Summer 2025 saw the release of three major superhero blockbusters. Two new Marvel films, “Thunderbolts*” and “Fantastic Four: First Steps”, and one new DC film in the form of “Superman”. While the recent Marvel films were received positively by both critics and audiences, both films struggled at the box office by Marvel standards. While not a billion-dollar movie by any means, “Superman” proved to be the most successful comic book movie from a financial standpoint. “Superman” also received positive reviews from audiences and critics alike, hailing a new era for DC Comics. 

While Disney’s superhero movies might not have been the most profitable for the corporation, they do have the only American movie to cross a billion dollars this year, in the form of the live-action “Lilo and Stitch” remake. It is also worth noting that Disney-Pixar’s “Elio” struggled to cross $100 million at the box office. Whereas 2024’s Pixar film, “Inside Out 2,” took a little under three weeks to cross the billion-dollar mark. 

One of the winners of the 2025 summer movie culture is the Netflix original “KPOP Demon Hunters,” which was added to the streamer in June. As it currently stands, “KPOP Demon Hunters” is the second most-watched Netflix movie of all time under 2022’s “Red Notice”. The film has grown so successful that the original songs from the film have made it onto the Billboard Top 200 Charts. 

One of the most fascinating tent-poll blockbusters of the summer is “Jurassic World: Rebirth,” a film that did not resonate with critics and had mixed-to-positive reviews from general audiences. Of the major blockbusters to release in July, it made the most at the global box office. That being said, it is the first film in the “World” era to not cross the billion-dollar mark. 

The biggest success story to come of the summer comes from Warner Bros., which has now had six films in a row be the top movie during their opening weekend. This unprecedented hot streak started back in late March, with “A Minecraft Movie,” and was quickly followed up with “Sinners”. 

“Final Destination: Bloodlines,” the sixth entry in the “Final Destination” franchise, came out in May and breathed new life into an otherwise irrelevant horror franchise. “F1”, the Formula 1 movie starring Brad Pitt, is an exciting original film that has grossed nearly $ 600 million at the global box office. It was also distributed alongside Apple. “Superman” was Warner Bros. July movie that proved to be successful. Finally, “Weapons”, a thrilling new original horror movie, has stayed at the top of the box office for two weeks in a row. 

This raises the question of whether Warner Bros. can maintain this remarkable streak. Later this year, the studio has the final film in the Conjuring franchise, “The Conjuring: Last Rites”, the new Paul Thomas Anderson film, “One Battle After Another”, and “Mortal Kombat 2”. 

While it does seem that the billion-dollar movie might become a thing of the past, Summer 2025 proved to be a decent time for the box office with films resonating with audiences, such as “Weapons”, “F1”, and “Superman”. 

The post The Summer 2025 Box Office Breakdown appeared first on Utah.Film.

Premise

“The Congress” (2013) is a very bizarre avant-garde film starring Robin Wright who plays a future version of herself during a time when what it means to be an actress is evolving in Hollywood. She is pressured into giving away the rights to her likeness to production company Miramount who can then use a digital version of her body however they wish. As technology advances, so does the way her essence is used by consumers. She navigates politics, uprisings, and drugged-up realities in order to try to reunite with her son who suffers from Usher syndrome. 

2013 vs 2022

I did not understand this movie when it first came out. The animated world we explore in the second half was hard for me to understand as a teen, and it is off-putting for anyone upon a first viewing. However, because I watched it, it has made me pay closer attention to the CG actors and deepfakes we are seeing now. As with most Sci-Fi films, the exact technology that is used in the future isn’t precisely the same, but the concepts and issues are still very relevant. This is why this movie has been weighing on my mind and I have to talk about it.

Deepfakes

What is a “deepfake”? They are synthetic media composed of existing images and audio clips in order to modify someone else’s likeness in a deceptive way. While this is most often used informally on social media, we see in newer Star Wars content–“The Book of Boba Fett” being the latest–that by using the same technology, old characters are coming back as their younger selves to continue stories that weren’t explored in the past. The mainstream discussion expresses concern that this can be unethical and illegal without the person’s consent. I fear that this kind of technology is problematic on a deeper level in two ways despite the level of consent an actor gives. 

1. Objectifying Actors

When an actor is portrayed digitally, we no longer see the person behind the character, just the character itself that is owned by a studio. I believe acting, though a façade, is supposed to be very real and tangible at its best. We are touched by performances where an actor is giving their all to convey a real emotion. Isn’t that why we have so many memes of Leonardo DiCaprio’s most expressive moments in his films? Sure, the character is important, but so is the actor behind them. In “The Congress,” Wright relinquishes doing something meaningful with her life by contractually not being allowed to work, and by becoming invisible to the world as her forever young digital version is on ginormous screens everywhere she turns. If actors are pressured into following this same path, I find this damaging to their lives, as well as opening a problematic way for audiences to view celebrities as a product not a person. 

2. Cheap Solution

I don’t mean this in how this kind of technology is inexpensive; far from it! The moral issue is that we are using technology to avoid problems that are a reality of life–like aging and dying. The biblical story of the Tower of Babel has been on my mind since I recently watched “Metropolis” (1927). The Tower of Babel is a cautionary tale about trying to get to heaven in a way that relies on the strength of man in order to defy God. Avoiding the fact that human actors age and die by using technological means is doing just that. It is natural to fear mortality, but the negative of that fear is balanced by the positives brought by feeling pressure that encourage us to live. 

