This Year's Oscars Felt Like the End of an Era for Hollywood

Decoding Everything is a newsletter by David Chen. I’ve been a commentator on movies, TV, tech, and the media for over 15 years. You can support my work by subscribing to this newsletter, sharing about it on social media, or becoming a Patron. Thanks! The 98th Academy Awards were

‘Project Hail Mary’ Is a Gorgeous, Funny Ride Through the Cosmos

‘The LEGO Movie’ and ‘21 Jump Street’ directors have crafted a warm, inspiring tale based on Andy Weir’s novel.

'Scream 7' Is a Moral and Artistic Failure

Even at their worst, the Scream films have always at least tried to inject interesting ideas about fandom and horror culture into their storylines. That trend comes to an end with Scream 7.

Does Anybody Want This? AI Fights, Fantasies and Fictions

It is, once again, joever. A viral 15-second clip of an AI generated fight between Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt has “spooked Hollywood”, spurred Disney to legal action and had Deadpool screenwriter Rhett Reese warning “it’s likely over for us.” Creator Ruairi Robinson claims to have generated it with

'Wuthering Heights': Emerald Fennell’s Maximalist Adaptation Yields the Story’s Least Interesting Version

By bringing every emotion straight to the surface, the new movie leaves little worth considering.

Observations from Watching This Year's Super Bowl

David Chen shares a few observations from this year's Super Bowl broadcast.

We Watched 26 Films from Sundance 2026. Here Are Our 6 Favorites.

David Chen and Stephen David Miller share some highlights from the online portion of the Sundance Film Festival

Sundance 2026 Dispatch #2: Fighting to Save Lives as Death Rains Down

Matt Goldberg finishes up his remote Sundance viewing with American Doctor, Public Access, Extra Geography, Hanging by a Wire, and LADY

Darren Aronofsky’s AI Slop Is a Betrayal of Everything His Movies Stand For

For a director whose films leaned into raw humanity and stressed an environmental message, his latest effort is a crushing disappointment.

Sundance 2026 Dispatch #1: Dark High School Musicals, Childhood Traumas, and Freedom of the Press

Matt Goldberg shares his thoughts on Josephine, The Musical, Run Amok, Seized, and The Incomer.

‘Send Help’: McAdams and O’Brien Are a Vicious Blast in Sam Raimi’s Horror-Comedy

The two terrific actors relish the film’s gnarly thrills.

10 Cinematic Pairings That Reflected The Spirit Of 2025

Stephen David Miller explores the year via twenty interconnected films.