of frustrated viewers suggests this golden age of streaming ads could quickly tarnish. The problem isn’t just that there are ads, it’s how they’re delivered. From jarring … Read more
The Future of Magic: How Justin Willman and Others Are Reinventing the Art of Illusion The world of magic is no longer just about pulling rabbits out of hats. Thanks to innovators like Justin Willman, magic is evolving, blending with comedy, storytelling, and even technology to captivate modern audiences. This article explores the trends shaping … Read more
Pixar’s Crossroads: Can Original Animated Films Thrive in a Sequel-Driven World? For years, Pixar reigned supreme, captivating audiences with original animated masterpieces like “Toy Story” and “Finding Nemo.” But the landscape has shifted. Sequels and familiar franchises now dominate the box office, leaving original animated stories struggling to find their footing. The Sequel Surge: Why … Read more
Hollywood’s Obsession: Why We Love Watching Los Angeles Crumble From alien invasions to earth-shattering earthquakes, Hollywood has a long and storied history of destroying Los Angeles on the big screen. But why this enduring fascination with seeing the City of Angels reduced to rubble? The Appeal of Apocalyptic L.A. There’s a strange allure to watching … Read more
The “Keh-deh-hun” Effect: How Authenticity is Rewriting the K-Wave and Global Animation Netflix’s animated hit, “K-pop Demon Hunters,” or “Keh-deh-hun” as it’s affectionately nicknamed in South Korea, isn’t just another streaming success. It’s a case study in how cultural authenticity, even in fantastical settings, can drive global popularity and reshape the boundaries of the K-wave. … Read more