The science fiction genre is a wonderfully vast genre. Sometimes, it forces audiences to question a life in which artificial intelligence takes over. Other times, it has taken audiences to galaxies far, far away. The brilliance of imagination, rooted within the confines of science, has made the genre universally beloved. But very rarely do they push the boundaries with themes and ideals. Then came Sense8.

Perhaps a series ahead of its time, Sense8 was Netflix’s masterpiece science fiction, globe-hopping epic. Created by Lana and Lilly Wachowski and J. Michael Straczynski, the series followed eight strangers from different parts of the world who share a psychic connection. A major factor in the series’ success was Sense8’s ability to tap into themes of prejudice, sexuality, and identity in a way that many sci-fi series avoid. Earning itself a devoted fan following, Sense8 may have had a feature-length conclusion, but it ended with further stories to tell.

What Is ‘Sense8’ About?

Image via Netflix

Over two seasons and a movie dedicated to fans, Sense8 tells the story of eight strangers who are a part of a physically linked cluster, individually called sensates. Capheus (Aml Ameen and Toby Onwumere) is a matatu driver in Nairobi. Sun (Doona Bae) is the daughter of a business executive and an master at martial arts in Seoul. Nomi (Jamie Clayton) is a hacktivist who is trans in San Francisco. Kala (Tina Desai) is a pharmacist trapped in an engagement for an arranged marriage in Mumbai. Riley (Tuppence Middleton) is an Icelandic DJ living in London. Wolfgang (Max Riemelt) is a German-Russian thief and safe-cracker living in Berlin. Lito (Miguel Ángel Silvestre) is a closeted Spanish superstar actor in Mexico City. And finally, there’s Will (Brian J. Smith), a Chicago cop who discovers their connection is linked to a woman named Angelica (Daryl Hannah). As they attempt to discover why they are connected, the cluster begins navigating their everyday lives while being hunted by a man known only as Whispers (Terrence Mann), who is out to destroy the sensates through a company called the Biologic Preservation Organization (BPO). Helping one another by utilizing their fellow sensates’ greatest assets, the cluster becomes a found family that must unite to protect themselves and the ones they love.

A bold and complicated premise, Sense8‘s ability to tell its story seamlessly through brilliant writing and extraordinary editing made it unlike anything that came before. From a production standpoint, the international set pieces were so distinct for each character that Sense8 went to great lengths to ensure the authenticity of the locales. The on-location filming was the series’ best asset, but also its biggest money drain. As the individual characters begin to integrate into one another’s lives, Sense8 does a remarkable job of using its surroundings to enhance the ambitious storytelling, advising us of whose mind we are in.

‘Sense8’ Brought Sexuality and Identity to Sci-Fi

Image Via Netflix

Sexuality and gender expression are monumental for the series. While some sci-fi stories might leave these themes open to interpretation, Sense8 makes them a pivotal part of the story. Most prominently is Nomi, whose experience as a trans woman is central to the story. Her narrative includes her struggles with her family, who essentially sell her out to the BPO via a conversation therapy plotline. She is used as a mouthpiece to discuss the public’s misguided fear of the trans community. With Lito, the series highlights the projection of perceived masculinity in Mexico and in the entertainment industry as he is forced to stay in the closet to keep his acting career. In both cases, it’s thanks to the cluster that they find solace and acceptance. These stories not only open up the audience to new communities, but they are integral to Sense8 and its themes of interconnectivity.

Very few sci-fi shows have attempted to be as daring, especially in the concept of sexual fluidity. With the nature of the communication within the cluster, they share emotions and physical sensations. It’s in these moments of intimacy that the cluster engages in shared sexual experiences that challenge traditional binary gender roles and sexual orientation. The core eight are effectively pansexual, something Smith himself confirmed when he came out. Sense8 put queer representation at its center without making it feel superfluous.

