movie reviews best

Movie Reviews

'cuckoo' review: hunter schafer battles dan stevens in gleeful horror trip | sxsw 2024.

Forget 'Euphoria,' this film is proof that Schafer needs more leading roles to sink her teeth into.

'Hood Witch' Review: This Thriller About Social Media Has a Secret Weapon | SXSW 2024

This modern retelling of a witch hunt is promising in premise though a mixed back in execution.

'We Were Dangerous' Review: A Funny and Frightening Tale of Friendship and Fight | SXSW 2024

Led by 'The Wilds' star Erana James, Josephine Stewart-Te Whiu’s debut about reform school in 1950s New Zealand subverts expectations in the best way.

'The Gutter' Review: A New Comedy Like 'Dodgeball' and 'Anchorman' Is Born | SXSW 2024

This new sports comedy just keeps bowling strike after strike.

'Civil War' Review: Alex Garland’s Dystopian Vision Is His Best Film Yet | SXSW 2024

Garland's exploration of a future where conflict has broken out in the United States is nothing like you would expect and all the better for it.

'Irish Wish' Review: Lindsay Lohan's Netflix Rom-Com Packs Plenty of Charm

Lindsay Lohan, Ed Speleers, and Alexander Vlahos star in this charming rom-com.

'Immaculate' Review: Sydney Sweeney’s Horror Isn’t Afraid to Sin | SXSW 2024

What's a bad miracle?

'Omni Loop' Review: Ayo Edebiri's Sci-Fi 'Groundhog Day' Riff Will Rip Your Heart Out | SXSW 2024

Lovers of 'The Bear' will want to keep their eye out for this one so they can see more of Edebiri at the top of her game.

'Arthur the King' Review: Mark Wahlberg and His Furry Co-Star Keep This Sports Drama Afloat

Mark Wahlberg and Simu Liu star in this crowd-pleasing, albeit predictable crowd-pleaser.

‘Azrael’ Review: Samara Weaving Rules in Blood-Soaked, Mostly Silent Horror | SXSW 2024

E.L. Katz's 'Azrael' takes a bare-bones approach to horror, led by a performance that cements Samara Weaving as a horror icon.

'The Fall Guy' Review: Ryan Gosling Leads a Moviemaking Lover’s Dream | SXSW 2024

Get ready as this action ride is here to kick off the summer blockbuster season early.

'Desert Road' Review: A Sci-Fi Banger That Would Make Stephen King Proud | SXSW 2024

First-time writer-director Shannon Triplett uses a dusty desert road to spin a trippy tale where the rules of time and space no longer apply.

'Grand Theft Hamlet' Review: Will Shakespeare Work in 'GTA'? That Is the Question | SXSW 2024

Two friends try to put a production of 'Hamlet' on in the dangerous world of Los Santos in this wild and strangely compelling documentary.

'Monkey Man' Review: Dev Patel Arrives as a Next-Level Action Star, at Last | SXSW 2024

Getting a release in collaboration with Jordan Peele, Patel's directorial debut has great action and a so-so story.

‘Things Will Be Different’ Review: A Twisty, Dark Time Travel Movie That’ll Keep You Guessing | SXSW 2024

Starring Adam Thompson and Riley Dandy, Michael Felker's time travel story is an exciting new entry into the genre.

'Arcadian' Review: Nicolas Cage’s Shudder Horror Is a Must-See | SXSW 2024

“Are we safe? Are we secure?”

‘My Dead Friend Zoe’ Review: Sonequa Martin-Green Gives One of the Year’s Best Performances | SXSW 2024

Also starring Natalie Morales, Ed Harris, and Morgan Freeman, 'My Dead Friend Zoe' is a hilarious and heartbreaking film.

'Sew Torn' Review: This Tangled, Twisty Thriller Is a Dark Delight | SXSW 2024

This film is like a choose your own adventure come to life where all the options are bad.

'Cold Wallet' Review: A Crypto Thriller With an Unfortunately Low Yield | SXSW 2024

Raúl Castillo headlines this tech-based thriller that's full of cryptocurrency jargon but low on thrills.

'Magpie' Review: Forget Star Wars, This Is Daisy Ridley At Her Best | SXSW 2024

Ridley makes a meal of this dark madcap of a movie that all rides on her shoulders.

IMDb Charts

Imdb top 250 movies.

1. The Shawshank Redemption

2. The Godfather

3. The Dark Knight

4. The Godfather Part II

5. 12 Angry Men

6. Schindler's List

7. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

8. Pulp Fiction

9. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

10. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

11. Forrest Gump

12. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

13. Dune: Part Two

14. Fight Club

15. Inception

16. Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back

17. The Matrix

18. Goodfellas

19. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

21. Interstellar

22. It's a Wonderful Life

23. Seven Samurai

24. The Silence of the Lambs

25. Saving Private Ryan

26. City of God

27. Life Is Beautiful

28. The Green Mile

29. Terminator 2: Judgment Day

30. Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope

31. Back to the Future

32. Spirited Away

33. The Pianist

34. Parasite

35. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

37. Gladiator

38. The Lion King

39. Léon: The Professional

40. The Departed

41. American History X

42. Whiplash

43. The Prestige

44. Grave of the Fireflies

45. Harakiri

46. The Usual Suspects

47. Casablanca

48. The Intouchables

49. Cinema Paradiso

50. Modern Times

51. Rear Window

52. Once Upon a Time in the West

54. City Lights

55. 12th Fail

56. Apocalypse Now

57. Django Unchained

58. Memento

60. Raiders of the Lost Ark

61. The Lives of Others

62. Sunset Blvd.

63. Paths of Glory

64. Avengers: Infinity War

65. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

66. The Shining

67. Witness for the Prosecution

68. The Great Dictator

70. Inglourious Basterds

71. The Dark Knight Rises

72. Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb

73. American Beauty

76. Amadeus

77. Toy Story

78. The Boat

79. Braveheart

80. Avengers: Endgame

82. Princess Mononoke

83. Good Will Hunting

84. Your Name.

85. Once Upon a Time in America

86. High and Low

87. 3 Idiots

88. Oppenheimer

89. Singin' in the Rain

90. Capernaum

91. Requiem for a Dream

92. Come and See

93. Toy Story 3

94. Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi

95. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

96. The Hunt

97. 2001: A Space Odyssey

98. Reservoir Dogs

100. Lawrence of Arabia

101. The Apartment

102. North by Northwest

103. Citizen Kane

104. Vertigo

106. Incendies

107. Double Indemnity

108. Scarface

109. Amélie

110. Full Metal Jacket

111. A Clockwork Orange

114. To Kill a Mockingbird

115. The Sting

116. A Separation

117. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

118. Die Hard

119. Metropolis

120. Like Stars on Earth

121. Hamilton

122. Snatch

123. L.A. Confidential

124. Bicycle Thieves

126. Taxi Driver

127. Downfall

128. Dangal

129. For a Few Dollars More

130. Batman Begins

131. The Wolf of Wall Street

132. Some Like It Hot

133. The Kid

134. Green Book

135. The Father

136. Judgment at Nuremberg

137. Top Gun: Maverick

138. All About Eve

139. The Truman Show

140. There Will Be Blood

141. Shutter Island

142. Casino

144. Jurassic Park

145. The Sixth Sense

146. Pan's Labyrinth

147. Unforgiven

148. A Beautiful Mind

149. No Country for Old Men

150. The Thing

151. The Treasure of the Sierra Madre

152. Kill Bill: Vol. 1

153. Yojimbo

154. Monty Python and the Holy Grail

155. The Great Escape

156. Finding Nemo

157. Rashomon

158. Prisoners

159. Howl's Moving Castle

160. The Elephant Man

161. Chinatown

162. Dial M for Murder

163. Gone with the Wind

164. V for Vendetta

165. Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels

166. The Secret in Their Eyes

167. Raging Bull

168. Inside Out

169. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

170. Trainspotting

171. The Bridge on the River Kwai

172. Spider-Man: No Way Home

175. Warrior

176. Catch Me If You Can

177. Godzilla Minus One

178. Gran Torino

179. My Neighbor Totoro

180. Million Dollar Baby

181. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2

182. Children of Heaven

183. 12 Years a Slave

184. Blade Runner

185. Before Sunrise

186. The Grand Budapest Hotel

187. Ben-Hur

188. Barry Lyndon

189. Gone Girl

190. Hacksaw Ridge

191. The Gold Rush

192. In the Name of the Father

193. Memories of Murder

194. Dead Poets Society

195. On the Waterfront

196. The General

197. The Deer Hunter

198. Wild Tales

199. Mad Max: Fury Road

200. Monsters, Inc.

201. Sherlock Jr.

202. The Third Man

203. Wild Strawberries

204. The Wages of Fear

206. How to Train Your Dragon

207. Mary and Max

208. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

209. Ford v Ferrari

210. Ratatouille

211. Tokyo Story

212. The Seventh Seal

214. The Big Lebowski

217. Spotlight

218. Hotel Rwanda

219. Platoon

220. The Terminator

221. The Passion of Joan of Arc

222. Before Sunset

223. La haine

224. The Best Years of Our Lives

225. Jai Bhim

226. The Exorcist

227. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

229. Network

230. Stand by Me

231. The Wizard of Oz

232. The Incredibles

233. Hachi: A Dog's Tale

234. My Father and My Son

235. Into the Wild

236. The Handmaiden

237. The Sound of Music

238. To Be or Not to Be

239. The Grapes of Wrath

240. The Battle of Algiers

241. Groundhog Day

242. Amores Perros

243. Rebecca

244. Cool Hand Luke

245. The Iron Giant

246. The Help

247. It Happened One Night

248. Dances with Wolves

249. Aladdin

250. Drishyam

The Top Rated Movie list only includes feature films.

• Shorts, TV movies, and documentaries are not included
• The list is ranked by a formula which includes the number of ratings each movie received from users, and value of ratings received from regular users
• To be included on the list, a movie must receive ratings from at least 25000 users

You have rated

More to explore, top box office (us), most popular movies, top rated english movies, most popular tv shows, top 250 tv shows, lowest rated movies, most popular celebs, top rated movies by genre, recently viewed.

Reviews of Lindsay Lohan's Netflix movie 'Irish Wish' are pretty scathing, but say it has a saving grace

• Netflix's latest rom-com, "Irish Wish," is set in Ireland and stars Lindsay Lohan.
• Critics have praised Lohan's chemistry with her costar Ed Speleers.
• However, they say the movie doesn't have many Irish actors and is filled with stereotypes.

Critics have mostly blasted Netflix's "Irish Wish," the new Lindsay Lohan movie on Netflix, saying it is hokey and not very Irish.