In our latest Utah FilmPod episode, we discuss the shows that we’ve been streaming, and the show I most recently finished was “The Good Place.” It is one of the very few shows I consistently enjoyed the whole way through. One thing I found very interesting was how they explored what eternity feels like and what it does to a person. Through this, they show how humans need to still feel some kind of pressure and that there has to be an end in order to incentivize growth, development, and a search for true joy. Even in a show that exists after death, they still need to create an afterlife version of mortality to give their characters a sense of purpose and direction.

Side of Truth

A larger scale problem is that it is harder to fix the real world, so the easy solution is to create a new, but false world, which is what we see today. Take virtual reality as an example for providing all we need for work, play, and social connections, all in a fictitious setting. “The Congress” shows a dystopian society that (like ours) wants to avoid discomfort and death at all costs, even if the cost is that it keeps them from living. They end up living completely in their heads, which becomes a valid reality they call one of the “sides of truth” that they can cross over to and avoid the real world. On that side, it is all about sensation rather than action. Don’t we all fall into that same cycle of just living for the weekend, for the next show to drop, or for something pleasantly delicious and distracting? Does that actually end up being a satisfying way to live?

Watch this movie, see the connections to what is happening in the entertainment industry today, and ask yourself

“What side of truth do I want to be on?”

Parent’s Guide

As a quick note, this film is Not Rated, but it would most likely receive an R-rating for its use of the f-word. 

It is on the free streaming service Tubi and is available to rent on other platforms. 

The post “The Congress” Predicted Today’s Entertainment Industry Landscape Nearly a Decade Ago… and I’m Terrified appeared first on Utah.Film.

5. Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

I think an important part of the viewing experience is where you go. For this one, I went to the Utah Theatre in Logan. It is such a neat location that is supported by locals, and it is a great location for viewing classics and live performances. For this movie, specifically, I loved being there with a crowd who was anticipating their favorite moments from this incredible classic. The response and the energy was so contagious and memorable. It goes to show how “Raiders” is the perfect movie for new and old fans alike.

The Utah Theatre has great deals for date night and family night, so be sure to check it out if you’re ever in the area!

4. Cinderella Man (2005)

I mean, who’s going to watch this movie and not be touched, right? As we were gathered for our Sunday family movie night a couple months ago, “Cinderella Man” hit me hard. Financially, 2021 was really challenging for us. My husband suddenly lost his job in May, so I began writing reviews hoping that I could potentially find some way to get paid. Employment struggles have been a rampant issue for so many people during the pandemic, and we were no strangers to that. It is still a struggle for us, but this movie made me feel a wide range of emotions from desperation to hope that was very needed and extremely cathartic at the time. 

3. First Blood (1982)

I believe this was the first movie I watched in 2021. It had been on my mind, and watching it again, I realized why. It is very interesting to revisit considering the current social and political climate regarding law enforcement, veterans, mental health, etc. It is also an interesting era to dive into, which is why “Kong Skull Island” was another great rewatch for me this year. “First Blood” is such a captivating, visual story that features, in my opinion, Stallone’s best performance (no disrespect to the masterpiece that “Rocky” is). The biggest take away for me this time was the conflict escalation and the importance of seeing another’s point of view. I highly recommend this one, mostly for the potential conversations we should have about it today. 

2. Beyond the Sea (2004)

I had not seen this movie before and I was blown away by the showcase of talent. It may be a little controversial to talk about with all we know about Kevin Spacey now, but a good movie is a good movie. It is a little unconventional in the way it tells the story of Bobby Darin; although purposefully staged and whimsical, it still pulls you in with its strong, emotional beats. I didn’t realize how many Bobby Darin songs I knew until I started singing along, which also enhanced the immersion for me. This movie further put me in the right headspace for my top pick that has a similar style and quality that I watched during the final days of the year.

1. tick, tick… BOOM! (2021)

Yes, I’m cheating since this did come out in 2021, but I didn’t watch it when it first came out because I didn’t have any interest initially. I am so glad I was talked into watching it. Also unconventional, it combines a staged performance and the real world in a way that would make original writer, Jon Larson, proud. It’s artistic, emotional, gripping, and entertaining. Andrew Garfield killed it in this role, as did the rest of the cast. It also really struck me personally because it touches on a sort of feeling that can’t be expressed in words. It’s this anxiety over a need to create something that you haven’t discovered yet. I feel that way all the time but hadn’t really articulate it like I did when watching this film. This movie encapsulates the core of who I am: the joys, the obsessions, the stresses, and the goals. I never had a viewing experience speak to my soul in this way and I may never experience anything quite like it again.

This basically sums up my 2021. I hope it puts good new/old films on your radar! Comment below if you had any meaningful viewing experiences that tied to your year. Here’s to a new start with new movie experiences! Happy viewings!

The post Dani’s Five Best Viewing Experiences of 2021 appeared first on Utah.Film.

“I’m sorry, I know ‘cheap’ is a trigger word for you.”

“‘Frugal’ is such a better word!”

This is a low budget comedy that comes with all the cheesiness you can expect for a movie intended for a niche audience, but it is unexpectedly insightful. 

