Tagged ben lei

Film Review: ‘The Invite’ Finds Big Emotional Truths Inside an Awkward Dinner Party

Olivia Wilde transforms a provocative dinner party premise into a funny, emotionally insightful examination of modern marriage. Anchored by standout performances from Seth Rogen and Penélope Cruz, "The Invite" proves to be less about sexual liberation than the difficult conversations couples avoid—and one of Wilde's strongest films to date.

Rufus Sewell on ‘The Diplomat’ Season 3, Keri Russell, and Why Chemistry Can’t Be Manufactured

Rufus Sewell reflects on “The Diplomat” Season 3, the remarkable chemistry he shares with Keri Russell, Debora Cahn’s razor-sharp writing, and why Hal Wyler remains one of television’s most compelling morally complex characters. He also explains why, after three decades, he’s having more fun than ever.

Isa Briones on Bringing Filipino Representation to ‘The Pitt’ and Revealing New Layers of Dr. Santos

Isa Briones discusses bringing the Filipino lullaby "Ili Ili Tulog Anay" to "The Pitt," Dr. Santos' evolving relationship with Langdon, the character's unexplored self-harm history, and why some of the season's most powerful moments came from the smallest scenes.

Philip J. Silvera on Building the Brutal, Character-Driven Action of ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Season 2

Action director Philip J. Silvera discusses returning to "Daredevil: Born Again" following the series' creative overhaul, collaborating with Charlie Cox and Vincent D'Onofrio, designing Bullseye's standout sequences, and why the franchise's most memorable fights have always been driven by character rather than choreography.

Songwriter Mark Sonnenblick on “Golden” and the Music That Powers ‘Kpop Demon Hunters’

Mark Sonnenblick breaks down how the music of “Kpop Demon Hunters” was built to carry story, character, and emotion. Partnering closely with Ejae, he explains why the songs function like musical theater, how “Golden” emerged, and how months of revision turned an animated film into a cultural phenomenon worldwide impact.

Inside the Sound Design of Apple’s ‘F1’: Building a Sonic World at 200 Miles an Hour

Inside “F1,” the film’s sound designers reveal how access to real races, cars, and drivers helped create one of the year’s most immersive theatrical experiences, balancing raw speed with clarity, emotion, and narrative focus.

Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn & Benicio Del Toro to Receive Hammond Cinema Vanguard Award at 41st Santa Barbara International Film Festival

Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, and Benicio Del Toro will receive the Hammond Cinema Vanguard Award at the 41st Santa Barbara International Film Festival, honoring their acclaimed performances in “One Battle After Another.” The tribute celebrates their extraordinary contributions to one of the most celebrated and awards-recognized films of the year.

Film Review: ‘The Housemaid’ Rides Amanda Seyfried and Sydney Sweeney’s Star Power

Headlined by Amanda Seyfried and Sydney Sweeney, “The Housemaid” is a sleek, crowd-oriented thriller that builds patiently before delivering a satisfying second-half turn. While reliant on familiar tropes, it succeeds as polished, escapist entertainment designed to play best with an audience.

Rhea Seehorn on the Deductive Art of Character: Unlocking the Nuance of Carol in Apple TV+’s ‘Pluribus’

Rhea Seehorn, the center of Vince Gilligan’s "Pluribus," discusses the series' unique psychological demands. She views the solo performance as a "one-person play," revealing how the show's layered sci-fi themes force her character to confront isolation and the very nature of human connection.

Adolpho Veloso’s Visual Approach That Makes ‘Train Dreams’ an Oscars Contender

The film "Train Dreams," directed by Clint Bentley and based on the beloved novella by Denis Johnson, is a profoundly moving portrait of Robert Grainier (Joel Edgerton), an everyman logger whose life unfolds a... Read More...