‘Sense8’ Never Got the Conclusion It Deserved

For some, Sense8 falls out of the perfection category because of its ending. The two seasons were sensational, but then the series was cancelled. The series ended because, despite the passionate fan base, it was far too expensive. Despite the abrupt cancellation, the show did earn a movie special that wrapped up the Sense8 story thanks to a fervent online petition. Though the story ends there, the movie is ultimately seen as a thank you to the dedicated fans rather than the true ending the showrunners had in mind. Sense8 was forced to abandon the Season 2 cliffhanger, rushing to wrap up the series in 151 minutes rather than being given a full third season. It’s particularly disappointing after Straczynski confirmed a story was plotted for Season 3.

As much as it was wonderful spending one last adventure with the cluster, it was not the ending the series deserved. With hints of where certain characters’ trajectories would take them, it was clear Sense8 would have been on track for something extraordinary had it continued. But with a flaw that was completely out of the show’s control, Sense8‘s legacy will forever be that it was a groundbreaking sci-fi show that opened up doors for the types of stories that could be told in the genre.

Sense8 is available to stream on Netflix.

It’s a common theme in all apocalyptic stories: everything you cherish has been destroyed, and everything that remains is now uglier, harsher, or more vicious. This is one of the major rules established for the genre; you can anticipate it and be prepared.

Viewers may see that Station Eleven doesn’t necessarily deviate from that consistent theme but simply avoids the obvious. The end of civilization occurs with devastating speed and brutality, creating almost no room for the possibility that what occurred has not actually happened. However, the series ultimately focuses on what happens to people following the collapse — after the dust settles, after the sounds stop, and after the need to merely survive isn’t as important or as immediate as something else that is also difficult to articulate.

What ‘Station Eleven’ Is About

Image via HBO

The premise, on paper, sounds familiar enough: a devastating flu spreads across the globe, dismantling society in a matter of days as power grids fail, cities empty, and the world, as people knew it, disappears almost overnight. This narrative has a timeline that branches in various directions while still primarily focusing on Kirsten Raymonde (Mackenzie Davis). Her first appearance is as a child actor appearing in a stage performance of King Lear, while also being in the wrong place at the wrong time at the very beginning of the story.

She’s going through those first three terrifying days after the end of the world and has no way to do so without help from Jeevan Chaudhary (Himesh Patel), who happens to be in the audience and helps her out the entire way, even though he wasn’t prepared to deal with the surrounding devastation, anyhow.

Then the series jumps forward 20 years. Kirsten’s an adult now, played with a kind of wary precision by Davis, traveling with a troupe called the Traveling Symphony. They perform Shakespeare for scattered communities across the Midwest — small pockets of life stitched together in the aftermath.

Why It’s Worth Watching Even If You’re Tired of Pandemic Stories

Image via HBO Max

There’s a built-in resistance in a show about a global pandemic, released in the shadow of a real one, which is enough to make people hesitate. But Station Eleven doesn’t dwell where you think it will, as it skips over the how and the why of the issue and goes straight to the aftermath — the emotional residue people carry when everything familiar has been stripped away.

Art becomes the connective tissue, and this is not meant in any fancy or theoretical way; they are extremely practical examples. For instance, graphic novels are exchanged among people, as if they were sacred scriptures; another example is a troupe of actors producing Hamlet for audiences who don’t remember electric light.

There is a persistent idea that survival isn’t good enough, and for once, it feels more than just a catchphrase or something that happens without reason. The show works (very hard) toward this conclusion. Because of this, everything (especially, specifically, in the characters’ way) revolves around their need for stories, songs, and anything else they have that makes life more than mere survival or mere existence.

Though the entire structure is heavy, with each character’s story timeline ending in loss, the creator hasn’t sacrificed a balance of lightheartedness. This happens through precision, which relies on playing to the lighter side of each audience’s experience, using it to create moments of humor, timed differently relative to the overall duration.

