What are the similarities between “Ran” and “King Lear”?
"Ran" is often viewed as an adaptation of "King Lear," but Kurosawa reportedly only realized the similarities between his film and Shakespeare's tragedy during…
How would the lost footage of “Blue Velvet” have changed the film?
Had David Lynch not trimmed down his epic 3.5 to 4-hour rough cut to its 2-hour theatrical release, "Blue Velvet" would have been a very different film.
What film genre has the strongest influence on “The Hateful Eight”?
"The Hateful Eight" is equal parts Western and horror film, but as a result its political message is confused. The film is torn between the Western's frontier myth and the…
What are the differences between “The Hateful Eight” and the leaked script?
After a draft of "The Hateful Eight" script leaked in January 2014, Tarantino claimed he was cancelling the film. But how much has actually changed from that script to the final film?
How does “Room” make space appear larger and smaller?
"Room" makes a tiny garden shed appear vast and spacious through the use of long lenses that focus on the characters and throw the background out of focus.
What is the biggest change “The Revenant” makes from its source novel?
"The Revenant" gives Glass a son, who was not in the source novel. This character is a catalyst for the movie's events and enables a hallmark Iñárritu ending that would not be…
How does “On the Waterfront” use Christian symbolism and imagery?
"On the Waterfront" uses Christ-like figures and visual allusions to Christian iconography to tell a story of ethics and concern for our fellow humans.
Who is the true hero of “Casablanca”?
Laszlo is a model resistance fighter who inspires heroism in others, while the more flawed Rick is the type of hero the rest of us might hope to become.
How is “Julia” a story of female empowerment and friendship?
"Julia" shows how one woman, with the help of a self-empowered female friend, finds the ability within herself to be heroic.
Why don’t the characters of black comedies like “Seinfeld” and “Arrested Development” ever change?
Black comedies like "Seinfeld," "Arrested Development" and "Peep Show" feature characters who don't evolve, show weak moral substance and lead a static existence.
What camera, editing and design techniques does “The Big Short” use to humanize its characters?
In this "Below the Line" featurette about "The Big Short" (2015), the film's production team discusses how the camera and editing techniques and design elements combine to…
The One To Watch for Catriona Balfe and 1740s Scottish Politics: “Outlander” S01E05 - “Rent”
Episode 5 of "Outlander" is the one to watch to understand the complicated politics of the show and to appreciate the depth of the performance of Caitriona Balfe.