Premise

Bree Carrington (Clare Niederpruem) had the next few years of young adulthood all planned out. She would be wrapping up the semester at her dream school–BYU Hawaii–studying marine biology, and then go on a church mission for the next 18-months. That plan was flipped upside down when her boyfriend of 6 months, Thys Chesterfield (Tanner Gillman), suddenly asked her to marry him. After convincing Mama Bear Carrie (Lisa Valentine Clark) to get on board with the engagement, the Carrington family is fully invested in putting together the perfect wedding in two months. 

Frugality is Key

The money side of it might be the most distracting so I’ll cover that first. This movie required a lot more money and flexibility than the first in the series, “Once I Was a Beehive.” One huge factor was that it was shot during the pandemic which made it a lot harder to fill in the scenes with the larger cast they had this time around. 

Also, they did a lot to make this film more spectacular. The scenes in Hawaii were beautiful, but required a decent amount of money to send the cast and crew there under new health and safety requirements. They also basically put together an entire wedding with the necessary costumes and sets. These expenses make the movie suffer in a couple of ways, primarily with the casting of minor characters who didn’t quite nail their lines like the leads, and there are times the look of it isn’t as stunning. Yet these were the trade-offs they had to make and I don’t think it takes away from this must-watch story. 

Another thing that was somewhat off-putting was the amount of product placement. It makes sense in comparison with the last movie for a story about a wedding to be more materialistic than one about a camping trip, so the product placement blends in with the story. It also served as a plus for their filming locations, because this movie does a great job showcasing BYU Hawaii, the Polynesian Cultural Center, and our very own Utah County. This movie serves as a love letter to those locations.

The Comedy Side vs The Serious Side

The humor in this film is very much like how it was in “Once I Was a Beehive”–good old self-aware “mormon culture” jabs. I was laughing the whole time with all the jam-packed vocabulary and references thrown in. There is surprisingly deep characterization that makes these characters so enjoyable and loveable. Coming from being the (sort of) antagonists of the previous film, the way Niederpruem and Clark play their imperfect characters highlights their growth and strengths. Their male counterparts, the fiancé and Bree’s dad (Bart Johnson), were also particularly fun to see juxtaposed with the high-strung leading ladies.

But between all the crazy shenanigans and relatable jokes, there is a very meaningful story being told here. More than anything, the story of Bree and Thys’s engagement covered a lot of important ground when it comes to getting married. It shows that there’s a lot more stress and hard work that goes into the Big Day than what is commonly portrayed in the media. There’s fantastic modeling of crucial conversations everyone should have during an engagement, from the couple who are now needing to plan their lives together, to all the involved parents and past loves. The movie doesn’t have a “villain,” but the conflicts that arise emphasize the gravity of how life altering marriage is in ways that this specific culture sometimes fails to show in a realistic way.

A Targeted Audience

If you are a teen or young adult LDS girl and/or you enjoyed “Once I was a Beehive,” this will be a great pick for you. The moral of the story, I think, is especially vital for those in the targeted demographic to learn prior to getting wrapped up in their own engagement. There’s still plenty for all the fellas out there to enjoy as I will prove by concluding with a few of my husband’s remarks that I noted throughout the film. I think he was even more invested in the story than I was.

“It’s ‘To All the Boys I Loved Before’ in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints!”

“Awww these cute people make me want to vomit a little…”

“This is so wholesome. I can’t wait for it to all go downhill!”

“Hehe… that’s going to go so wrong…”

“The dad is my favorite character, calling it now.”

“Oh no! He’s screwing it up! YOU FOOL!”

*Holds head in hands, shaking it and groans* “no no no”

“Because you’re insane, that’s why you’d do that!”

“Alright, he won me over.”

“Alright, she won me over.”

“It’s madness! I love it!”

*Big grin as credits roll*

This is a lesser known release, so if you want to have a fun time in a fairly empty theatre and support local film projects, I personally recommend this as a great movie date, especially for younger couples. 

Parent’s Guide

This is a very clean, safe movie for the whole family besides the occasional PG innuendo and shirtless surfer dudes.

The post A Wedding On a Budget | “Once I Was Engaged” Review appeared first on Utah.Film.

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As it turns out, that’s not even half of the weirdness.

Disney’s recent $52.4 billion deal concerning 21st Century Fox has expanded the Mouse House’s already superheroic library in ways few cared to imagine. For example, did it ever cross your mind that maybe you’d bump into a “Futurama” character next time you’re visiting Tomorrowland? Remember Buffy the Vampire Slayer? Who is to say Sunnydale won’t be the next addition to California Adventure?

Had Mickey and the gang not swapped out the Tower of Terror for their new Guardians of the Galaxy ride, I’d make some “Twilight Zone” reference here. But, in the spirit of this article, let’s just say even Agents Scully and Mulder (yep, now Disney-owned) couldn’t have predicted a world where Main Street parade dancers are doing the Bartman.

Below is a list of five names now owned by Disney.

Deadpool

Do you remember that superhero movie a few years back — that one with endless sexual references, slow-motion graphic violence, and as fellow KSL movie critic John Clyde said, “all the dirty words in the book and a few that aren’t even in there”? Disney now owns that movie, and guests from both parties aren’t exactly sure what to make of the marriage.

