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Latest by Alex Welch

Joaquin Phoenix wears silk pajamas in "Beau is Afraid."

Beau is Afraid review: a self-indulgent odyssey

Beau is Afraid, the new film from Hereditary director Ari Aster, is a pointlessly punishing, overlong comedy. It hits theaters nationwide on April 21.
Bo-Katan holds up the Darksaber in The Mandalorian season 3 finale.

The Mandalorian season 3 finale gives the Star Wars series a much-needed reset

Here's how The Mandalorian season 3 finale puts the live-action Star Wars series back on track.
Tom Cruise wields a futuristic gun in Oblivion.

10 years later, Oblivion is still Tom Cruise’s most underrated blockbuster

10 years after its release, Top Gun: Maverick director Joseph Kosinski's 2013 sci-fi film, Oblivion, ranks as Tom Cruise's most underrated blockbuster.
Nicolas Cage spins around in a red robe in Renfield.

Renfield review: a violent, forgettable horror comedy

Renfield is a cartoonishly violent horror comedy that is anchored by yet another standout performance from Nicolas Cage. The film is now playing in theaters.
Bo-Katan stands near her fellow Mandalorians in The Mandalorian season 3 episode 7.

5 questions we have after The Mandalorian season 3 episode 7

From the Shadow Council's plans to rumors of Grand Admiral Thrawn's return, here are 5 questions we have after The Mandalorian season 3's penultimate episode.
Bo-Katan holds the Darksaber while standing next to Din Djarin in The Mandalorian season 3 episode 6.

What the hell happened to The Mandalorian?

In its third season, Disney+'s The Mandalorian has struggled to justify its continued existence.
Ali Wong and Steven Yeun lean out of their car windows in Beef.

Beef review: Netflix’s first must-see show of 2023

Beef is one of the best and most original shows of the year so far. The Steven Yeun and Ali Wong-led series is now streaming on Netflix.
Mario and Luigi raise their fists together in The Super Mario Bros. Movie.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie review: a weightless adventure

The Super Mario Bros. Movie is a visually stunning but ultimately forgettable animated adventure film. It is now playing in theaters.
Bo-Katan sits next to Baby Yoda in The Mandalorian season 3 episode 6.

5 questions we have after The Mandalorian season 3 episode 6

Jack Black and ... Lizzo?! Here are give questions we have after this week's truly silly episode of The Mandalorian.
Mario and Peach walk through a mushroom field in The Super Mario Bros. Movie.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie’s ending, explained

Here's what happens at the end of The Super Mario Bros. Movie and how the film's ending sets the stage for a potential sequel.
Mario, Peach, and Toad stand above the clouds together in The Super Mario Bros. Movie.

Does The Super Mario Bros. Movie have an end credits scene?

Is there a post-credits scene at the end of The Super Mario Bros. Movie? Here's what moviegoers should know.
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves cast assembled on one of the film's posters.

Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves reveals what modern fantasy is missing

Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is a delightfully refreshing adventure film that reveals what so many other modern fantasy titles are missing.
Taron Egerton and Nikita Yefremov smile together in Tetris.

Tetris review: a crowd-pleasing, lightweight political thriller

Apple TV+'s Tetris is a breezy political thriller that's undeniably entertaining, if a bit shallow. The Taron Egerton-led film is streaming now.
Simon, Edgin, Doric, and Holga stand in the Underdark together in "Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves."

Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves review: a breath of fresh air

Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is an immensely fun fantasy adventure. The Chris Pine and Hugh Grant-led blockbuster hits theaters Friday, March 31.
Simon, Doric, Edgin, and Holga stand in an arena in Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.

Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’ ending, explained

Here's everything that happens at the end of Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, as well as how the film sets up a potential sequel.
Bo-Katan stands with her helmet off in The Mandalorian season 3 episode 5.

5 questions we have after The Mandalorian season 3 episode 5

Here are 5 burning questions we have after this week's action-packed episode of The Mandalorian.
Lottie faces Natalie in the snow in Yellowjackets Season 2.

Yellowjackets season 2 review: a bolder and messier follow-up

Christina Ricci, Juliette Lewis, Melanie Lynskey, and Tawny Cypress all return in Yellowjackets season 2, a bolder but messier season than the hit show's first.
Shauna carries a tray of meat into a cabin in Yellowjackets season 2 episode 1.