The movie follows Maddie (Lohan), an American editor, who visits Ireland to attend the wedding of her crush, Paul Kennedy (Alexander Vlahos), and her best friend, Emma (Elizabeth Tan).

Maddie makes a wish and finds herself in an alternate universe where she is engaged to Paul, and Emma is the bridesmaid. Ed Speleers plays another handsome suitor Maddie meets on her magical journey.

After "Falling for Christmas," "Irish Wish" is the second holiday-themed Netflix movie starring Lohan and has the same director, Janeen Damian. "Irish Wish" and an upcoming movie, "Our Little Secret," were part of a two-movie deal between Lohan and Netflix.

The current Rotten Tomato critic score for "Irish Wish" is 34%, and the audience score is 44%, but that doesn't mean the movie is unwatchable.

Some viewers said the chemistry between Lindsay Lohan and Speleers is a saving grace for the movie.

Here's what critics have said about "Irish Wish."

For a movie about Ireland, "Irish Wish" is not very Irish, according to critics.

"Irish Wish" is set in Ireland , features an Irish saint, and was released on St Patrick's Day. But if you want to learn something new about Irish culture, you should probably look elsewhere.

From Empire review editor John Nugent:

"As with its Irish-romcom forebears, it is chock-full of hoary clichés: establishing shots of rolling fields, fiddle-heavy folk music, a leprechaun-esque fantasy character, some live-laugh-love-esque fetishisation of Guinness, and an array of head-scratching accents (the main Irish character here is in fact played by a Welshman)."

Nugent and other critics also pointed out that very few Irish actors are in the movie.

Vlahos, who plays Paul, is Welsh, although Irish actors play Paul's brother and father.

Some critics also pointed out that the "Irish Wish" version of Saint Brigid doesn't match her personality from folklore.

"Brigid, the matron saint of Ireland, is known in legends for feeding the hungry and healing the sick," Johnny Oleksinski wrote for the New York Post . "Here, she's the genie from "Aladdin" and is costumed for a summer stock production of 'Brigadoon.'"

Critics agreed that the movie was formulaic, although not all critics thought it was a bad thing.

Many critics were critical of the movie's use of rom-com clichés, such as the love triangle or the lovers-trapped-in-a-storm trope.

Vulture features writer Rachel Handler went so far as to describe the movie as an "AI-generated harbinger of a doomed future where machines make facsimiles of art while humans do their terrible bidding."

Some critics were nicer, including Collider news editor Maggie Lovitt, who argued that rom-coms are meant to be formulaic.

"It's a fun romantic romp, filled to the brim with gorgeous scenery, gorgeous clothing, and beautiful people," Lovitt wrote. "Revel in the simplicity of the formulaic simplicity of yet another magically contrived rom-com, and rejoice that 'Leap Year' has been dethroned (during a leap year, no less) as the best rom-com set in Ireland."

Other critics, such as Nugent and Digital Spy Deputy Movie Editor Mireia Mullor, called it a comfort watch.

"Netflix rom-com can be a little 'seen one, seen them all,' which is both frustrating (is this the best we could do with the genre? Really?) and, paradoxically, blissfully comfortable," Mullor wrote.

Critics were conflicted on whether the views of the Irish countryside were gorgeous or cartoonish.

"Irish Wish" may not use the bulk of Ireland's acting talent, but it does take advantage of its scenery, from Lough Tay to the Cliffs of Moher. Some critics loved this part of the movie.

Indiewire 's Samantha Bergeson wrote: "The gorgeous imagery and lush scenery will likely make audiences forget all about other CGI-heavy features that skimp on using real places to make sudsy stories feel even remotely grounded in the real world."

However, some critics thought the vibrant colors made the movie seem cartoonish.

Oleksinski, the New York Post critic, wrote: "Whenever the characters venture outdoors, the sky is made to look so strenuously blue and the grass such a plutonium green, we expect Tinky Winky and the Teletubbies to enter any moment."

Critics said the chemistry between Lindsay Lohan and Ed Speleers was the best part.

While Lohan and Speleers' performance doesn't save "Irish Wish," it has been praised by many critics.

"Lohan and Speleers have sweet chemistry , and that alone would be enough to prove Maddie and James are the true love story," ScreenRant critic Rachel Labonte wrote.

Variety's chief film critic Owen Gleiberman also wrote: "The movie is as frothy as the foam on a pint of Guinness, as formulaic as the last disposable Netflix rom-com. Yet these two make you believe that they belong together, and not every romantic comedy does that."

Of the two stars, Speleers got the most fanfare from critics, with Gleibermann writing that he was the "most charismatic British actor I've seen in quite a while."

Bergeson from Indiewire also praised Speleers for his "A-lister-in-the-making charisma."

If you're wondering how Irish critics feel about "Irish Wish," Liam Fay, a critic for The Sunday Times Ireland, was not a fan.

The Sunday Times Ireland critic Liam Fay's main criticism is that the movie feels like "a bland fairy-tale set in a theme-park Ireland."

He said the acting was "cardboard stiff," the slapstick humor in the movie was overdone, and the film was not a true reflection of Ireland.

"Scenery is extensively deployed as filler, diversion and atmosphere-provider as there is precious little story and zero drama," Fay wrote at one point.

One of the few positive notes in Fay's review is that the movie captures Ireland's scenery well.

"'Irish Wish' is an excellent advertisement for a variety of Irish touchstones," he wrote before adding. "But, as a film, it's as dumb as a box of rocks."

Overall, "Irish Wish" is fun.

Screen Rant's Labonte said people looking for a cheesy rom-com would enjoy it.

Lovitt from Collider said the movie felt like a "grown-up Disney Channel Original Movie complete with outlandish magical elements, cookie-cutter perfection, and an utterly tame romance."

Indiewire's Bergeson wrote that "Irish Wish" isn't as great as Lohan's previous Netflix movie " Falling for Christmas " and feels more like a Hallmark Channel movie.

Overall, it seems "Irish Wish" has major flaws, but you may enjoy the movie if you come in with the right perspective.

Disclosure: Mathias Döpfner, CEO of Business Insider's parent company, Axel Springer, is a Netflix board member.

• Main content

10 Movies Like Inception That Will Bend Your Mind

Are we still in a dream.

Inception is one of the best Christopher Nolan movies and one of the greatest sci-fi film concepts of the century so far. Many fans of Nolan’s work believe that, despite his other critically acclaimed films and recent Oscar for Oppenheimer, Inception is quite possibly his masterpiece. With a stellar cast and an air-tight, intellectual plot, the indelible visual effects are just the cherry on top for this gem of a film. As with most Nolan films, there are many plot twists and turns throughout this one-of-a-kind cinematic experience, which is what fans are likely searching for more of in this list.

As fans continuously debate the true meaning of that final scene, we’re highlighting some other movies like Inception that will keep you guessing no matter how many times you watch.

What do you think happened at the end of Inception?

Shutter Island (2010)

The closest selection to horror on the list, Shutter Island is a psychological thriller from Martin Scorcese that will surprise most viewers. Summoned to a remote island that houses an insane asylum, U.S. Marshall Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) must investigate the disappearance of a patient while attempting to fight off the demons that threaten to trap him in his insanity. Full of impressive performances and a nightmarish script from writer Laeta Kalogridis, Shutter Island is guaranteed to thrill.

Read our review of Shutter Island .

Memento (2000)

Nolan’s Memento is the debut film that sparked his successful film career. Suffering from a rare, untreatable short-term memory loss condition, Leonard (Guy Pearce) attempts to track down his wife's murderer using limited clues and tattoos on his own body. Full of red herrings and a confusingly out-of-order plot, the viewer is placed directly in the shoes of our frustratingly confused protagonist.

Read our review of Memento or check out our list of the best thriller movies of all time.

Get Out (2017)

Jordan Peele’s breakout directorial debut, Get Out is a genre-blending masterpiece built around mind-melding social commentary on race. Invited to a weekend getaway at his girlfriend's family's house, Chris (Daniel Kaluuya) grows suspicious of their overly welcoming nature. By maintaining an air of mystery and subversion throughout its skillfully crafted narrative, Peele’s Get Out has been compared to the works of master filmmakers such as Hitchcock, Carpenter, and Kubrick.

Read our review of Get Out .

Source Code (2011)

Successfully blending elements of sci-fi, thriller, action, and romance, Source Code comes out of left field to deliver an unexpectedly sensational film. Using state-of-the-art military technology in a top-secret operation to find the source of an explosion, helicopter pilot Colter Stevens (Jake Gyllenhaal) is pushed into the mind of the recently deceased Sean Fentress, who died in a terrorist-attacked commuter train. Highlighted by Gyllenhaal’s charm and some fine directing from Duncan Jones, there are a whole lot of great mind-bending moments to experience in this film with great acting to bring them home.

Read our review of Source Code .

The Matrix (1999)

One of the most culturally impactful and mind-blowing sci-fi movies of all time, The Matrix introduced a scarily convincing concept that has stuck around ever since. After receiving clues and fish hooks from an unidentified source promising a “truth,” Neo ( Keanu Reeves ) discovers he is living in a nightmare simulation crafted by artificial intelligence. Intertwining incredible kung-fu fighting scenes with gunfights, car chases, and stellar performances, it’s hard not to think of this sci-fi classic whenever one’s in the mood for something equal parts thought-provoking and entertaining.

See our guide to every Matrix movie ever made .

The Prestige (2006)

Based on the novel by Christopher Priest , The Prestige is a gritty period piece that brings a new edge to magicians in the Edwardian Era. Two rival magicians, set at odds by a previous partnership gone awry, compete to achieve the greatest illusion of all: teleportation. Brilliantly acted by Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman (and directed by Christopher Nolan), both characters fight for their careers as they obsessively construct their illusions, sacrificing humanity and decency in the name of showmanship.

Read our review of The Prestige .

Donnie Darko (2001)

Another psychological thriller edging on horror that sent fans on an all-out debate for meaning, Donnie Darko is an original, visceral experience that is meant to pique interest and instill discomfort. After narrowly avoiding a freak accident at his family home, Donnie Darko (Jake Gyllenhaal) continues having night terrors and hallucinating a man in a rabbit suit telling him to cause havoc in his Stepford Wives suburbia. Featuring some incredibly effective sound mixing, an awesome soundtrack, a stellar performance from Gyllenhaal, and an intelligently crafted narrative, Donnie Darko fits all the pieces together for a timeless sci-fi drama.

Read our review of Donnie Darko .

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a conceptual twister and cinematic masterpiece in which genre, narrative, and the very concept of memory are challenged. Joel (Jim Carrey) is on a train for his usual commute when he meets Clementine (Kate Winslet), a quirky, overtly forward individual, who makes outrageous statements that smite our protagonist’s heart. When their relationship gets nasty, they individually seek out the help of an experimental memory-removal clinic that reminds them exactly why they belong together.