If Disney puts its stamp of approval on the Merc with the Mouth, its family-friendly image may take a hit. But on the other hand, “Deadpool” fans aren’t exactly in the market for a PG-13 sequel.

Avatar

For the record, this section is referencing the blue alien Avatar movies and not the blue arrow Avatar TV show. Also, for the record, I really wish it was the other way around so maybe we’d get a decent movie about Aang and possibly a new live-action show like Fantasmic! Only, the new show would include waterbenders fighting firebenders across the lake before an airbender comes flying in for the finale.

Regardless, seeing as Disney’s Animal Kingdom has already created its Pandora attraction, the James CameronAvatar movies make a lot more sense in the Mouse House library than a character like Deadpool. “Avatar” is also a pretty sound financial investment for Disney. When looking at the modern dollar, the original film is the current highest-grossing movie of all time.

Original Star Wars movies

There has been some confusion surrounding what Disney does and does not own concerning the Star Wars universe.

Yes, Disney purchased Lucasfilm back in 2012, but Fox maintained distribution rights to both the original trilogy and prequels. As Chaim Gartenberg of the Verge puts it, “The Fox acquisition also means that Disney finally controls the rights to the original “Star Wars” film (also known as “Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope”), which Fox has previously owned full distribution rights to in perpetuity, along with the home video distribution rights for Episodes II through IV (which were originally supposed to revert to Disney in 2020).”

Maybe now we’ll finally get that 4K set of original, theatrical releases we’ve all been waiting for.

Hulu

I should make it clear, Disney doesn’t own Hulu outright; however, as the Verge reports, Disney has purchased Fox’s 30 percent share, which when combined with Disney’s current 30 percent, does make the mega-company the controlling interest over Comcast and Time Warner.

This is an interesting turn of events, considering Disney has plans for two streaming services in the near future.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Disney plans to create both a sports and movie streaming service, and will end its distribution agreement with Netflix as of 2019.

“Instead, viewers would have to go to the Disney service to stream those movies,” the Los Angeles Times reported. “Shows currently produced by Disney’s Marvel Studios such as ‘Jessica Jones’ would still be available on Netflix.”

How this Hulu deal plays into Disney’s streaming plans is anyone’s guess, but I bet Comcast and Time Warner are among the interested parties waiting for more details.

Blue Sky Animation

Blue Sky Animation has been one of the main competitors of Disney and Pixar since they first released “Ice Age” back in 2002. Since that time, the studio has found its place in family video libraries with titles like Dr. Seuss’ “Horton Hears a Who!” and “The Peanuts Movie.”

Today, however, according to the Hollywood Reporter, “the future of Fox’s animation business is now in question.”

Disney obviously doesn’t need additional animated titles, and many fear that will also mean Disney isn’t looking for additional animators. On that note, the Hollywood Reporter also pointed out, “Of course, before Disney can decide what do with Fox and Blue Sky, it must first address the leadership question at its own Pixar and Disney Animation, where last month, chief creative officer John Lasseter announced that he would take a leave of absence amid allegations of misconduct.”

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Like most people reading this, my first thought was, “What is there to debate? You start with “Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace,” throw “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” in before the original films and wrap everything up with “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” It’s simple, right?

But as we continued the back-and-forth text, I realized my friend wasn’t asking an obvious question about the “Star Wars” timeline. Instead, he wanted to know how I would introduce someone to “Star Wars” for the first time. Would I really lead with the prequels? Is it important to introduce Luke and Leia before or after you meet Anakin Skywalker?

I’ve heard some pretty compelling arguments for what at first seemed like random viewing arrangements, so I’m definitely not claiming I’ve found the perfect experience. But, to answer my friend’s question once and for all, here is my personal take on the right order to experience a “Star Wars” marathon.

“Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope“

It’s probably no revelation that I see Luke and Leia as the central figures of the “Star Wars” experience. Even though they don’t exist in the prequels, they’re still the characters that will eventually undo the tangled mess we find ourselves in after “Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith,” and the characters future heroes look to in “The Force Awakens.”

Maybe the next two movies will change my perspective, but as of today, I would begin a “Star Wars” marathon with the story that started it all.

“Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace“

Now that we know Luke and Leia, it’s time for a flashback.

I would switch to the prequels after “Episode IV” for two reasons. One, we just lost Obi-Wan Kenobi, and understanding his history will make his later, ghostly appearances a little more meaningful. And two, it seems important to meet Luke’s father for the first time as Anakin Skywalker. If anything, it explains why Luke sounds the way he does when talking about Tosche Station.

“Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones“

Full disclosure, I probably wouldn’t make someone sit through “Attack of the Clones” unless they were really adamant about seeing every movie.

Instead, I’d just talk through the highlights, skip to Yoda confronting his padawan — maybe show off the Obi-Wan and Jango fight and possibly some clone war scenes — and then move onto my next selection. To me, “Attack of the Clones” is the worst chapter of the “Star Wars” saga and telling a first-timer “Anakin and Padmé fall in love” is a lot easier to endure than hearing Anakin yammer on about how much he hates sand.

“Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back“

After slogging through “Attack of the Clones,” it would be time to come back to the original trilogy.