The performances help ground all of this. Matilda Lawler’s young Kirsten feels startlingly real, not overly polished, not precocious in that artificial way TV sometimes leans on. Patel plays Jeevan like someone who never quite signed up for any of this but keeps going anyway. And Davis carries the older version of Kirsten with a kind of tension that never fully unwinds — like she’s always half-expecting the world to end again.

How ‘Station Eleven’ Reframes the Apocalypse Genre

Characters in the show cannot escape their pasts; however, they do not live entirely in the past either. There exists a tension: memory can serve as a source of comfort to characters, but also act as a burden. There is no clear resolution to this tension within the show; rather, its persistence is fitting. This sense of confusion may be one reason for the show’s effectiveness; it eliminates the temptation to end on a note where we assume that things cannot be rebuilt and/or that they never will be. Instead, it keeps asking — quietly, persistently — what if something still holds?

All 10 episodes of Station Eleven are available to stream on HBO Max, included with a standard subscription. It’s the kind of show that can be binged, but it might hit harder if you don’t rush it. Some episodes linger, and some need a minute to sink in.

There’s a version of this story that leans fully into despair, that treats the end of the world like a final statement about human nature, but Station Eleven doesn’t go that route. It cautiously suggests that the story may not end there, making it worth watching.

Lisa Kudrow is keeping it refreshingly real when it comes to love and her decades-long marriage. While attending the season 3 premiere of “The Comeback,” Lisa Kudrow opened up about what has kept her relationship with husband Michel Stern going strong for nearly 30 years, and according to her, it’s not complicated.

Lisa Kudrow Credits Simple Mindset For Lasting Love

“I think that’s all there is to it,” she said, per PEOPLE. “Mutual respect for the most part. But definitely wanting to stay together and then relearning mutual respect, practicing mutual respect and listening.”

Kudrow also reflected on the timing of her relationship, revealing that meeting Stern before her rise to fame played a major role in their lasting connection. The two first crossed paths in the late 1980s, when Stern was dating Kudrow’s roommate, and eventually built a relationship that led to marriage in 1995, just one year after Friends premiered.

“I feel like the luckiest thing that happened to me was that I met and fell in love with the man I was going to spend the rest of my life with before Friends, right before,” she said.

Kudrow Gets Real About What Marriage Actually Takes

For Kudrow, a successful marriage isn’t about perfection, but it’s about commitment and effort. “When we decided to get married, we understood: We’re not promising to love each other forever… but we are promising to work on whatever problems come up,” she shared. “We’re committed to our marriage working.”

She also emphasized the importance of individuality within a partnership. “I think people get in trouble when they assume they’re supposed to be one unit,” she added. “[Marriage] is like being on a team. Each teammate is different, but you have the same goal.”

Lisa Kudrow Has Awkward ‘Mom Mode’ Moment On Set

The premiere wasn’t just a date night for Kudrow and Stern, but it also turned into a family affair. The couple was joined by their 27-year-old son, Julian Murray Stern, who appears in the latest season of “The Comeback.” Kudrow couldn’t help but laugh while recalling a moment on set when she accidentally slipped into full mom mode.

“I was kind of tired, and my brain was just a little fuzzy, and I’ve been looking at lines,” she explained. “I walked in, and I saw Julian sitting on the couch with some other people, like, ‘Oh,’ and just walked over and climbed onto the couch right next to him and cuddled in.”

The unexpected moment didn’t go unnoticed by those around her. “And everyone just went … And he went, ‘Hi, Mom,’ and everyone was looking,” she continued. “It was maybe inappropriate, just like to climb on him. I think some people didn’t know he was my son. So they were still wondering, ‘What’s happening right now?’ ”

Inside Kudrow’s Decades-Long Marriage To Michel Stern

The actress married the advertising executive on May 27, 1995, in a ceremony held in Malibu, California, shortly after the first season of Friends wrapped. More than three decades later, the couple is still going strong and has built a life together that includes their son, Julian Murray Stern, whom they welcomed in 1998.

