Words of War Review: A Timely Look at the Power of the Free Press

by Lauren Weiner | January 18, 2026

While Words of War may take some liberties in telling the story of journalist Anna Politkovskaya, it's a compelling drama about freedom of speech and reporting during hard times.

The Testament of Ann Lee Review: Amanda Seyfried Leads Idiosyncratic Musical

by Mel Valentin | January 18, 2026

Depending on the definition, the total number of Christian denominations in the United States ranges from a few hundred to several thousand. Worldwide, that number jumps to approximately 45,000. Each denomination claims, if not a direct conduit to God, then to a religious leader (or leaders) who, like the Quakers and the Shakers did. Handed […]

Rosemead Review: A Career Best for Lucy Liu

by Amy Tonta | January 16, 2026

Lucy Liu gives a career-defining performance in this cautionary tale of love, death and mental illness.

FILM

Rosemead Review: A Career Best for Lucy Liu

Lucy Liu gives a career-defining performance in this cautionary tale of love, death and mental illness.
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple Review – Sets the Horror Bar for 2026

Bleak, brutal, and deeply human, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple proves the franchise’s rage virus still has teeth.
The Choral Review

At a time when our own world seems harsh and ugly, Nicholas Hytner's The Choral gives us space to reflect on how music can connect us.

Honey Bunch Trailer: All is Not What It Seems

by Emma Badame | January 16, 2026

Canadian filmmaking team Madeleine Sims-Fewer and Dusty Mancinelli pile on the eerie atmosphere in their sophomore film, Honey Bunch. Catch the new trailer before it hits theatres this Friday!

Director Adam Bhala Lough ponders his options in a scene from DEEPFAKING SAM ALTMAN.

Deepfaking Sam Altman Review: Artificial Empathy

by Adam Schoales | January 16, 2026

Deepfaking Sam Altman is an illuminating, hilarious, and chilling look at the state of artificial intelligence and the way it's shaping our future.

Amanda Seyfried and Mona Fastvold on The Testament of Ann Lee and Divine Music

by Pat Mullen | January 15, 2026

An interview with The Testament of Ann Lee star Amanda Seyfried and director Mona Fastvold on their divine musical about movers and Shakers.

TV

IT: Welcome to Derry Review. We All Float Down Here

IT: Welcome to Derry is a terrifying entry into the IT Universe as it fully unleashes an unrestrained Pennywise the Dancing Clown to the small town of Derry.
Interview: Maigret’s Benjamin Wainwright & Shaniqua Okwok

Benjamin Wainwright and Shaniqua Orwok on why Maigret is more a "why-dunnit" than a "who-dunnit", and what makes the French detective so timelessly appealing.
Cooper Raiff and Lili Reinhart on the Sibling Bonds of Hal & Harper

An interview with Hal & Harper's Cooper Raiff and Lili Reinhart on growing pains and holding space for family members even when they drive us mad.

Review: Ralph Fiennes in 28 Years Later The Bone Temple

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple Review – Sets the Horror Bar for 2026

by Rachel West | January 13, 2026

Bleak, brutal, and deeply human, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple proves the franchise’s rage virus still has teeth.

3670 Review: Korean Defector Tale Is a Queer Film Landmark

by Pat Mullen | January 9, 2026

Joonho Park's 3670 feels like an authentic milestone in queer cinema with its story of a North Korean defector finding his community in Seoul.

Sleepwalker Review

by Lauren Weiner | January 8, 2026

Sleepwalker is a wildly entertaining horror flick. It’s not going to chill your bones, or keep you up at night, so if you’re looking for a light-hearted, semi-spooky time, this film is it.

PODCASTS

Springfield Googolplex: Alien with Dan Vebber

Simpsons writer Dan Vebber helps us extend the spooky season, discussing his award-winning episode “Thanksgiving of Horror” and its parody of Alien.
Contra Zoom Pod Episode 317: 2025 New York Film Festival Diaries

Frequent CZP guest Paulo Bautista, had the pleasure of attending the NYFF. He reports back with audio diaries on films he saw.
Contra Zoom Pod Episode 316: Old, Young and New Frankenstein

With the latest version of Frankenstein⁠ coming out from director Guillermo del Toro, we look back at the history of this monster movie.

The Choral Review

by Emma Badame | January 6, 2026

At a time when our own world seems harsh and ugly, Nicholas Hytner's The Choral gives us space to reflect on how music can connect us.

2026 Movie Preview

by Colin Biggs | December 31, 2025

2025's movie season is coming to an end, but fear not. That Shelf has a preview of the very best that 2026 cinema has to offer.

Song Sung Blue Review: Kate Hudson and Hugh Jackman Elevate Winning True-Life Tale

by Mel Valentin | December 30, 2025

Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson elevate Song Sung Blue—a true-life, Neil Diamond-centric biopic from writer-director Craig Brewer.

Cynthia Erivo on Flying High as Elphaba in Wicked: For Good

by Pat Mullen | December 30, 2025

An interview with Cynthia Erivo on Wicked: For Good and finding Elphaba's voice across two films and in the show of one of cinema's most iconic characters.