We won’t know exactly how Anakin becomes the coolest sounding bad guy in the galaxy, but hopefully, the additional backstory will lend some weight to that legendary father-son moment. Also, not knowing about the events of Episode III will go a long way in maintaining some level of sympathy for Darth Vader. Once we find out about the younglings and his history of domestic violence, there isn’t much that can be done to redeem the galactic baddie.

Oh, and one other note, Episode II is a pretty good lead-in for the emperor’s original trilogy appearance as well.

“Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith“

Moving from “The Empire Strikes Back” to “Revenge of the Sith” may seem especially bleak, but just think how much more rewarding “Return of the Jedi” will be after the back-to-back downers.

Not only does “Revenge of the Sith” end with the world in chaos, but it also depicts the pinnacle of both Darth Vader’s and the emperor’s villainy. Witnessing Yoda ultimately fall to Palpatine’s senate-throwing ways makes the supreme chancellor even more dangerous in “Return of the Jedi’s” finale. “Revenge of the Sith” also wraps up the Anakin and Obi-Wan story which is a great tie-in to Luke’s questions for Kenobi, and of course, it ends with the birth of our two original trilogy protagonists.

“Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi”

“Return of the Jedi” is really the final chapter to both the prequels and the original trilogy.

By this point, all of the good guys from the original trilogy have passed on, leaving Luke, Leia and Han to do what Yoda, Mace and Obi-Wan never could — bring down the emperor.

Personally, I don’t see “Return of the Jedi” as enough to redeem a child-killing whiney pants like Darth Vader, but it does celebrate Luke’s commitment to the light side of the force. By placing “Return of the Jedi” after “Revenge of the Sith,” instead of “Empire Strikes Back,” we’re able to see a direct comparison between the way Luke and Anakin deal with the temptations of the dark side.

Now that everything has wrapped up nicely, it’s time for something completely different.

“Rogue One“

After chatting with a few people about the proper order for a “Star Wars” marathon, I’ve found myself alone in believing “Rogue One” should come after “A New Hope.”

I get it — the Death Star’s weakness does seem like a bit of a plot hole without the backstory of Jyn Erso and her undercover dad. And, I understand Darth Vader’s closing “Rogue One” lightsaber spectacular is the perfect lead-in to “A New Hope.” But personally, I don’t see a good place to drop a 133-minute aside in the middle of the Skywalker saga. Even tacking it to the beginning of your marathon creates an especially long and not entirely relevant thread of exposition.

Instead, save it for the long break between Episodes VI and VII. “Rogue” can act as one of those “Oh, by the way” moments before you come back and say, “Now, let’s see what happens 30 years after the empire falls.”

“Star Wars: The Force Awakens“

I imagine there could be a creative case made for starting with “The Force Awakens,” but I think this film works best as the current cap of the series — especially if you really are running through this marathon before “The Last Jedi.”

At the time of writing this, I don’t know if Rey ties back to the earlier chapters in any significant way which means Rey, Poe and Finn are starting something entirely new. I guess I should add the caveat that if Snoke turns out to be the evil behind the first six movies, that could change where I place “The Force Awakens” in a future marathon as well.

Based on my current understanding, however, “The Force Awakens” is exactly where it should be.

Am I hoping “The Last Jedi” throws in a few twists that scatter this entire list? Absolutely. But until that happens, this is how I would run my own “Star Wars” marathon.

The post What is the perfect movie order to enjoy a ‘Star Wars’ marathon appeared first on Utah.Film.

In truth, many directors have achieved back-to-back hits. You could even say, many directors have enjoyed a lot of back-to-back hits. It is, however, much harder to find a director who has enjoyed back-to-back-to-back hits.

I know, your brain probably immediately conjured up an early Steven Spielberg who directed “Jaws” in 1975, then “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” in 1977 and then “Raiders of the Lost Ark” in 1981. That list would very much qualify as a homerun three-peat if we could simply ignore what happened in 1979.

You remember, right? “1941?”

I can’t guess what Spielberg was thinking when he took on the misguided comedy, though I’m sure many have tried to delve into his mindset (like Empire Online for example). All I know is, “1941” disqualified Spielberg from enjoying a successful triad movie blockbusters at that time.

So, which directors have pulled off a cinematic trifecta?

Check out the list below for my take, and let us know in the comments about your favorite director three-peats.

Rob Reiner

“Stand by Me,” “The Princess Bride,” “When Harry Met Sally…”

Even if you really disliked one of the three movies listed above, with Reiner, you can start again with “When Harry Met Sally” and keep going to “Misery” and “A Few Good Men.” It’s true, he followed this list of iconic films with “North,” but when your resume includes a five-streak that fans are still watching 25 years later, you can forgive the guy a “North,” can’t you?

At least as far as this list goes, Reiner gets the award for the longest streak of successful movies.

Brad Bird

“The Iron Giant,” “The Incredibles,” “Ratatouille”

Brad Bird is going to be my stand-in for animation directors like Pete Docter and Lee Unkrich, who continually push out commercially and critically successful projects.

Bird’s “Iron Giant” didn’t find its intended success until the home video market, but the title has since gathered a devoted audience and currently sits at a 96-percent rating on rottentomatoes.com.

Not only has Bird earned his place on a short list of directors to pull off three consecutively beloved movies, but he also deserves props for allowing “Bart Simpson: Do the Bartman” to remain on his IMDb page. You’ve got to love a guy who doesn’t try to rewrite his history.