“When [Michel and I] decided to get married, we understood: We’re not promising to love each other forever, because you can’t do that, but we are promising to work on whatever problems come up,” she said when celebrating her 25th anniversary. “We’re committed to our marriage working. It turns out, after you have a history, there’s such a bond, and love takes another shape. But, oh, I don’t want to jinx it—I’m superstitious!”

“[Michel and I] respect each other’s independence, and I don’t mean that as a euphemism,” she continued. “I don’t mean relationship-wise outside the marriage. Clear? But I don’t like to travel. So if he wants to go on a golf trip, he goes.

The “Friends” actress went on to say, “I think people get in trouble [when they assume they’re] supposed to be one unit, in sync about everything. [Marriage] is like being on a team. Each teammate is different, but you have the same goal.”

Lisa Kudrow Says Marriage Really Is This Simple

At the end of the day, Kudrow’s message about marriage is clear. Through decades of change, career highs, and personal milestones, she and Stern have remained grounded in respect, communication, and a shared commitment to making it work.

And for Kudrow, that’s really all there is to it.

When you think of Disney‘s 1960s output, technicolor fairy tales, cartoon animals, and whimsical coming-of-age stories likely come to mind. Meanwhile, bombed-out Europe probably doesn’t ring a bell as one of the studio’s specialties that decade. Yet Disney’s 1963 World War II film, Miracle of the White Stallions, makes for a surprising entry in the studio’s canon. Directed by Arthur Hiller, the film sidesteps gunfire and life-altering grand deeds of war in favor of a tale about defiance, tradition, and the preservation of culture. Miracle of the White Stallions is based on Alois Podhajsky’s memoir The Dancing White Horses of Vienna, and it tells the real story of how Austria’s treasured Lipizzaner horses were rescued with the help of American soldiers during World War II.

From its very first frame, you can tell Miracle of the White Stallions is a different kind of war movie. It opens in a remote village in Austria, where we are introduced to the beauty and cultural significance of the Lipizzaner horses juxtaposed with the prevailing war chaos threatening them. In place of bombers and tanks, Hiller paints a romanticized portrait of the horses. He shows us how graceful they are, whether in their dance performances or in their intimate relationships within their handlers and each other. Hiller truly makes the horses co-stars alongside his human leads.

‘Miracle of the White Stallions’ Breaks the War-Movie Mold

Image via Walt Disney Productions

The film follows Colonel Podhajsky (Robert Taylor in a striking performance), head of the Spanish Riding School, who is keen on protecting the Lipizzaner stallions from destruction and, thus, preserving centuries-old symbols of Austrian culture. With war drawing closer to Vienna, Colonel Podhajsky’s first hurdle is convincing the Nazi army superiors to allow him to evacuate the horses. But even as he navigates one obstacle, several new ones spring up in its place. The film stands out for how it breaks the mold of war pictures in its era, stripping away combat spectacle that was a common element among movies in the genre, like The Longest Day and The Guns of Navarone. The film replaces spectacle with a narrative that builds tension from Colonel Podhajsky’s negotiation with the Nazis and the trust he commands from some soldiers within the ranks. His willingness to explore a collaboration with the supposed enemy — the American army led by Gen. George S. Patton (John Larch) — shows not only his determination, but also his unique courage.

‘Miracle of the White Stallions’ Showcases One of Robert Taylor’s Best Performances

An uncharacteristic part of Disney’s canon in the early 1960s, Miracle of the White Stallions was released at a time when the studio was turning out whimsical musicals and sunny adventures. So it was surprising when Arthur Hiller’s vision steered the war film into sterner waters. His direction is controlled, with pacing that is unhurried. He builds slowly from the historical context of the origin of the horses before delving into the grim state of current affairs and the danger it poses to that rich history. Hiller is less concerned with thrills than with tone and atmosphere. He shows us his characters — human and animal — in their natural habitat as the war looms. The animals are oblivious of the rising temperatures, while the human beings guarding them are worried that their conflict could destroy the stallions. Despite the film’s slow pace, Hiller’s choice to show these events taking place as if they are happening in real time makes you appreciate the film’s urgent call, particularly Colonel Podhajsky’s sense of responsibility to preserve history and tradition.