Read our review of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind .

Fight Club (1999)

Based on Chuck Palahniuk’s novel of the same name, Fight Club centers around young and dejected men who decide the best way to solve their problems is to fight in basements and reject society's standards. The movie has some great writing and an awesome twist that recontextualizes all that came before it. Wit unforgetable performances from Edward Norton and Brad Pitt, it's a must see for any fan of psychological thrillers.

The Butterfly Effect (2004)

Led valiantly by its intriguing concept, The Butterfly Effect is a thriller that successfully goes for shock value. After Evan Treborn (Ashton Kutcher) is affected by his first blackout in years, he discovers he can consciously travel to his past blackouts as a child and change the future. Beyond the compelling idea, The Butterfly Event features disturbing, unpredictable events that make this film unforgettable.

Read our review of The Butterfly Effect .

Connor Sheppard is an Oregon-grown culture writer for IGN with previous work on The Manual. Intrigued from a young age by pop culture and movies, he has developed into an experienced critic and consumer of all things media. From his time earning a bachelor's degree in digital communications at Oregon State University, he found a love for writing and appreciating specific actors and directors in the many films he watches.

In This Article

IGN Recommends

Advertisement

• March 15, 2024   •   41:34 Talking ‘Dune’: Book and Movies
• March 8, 2024   •   46:28 Book Club: Let’s Talk About ‘Erasure,’ by Percival Everett
• March 1, 2024   •   39:57 Tommy Orange on His ‘There There’ Sequel
• February 23, 2024   •   38:34 The Rise and Fall of The Village Voice
• February 16, 2024   •   44:25 Book Club: Let’s Talk About Barbara Kingsolver’s ‘Demon Copperhead’
• February 9, 2024   •   36:55 Reading Recommendations From Book Review Staffers
• February 2, 2024   •   40:55 ‘Killers of the Flower Moon,’ From Page to Screen
• January 26, 2024   •   40:52 Happily Married, and Seeing Other People
• January 19, 2024   •   27:41 15 Books Coming Soon to a Shelf Near You
• January 12, 2024   •   44:59 Steven Soderbergh’s Year in Reading
• December 22, 2023   •   41:01 Reading James McBride’s ‘The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store’
• December 15, 2023   •   42:48 How to Tell the Story of a Giant Wildfire

Talking ‘Dune’: Book and Movies

The times’s critic alissa wilkinson discusses frank herbert’s classic science fiction novel and denis villeneuve’s film adaptations..

Hosted by Gilbert Cruz

• Share full article

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | How to Listen

Frank Herbert’s epic novel “Dune” and its successors have been entrenched in the science fiction and fantasy canon for almost six decades, a rite of passage for proudly nerdy readers across the generations. But “Dune” is experiencing a broader cultural resurgence at the moment thanks to Denis Villeneuve’s recent film adaptations starring Timothée Chalamet . ( Part 2 is in theaters now.)

This week on the podcast, Gilbert Cruz talks to The Times’s critic Alissa Wilkinson, who covers movies, culture and religion, about Herbert’s novel, Villeneuve’s films and the enduring hold of Fremen lore on the audience’s imagination.

“There’s a couple things that I think are really unsettling in ‘Dune,’” Wilkinson says. “One is, the vision of Frank Herbert was, I believe, to basically write a book that questioned authoritarians and hero mythology genuinely, across the board. Any kind of a hero figure he is proposing will always have things and people come up alongside that hero figure that distort their influence. Even if they intend well, if they’re benevolent, there’s still all of this really awful stuff that comes along with it. So Paul is a messiah figure — we believe he wants good things for most of the book — and then he turns on a dime or it feels like he might be turning on a dime. You can never quite tell where anyone stands in this book. And I think that is unsettling, especially because so many of the other kinds of things that we watch — the superhero movies, “Star Wars,” whatever — there’s a clear-cut good and evil fight going on. Good and evil don’t really exist in ‘Dune.’”

We would love to hear your thoughts about this episode, and about the Book Review’s podcast in general. You can send them to [email protected] .

Explore More in Books

Want to know about the best books to read and the latest news start here..

When the author Tommy Orange received an impassioned email from a teacher in the Bronx, he dropped everything to visit the students  who inspired it.

A few years ago, Harvard acquired the archive of Candida Royalle, a porn star turned pioneering director. Now, the collection has inspired a new book , challenging the conventional history of the sexual revolution.

Gabriel García Márquez wanted his final novel to be destroyed. Its publication this month  may stir questions about posthumous releases.

Tessa Hulls’s “Feeding Ghosts” chronicles how China’s history shaped her family. But first, she had to tackle some basics: Learn history. Learn Chinese. Learn how to draw comics.

Do you want to be a better reader?   Here’s some helpful advice to show you how to get the most out of your literary endeavor .

Each week, top authors and critics join the Book Review’s podcast to talk about the latest news in the literary world. Listen here .

Log in or sign up for Rotten Tomatoes

Trouble logging in?

By continuing, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from the Fandango Media Brands .

By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes and to receive email from the Fandango Media Brands .

By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes.

Email not verified

Let's keep in touch.

Sign up for the Rotten Tomatoes newsletter to get weekly updates on:

• Upcoming Movies and TV shows
• Trivia & Rotten Tomatoes Podcast
• Media News + More

By clicking "Sign Me Up," you are agreeing to receive occasional emails and communications from Fandango Media (Fandango, Vudu, and Rotten Tomatoes) and consenting to Fandango's Privacy Policy and Terms and Policies . Please allow 10 business days for your account to reflect your preferences.

OK, got it!

Movies / TV

No results found.

• What's the Tomatometer®?
• Login/signup

Movies in theaters

• Opening this week
• Top box office
• Coming soon to theaters
• Certified fresh movies

Movies at home

• Netflix streaming
• Prime Video
• Most popular streaming movies
• What to Watch New

Certified fresh picks

• Love Lies Bleeding Link to Love Lies Bleeding
• Problemista Link to Problemista
• Frida Link to Frida

New TV Tonight

• Nolly: Season 1
• In Restless Dreams: The Music of Paul Simon: Season 1
• The Long Shadow: Season 1
• 3 Body Problem: Season 1
• Palm Royale: Season 1
• Alice & Jack: Season 1
• X-Men '97: Season 1
• Davey & Jonesie's Locker: Season 1
• Photographer: Season 1
• Top Chef: Season 21

Most Popular TV on RT

• The Gentlemen: Season 1
• Shōgun: Season 1
• Manhunt: Season 1
• Apples Never Fall: Season 1
• Avatar: The Last Airbender: Season 1
• The Regime: Season 1
• Masters of the Air: Season 1
• Invincible: Season 2
• The Signal: Season 1
• Best TV Shows
• Most Popular TV
• TV & Streaming News

Certified fresh pick

• Manhunt: Season 1 Link to Manhunt: Season 1
• All-Time Lists
• Binge Guide
• Comics on TV
• Five Favorite Films
• Video Interviews
• Weekend Box Office
• Weekly Ketchup
• What to Watch

Ghostbusters Movies Ranked by Tomatometer

How to Watch Ghostbusters Movies In Order

Women’s History

Awards Tour

Star Wars: The Acolyte : Premiere Date, Trailer, Cast & More

The Most Anticipated Movies of 2024

• Trending on RT
• Play Movie Trivia
• The Rotten Tomatoes Channel
• Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
• Late Night with the Devil

Best Sellers Reviews

Plaza and Caine have wonderfully acerbic chemistry together and Roessler proves herself to be not only a great actor’s director, but has a great eye for composition as well.

Full Review | Feb 13, 2024

Luckily, the convincing performances disguise some of the film's vacillations. Especially Caine, who transforms his physical limitations into a permanent asset. [Full review in Spanish]

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Oct 2, 2023

Best Sellers is a film that does little to challenge and little to offend, and therein lies its central problem. There is just a sense of missed opportunities to really dive into something with much more wit and bite.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/5 | Sep 17, 2023

In spite of Caine’s charm and Plaza’s pluckiness, nothing in the movie feels genuine, and that’s a shame, because the conceit of having a politically incorrect dinosaur of a writer working with a young publisher could have been funny.

Full Review | Dec 28, 2022

In the vein of films like Grumpy Old Men or event the French Tati Danielle, this film works because the audience delights in the curmudgeonliness of its leader, and Michael Caine delivers his boozy, washed-up and furious old man so very well.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Aug 17, 2022

The filmic equivalent of a breezy beach read.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | May 13, 2022

Though the pairing of Caine and Plaza is a highly unlikely one, there is a definite chemistry there that has you wishing they were in a slightly better movie than this.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Apr 29, 2022

Just a like a hack novel with a stale formula, Best Sellers is an uninspired comedy/drama that limps along until the movie's very predictable end. Michael Caine and Aubrey Plaza play mismatched characters, but their pairing as actors is also a misfire.

Full Review | Jan 12, 2022

Parks and Recreation star Plaza more than holds her own in what could have been a thankless role)... if you're a fan of the burgeoning mature-people-behaving-badly genre, then you'll definitely get a kick out of this.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/5 | Dec 30, 2021

It's simple, if a little stale, and would barely be worth turning the page for if it didn't keep reminding us how grandiose its co-leads truly are.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/5 | Dec 1, 2021

It's no classic, but as a pleasant mid-list movie Best Sellers unspools as a thoughtfully cobbled comic ode to the enduring power of literature in the face of a culture that is more vacuum than substance.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Nov 26, 2021

Despite the story's nesting doll of cliches, the cast truly give it their all.

Full Review | Original Score: 11/20 | Nov 17, 2021

Michael Caine at his best as a cranky author.

Full Review | Original Score: B- | Nov 14, 2021

Mainly the film is silly and unlikely... which is a shame because Caine can still bring it.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Nov 3, 2021

Put two great actors in a room, let an actor direct and another one write and what do you get? Proof that making movies is about so much more than the acting.

Full Review | Original Score: 2 | Oct 30, 2021

Little about the plot is unpredictable, but the tension between the characters touches a few nerves. It's also a gentle celebration of the power of literature.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Oct 29, 2021

Poignant, cross-generational literary comedy.

Full Review | Original Score: 6/10 | Oct 28, 2021

Off the top of my head I could name 20 better odd-couple generation-gap movies.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Oct 22, 2021

As an undemanding pas de deux, it's sweet enough.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Oct 21, 2021

Best Sellers is a charming but formulaic comedy-drama which wholly benefits from Aubrey Plaza and Michael Caine's touching performances

The Best Movies New to Every Major Streaming Platform in March 2024

Posted: March 8, 2024 | Last updated: March 13, 2024

Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour - Mexico City, Mexico

Netflix may get most of the attention, but it’s hardly a one-stop shop for cinephiles looking to stream essential classic and contemporary films. Each of the prominent streaming platforms caters to its own niche of film obsessives.