Kathryn Bigelow

“The Hurt Locker,” “Zero Dark Thirty,” “Detroit”

I don’t think it’s too much of a stretch to believe “Detroit” will be on 2017’s short list for the Academy’s best director contenders, and if it earns the honor, “Detroit” will give Bigelow her third consecutive nomination. That will put Bigelow on an even more elite list with names like Billy Wilder, William Wyler, and Martin Scorsese. In fact, I can’t think of anyone besides Wilder, Wyler, or Scorsese who have been nominated for best director for three consecutive films.

Bigelow fans have known for a long time she was deserving of this level of critical attention. We still hold some resentment that the 1991 masterpiece, “Point Break,” was snubbed for best picture gold.

John McTiernan

“Predator,” “Die Hard,” “The Hunt for Red October”

McTiernan may never find the critical acclaim of a director like Kathryn Bigelow, but his three-movie streak of “Predator,” “Die Hard,” and “The Hunt for Red October” deserves a shoutout for being the beginning dominos of three very successful movie franchises. Strangely, with the exception of “Die Hard with a Vengeance”, McTiernan didn’t cash in on the trove of sequels he made available, opting instead to take on projects like “Last Action Hero” and “The 13th Warrior.”

It’s been almost 15 years since anyone has seen a McTiernan movie in the pipeline, but if IMDb is to be believed, the man who helped actualize Hans Gruber and John McClane will be taking a seat behind the camera again very soon.

Taika Waititi

“What We Do in the Shadows,” “Hunt for the Wilderpeople,” “Thor: Ragnarok”

“What We Do in the Shadows” and “Hunt for the Wilderpeople” may not be as well-known as “Thor: Ragnarok,” but fans of the titles will tell you they’re every bit as enjoyable as the mega-blockbuster. This makes Waititi one of those rare individuals who can tell a good story no matter what budget someone throws at him, which suggests this list will easily extend past three in the near future.

If you don’t believe me, just know the writer/director’s next project is a stop-motion animation about Bubbles – yes, Michael Jackson’s pet chimpanzee Bubbles. So, watch out Rob Reiner, Waititi is coming for you.

The post Directors who’ve made at least 3 good movies in a row appeared first on Utah.Film.

The legendary Batman foe has been making comic books, video games, television and feature films more interesting since the 1940s, and almost 70 years later we’re still talking about him.

In fact, just recently Warner Brothers and DC announced writer Scott Silver (8 Mile) will be penning a Joker origin movie set to be directed by Todd Phillips (The Hangover) and produced by none other than Martin Scorsese (The Departed).

Who will play the clowned prince of crime you ask?

According to Variety, and a few other sources, Leonardo DiCaprio is the first name on a probably very short list of actors. This shouldn’t surprise anyone considering Scorsese’s involvement, but it’s still too early to know if DiCaprio would want to portray a character already defined by heavyweights like Jack Nicholson and Heath Ledger.

If he says no, well there is still good news for WB and DC. As it turns out, John Clyde and I have been casually texting back and forth about who we think could step in should DiCaprio reject the project.

We’re fairly confident at least one of the following actors will be a great replacement. Here’s our list of 10 actors who could play the Joker should DiCaprio say no.

John Clyde’s List

Evan Peters

John: This may seem like an odd choice, but I really like Peters. You will likely recognize him as Quicksilver in the last couple of X-Men movies, but the kid has a solid resume. His sense of humor and comic timing are solid and that’s something that is vital to playing the Joker. Not only does his humor match, but you can just tell Peters has a maniac just waiting under the surface waiting to get out and cause some chaos.

Travis: I didn’t originally like John’s first pick, but the more I think about it, the more I believe a script currently being written with DiCaprio in mind would translate well to Peters. I’m not saying Peters is a younger DiCaprio or anything like that, only when I imagine DiCaprio’s interpretation of the Joker, it’s not all that different from how I imagine Peters approaching it. I’ll give John this one.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson

John: Yes, I may have picked both of the recent on-screen Quicksilvers, but I don’t care. Aaron Taylor-Johnson has made some bad movies, but who hasn’t? Taylor-Johnson was nothing short of phenomenal in “Nocturnal Animals,” and there is just something about him that feels just a touch off-center and unnerving that would make him a fantastic choice for Joker.

Travis: You go too far, Mr. Clyde. I don’t know if it’s the “Kick-Ass” connection or if you just want to see a Quicksilver from Marvel play one of DC’s most famous villains, but I reject at least one of your Quicksilvers. Of the two of them, I like Peters better, so Taylor-Johnson is fired by process of elimination.

Charlie Heaton

John: So Charlie Heaton is not a household name and he has the least amount of experience of anyone on the list, but what does that matter? Heaton played Jonathan Byers on “Stranger Things,” and the odd loner he portrayed had a vulnerability and accessibility that drew you in and sympathize with him even though he still made you uncomfortable. Based on that alone I believe Phillips and a solid script could get a fantastic performance as the Joker out of Heaton.