Taylor plays Podhajsky as if commanding a special operation. He is brisk, precise, and highly devoted. He desperately approaches any office that can accord him help, even when he knows it’s unlikely to bear fruit. Taylor is joined by an impressive cast, including Lilli Palmer as his wife Vedena, who brings tenderness to her role. She’s Podhajsky’s pillar in moments when everything seems to go awry, keeping him grounded and focused. Curd Jürgens (The Spy Who Loved Me) and Eddie Albert take their supporting roles with the seriousness they deserve.

In its look and feel, Miracle of the White Stallions is worlds away from the usual gloss of Disney escapism. But that is not to say that the film is lacking in mojo. Filmed partially in Vienna, including at the Spanish Riding School and the Hermesvilla estate where the real event happened, the movie’s authentic locations give it an emotional touch that leaves a lasting impression. The cinematography by Günther Anders and editing by Alfred Srp move with purpose, making use of long shots of horses in open courtyards juxtaposed with the shrinking spaces of wartime Vienna. The result is a film that lets you feel both grandeur and danger.

Related

20 Years Later, This Remains the Most Perfect R-Rated Sci-Fi Movie of All Time

Dystopian fiction is getting a little too close to reality.

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The score, too, underlines the stakes. Music by Paul J. Smith, with moments punctuated by Franz Schubert’s ingenuity of “Marche Militaire” and Felix Mendelssohn’s pieces, marries tradition with mounting tension. But Miracle of the White Stallions trusts silence as much as sound and horses as much as humans, giving the genre a refreshing look that asks questions about the culture of war and lost heritage as collateral damage.

While it isn’t difficult to identify the film as a ’60s release, the questions asked in its thought-provoking premise and central idea are as relevant in the conflicts of today as they were back then. Sixty-two years since its unique protagonists hoofed onto the screen, Miracle of the White Stallions deserves more light — not for what’s missing, but for what survives.

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Miracle of the White Stallions

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Release Date

March 29, 1963

Runtime

118 minutes

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Director

Arthur Hiller

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Writers

AJ Carothers

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Cast

• 

  Lilli Palmer

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  Vedena Podhajsky

• 

  Robert Taylor

  Col. Podhajsky

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As the saying goes, the devil works fast, but the internet works faster.

Or, in this case, golf fans work faster.

Just one day after Tiger Woods’ mug shot was released following his recent DUI arrest, fans at the Houston Open golf tournament in Texas were already rocking custom T-shirts featuring an image in support of the legendary golfer.

The white shirts displayed Woods’ mug shot front and center, with “#FreeTiger” printed underneath.

Fans wore the shirts to the third round of the PGA tournament on Saturday, March 28. The final round is scheduled for Sunday, March 29.

Woods, 50, was arrested on Friday, March 27, after he was involved in a rollover car accident in Jupiter Island, Florida. The 15-time major champion was charged with DUI, property damage and refusal to submit a lawful test after he declined to take a urinalysis test after authorities arrived at the scene of the accident.

While his breathalyzer test resulted in triple zeros, suggesting that Woods was not under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident, authorities suspected Woods of being under the influence of medications or drugs.

“The investigation started and initially right off the top, it did appear that the driver of the Land Rover might be impaired,” said Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek in a press conference on Friday. “And at that point, the chief of Jupiter Island Police Department called me from the Martin County Sheriff’s Office and asked for our assistance.

He continued, “We know we arrested a high profile figure … but it doesn’t matter who you are. If you break the law, we’re going to follow the law. That’s a really easy path to take.”

Woods’ mug shot was revealed on Friday after his arrest, along with photos from the crash. By Saturday afternoon, fans already had the photo printed on T-shirts at the Houston Open.