From the boundless wonders of the Criterion Channel to the new frontiers of streaming offered by the likes of Ovid and Peacock, IndieWire’s monthly guide highlights the best of what’s coming to every major streamer, with an eye toward exclusive titles that may help readers decide which of these services is right for them.

Here is your guide for March 2024.

“Napoleon” (dir. Ridley Scott, 2023)

Apple TV+ subscribers think they’re so great because they have BOATS. Ridley Scott’s latest — and funniest — historical epic comes to streaming this month, so everyone who missed “Napoleon” in theaters will finally have a chance to watch Joaquin Phoenix get cucked on an imperial scale and think to themselves: “I bet the long-promised director’s cut of this is going to be so much better.” There’s no doubt that it will be, but for now, this ain’t bad. 

Available to stream March 1.

“Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour (Taylor’s Version) (dir. Sam Wrench, 2023)

As usual, Disney+’s monthly slate is mighty light on original content, and — as usual — the streamer is banking on a single movie to make up for it. This March, however, that movie is probably more than enough to get the job done. Everything about “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” suggests that it should be the biggest thing on streaming for the foreseeable future. Exclusivity? Check. A long, appetite-whetting window between its blockbuster theatrical release and its home video debut? Check. A degree of rewatchability that’s typically reserved for kids fare like “Bluey?” Swifties are going to stream this thing on such a constant loop that it’s going to feel like part of the wallpaper. Compared to what it cost to see Taylor in concert last year, that ever-increasing Disney+ subscription fee suddenly doesn’t seem so bad. 

Available to stream March 15.

Other highlights:

– “Madu” (3/29)

“Freddy Got Fingered” (dir. Tom Green, 2001)

The Razzies have always been a dumb and misguided endeavor (one that blessedly seems less popular than ever these days), but the anti-Oscars have finally served a meaningful purpose for the first time since giving us that clip of Halle Berry showing up to claim her Worst Actress prize for “Catwoman.” That purpose: Providing a useful context for the Criterion Channel to package some of the most unfairly maligned films of the last 40 years into a single retrospective… a retrospective that allows Tom Green’s “Freddy Got Fingered” to take its rightful place on the hallowed streaming platform alongside the work of masters like Ingmar Bergman and Akira Kurosawa. Daddy, would you like some sausage? Well, it’s time to eat up (other must-watch standouts from the package include Friedkin’s “Cruising,” Fassbinder’s “Querelle,” and Brest’s “Gigli,” which is both a lot better and so much worse than you may have heard). 

Never one to let a single retro hog the spotlight, the Channel has also put together a tribute to method acting that spans from the 1927 Lon Chaney vehicle “The Unknown” to “The Master” and Robert Greene’s “Kate Plays Christine,” a Jane Russell series that includes the likes of “Macao” and “The Tall Men,” and an essential spotlight on the early films of Hou Hsiao-hsien (which inspired the great David Bordwell’s final blog post before his recent death). Also, be sure to put aside three hours for Claire Simon’s remarkable “Our Body,” an observational documentary that sees the entire world and the way women are forced to navigate through it from within the gynecology ward of a Paris hospital.

All movies available to stream March 1.

“Anatomy of a Fall” (dir. Justine Triet, 2023)

It’s a big month for Hulu subscribers, as two of the year’s strongest Best Picture nominees are coming to the service in addition to one of the greatest movies from the director of this year’s inevitable Best Picture winner, Christopher Nolan (I can see the future, and it’s pretty much just Ludwig Göransson’s score blaring through the Dolby Theater on a constant loop as several reserved European men and Robert Downey Jr. walk up to the stage). “Poor Things” would be enough to backstop a fantastic new release slate on its own, but “Anatomy of a Fall” is perhaps the most exciting Hulu exclusive this month.

When was the last time a French legal drama was able to break through to a mainstream audience, get nominated for just about every American movie award, and inspire more fancams than a CW show during the glory days of Tumblr? (If you don’t know what I’m talking about, please take a moment to google Swann Arlaud). Now that America is starting to get over its aversion to subtitles, this — largely English-language — is poised to become an even bigger sensation.

Available to stream March 22.

– “Dunkirk” (3/1) – “Goodfellas” (3/1) – “Poor Things” (3/7)

“Wonka” (dir. Paul King, 2023)

Well there’s chocolate, and there’s choc-o-late, and Paul King’s mega-successful follow-up to “Paddington 2” certainly proved to be the latter, despite months of understandable pre-release negativity around the idea of a musical origin story starring Timothée Chalamet as cinema’s most demented candyman. Hot on the heels of its blockbuster theatrical run, “Wonka” is making its way to streaming, where it stands a decent chance of cementing its status as the first new holiday classic since “Elf” (one look at Hugh Grant’s oompa-loompa is enough to know that there’s no trace of God in this film, but yes, “Wonka” is a Christmas movie, and no, I will not be taking any questions on the matter at this time).

For those less enamored by the idea of watching Paul Atreides milk a computer-generated giraffe, Max is also premiering the wickedly clever “Dream Scenario” along with other A24 hits like “Good Time” (RIP Buddy Duress) and “The Green Knight.”

Available to stream March 8.

– “Good Time” (3/1) – “The Green Knight” (3/1) – “Dream Scenario” (3/15)

“The Settlers” (dir. Felipe Gálvez, 2023)

IndieWire Managing Editor Christian Blauvelt was the first person on staff to see Felipe Gálvez’s “The Settlers” before it premiered at Cannes last year, and he couldn’t stop raving to the rest of the team about how the Un Certain Regard premiere would be one of the best movies at a festival that also went on to produce the likes of “May December” and “The Zone of Interest.”

When MUBI released the Chilean Western last fall, Christian leapt at the chance to review this story about a wealthy landowner who recruits a Scotsman to exterminate the Indigenous Selk’nam people on his land in Tierra del Fuego. 

Calling it “one of the most chilling art-Westerns to come along in some time,” Christian wrote that “‘The Settlers’ may remind some viewers of a Budd Boetticher film when they’re watching it: following three men on horseback on a cross-country journey, it dramatizes questions of identity and belonging, and how these things can be written in violence. Most Boetticher-like, in a tight 98 minutes ‘The Settlers’ says more than a lot of films double its length. It’s also a deeply felt work of activism with a message that needs to be heard in Chile. Just as nothing about the Pinochet coup in 1973 or the resulting dictatorship is taught in Chilean schools today, so is nothing about the genocide of the Selk’nam, a culture that is considered extinct, with only one living person today able to speak their language. This is a film that shows that, as easy as it is to forget about the past, it’s easier still when it was never taught in the first place.”

Available to stream March 29.

Other highlights: 

– “Goodbye, First Love” (3/1) – “Ishtar” (3/1) – “Mami Wata” (3/22)

“Love & Basketball” (dir. Gina Prince-Bythewood, 2000)

As amusing as it is that Netflix is streaming “Bodies Bodies Bodies” the day before the release of the platform’s mega-budget new sci-fi show “3 Body Problem,” and as oddly compelling as it is to watch a sad Czech astronaut played by Adam Sandler open his heart to a fourth-dimensional alien spider who sounds a lot like Paul Dano, none of the original — or at least temporarily exclusive — movies on Netflix’s March release slate are as exciting as the millennial classics that will be streaming alongside them.

Carl Franklin’s “Devil in a Blue Dress” just missed the cut for IndieWire’s list of the 100 Best Movies of the ’90s , while “Beverly Hills Ninja,” well… that one wasn’t really in contention, but even Chris Farley’s least iconic films only seem to get funnier with every passing year.

And if we ever get around to celebrating the aughts, I can guarantee that Gina Prince-Bythewood’s “Love & Basketball” will be a major topic of conversation, as that long under-appreciated sports romance has finally been canonized as the modern classic that it is. If you haven’t picked up the new Criterion Collection Blu-ray, Netflix would be happy to remind you why you should.

– “Beverly Hills Ninja” (3/1) – “Devil in a Blue Dress” (3/1) – “Spaceman” (3/1)

“After Blue” (dir. Bertrand Mandico, 2021)

“If you unearthed a glittery demon with one hairy arm who awakened your deepest desires from the third eye between her legs, what lengths would you travel to find her again?” So begins former IndieWire writer Jude Dry’s review of Bertrand Mandico’s seductive and ethereal “After Blue,” which only becomes more intriguing from there. 

Jude continues: “Set on a fantasy planet where only women can survive the harsh climate, the adventure follows a mother and daughter on a grueling journey to find and kill the evil ‘Kate Bush,’ rumored to be death herself. One part ‘Annihilation,’ one part ‘The Love Witch,’ and cast under the veneer of a sadistic ‘The NeverEnding Story, the film creates a lush — sometimes grotesque — alternate universe ruled by unique rules, creatures, and longings. Love it or hate it, you’ve never seen anything quite like ‘After Blue.’”

Available to stream March 21

– “Little Palestine: Diary of a Siege” (3/7) – “Violet” (3/8)

“Arrival” (dir. Denis Villeneuve, 2016)

I may not be the world’s biggest Denis Villeneuve fan (I’m told that my negative review of “Dune: Part Two” didn’t sit well with the kind of people who plan their holy wars around Rotten Tomatoes scores), but I’m happy to join the love parade whenever he directs something with enough humanity to offset his signature bombast. Ironically, it took a movie about aliens for Villeneuve to really wrap his arms around what makes people tick.

A very good Ted Chiang adaptation that stops just short of greatness thanks to a bunch of third act mishegoss (endless love for Michael Stuhlbarg, but the story gets snagged on his character like a plastic bag on a tree branch), “Arrival” epitomizes Villeneuve’s enduring fascination with cycles of violence and the cold recognition of fate. In this case, that cycle is on a cosmic scale, but — with major assists from Amy Adams and Max Richter — it registers on crushingly intimate terms as well.

– “The Last Temptation of Christ” (3/1) – “Tár” (3/27) – “Jackie Brown” (3/31)

“Not Another Teen Movie” (dir. Joel Gallen, 2001)

Arriving a few years ahead of the Early Aughts Spoof Boom (you all remember that, right?), the unfettered meta genius of “Not Another Teen Movie” has been largely subsumed into the wretched likes of “Epic Movie,” “Disaster Movie,” and the rest of the witless parodies that followed in its wake. In truth, it should be a felony to mention those ghastly imitations in the same breath as Joel Gallen’s masterpiece, and I will gladly spend the rest of my life in jail if that’s what it takes to make this point.

A self-reflexive send-up of “She’s All That,” “Bring it On,” “10 Things I Hate About You,” and every other high school comedy since “The Breakfast Club,” “Not Another Teen Movie” so thoroughly skewered its subject that Hollywood had to rethink the entire genre (for better or worse).