Travis: I don’t have a lot to go on concerning Heaton. I really liked him in “Stranger Things” and he has a look that could work for a younger, up-and-coming villain, but I don’t feel like his take on Jonathan Byers was enough for me to comment on regarding such a demanding role. I imagine John has had the chance to see more of Heaton’s resume than I have, so I’ll just go with it. If Clyde says he’s a ringer, I’ll put my faith in his faith.

Bill Skarsgård

John: So I am going on faith here, but Skarsgard comes from an acting family and he landed the coveted role of Pennywise the clown, and if there is any truth to the reviews he’s gaining now, there is no reason he couldn’t be the clowned prince of crime. This is a blind pick for me, but I’m confident in it none the less.

Travis: John and I both kind of cheated with our picks by making the obvious connection between Pennywise and Gotham’s agent of chaos. To be honest, were Tim Curry 30 years younger, he’d be on my list as well. That said, I’ll be playing the same card I did with Heaton. I’m not familiar enough with Skarsgard to really comment one way or another, and John and I won’t be seeing “It” until Wednesday night, at which point I’ll know better if I agree with the Skarsgard-for-Joker campaign.

Ben Foster

John: So Ben Foster is an incredibly talented actor that doesn’t really get the credit he deserves. If you don’t recognize his name, just know he’s that crazy guy you saw in that one movie. That’s what Foster does. The man plays crazy better than just about anyone, ever. Some examples include, “Hell or High Water,” “Hostage,” “3:10 to Yuma” and “Alpha Dog” to name a few. I honestly believe Foster is one of the most talented actors working today and I believe he could stand there with the likes of Nicholson and Ledger when it comes to The Joker.

Travis: Unlike lists past, I have to say I don’t hate any of John’s picks. Yes, we have to drop at least one Quicksilver, but at the end of the day, I see why Mr. Clyde would consider Taylor-Johnson and I even get why he’d go with someone like Foster. He’s probably the least obvious pick physically, and would probably get the Ben Affleck-Batman fan reaction were he to be announced, but on a whole, I’m going to give John a tip-of-the-hat on a list well considered.

Travis Poppleton’s list

Ansel Elgort

Photo by David X Prutting
CFDA Fashion Awards, Arrivals, New York, America – 06 Jun 2016

Travis: I am not the biggest Ansel Elgort fan. In fact, even though I really liked “The Fault in Our Stars” and “Baby Driver,” I think Elgort has a tendency to pose when he should be acting.

So, in some ways, I think the Joker can help Elgort out more than Elgort is the perfect fit to play the Joker. There’s a role in Elgort’s future that’s going to push him passed pretty-face status and this could be exactly the project to make that happen. If it is, then the Joker origin movie would be one of those examples where both the movie and the lead actor are better off for each other.

John: So, I really liked “Baby Driver.” Like, really liked. More than a friend even, but it wasn’t because of Elgort. He didn’t make the movie worse, but I also don’t think he did anything special. I don’t dislike the guy, probably a cool dude and he’s making a fine career for himself, but I’m not sold on this pick. Sorry, not sorry.

Nicholas Hoult

Travis: I agree with most movie fans who say Hoult’s take on Nux in “Mad Max: Fury Road” was a bit much. But, in all fairness, was there anything about “Fury Road” that wasn’t a bit much? Could his performance there be just as much George Miller as it was Hoult?

If Hoult can find that balance between vaudevillian crazy and the soft-spoken nerd he’s usually playing, I think there’s a Joker in there somewhere.

John: Apparently Travis and I both like picking superheroes from the X-Men universe. Personally, I’m a fan of this pick. I really like Hoult and I think he’s an incredibly versatile actor who would bring a unique perspective to such an iconic character.

Alfie Allen

Travis: I know, if I’m doing a “Game of Thrones” cast member it’s supposed to be Iwan Rheon. It’s been said before and it will be said again.

However, Rheon’s take on Ramsay Bolton already felt like a 14-episode audition for the Joker, and I don’t need to see any more of it. Alfie Allen, on the other hand, didn’t play his crazy card and was still able to pull off the most extreme character arc of the GoT series. He’s got the physical features and the potential range for the DC character.

John: I know this will ruin some of my street cred, but here it goes. I’ve never seen one episode of “Game of Thrones.” With that said I can’t say too much about Allen. I did see “John Wick,” which I really liked, but Allen was not the standout to me. I think he has the look and reminds me of my Charlie Heaton pick. I can get on board with this one.

Will Poulter

Travis: Had Will Poulter not been attached to “It,” he probably would’ve flown under my radar. But the leap from one crazy clown to another seems pretty obvious, and now that he’s choosing projects like “Detroit,” he’s beginning to become a more credible candidate – much more so than when “Narnia” and “We’re the Millers” were the best things on his resume.

John: Whenever Travis and I do these lists together one of usually texts immediately to call dibs on one specific actor and the other person is left cursing his phone for not texting first. That pick this time was Will Poulter. I have been a huge Poulter fan ever since I saw him in “Son of Rambow” as a 14-year-old kid and I’ve been watching him ever since. Poulter was originally cast as Pennywise in “It” before Skarsgard, but had to drop out due to scheduling conflicts. This would be a solid makeup. This may be my favorite pick on the list.

Ferdia Walsh-peelo

Travis: Yes, yes I did just choose Walsh-peelo because I like “Sing Street.” And, maybe because he wore makeup and played an outcast. But mostly because I like “Sing Street.”

