Commentary
‘Avengers Endgame: Encore’ and the Comfort of Never Moving On
As the hit film returns to theaters with a few added ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ teasers, it now serves as a metaphor for the studio’s larger strategy.
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Five Lessons from the 2026 Summer Movie Season
What did we learn from the hits and misses at the theater?
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Spielberg and Nolan’s Summer Blockbusters Have Two Very Different Ideas About How To Save the World
The Odyssey and Disclosure Day are two sides of the same coin
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How Christopher Nolan Modernized ‘The Odyssey’
Christopher Nolan’s adaptation speaks to us with more than just modern dialogue.
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Disney Has Forgotten That Animation Can Do What Live-Action Can’t
The live-action ‘Moana’ remake proves realism is overrated.
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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
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Observations from Watching This Year's Super Bowl
David Chen shares a few observations from this year's Super Bowl broadcast.
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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.
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I'm Sad That The World That Inspired Me To Get Into This Game Is Now Gone
A few thoughts on the death of [paid, institutional] criticism.