The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences made some rule changes today that are likely to affect the kinds of films we see earn nominations. The biggest change will hit the animation branch. Under normal academy rules, each branch selects its own nominees, and then the entire academy votes on nominees (the exception is for Best Picture where everyone in every branch votes for Best Picture nominees). It allows experts to choose the best work, and then offer the entire academy the chance to select the best of the best....

Rocky IVreturns to theaters this weekend with a restored director’s cut, commemorating the 35th anniversary of the now classic time in whichSylvester Stallonesingle handedly ended the Cold War. Audiences were clued into the perpetual descent into camp within theRockyseries since the Best Picture winning original, but some critics were less kind to the 1986 sequel.Rocky IVscored five wins at the “Golden Raspberry Awards” (aka “The Razzies”) including both Worst Director and Worst Actor for Stallone....

Look, I know we all want to talk aboutStar Wars: The Force Awakensbut we’re not quite there yet. Besides, most of the films in this weekend’s top ten have already been badly overshadowed byStar Wars 7, so why insult them further by stealing their last moment in the sun? Don’t worry, we’ll get to the force in just a bit. But first, due homage must be paid to the current number one film in North America:Mockingjay – Part 2....

BeforePharrell Williamstakes viewers on his creative journey in October with the unique documentaryPiece By Piece,Focus Featuresis first helping everyone explore their own imagination. In partnership withLEGO, the distributor has unveiled a new digital minifigure generator that lets viewers whisk themselves into a world of bricks like the pop artist in theMorgan Neville-directed flick. Available now for users on both mobile and desktop, it’s made to celebrate everyone’s singular personality and creativity with dozens of choices to build up the person you want to be....

Christmas has come early with these new Funko Pop figures based on the upcoming film,Red One. These new figures starDwayne JohnsonandJ.K. Simmon’s characters, Callum and Nick and are now available for pre-order. These two items are the only figures available in this collection and should be shipped right before the holidays. Listed for $12 each on theFunko Pop website, Callum Drift’s figure is pretty simple as he does a simple pose, wearing the red and green jumpsuit....

San Diego Comic-Con has, at long last, released their schedule for Wednesday, July 20th (also known as “Preview Night”) as well as for Thursday, July 21st. Per usual, the preview night is dedicated to TV pilots (including the highly anticipated Archie Comics seriesRiverdalefrom the CW), as well as fun series likeTeen Titans Go!Thursday is when things start to get intense, so be sure to plan accordingly. Below you’ll find highlights from both nights, and as we suggested last year: you can’t see everything, but if you keep a detailed schedule and remember to get in line for Hall H and Ballroom 20 now, you might be able to get a nice mix of the biggest panels and some smaller gems as well....

2022 was a great year for animation, with the medium soaring to new heights with fantastic productions from around the world. WhileDisneyandPixarare usually the leaders in the space, 2022 saw several creators and studios move past those usual suspects to produce some ofthe year’s best films. Animation isn’t just a genre for children, as the medium often explores mature topics with a deft hand and emotional resonance. RELATED:10 of the Best Hero-Villain Dynamics in Animated Movies While several animated films were adored by critics this year, they also struck a chord with fans,reflected by their scores on IMDb....

There’s no better hero for our contemporary times than the rage-fueled, mythological demigod Kratos from theGod of Warfranchise. Luckily, a new iteration of the godly action-adventure game is on the way and due out on the PS4, but unfortunately we only know that it will be out “Early 2018.” To tide us over, we now have a host of new videos that go behind the scenes of the upcoming game and tell us of its take on Norse mythology, a new direction from the previously Greek-skewing game....

Want to spend an hour getting insight into the craft of directing from some of the most talented, celebrated filmmakers in the industry? Fortunately, THR has finally revealed their full director’s roundtable from 2017 and its jam-packed with thoughtful analysis, interesting set stories, and all kinds of musings from the first-rate panel of talent. This year’s squad featuresGuillermo del Toro(The Shape of Water),Greta Gerwig(Lady Bird),Patty Jenkins(Wonder Woman),Denis Villeneuve(Blade Runner 2049),Angelina Jolie(First They Killed My Father), andJoe Wright(Darkest Hour), who chat about the making of their awards contenders and lessons from their career....

It didn’t take long afterCriminal Mindsclosed its 15-season cycle for a revival to be announced. After the Behavior Analysis Unit (B.A.U.) helped to trace serial killer patterns every week and saved many lives in the process, cast members and the creative team from the original run are back forCriminal Minds: Evolution. These are the actors you’ll get to see again in their previous roles:Paget Brewster,Joe Mantegna,Aisha Tyler,Adam Rodriguez,Kirsten Vangsness, andA.J. Cook....

For years, an eternal debate has raged among cinephiles during the holidays: isDie Harda Christmas movie? While this article will not take a position on either side of this contentious issue, it will point out that this December, you’ll be able to decide for yourself — for free. The 1988Bruce Willisactioner will be available to stream on the free, ad-supported streaming service Tubi starting on December 1. Directed by action mavenJohn McTiernan,Die Hardis an adaptation of theRoderick ThorpnovelNothing Lasts Forever....

[This is a re-post of Perri Nemiroff’sIt Comes at Nightreview from the Overlook Film Festival; the movie opens this Friday] Last weekend I had the pleasure of attending the world premiere screening ofKrishadirectorTrey Edward Shults’ second feature film,It Comes At Night, at the Overlook Film Festival in Mount Hood, Oregon. Just before the showing we were told that there’s still some work to be done on the piece, but Shults could have fooled me....

Arguably one of the most enduring film franchises the film industry has ever seen is that of the famous MI6 agent,James Bond. The adventures of Mr. Bond have spanned oversixty years, producing twenty-sevenmovies for the viewing pleasure of audiences across the decades. The role is one of the coveted ones out there, and over the years, starring as the dashing spy almost certainly immortalizes the legacy of the actor playing him, except perhaps forDavid Nivenwho starred in1967’sCasino Royale....