The need to revenge represents one of humanity's most innate impulses and, in cinema, serves as a great opportunity to explore moral decadence, the search for justice and the price of violence. While a relentless quest for revenge isn't always the most moral or stoic response to being wronged in life, it's certainly a moving character motivation to get the audience invested in the story of an angry protagonist. From truly disturbing psychological thrillers to calculated satires that tackle social and political issues, revenge cinema makes for fascinating viewing. As a timeless and universal theme, revenge has been the driving…
Author: Stephen Holland
There are so many wonderful types of animation styles, and one underrepresented but powerfully enduring aesthetic is that of stop-motion. Whether through the use of cutouts, clay or puppets, stop-motion is a cinematic technique in which the camera stops and starts in rapid progression to give animated figures the impression of movement. This is a meticulous and very time-consuming animation technique, and while other styles may be simpler and more accessible, some of the best animated films of all time utilize a stop-motion style. As a type of cinema that already differentiates itself from the average film, stop-motion animated films…
While viewers come to comedy films to escape the horrors of the world and have a good laugh, some films can't help but unexpectedly go to dark places. Whether it's a children's comedy that suddenly presents a shockingly dark piece of information or fun films that become increasingly sinister as the runtime progresses, comedy films can sometimes be surprisingly disarming. While a certain amount of darkness has its place in all genres, the results can be unnerving when the audience doesn't realize it will happen. Some of the best light comedy films of all time have sinister subtexts that make…
Breaking Bad was one of the most satisfying television shows ever made, although despite few loose threads, there are still some questions that audiences are crying out for answers to. While the prequel spin-off Better call Saul and the epilogue film El Camino addressed some of the most pressing mysteries in this show's universe, there are still some gaps in the timeline that could use more explanation. Whether it's concrete details about events that occurred off-screen or more subtle insights into character backstories, audience discussion surrounding Breaking Bad Mysteries continues well after the finale aired. While Breaking Bad creator Vince…
Christmas Specials is typically a time for TV shows to spread holiday cheer, though some festive episodes have leaned into the darker sides of the season. Although beloved classics like A Charlie Brown Christmas have become an annual viewing for families around the world, other viewers prefer to watch a Christmas special that doesn't shy away from the challenges of the holidays. While it can sometimes be jarring to watch a particularly dark Christmas special, it's also important that TV shows don't lose their individuality just because Christmas is considered a time of joy and togetherness. Many of the greatest…
Although some actors stood out with extremely memorable performances, final moviesthere are other artists whose final roles may surprise viewers. Whether they've passed away or retired, it's always sad to say goodbye to Hollywood icons, even though sometimes their final roles were overshadowed by other work in their acclaimed careers. In some cases, a late-career performance was so popular that many viewers mistakenly think it was the final swan song, or other times, a lackluster final film so tarnished an actor's legacy that it was best forgotten altogether. Even though some of these actors' final films weren't their most memorable…
While movie audiences often enjoy a good, happily ever after movie conclusion, there are many films that almost had a much darker conclusion. alternative endings than they ended up receiving. Whether it was an actually filmed ending or just an idea conceived during pre-production, many films have almost had much darker conclusions than the version audiences ended up seeing in theaters. This is an interesting example of how much films can change over the course of their production, and although the final product seems so definitive, films are subject to serious changes long after the initial scripts have been written.…
It's always exciting when popular series are renewed for new seasons, though some shows manage to quietly slip under the radar and remain on the air long past the point of their peak relevance. This could be a sign of a loyal fan base and strong writing, as while not everyone is checking out the latest season, there's obviously enough viewership for networks to greenlight more episodes. This happened with smart panels, cult series and even family favorites that remained on the air for decades. Some of the best TV shows of all time have had long runs, like animated…
The 1980s were a great time for horror movies and a decade filled with undisputed classics and several underrated hidden gems. With advances in special effects and the increased use of animatronics and prosthetics, horror films during this decade could portray horrific images and shocking visuals in ways previously considered unimaginable. This was also the time when horror films really took off and horror films dared to become even more bloody, shocking and violent than was allowed in previous decades. Some of the greatest horror films ever made were released in the 1980s, when all-time great directors like David Cronenberg,…
Summary The silent movies of the last century offer a treasure of cinematic wonders in various genres like comedy, horror and fantasy. Directors like Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton have created timeless classics that still resonate with contemporary viewers today. Early filmmakers like Georges Méliès and Robert Wiene paved the way for modern cinema with groundbreaking technical and narrative innovations. The history of cinema dates back to the late 1800s, and many Films made over 100 years ago are still acclaimed and enjoyed by film lovers. While many viewers may feel that the black-and-white, silent era of cinema is an…