Related: What to Know About Tiger Woods’ Rollover Car Crash and DUI Arrest

Tiger Woods was arrested and charged with a DUI on March 27, 2026, after a rollover car crash in Jupiter Island, Florida, that left his Land Rover overturned on a two-lane road. The Martin County Sheriff’s Office confirmed in a press conference that Woods was charged with driving under the influence, property damage and refusal […]

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While Woods was never scheduled to compete in the Houston Open, he was on the precipice of a professional comeback prior to Friday’s accident as questions swirled about whether or not he would compete in April’s Masters tournament.

Meanwhile, World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler was slated to play in the Houston Open, but withdrew from the field before teeing off as he prepares for the birth of his second child. Scheffler should be back for the Masters.

Woods was involved in another single-car crash back in 2021, which resulted in a shattered ankle and two leg features. Authorities determined that the speed in which Woods was driving, and not the use of drugs or alcohol, resulted in the crash.

The golfer was also arrested under suspicion of DUI in 2017 during a traffic stop in Florida. The golfer pleaded guilty to reckless driving after various drugs, including pain killers, were found in his system.

DaBaby recently spoke about the financial fallout from his past homophobic rant. The rapper, born Jonathan Lyndale Kirk, was on the rise from 2019 to 2020. His momentum stalled in 2021 after facing backlash from major brands, celebrities, and social media users. Now, he is opening up about the impact it had on his finances.

DaBaby Says He Missed Out On Hundreds Of Thousands Of Dollars After Being Canceled In 2021

While appearing on the “Million Dollaz Worth Of Game” podcast, DaBaby revealed he was making upward of $300,000 before being canceled in 2021.

“I had a calendar full of shows. 350K, 350K, 375K, 400K, 300K,” he said before revealing his fee dropped significantly to “$30,000.”

Despite the fee change, DaBaby said he wasn’t deterred. In fact, he told the podcast host that he was more than happy to accept those gigs.

“No, I went and got that,” he said.

Why Was DaBaby Canceled In 2021? His Homophobic Rant Went Viral

For those unfamiliar, DaBaby made headlines in July 2021 while performing at Rolling Loud Miami.

During his set, DaBaby made a series of homophobic and offensive comments. “If you didn’t show up today with HIV, AIDS, or any of them deadly sexually transmitted diseases that’ll make you die in two to three weeks, then put your cellphone lighter up,” he said.

“Ladies, if your p—- smell like water, put your cellphone lighter up. Fellas, if you ain’t sucking d— in the parking lot, put your cellphone lighter up,” he added.

DaBaby, of course, received pushback; however, he defended himself online, calling himself the “best live performer” before saying his comments were misconstrued.

“My gay fans, they take care of themselves. They ain’t no nasty gay n—as. See what I’m saying? They ain’t no junkies in the street. The hell you talking about, n—as? Then I said if you ain’t sucking d— in the parking lot, put your cellphone lighter up. You know what my gay fans did? Put that motherf—ing light up, n—a, ’cause my gay fans ain’t going for that. They got class. They ain’t sucking no d— in no parking lot,” he wrote.

Celebrities Slam DaBaby After Sharing Homophobic Rant

The backlash DaBaby faced wasn’t limited to social media users. Celebrities also spoke out, including Dua Lipa, who had recently released a remix of her hit song “Levitating” featuring the rapper. Fans called for her to pull his feature, which she did.

“I’m surprised and horrified at DaBaby’s comments. I really don’t recognize this as the person I worked with,” she said in a statement. “I know my fans know where my heart lies and that I stand 100% with the LGTBQ community. We need to come together to fight the stigma and ignorance around HIV/AIDS.”

Demi Lovato, too, blasted the rapper, writing on Instagram that “HIV is not a gay disease.”

Elton John and Madonna also condemned DaBaby’s statements, while the fashion brand BoohooMAN cut ties with the rapper following the release of their collaboration a month prior.

“Diversity and inclusion are part of the boohoo Groups DNA and we pride ourselves on representing the diverse customers we serve across the globe. We stand by and support the LGBTQ+ community, and do not tolerate hate speech or discrimination in any form,” their statement read.