Get past the gross-out gags and a handful of offensive punchlines, and you’ll be treated to the densest and most detailed satire of its kind since the likes of “The Naked Gun,” in addition to (what’s still) the funniest performance of Chris Evans’ career. But fair warning for the faint of heart: Watching “Not Another Teen Movie” means having to look at Janey Briggs for the better part of 90 minutes, and she can be a lot to stomach. As the great Jake Wyler once described the most abominable reject in his senior class: “She’s got paint on her overalls. What is that?!?” It’s disgusting, is what that is. But that’s the magic of this movie. By the time it’s over, you somehow believe that a swamp thing like her could actually become prom queen.

– “Inside Llewyn Davis” (3/1) – “Sleeping with Other People” (3/11) – “Carol” (3/19)

“Battle Royale” (dir. Kinji Fukasaku, 2000)

Doug Liman’s “Road House” remake is obviously Prime Video’s biggest get this month (see this SXSW-opening, throat-ripping crowd-pleaser as it was meant to be seen: While watching Mormon tradwife cooking TikToks on the “For You” tab of your Twitter page), and yet Kinji Fukasaku’s ultra-provocative “Battle Royale” demands special attention, as this proto-“Hunger Games” satire about a class of Japanese high school students stranded on a remote island and forced to fight to the death had been so hard to see in the United States until it started bouncing between the various streamers.

America can stomach the idea of school kids shooting each other in real life, but add Beat Takashi and some exploding neck collars into the mix, well… that’s just obscene. The real shame is that Fukasaku’s twisted shootout has only become more relevant to our country in this age of zero-sum politics, and against the backdrop of the resulting culture war that’s twisted young bodies into a battlefield unto themselves.

Available to stream March 31

– “Desperately Seeking Susan” (3/1) – “The LEGO Batman Movie” (3/19) – “Road House” (3/21)

“The Strangers” (dir. Bryan Bertino, 2008)

Ahead of the three  Renny Harlin(!?)-directed prequels that will be released this year, Shudder is inviting subscribers to remember why the original continues to endure in our minds. Bryan Bertino’s directorial debut is small as can be, but its simplicity is also its greatest virtue. The premise is so unnerving because — unlike a zombie apocalypse or a Texas chainsaw massacre — it could happen to anyone, anywhere. And in “The Strangers” it does. Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman play a very ordinary couple whose very ordinary relationship drama is interrupted by a knock at the door; three masked villains, empowered by nothing but some knives and their sadistic desires, have dropped by to ruin their night. The wicked games they play are carried out with vivid rage and raw brutality, but this is the rare horror movie that only gets scarier with its final reveal. Why did these maniacs target this particular couple, and what neighborhood will they be in tomorrow? The answers to those questions continue to keep us awake at night.

– “Alice, Sweet Alice” (3/1) – “Grabbers” (3/1) – “Southern Comfort” (3/18)

More for You

Trump judge issues classified documents order that leaves legal experts baffled

Maddow Blog | GOP’s Tuberville: ‘We are losing our kids to a Satanic cult’

Award ceremony canceled after Ginsburg family calls honorees 'affront'

Air Force fires two medical commanders at Joint Base Charleston

I'm abrosexual - it took me 30 years to realise

Margaritaville closing after 20 years

Legal consequences are harsh and painful when they finally arrive in Trump’s orbit

Conservative activist who has spread conspiracy theories won't be getting an RNC job

The Supreme Court Is About an Inch Away from Legalizing Bribery

Top former US generals say failures of Biden administration in planning drove chaotic fall of Kabul

Map Shows US Cities Russia Would Strike First if War Broke Out

Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson: Date, fight time, rules, undercard, latest odds, how to watch, purse and more

Chubb ended Trump fraud bond talks after backing E. Jean Carroll appeal bond, court filing says

Fiery School Board Meeting Brings Out Black Panthers in Virginia

The next James Bond has reportedly been chosen, and film fans are divided

The New 2024 Chevelle 70/SS Brings the American Muscle Car Roaring Back to Life

Lindsey Graham Faces Backlash Over Ukraine Mobilization Call

Minnesota court rules pharmacist discriminated against woman in denying emergency contraception

3 lies women have been told about their bodies, according to a female doctor

The first former Trump White House official to go to prison gave a final plea in the parking lot of a Miami strip mall: 'Navarro is going to prison today'

• Skip to main content
• Keyboard shortcuts for audio player

Pop Culture Happy Hour

• Performing Arts
• Pop Culture

'The American Society of Magical Negroes': You don't wanna join this club

Aisha Harris

Aren (Justice Smith) and Roger (David Alan Grier) in The American Society of Magical Negroes. Focus Features hide caption

Aren (Justice Smith) and Roger (David Alan Grier) in The American Society of Magical Negroes.

Lately, I've been musing on the concept of time and its relationship to Black art and identity. I keep bumping into this question: What time do we all think we're living in right now?

In the year of someone's lord 2024, a recent episode of Feud: Capote vs. The Swans conjured up James Baldwin – the same James Baldwin who once wrote, "I don't like people who like me because I'm a Negro; neither do I like people who find in the same accident grounds for contempt" – as a Magical Negro to Truman Capote.

50 Years Of NPR

The best of james baldwin: favorite pieces from the npr archive.

A straight-faced excavation of this old Hollywood trope, which has been on the wane for some time, is startling enough. But now there's also Kobi Libii's feature debut, The American Society of Magical Negroes, which attempts to skewer it. The comedy writer and performer imagines an underground network of Black mystics who dedicate their lives to placating white people for the safety of Black people everywhere. "White discomfort," as one character opines, is the "nemesis" of Black existence.

If this all sounds like the premise for a classic Key & Peele sketch, you wouldn't be too far off . The trouble is, as far as I can tell, no one involved with writing Key & Peele had anything to do with the Society of Magical Negroes .

Code Switch

'key & peele' is ending. here are a few of its code switch-iest moments.

The movie has at least two crucial factors working against it. For one, the Magical Negro trope isn't anywhere near as pervasive in Hollywood as it was when Spike Lee coined the term more than two decades ago. So despite being set in the present day, Libii's social commentary brings with it no new enlightenment on the dominant stereotypes Black people face now, despite a nearly two-hour runtime.

Second, it has no Black characters. To be clear, there are real Black performers playing these roles on screen. But one would think fully human, complexly written roles ought to exist in a movie where the goal is combatting multiple centuries' worth of one-dimensional representation. Here, they decidedly do not.

The Illuminati, but make it respectable

In Society of Magical Negroes , Justice Smith plays Aren, a dull and depressing L.A. artist whose specialty is dull and depressing abstract yarn installations. His latest work is on display at an art show, but no one "gets" it. When a white collector mistakes him for the waitstaff, Aren obliges and gets the man a drink instead of trying to convince him to buy his art.

A member of the actual waitstaff has been observing him all night and introduces himself. It turns out he's Roger (David Alan Grier), a jolly older man who's arrived to recruit Aren into the American Society of Magical Negroes, a "firm" that views itself as a group of world-class superheroes. He leads him to their secret headquarters, tucked away behind a Black barbershop, with hallowed rooms and halls that resemble Hogwarts or the Clue mansion. The visual world-building in this regard is the film's sole inspired choice.

Egotistical tech bro Jason (Drew Tarver) is Aren's first "client." Focus Features hide caption

Egotistical tech bro Jason (Drew Tarver) is Aren's first "client."

Each Society member is assigned a white "client" who's experiencing some sort of crisis and is dangerously close to taking out their anxieties on innocent Black people. (A "white tears meter" assists in monitoring the threat level at any given moment.) The Magical Negro's job is to befriend and counsel their client through all their issues until they get whatever it is they want. Aren's first guinea pig is Jason (Drew Tarver), a disgruntled, egotistical tech bro at a software company called MeetBox, who's angling for a promotion he almost certainly doesn't deserve. Aren is hired at MeetBox and immediately gets to work practicing his skill of being a personality-less doormat, which has a great effect on clueless Jason.

Did I mention this is also a workplace rom-com? Sure, why not? Aren discovers one of his other new colleagues is Lizzie (An-Li Bogan), a woman with whom he had the gawkiest and most unsexy of meet-cutes at a coffee shop earlier in the day. Lizzie happens to be Jason's "work-wife," but he's also into her, so that complicates Aren's adherence to his Magical Negro responsibilities and tests his commitment to The Cause.

Author Interviews

'magical negro' carries the weight of history, maybe we're all just magical negroes.

So many disparate ideas and tones are being mashed up here, and none of them gel. Libii spends a ton of time obsessing over the details and internal rules of these proud, respectability politicians. Yet he also has a slippery grasp on the trope he seeks to interrogate. In this world, the Magical Negro is broadened out from its very specific real-world definition – Spike Lee was referring to movies with "magical, mystical" Black characters in films like The Legend of Bagger Vance and The Green Mile – to an all-encompassing label that includes any Black person who's ever merely decided "Not today, Satan" and resisted the bait when dealing with racial microaggressions at work and Crispus Attucks.

Movie Interviews

Spike lee: black people have 'been fighting for this country from day one'.

Those muddled conflations would be less jarring if Aren were written as anything other than a convenient vessel for showcasing a convoluted premise. We know nothing about him besides that he's a failed, self-loathing Rhode Island School of Design alum who's so spineless he'll awkwardly hold the door for a parade of oblivious exiting passersby before finally entering a coffee shop for himself. Before becoming a Magical Negro (I can't believe this is an actual sentence I'm writing), he has no community to speak of – no friends, no real job, and no family, except a white mom he offhandedly mentions. (This is somehow both very illuminating and not at all illuminating at the same time.) Where did he grow up? How can Aren afford to be a struggling artist with a decent apartment in Los Angeles in this economy? Has Aren ever spent any time with Black people? (Magical Negroes don't count.)

Lizzie (An-Li Bogan) and Aren (Justice Smith) have a tedious meet-cute at a coffee shop. Tobin Yelland/Focus Features hide caption

Lizzie (An-Li Bogan) and Aren (Justice Smith) have a tedious meet-cute at a coffee shop.

His character arc, if you wish to call it that, concludes with him superficially liberated. In the film's climax, he gives a grandstanding speech that's What It's Like to Be Black 101, a far more grating version of Barbie 's climactic Feminism 101 monologue. The moment is wholly unearned, and the epiphany lands with a thud because Aren didn't really start from any place real to begin with. There's nothing radical or daring about his journey to self-discovery, which hinges almost entirely on his romantic pining for Lizzie. In fact, Libii's script doesn't even try to engage with Black radicalism because if it did, The Society would have to come under far more rigorous scrutiny than the film is interested in pursuing. The Magical Negroes, so proud to have single-handedly "raised the Black life expectancy," at least according to society head Dede (Nicole Byer), exist in a world where the likes of Harriet Tubman, Marcus Garvey, the Black Panthers, and Bree Newsome never existed. The movie's finale seems content with that omission.