Yellowjackets season 2 episode 1’s shocking ending, explained

Here's what you should know about the shocking and disturbing ending of the Yellowjackets season 2 premiere, as well as how it sets up what's still to come.
Grogu sits inside his Jedi pod in The Mandalorian season 3 episode 4.

The return of Jar Jar Binks? 5 questions we have after The Mandalorian season 3 episode 4

Here are 5 questions we have after this week's revelatory episode of The Mandalorian, which is streaming now on Disney+.
A woman stands in a hallway in Boston Strangler.

Boston Strangler review: a middling true crime drama

Boston Strangler is a well-acted but ultimately mediocre true crime drama. The Keira Knightley and Carrie Coon-led film is streaming now on Hulu.
Willem Dafoe sits in front of a table in Inside.

Inside review: a dour, ill-conceived psychological drama

Not even another go-for-broke performance from Willem Dafoe can save his new psychological drama, Inside. The film is now playing in theaters.
Joel looks at Ellie in The Last of Us Part 2.

The Last of Us season 2 may fix The Last of Us Part II’s biggest flaw

The creators of The Last of Us suggested recently that the HBO series may be able to avoid The Last of Us Part II's biggest flaw with one simple trick.
Bo-Katan sits near an R5 Astromech droid in The Mandalorian season 3 episode 3.

5 questions we have after The Mandalorian season 3 episode 3

Here are 5 questions we have after this week's surprisingly strange installment of The Mandalorian, titled The Convert.
Ted Lasso sits at a press conference table in season 3.

Ted Lasso season 3 review: back and bigger than ever

Ted Lasso season 3 may or may not be the show's last, but it certainly feels designed to be. The new season premieres Wednesday, March 15 on Apple TV+.
The Daniels discuss a scene on the set of Everything Everywhere All at Once.

Oscar-winning Everything Everywhere All at Once directors on creating 2022’s most moving sci-fi film

Oscar-winning Everything Everywhere All at Once directors Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert discuss their sci-fi film, which won Best Picture at the 2023 Oscars.
Joel stands with a bleeding neck in The Last of Us Episode 9.

The Last of Us season 1’s ending explained

Here's what you should know about the shocking ending of The Last of Us season 1 and how it wraps up the first chapter of the HBO series' story.
Troy Baker wears a winter coat in The Last of Us Episode 8.

Every cameo in The Last of Us season 1, explained

From Ashley Johnson and Laura Bailey to Troy Baker and Jeffrey Pierce, here's what you should know about all the cameos in Season 1 of HBO's The Last of Us.
Adam Driver wears a futuristic spacesuit in 65.

65 review: a simple, bare-bones sci-fi thriller

Adam Driver gives yet another standout, committed performance in 65. The sci-fi thriller is now playing in theaters.
Mills and Koa stand in a forest together in 65.

65’s ending explained

Here's everything you should know about what happens at the end of 65. The Adam Driver-led film is now playing in theaters.
Sam and Tara stand on the street together in Scream 6.

Scream 6 review: a bloodier, better sequel

Scream 6 is yet another fun and bloody addition to one of horror's best franchises. The film is now playing in theaters.
Ghostface swings a knife in Scream 6.

Scream 6’s ending explained

Here's everything you need to know about Scream 6's bloody, twisty ending. The horror film is now playing in theaters.
the mandalorian season 3 episode 2 mythosaur explained din sits in his ship with grogu

5 questions we have after The Mandalorian season 3, episode 2

Here are the 5 questions we most want to be answered after The Mandalorian season 3 episode 2, titled The Mines of Mandalore.
the mandalorian season 3 episode 2 mythosaur explained a ray of light shines on an old helmet in

The Mandalorian season 3 episode 2’s legendary Star Wars beast, explained

Here's what you should know about the shocking final moments of The Mandalorian season 3 episode 2, titled The Mines of Mandalore.
Ellie holds a rifle in The Last of Us Episode 8.

5 questions we have after The Last of Us episode 8

Here are the 5 questions we're dying to have answered after The Last of Us episode 8.