E. Oliver Whitney is a senior editor at ScreenCrush. When not talking Game of Thrones theories or waiting for the next Terrence Malick film, Oliver is probably having an SVU marathon. Oliver was formerly an entertainment editor at Huff Post and has written for Variety, New York magazine, Indiewire, Moviefone, and Backstage.
E. Oliver Whitney
New Netflix Instant Releases: September 2016
September is only a week away – can you believe it? – and with a new month comes a whole new batch of movies and shows to keep you stuck on your couch. Next month you can look forward to new Netflix Originals like the second season of ‘Narcos,’ ‘Chef’s Table: France’ (make sure you’re stocked with baguettes and brie), and the Amanda Knox documentary. Other highlights include ‘Zootopia,’ all four ‘Jaws’ movies, Season 1 of ‘Supergirl’, Season 6 of ‘The Walking Dead,’ and most exciting for Marvel fans, the series premiere of ‘Luke Cage.’ Cancel your plans, it’s going to be a good month to stay in.
Relive the Day Nicktoons Were Born 25 Years Ago with the First ‘Doug,’ ‘Rugrats’ and ‘Ren & Stimpy’ Episodes
25 years ago this week, animated television was forever changed. That may sound hyperbolic, but when Nickelodeon debuted the network’s first block of original programming in the summer of 1991, it was one of the most game-changing things animated television had ever seen.
‘Pete’s Dragon’ Review: A Worthy Remake With a Childlike Sense of Wonder
Disney’s 1977 musical ‘Pete’s Dragon’ was my favorite movie as a kid, one I watched obsessively on VHS. In retrospect, I can now look back on it as an adult and admit it was a pretty awful movie — it was about an orphan whose adoptive family chased him while gleefully singing songs about abusing him. The songs were bad (though my 6-year-old self enjoyed them), the acting was as campy and mawkish, and the shoddy animation looks laughable today. But as much as the movie was a dated element of its time, it still told an emotionally relatable story that, when handled by Disney, can become timeless. It only makes sense that the studio remade ‘Pete’s Dragon,’ keeping that same sentiment, but without the hokey songs and with more impressive visual effects.
‘The Secret Life of Pets’ Review: Dogs and Cats Talking Together, Mass Hysteria
There’s nothing new or marvel about cute cuddly talking animals; they’ve been the center of animated feature films since the earliest days of animation. But in ‘The Secret Life of Pets,’ the age old shtick still works.
See the American Hogwarts and Meet the Four New Houses in New ‘Fantastic Beasts’ Feature
When J.K. Rowling first revealed there was an American version of Howgarts, Harry Potter fans west of the Atlantic Ocean collectively freaked out. We too get our own school of witchcraft and wizardry?! Yep, and now we know a ton of new details about the school’s history, houses, and founder.
‘Zooptopia’ Just Entered the Billion Dollar Box Office Club
As it turns out, making a politically-minded movie for kids can be financially successful.
‘Alice Through the Looking Glass’ Review: There’s No Wonder Here
Much of Tim Burton’s 2010 ‘Alice in Wonderland’ was a forgettable, unsavory mess, but it did have some redeemable qualities. The filmmaker’s eye-popping visuals and imaginative production design were the best aspects of the largely unbearable Disney movie. But you’ll find none of that in the new sequel.
We’re Sorry To Inform You a ‘Tetris’ Movie Trilogy Is Happening
In a world where cubed tiles fight to survive against other cubed tiles, the limit for space is an endless nightmare. They must turn left, they must spin right, and they must descend downward to claim a spot within in the vacant caverns of colored blocks. Prepare for … ‘TETRIS: THE MOVIE.’
Leonardo DiCaprio Wins Best Actor Oscar For ‘The Revenant’
IT FINALLY HAPPENED. Leonardo DiCaprio has won his very first Academy Award. Whether you were rooting for or against ‘The Revenant’, whether you think he deserved the award for his grunting and groaning as Hugh Glass or just wanted him to win a damn Oscar already, it doesn’t matter. He’s officially in the Oscar club now.
‘In the Heart of the Sea’ Review: Ron Howard’s Latest Is an Under-whale-ming Epic
There’s a gigantic sea monster! There’s Chris Hemsworth’s muscular and skeletal frame! There’s harpoons and storms and dolphins and waves and adventure! There’s even a British man (played by Ben Whishaw) narrating the story as told by another very talented actor (Brendan Gleeson). By the sounds of it, In the Heart of the Sea must be a whale of a tale. But sadly, Ron Howard’s latest falls very short of its epic endeavors.