What time are we living in now?

Nicole Byer is Dede, head of the American Society of Magical Negroes. Focus Features hide caption

Nicole Byer is Dede, head of the American Society of Magical Negroes.

So: What time are we living in now? It depends on who you ask and where you look. Not unlike American Fiction , Society of Magical Negroes is convinced Black people on screen and in real life are, by and large, contending with the same stereotypes and barriers that we were 20 years ago. But that's its own kind of retrograde nostalgia trap to fall into, the kind that can only be constructed by ignoring key parts of history and the present reality.

There are pressing issues like pay inequities and Black-created TV shows being canceled far too soon. But there's also been so much exciting work being made by filmmakers on every level over the last decade – emerging voices like Nikyatu Jusu , Raven Jackson and Juel Taylor ; newly-minted titans like Issa Rae and Jordan Peele; established vets like Gina Prince-Bythewood. They've told stories spanning a breadth of genres, sensibilities and character studies, the stuff their predecessors dreamed of. Amid this landscape, it's hard not to view the Magical Negro as – thankfully – a relic.

Writing more than 25 years ago, bell hooks lamented how a dominant white supremacist environment forced too many Black artists to be hyperfocused on producing "resisting images," thus overwhelming their creative and upsetting artistic integrity. At the time, she observed that Black filmmaking was still a "fertile frontier" because of the lack of radical images, but that she foresaw a "far distant future" where Blackness will be "overworked, overdone" just as whiteness has been. We're a little bit closer to that future than we've ever been. But evidently, we've still got some ways to go.

Watch CBS News

LG CineBeam Q review: One of the best portable 4K projectors of the year

By Jason R. Rich

Updated on: March 19, 2024 / 1:46 PM EDT / Essentials

CBS Essentials is created independently of the CBS News editorial staff. We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms.

Looking for a portable projector perfect for movie nights?

The LG CineBeam Q, with its innovative design and great image projection, has a lot to say for itself. When it comes to the best portable models for 2024, either the CineBeam Q or the  Samsung Freestyle 2nd Generation ($600) projector are solid bets. In fact, the CineBeam Q has a bit of an edge. It can project an image up to 120 inches, compared to the 100-inch maximum projection size of the Freestyle. But the biggest difference between these two projectors -- and what really makes the CineBeam Q stand out -- is that it showcases sharp 4K UHD content, while the Freestyle offers just 1080p resolution.

I spent several days working with the CineBeam Q, testing at review unit sent by the company. I tried different light conditions and watched all kinds of content. While I streamed much of this content from the internet via Wi-Fi, I also plugged it into my Apple MacBook Air and Nintendo Switch OLED Model video game system, and used it with AirPlay via my iPhone 15 Pro Max. 

The projector is on the pricey side, though, so keep reading to discover whether this option is best for you and your household. Or, if you're already sold: LG is inviting preorders of the LG CineBeam Q starting now. 

LG CineBeam Q: At a glance

Resolution : 4K UHD (3,840 x 2,160 pixels) | Max. projection size : 120" | Operating system : LG WebOS | Max. brightness : 500 lumens |  Contrast Ratio : 450,000:1 | Color gamut : 154% DCI-P3 | HDR support : HDR10, HLG | Aspect ratio : 16:9 |  Ports : HDMI, USB Type-C | Display type : DMD | Throw ratio : 1.2 |  Wireless connectivity : Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Apple AirPlay 2 | Light source : 3 channel RGB lasers | Dimensions : 5.6 x 5.5 x 3.25 inches | Weight : 3.2 pounds

I was wowed by this projector's minimalist and high-quality design. Many portable projectors have plastic casing, but the CineBeam Q has a mainly metallic housing. The most noticeable feature is a built-in handle that rotates 360 degrees, serving as an adjustable kickstand. 

The thing to understand about any portable projector (including this one) is that it's not meant to replace the primary TV in your home, or be the centerpiece of a high-end home theater setup. 

Yes, the CineBeam Q offers 4K UHD resolution, but its 500-nits maximum brightness and integrated three-watt speaker don't compare to what you get from a full-size projector.

This snazzy portable projector offers 4K resolution

The unit fits in a hand and weighs just 3.2 pounds. Setting up the projector takes less than three minutes after an initial one-time setup. Since the handle rotates a full 360 degrees around the projector, it's designed to double as an adjustable kickstand. This makes the CineBeam Q very easy to position at the perfect angle. One feature I absolutely love is that no matter at what angle you choose, it uses an auto screen adjustment and autofocus feature to showcase a perfectly proportioned rectangular image. 

You also don't need to worry too much about measuring the distance between the projector and a screen. The size of the projected image is impacted by this distance, but the projector automatically adjusts based on whatever distance you choose. For a 120-inch picture (measured diagonally), the projector needs to sit about 10.5 feet from the screen. For a 30-inch picture, the projector only needed to be about 23 inches away. The closer to the screen I positioned the projector, the sharper the overall picture quality. Even at a projection size over 100 inches, the display was consistently high quality, particularly when the viewing space was dark. 

You can use the LG CineBeam Q can outdoors if you connect it to an external battery pack, but this portable projector is not waterproof. It's also not meant to be durable enough to withstand a significant drop. So, while it's a great projector for an occasional backyard movie night, don't take it on a camping trip. It's also a good option for gamers who want to wage their favorite virtual adventures showcased on a screen (or even a wall or ceiling) that's up to 120 inches.

Right out of the box, when you plug in the projector and power it on, the LG WebOS operating system connects to your in-home Wi-Fi and gets you access to a handful of the popular streaming services. The apps for Netflix, YouTube, AppleTV, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+ come preinstalled. 

To download other streaming apps, the process is just like using any smart TV. The selection of optional apps is extensive, but the projector does not support Paramount+, Hulu or Max. I couldn't install those.

On the back of the projector, you'll find one HDMI and USB Type-C port. Connecting the Nintendo Switch, for example, required plugging the console into the HDMI port of the projector. The projector immediately identified the Switch and displayed content from it. 

Built into the front of the projector, and mounted flat against behind protective glass, is the three-laser RGB projection system and lens. You never need to manually adjust it. Just set the protector on a flat surface and use the kickstand to position it at the perfect angle.

While there's a power button built into the back of the projector, you can also control all of the CineBeam Q's functions with an included, ergonomically designed remote. Like the projector itself, the remote has a minimalist design with easy-to-understand button icons. I have only two complaints: The buttons are not backlit and the remote does not accept voice commands.

The biggest feature I found lacking from the CineBeam Q is an internal battery pack. The projector has to be plugged into an external power source using the supplied adapter. Between the two cables that connect to the main adapter, the projector can be positioned up to 10.4 feet away from the power outlet or an external battery pack. If you connect the projector to a portable power bank, like the Jackery Explorer 300 Pro ($249), which was one of our top picks in our five best emergency power banks for 2024 coverage, you can keep the projector running for a full movie marathon or an extended binge TV watching session.

LG CineBeam Q: Watching TV and movies

The physical size, shape and weight of the CineBeam Q are all impressive. But what about picture quality, resolution, brightness and sound quality?

When I watched native 4K content from a video streaming service, the picture was consistently sharp, vivid and smooth. But the farther the projector was positioned from the screen, the darker the viewing space needed to be to keep the image from washing out. The projector does fine in basic daylight, but its three-laser light source can't compete with bright lights or direct sunlight.  

The internal speakers are decent, as long as you're sitting within about five feet from the projector and boost the volume to 80% to 100%. The audio does not distort at a higher volume, but when I was farther away from the speakers it was harder to hear the audio clearly. Turning on the projector's AI Sound feature helped a bit, but I enjoyed a better listening experience using external speakers, headphones or wireless earbuds. If you want room-filling sound that a group of people can hear, you'll need either wired or wireless Bluetooth speakers.

I like that the CineBeam Q can easily be paired with wireless headphones or earbuds for more robust private listening. However, even with the projector's audio turned up to 100%, the sound from a pair of AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) earbuds I used wasn't all that loud -- just adequate. The projector can pair with one or two Bluetooth devices.

Regardless of where I moved the projector, the CineBeam Q did an excellent job adapting the shape of the projection space to accommodate these changes very quickly. Thanks to this auto framing feature, the projector could be positioned at a steep angle and project onto a ceiling without interfering with the power cord that extends from the back of the projector.

The internal cooling fan makes a slight noise, but that's drowned out from whatever content I was watching. Compared with other projectors I've tested, the LG CineBeam Q impressed me the most in terms of picture quality, resolution and brightness. It was just the speaker and volume performance that I found a bit lacking. I was also a bit disappointed that the projector did not support several popular video streaming apps.

Is the LG CineBeam Q worth it?

From a tech and features standpoint, you certainly get your money's worth from this portable projector. But if portability really isn't a strong selling point for you, know this: For a few hundred dollars more, you can get a full-size projector, like the  LG HU70LAB 4K UHD LED Smart Home CineBeam projector ($1,500), which offers the same resolution, a maximum brightness of 1,500 lumens and a design robust enough for a home theater system.

Meanwhile, the Samsung Freestyle (2nd Gen) is priced at just $600 and offers a lot of overlapping functionality as the CineBeam Q, but again, it maxes out at 1080p resolution and a projection size of 100 inches. 

10 things I like about the LG CineBeam Q portable projector

• The size and overall design of the projector is easy use.
• The built-in handle is also used as a kickstand that can rotate 360 degrees.
• The brightness of the projector is impressive, especially when the viewing space is dark.
• You can project content onto a ceiling or wall.
• Pairing optional Bluetooth speakers, headphones or earbuds is straight forward. 
• A basic handheld remote comes with the projector.
• As soon as device is connected via HDMI port, the projector instantly detects and displays content from it, whether its from a computer or gaming system.
• The apps for Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, YouTube and Apple TV come preinstalled. 
• A handful of viewing presets are integrated into the operating system, including a filmmaker mode, standard, vivid, cinema, game optimizer, sports, brightest and two expert modes. You can also manually adjust brightness, color and clarity, but the project also does a great job of optimizing on its own.
• With the projector's game optimizer mode, your favorite games can be displayed at a larger-than-life size.

Seven things I don't like about the LG CineBeam Q portable projector

• The projector lacks a built-in battery pack.
• A protective carrying case is not included.
• The CineBeam Q is not waterproof or shock resistant.
• There's no Chromecast support (but it does support AirPlay).
• The included remote is not voice activated. A compatible LG Magic Remote with voice recognition is sold separately.
• Some popular streaming apps, like Paramount+, Hulu and Max, could not be installed.
• Even at 100% volume, the sound was not loud enough to be heard clearly from more than a few feet from the projector.