John: I also like “Sing Street,” but I’m not sure that means he should be Joker, but then I also thought Ledger was a terrible choice to begin with, so I’ve obviously been wrong before.

The post 10 people who could play the Joker if Leonardo DiCaprio says no appeared first on Utah.Film.

And why not? For less than the price of a single premium movie ticket, audiences now have access to any big-screen release, on any day, in an air conditioned, state-of-the-art theater. In many ways, MoviePass has become NetFlix for the big screen – only, instead of Netflix offering thousands of titles, MoviePass subscribers are limited to what’s playing at their local theater.

So, what is playing at your local theater? Is September a good time to look into a service like MoviePass?

Let’s take a look at eight of the biggest titles landing in theaters this month.

Sept. 1

Close Encounters of the Third Kind (PG)

The 1977 classic, “Close Encounters of the Third Kind“ is making its way back to theaters on Sept. 1, sporting a new 4K makeover. Steven Spielberg’s science-fiction thriller was originally nominated for eight Academy Awards and starred Richard Dreyfuss and Teri Garr. The movie will only be in theaters for one week, after which it will be available for purchase on 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray.

IMDB synopsis: After an encounter with UFOs, a line worker feels undeniably drawn to an isolated area in the wilderness where something spectacular is about to happen.

Sept. 8

IT (R)

Coulrophobia is no laughing matter.

Director Andy Muschietti’s take on Stephen King’s killer clown will soon be in theaters, and while critics have been asked not to comment on the film until Sept. 6, early audience reaction has been very positive. Flickreel covered some of the buzz here (language warning).

IMDB synopsis: A group of bullied kids with troubled family lives, band together when a monster, taking the appearance of a clown, begins hunting children.

Rated R for violence/horror, bloody images, and for language.

Home Again (PG-13)

Reese Witherspoon is starring in this PG-13 comedy about a woman, three younger men, and the husband trying to come back into her life. The trailers for “Home Again” flip between raunchy comedy and family feel-good, so it’s hard to predict who this movie is for exactly. That said, Witherspoon fans and romantic comedy lovers may want to take a look at this Sept. 8 release.

IMDB synopsis: Life for a single mom in Los Angeles takes an unexpected turn when she allows three young guys to move in with her.

Sept. 15

Mother! (N/A)

Word on the street is director Darren Aronofsky is working hard to keep any and all details concerning “Mother!” under wraps.

The movie, starring Jennifer Lawrence, enjoys a trailer at least as creepy as Aronofsky’s occasional-mustache and is supported by a pretty phenomenal cast. If Aronofsky’s previous films are anything to go off of, “Mother!” will divide general audiences while also leaving them with a lot to think about.

IMDB synopsis: A couple’s relationship is tested when uninvited guests arrive at their home, disrupting their tranquil existence.

American Assassin (N/A)

Michael Keaton is training elite super killers in the trailers leading up to “American Assassin.”

Based on Vince Flynn’s best-selling novel of the same name, “American Assassin” has the potential to be an interesting film if it can find a way to distinguish itself from the many revenge-driven movies before it.

Also, and this is a bit of a side note, even though Taylor Kitsch wasn’t an especially great Gambit and he did star in that one “John Carter” movie and also “Battleship” and that terrible “True Detective” season, I still find myself kind of pulling for the guy. I don’t know why Hollywood keeps giving him chances, but here’s hoping this is a project that works out for him.

IMDB synopsis: A story centered on counterterrorism agent Mitch Rapp.

Sept. 22

Kingsman: The Golden Circle

The first Kingsman was something of a surprise hit, grossing over $400 million on a $90 million budget. Not only did the Matthew Vaughn picture find commercial success, but “Kingsman: The Secret Service” earned a respectable CinemaScore despite an otherwise average response on RottenTomatoes.

IMDB synopsis: When their headquarters is destroyed and the world is held hostage, the Kingsman’s journey leads them to the discovery of an allied spy organization in the U.S. These two elite secret organizations must band together to defeat a common enemy.

The Lego Ninjago Movie (PG)

So far, the big-screen Lego movies have been a lot of fun, and early marketing suggests “The Lego Ninjago Movie” will maintain the tradition.

With an eclectic cast ranging from Jackie Chan to Fred Armisen, “Ninjago” will utilize yet another popular play set while also introducing new heroes, villains and Master Builder know-how.

Studio synopsis: The battle for Ninjago City calls to action young Master Builder Lloyd, aka the Green Ninja, along with his friends, who are all secret ninja warriors. Led by Master Wu, as wisecracking as he is wise, they must defeat evil warlord Garmadon, The Worst Guy Ever, who also happens to be Lloyd’s dad.

Battle of the Sexes (PG-13)

Steve Carell continues to fascinate me. How that one guy from “The Daily Show” and the 2005 “Bewitched” movie has gone on to attract serious award attention in movies like “Foxcatcher” and “The Big Short” is beyond me. But he has, and the attention has been well deserved.

So, pairing him with last year’s Best Actress, Emma Stone, in a true story about a famous man-verse-woman tennis match sounds inspired, making this my most anticipated movie of the month.

IMDB synopsis: “The true story of the 1973 tennis match between World No. 1 Billie Jean King and ex-champ and serial hustler Bobby Riggs.”

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