LG CineBeam Q portable projector: Final thoughts...

If you want the best of the best in the portable projector category, the LG CineBeam Q is what you're looking for. Sure, it has drawbacks. But it offers the features, resolution, brightness and versatility most people need from a portable projector. The build quality and functionality integrated into this projector justify its premium price. 

That said, if you're looking for an optimal private viewing experience, use the projector with wireless headphones or earbuds. 

For additional advice on choosing a projector, be sure to check out our coverage of the five best home projectors for 2024 . And for all of your consumer tech needs, follow our extensive and continuously updated  tech coverage , including an ever-expanding lineup of  product reviews and buying guides  from our in-house  tech experts .

Jason R. Rich ( www.JasonRich.com ) is an internationally recognized consumer technology expert with more than 30 years' writing experience. He's also an accomplished author and photographer. One of his most recently published books, The Remote Worker's Handbook: How to Effectively Work From Anywhere ($24.99, Entrepreneur Books) is now available from Amazon and wherever books are sold.

More Essentials

How to watch NCAA college basketball in 2024

Find out how to watch the best March Madness matchups as the 2024 NCAA college basketball season heats up.

How to watch today's Colorado State vs. Virginia NCAA First Four men's college basketball game: Livestream options

NCAA March Madness 2024 starts now. Find out how and what time to watch today's Colorado State vs. Virginia game.

Turn your power drill into a scrubber with these awesome spring cleaning attachments

Expand the capabilities of your power drill and put it to work as a powerful spring cleaning tool.

These top mattresses can help with back pain

We consulted experts to get the best mattress recommendations for sleepers with back pain.

How to watch today's Wagner vs. Howard NCAA First Four men's college basketball game: Livestream options, more

March Madness begins with the men's First Four play-in Wagner vs. Howard game. Find out how to watch today's game.

Get better sleep with the best non-toxic, organic mattresses

Organic mattresses are more popular than ever. Learn more about the best non-toxic mattresses for a good night's sleep.

Our favorite budget-friendly meal kits for seniors

Seniors looking for healthy and satisfying dinners can save big with these top budget-friendly meal kits of 2024.

Do you need a new mattress? Three ways to know

Wondering if it's time for a new mattress? Here are three ways to know for sure.

Everything you need to know about Peacock: how much does it cost, which sports are on Peacock and more

Big Ten basketball, the Premier League, plus some top-tier content has everyone talking about Peacock.

MacKenzie Scott donates $640 million to hundreds of nonprofits

MacKenzie Scott, who co-founded Amazon, originally planned to grant $250 million, but expanded the awardee pool after receiving so many impressive applications.

How 2 companies are approaching carbon capture

2023 was confirmed as the hottest year on record and rising temperatures led to the loss of 1 million square kilometers of arctic ice​.

U.S. drops from top 20 happiest countries list, new data shows

Here's where the U.S. ranks in the 2024 World Happiness Report — and which country is on top.

Little Rock airport director, ATF agent wounded in home shootout

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said agents were trying to serve the warrant just after 6 a.m. at a home in west Little Rock when someone inside the home fired gunshots.

What is March Madness and how does it work?

Millions of people across the U.S. are filling out March Madness​ brackets this week, taking part in one of the most anticipated annual rituals in American sports.

JetBlue is cutting unprofitable routes and leaving 5 cities

These are the routes JetBlue is retiring, including cities to where it is no longer flying, as it focuses on more popular and profitable destinations.

Trader Joe's recalls cashews that may be contaminated with salmonella

The recalled bags of cashews were sold in 16 states, but no illnesses have been reported, federal food safety regulators said.

Subway replacing Coke products with Pepsi

The sandwich chain will no longer serve Coca-Cola products, but instead, Pepsi, the company announced — a reversal from their previous commitment to Coke.

Sales begin for first over-the-counter birth control pill in U.S.

Opill, the first FDA-approved over-the-counter birth control pill in the United States, began online sales this week.

FBI director speaks on Laken Riley's death, threats to democracy, civil rights

He also spoke about former law enforcement officers who are being sentenced this week, after admitting they tortured two Black men last year.

North Carolina GOP nominee for governor has history of inflammatory remarks

The Republican nominee for governor in North Carolina, Lt. Gov. Mark Robinonson, has a history of inflammatory remarks that have widely circulated since the primary.

Why Trump is suing ABC and George Stephanopoulos for defamation

Former President Donald Trump is suing ABC, ABC News and George Stephanopoulos, claiming defamation over comments by the ABC host during an interview.

Trump urges Supreme Court to grant him broad immunity from criminal prosecution

Former President Donald Trump is urging the Supreme Court to reverse a lower court ruling that rejected his claim of sweeping immunity from federal prosecution.

Supreme Court lets Texas immigration law take effect as legal battle continues

Texas' SB4 law, which would allow the state to detain and jail migrants, is allowed to take effect while the Biden administration challenges it in court.

HealthWatch

Study finds lead-contaminated water in Chicago

An artificial intelligence-assisted study found that 70% of Chicago children under 6 years old are exposed to lead-contaminated drinking water. Charlie De Mar reports.

More than 6 in 10 U.S. abortions in 2023 done by medication, data shows

New research shows that more than six in 10 of the abortions in the U.S. last year were done through medication, up from 53% in 2020.

Study finds 129,000 Chicago children under 6 have been exposed to lead-contaminated water

The study also found that predominantly Black and Latino populations were disproportionately less likely to be tested for lead, but also disproportionately exposed to contaminated drinking water.

The first day of spring is earlier than typical years. Here's why.

The season typically changes on March 20th or 21st. So, why is spring starting a few hours earlier in 2024?

Bolivia claims its second largest drug seizure ever

Bolivia's Interior Minister says a near-record haul of 7.2 tons of cocaine was discovered hidden in scrap metal destined for Belgium.

Ancient chariot grave found at construction site for Intel facility

Archaeologists found ancient burial and ritual sites while excavating an industrial park in Germany where construction is set to start on a new Intel facility.

First images show damage deep inside Japan's worst-hit nuclear reactor

Images from a drone sent deep into the wreckage of Japan's earthquake-hit Fukushima nuclear plant show the aftermath of a meltdown.

Entertainment

Photo agency labels another image by Princess Kate as being altered

Getty says a photo that Princess Kate posted online of Queen Elizabeth with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren was "enhanced at source."

Dr. Dre says he had 3 strokes while in hospital for brain aneurysm

In an interview last week, Dr. Dre said he endured three strokes while he was hospitalized for a brain aneurysm in January 2021.

These 5 Taylor Swift songs shook SoFi Stadium the most

Signals recorded during one of Taylor Swift's shows in Los Angeles in August 2023 showed the strongest "concert tremor" during "Shake It Off," according to a study.

"Stranger Things" actor & author Brett Gelman

Brett Gelman, of “Stranger Things” and “Fleabag” fame, is out with a new book of short stories called "The Terrifying Realm of the Possible: Nearly True Stories." The book details the lives of five fictional characters who are all facing life's biggest issues. Gelman joined “CBS Mornings” to talk about it.

A second man is charged in connection with the 2005 theft of ruby slippers worn by Dorothy in "The Wizard of Oz"

A second man is charged in connection with the 2005 theft of ruby slippers worn by Dorothy in "The Wizard of Oz".

Report: Apple exploring Google AI deal

A potential deal between tech giants Apple and Google could lead to a partnership in artificial intelligence, Bloomberg reports. Dan Ives, a managing director and senior analyst at Wedbush Securities, joins CBS News with more.

Founders of the internet reflect on their creation

Internet pioneers Vint Cerf, Steve Crocker and Bob Kahn reflect on the technology's creation, decades after it was initially conceived as a tool for the U.S. military.

American farms may put AI-powered drones and robots to work

Nearly 2 million farmworkers help put food on American tables today, but modern machines powered by AI could eventually replace many of them.

Internet founders on its impact and future

"CBS Mornings" co-host Tony Dokoupil sits down with three computer scientists who helped create the internet, Bob Kahn, Vint Cerf and Steve Crocker, to see what they think of their creation now, and what our digital future may hold.

Where Biden and Trump stand on climate change

2024 could be the hottest year ever, according to a new prediction from the U.N.'s weather agency. Leah Stokes, associate professor of environmental politics at the University of California, Santa Barbara, joins CBS News to discuss how the new report raises the stakes on the 2024 presidential election.

D.C.'s cherry blossoms hit peak bloom at earliest date in 20 years

Making an annual trek to Washington, D.C., to see cherry blossoms in peak bloom? You may need to start packing your bags earlier.

10 shipwrecks spanning 5,000 years of history found off Greece

An underwater archaeological team made the discoveries off the coast of Kasos — using Homer's "Iliad" as a guide.

Newly discovered giant turtle fossil named after Stephen King character

The fossil, named Peltocephalus maturin, is among the largest freshwater turtles ever found, researchers said.

Why NASA is connecting baby stars with margarita ingredients

Chemical ingredients identified around protostars, known as IRAS 2A and IRAS 23385, are tied to familiar parts of life on Earth: margaritas, vinegar and ant stings, NASA said.

Ex-deputies sentenced in racist torture case

A judge on Tuesday sentenced two former Mississippi sheriff's deputies to decades in prison for the racially motivated torture of two Black men. CBS News national correspondent Errol Barnett has the details.

3 juveniles, including 2 tweens, arrested for alleged Houston bank robbery

"All three suspects known as the 'little rascals' are in custody," FBI Houston said on Tuesday. The suspects are three boys aged 11, 12 and 16.

• updated 35M ago

Former officers sentenced for torturing Black men

Two former Mississippi deputies were sentenced Tuesday for breaking into a home without a warrant and torturing two Black men inside. Hunter Elward was sentenced to nearly 20 years, while Jeffrey Middleton was given 17.5 years behind bars. Errol Barnett reports.

Brother of Michigan Congressman Dan Kildee killed in shooting, sheriff's office says

In a press conference, Sheriff Chris Swanson said Timothy Kildee, 57, was reportedly shot at his home in Vienna Township following an alleged argument with a family member believed to be his 27-year-old son.

FBI offers $40K to help solve Brianna Maitland's 2004 disappearance

Investigators said they believe Maitland, then 17, is a victim of foul play after her car was found backed into the side of an abandoned barn in Montgomery, Vermont.

Test launch of Starship rocket a partial success

SpaceX's Super Heavy Starship, the most powerful rocket ever built, blasted off Thursday morning in Texas. It was SpaceX's third test of its enormous rocket after the previous two launches ended in explosions. Although Thursday's launch was mostly successful, the rocket broke apart upon reentry. Kris Van Cleave has more.

SpaceX Starship lost upon Earth re-entry

SpaceX's huge Super Heavy-Starship rocket successfully boosted its unpiloted upper stage into space Thursday. The rocket was lost once it entered Earth's atmosphere. CBS News space analyst Bill Hardwood reports.

SpaceX launches Super Heavy-Starship rocket

SpaceX's Super Heavy-Starship rocket appeared to launch according to plan on its third test flight Thursday morning from Boca Chica, Texas. Two previous test flights had ended with explosions. See the full launch.

SpaceX mega rocket launches on third test flight

Today's test flight of the SpaceX Super Heavy-Starship rocket follows two launches last year that were only partially successful.

Latest Galleries

Notable Deaths in 2024

A look back at the esteemed personalities who've left us this year, who'd touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity.

Could an Alabama woman have shot herself twice?

When Tiffiney Crawford was found dead inside her van, authorities believed she might have taken her own life. But could she shoot herself twice in the head with her non-dominant hand?

CBS newsman Charles Osgood (1933-2024)

We look back at the life and career of the longtime host of "Sunday Morning," and "one of the most enduring and most endearing" people in broadcasting.

Texas couple investigates teen daughter's unusual death

Cayley Mandadi's mother and stepfather go to extreme lengths to prove her death was no accident.

Kassanndra Cantrell disappearance: Inside the investigation

Days after a young woman vanishes, a man in a distinctive hat is seen walking away from her car. Who is the man in the hat?

Latest CBS News Videos

Dickerson on Pence declining to endorse Trump

On Sunday, former Vice President Mike Pence told Face the Nation's Margaret Brennan he was not endorsing Donald Trump's 2024 White House bid. CBS News chief political analyst John Dickerson examines the significance of the move.

What's next in Texas immigration law saga?

The Supreme Court on Tuesday allowed a controversial Texas immigration law to take effect as a lower court reviews its legality. Known as SB4, the law lets state officials arrest, jail and prosecute migrants suspected of crossing the southern border illegally. CBS News immigration and politics reporter Camilo Montoya-Galvez joins to explain what happens next.

New Hong Kong law cracks down on dissent

A new law in Hong Kong will crack down on all forms of dissent. John Tai, senior adviser at Pamir Consulting, joins CBS News to discuss how the new legislation could affect freedoms for people and foreign businesses.

Movie Reviews

Tv/streaming, collections, great movies, chaz's journal, contributors, the best of me.

Now streaming on:

A ruggedly hunky guy toiling on a Louisiana oil rig decides to cuddle up with a thick Stephen Hawking book on his lunch break. We will soon hear him in a voiceover pondering his “destined path” in life while the stars sparkle in the sky as if a Swavorski crystal display exploded at the mall.

“Yeah, right,” I found myself saying out loud. Little did I know that I should have saved that remark for the truly  ridiculous situations that were lying in wait during the rest of “The Best of Me.”

Besides, at this point, there is little use going against the tide of tears wept in the name of the shamelessly swoony sob-a-paloozas based on the best-selling romantic novels of the wealthier-than-thou Nicholas Sparks .

As a moviegoer, however, you do have a choice. Either weep with them–or laugh at them. Or stay far, far away.

“The Best of Me,” the ninth Sparks-based film, falls squarely in the mediocre category and makes 2004’s “The Notebook” seem like “ Casablanca .” It revolves around a second chance at true love as high-school sweethearts are reunited after 20 years following the death of a mutual friend. The aforementioned hunk is Dawson ( James Marsden ), a loner of few words who scored 1520 on his SATs yet settled into a blue-collar job. At least it is an excuse to see what Marsden would look like as the construction worker in the Village People.

Amanda ( Michelle Monaghan ) is an upper-class housewife who dotes on her teen son and bitterly weeps over her crumbling marriage to a self-involved twerp who is an alcoholic, workaholic and all-around jerkaholic. She and Dawson both return to their hometown for the reading of a will of a man named Tuck. Soon they are riffling through the goodies of a fairy-tale cottage they have jointly inherited that is straight out of a Thomas Kincade painting, complete with oaks draped in Spanish moss, fields of rosy posies ripe for the picking and an old-fashioned  swimming hole.

Cue the flashback to 1992, even though it seems more like an Ozzie and Harriet episode, with its soda shop named Squeals, than the year when Nirvana’s “Nevermind” topped the album charts and “ Reservoir Dogs ” was released. The teen Amanda (played by Liana Liberato ) is an outspoken lawyer-wannabe rich girl with a very strange penchant for backless attire who pursues the withdrawn Dawson ( Luke Bracey ) in the most wholesome way possible. Sparks sparks eventually fly, including a requisite smooch in the rain, despite their desperate backgrounds and personalities.

Time for another “Yeah, right!” Complicating matters is that Dawson is a member of a notorious Cole clan of white-trash swamp-rat outlaws. They, too, appear to be from discordant time periods. Dawson’s nasty redneck daddy, who can’t keep his fists to himself, could be trying out as a member of the Barrow gang in Bonnie and Clyde. Meanwhile, his gap-toothed, mullet-headed hench brothers might be related to the meth-lab backwoods lowlifes in "Winter’s Bone" by way of " Deliverance ." Basically, these portions feel like an old SCTV skit that never made it on air.

However, the most distracting and near-fatal incongruity is the choice of Bracey as the younger Dawson. There is no way and no how that this actor would ever grow up to be Marsden. For one thing, he actually looks older. Not only that, he doesn’t look, act or sound like him. What is even sillier is when Monaghan’s Amanda makes the observation to Marsden’s Dawson, as they find themselves falling for each other again, that “somehow you’ve gotten better looking.” And she is, of course, right.

The one pleasant respite is whenever Gerald McRaney shows up in the flashbacks as Tuck, a gruff yet caring former military man and widower who becomes a second father to Dawson after he runs away from home. And pros that they are, Marsden and Monaghan make for a very pretty couple as they manage to stay committed to their characters, no matter what trite nonsense trickles out of their mouths.

At a certain point, though, the coincidences and tragic incidents start to pile up at a startling rate and nothing can be taken seriously. Not that you don’t see these developments coming from miles away. 

If a pediatric cancer charity is mentioned, a kid will end up having cancer.

If a parent hosting a fancy party asks his daughter’s dirt-poor suitor to check out his collection of vintage cars, the door will soon be shown.

If someone is told to be careful behind the wheel, a car crash is not far behind

If a vehicle waits as the lights start to flash at a train crossing, something bad is about to occur.

And if a character reveals that they once had a drinking problem that is now under control, they will be shown popping a cork on a wine bottle for a cozy dinner for two in the very next scene and downing Budweisers (the official beer of rekindled affairs, apparently) while on a picnic.

No, that last bit doesn’t make sense. But little of “The Best of Me” does.

Susan Wloszczyna

Susan Wloszczyna spent much of her nearly thirty years at USA TODAY as a senior entertainment reporter. Now unchained from the grind of daily journalism, she is ready to view the world of movies with fresh eyes.

Now playing

Lisa Frankenstein

Tomris laffly.

Kaiya Shunyata

Monica Castillo

Problemista

Code 8 Part II

Marya e. gates, film credits.

The Best of Me (2014)

Rated PG-13

117 minutes

Michelle Monaghan

James Marsden

Liana Liberato

Luke Bracey

• Michael Hoffman
• Will Fetters
• J. Mills Goodloe
• Nicholas Sparks

Latest blog posts

When Paul Simon Bombed at the Movies

Palm Royale is Pretty and Shallow, Which At Least Matches its Characters

SXSW 2024: Table of Contents

SXSW 2024: Omni Loop, Desert Road, Things Will Be Different

• Tickets & Showtimes
• Trending on RT

• TV & Streaming Shows
• 100 Years, 100 Movies
• Best & Popular

Best Movies of 2024: Best New Movies to Watch Now

Welcome to our guide of the Best Movies of 2024, featuring every Certified Fresh movie as they come in week by week!

March additions so far: Love Lies Bleeding and Problemista , both from A24 . One Life , starring Anthony Hopkins. Ordinary Angels , starring Hilary Swank. Late Night with the Devil , which also tops our best horror of 2024 list .

And what about February ? Dune pretty good, thanks for asking. Part Two went Certified Fresh within an hour after the reviews embargo lifted on February 21st. With it outclassing the first Dune , we took a look at 20 sequels that got better Tomatometer scores than their originals . Otherwise, things got freaky with horror film Stopmotion and the comic zaniness of Hundreds of Beavers taking the crown for the best-reviewed of the year.

We didn’t have a blockbuster January like we did in 2023 ‘s, when genre surprises M3GAN and Plane went Certified Fresh. But Daisy Ridley got her post-Skywalker win with Sometimes I Think About Dying . Mads Mikkelsen re-teamed with his A Royal Affair director Nikolaj Arcel to find The Promised Land. With The Crime Is Mine , Francois Ozon is getting career-best reviews, and his 10th Certified Fresh film over the past decade-and-change. And Netflix scored with The Kitchen , Orion and the Dark , and Good Grief .

Late Night with the Devil (2023) 100%

Hundreds of Beavers (2022) 98%

The Crime Is Mine (2023) 98%

Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell (2023) 98%

Molli and Max in the Future (2023) 98%

Tótem (2023) 97%

The Promised Land (2023) 96%

Io Capitano (2023) 96%

Fitting In (2023) 95%

Driving Madeleine (2022) 94%

The Settlers (2023) 93%

Dune: Part Two (2024) 92%

Love Lies Bleeding (2024) 92%

About Dry Grasses (2023) 92%

Orion and the Dark (2024) 91%

The Kitchen (2023) 89%

One Life (2023) 89%

Stopmotion (2023) 88%

Monolith (2023) 88%

Ordinary Angels (2024) 86%

Disco Boy (2023) 86%

Sometimes I Think About Dying (2023) 80%

Good Grief (2023) 76%

Self Reliance (2023) 72%

More countdown.

Ghostbusters Movies Ranked by Tomatometer

How to Watch Ghostbusters Movies In Order

25 Most Popular TV Shows Right Now: What to Watch on Streaming

Movie & TV News

Featured on rt.

Star Wars: The Acolyte : Premiere Date, Trailer, Cast & More

March 19, 2024

The Most Anticipated Movies of 2024

Top Headlines

• Ghostbusters Movies Ranked by Tomatometer –
• How to Watch Ghostbusters Movies In Order –
• 25 Most Popular TV Shows Right Now: What to Watch on Streaming –
• Best Horror Movies of 2024 Ranked – New Scary Movies to Watch –
• 100 Best Dog Movies, Ranked by Tomatometer –
• All A24 Movies Ranked by Tomatometer –