Rapper Apologizes After Career Begins To Suffer

After his comments, three different festivals pulled DaBaby from their lineups, seemingly prompting the rapper to issue an apology.

“Anybody who done ever been affected by AIDS/HIV y’all got the right to be upset, what I said was insensitive even though I have no intentions on offending anybody. So my apologies,” he wrote.

Days later, he issued another apology on his Instagram, writing, “I want to apologize to the LGBTQ+ community for the hurtful and triggering comments I made. Again, I apologize for my misinformed comments about HIV/AIDS and I know education on this is important. Love to all. God bless.”

However, netizens noticed the apology had been deleted from his account less than a week later.

Other Rappers Speak Out And Show Their Support

“Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star Taylor Frankie Paul’s neighbor called the police moments before her 2023 arrest, according to a new report. The Hulu reality star was allegedly heard screaming and seen repeatedly entering and exiting her Utah home during a domestic dispute with her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen.

Taylor Frankie Paul Heard Screaming ‘Get Off Me’ Moments Before Her 2023 Arrest

Us Weekly obtained Paul’s neighbor’s 911 call the night of her arrest. During the call, Paul’s neighbor revealed that they had observed the reality star having an intense argument with Mortensen.

“First, there’s like domestic violence; somebody is screaming, ‘get off me.’ There is a woman screaming,” the neighbor said on the phone. “The garage door keeps opening and shutting. It sounds like she’s trying to get out.”

Paul’s neighbor explained that they noticed someone repeatedly coming and going. “Somebody’s getting in the truck,” the neighbor said. “So, it looks like the lady who was screaming might be leaving right now. … [She] actually didn’t leave. Now, she’s going back in the house.”

Paul’s Neighbor Didn’t Want Her To Know They Called The Police

Elsewhere during the call, Paul’s neighbor attempted to share more information about the reality star’s family life with the 911 operator.

“I know they have kids, [but]  I don’t know if the kids are there right now, because I think she shares time with her ex-husband,” they said. “I would love to know if they’re OK. I mean, it looks like she’s OK right now. I don’t know if somebody else in there was screaming.”

While Paul’s neighbor admitted on the call that they were unsure what was actually happening, they were certain that they didn’t want to be involved. “But anyway, I don’t really want them to know that I’m the one that’s calling the police,” the caller said.

Taylor Frankie Paul Seen Throwing Chairs At Ex-Boyfriend In 2023 Video

The recovered 911 call comes weeks after a video appearing to show Paul striking Mortensen and pulling his hair went viral online, according to The Blast.

Elsewhere in the video, Paul is seen appearing to choke Mortensen before throwing several metal chairs at him, even hitting her own daughter in the process.

“This is called physical abuse. This is all you do,” Mortensen could be heard saying in the shocking video. “It’s the only thing you know how to do is hurt me. You think this is OK? It’s not OK. Holy sh-t.”

The release of the assault video also had major implications on Paul’s career, as ABC canceled her season of “The Bachelorette,” which would’ve been currently airing.

“In light of the newly released video just surfaced today, we have made the decision to not move forward with the new season of The Bachelorette at this time, and our focus is on supporting the family,” a Disney spokesperson said.

Cinanbon also backed out of its partnership with ABC and “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.”

“Cinnabon has made the decision to terminate its collaboration with ‘The Bachelorette’ and ‘The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.’ Recent developments and allegations surrounding the lead cast member led us to reassess this collaboration as it no longer aligns with our brand values,” the company said to PEOPLE.

Taylor Frankie Paul Saddened By Ongoing Drama

While Paul may be used to dealing with conflict on reality TV, the mother of three got candid about how the ongoing drama between her and Mortensen had impacted her.

“Honestly, just like, my heart hurts to see it, to go through it, especially at this time,” she said. “Just the timing is hard, and it’s a big deal. I feel like every premiere that I’ve experienced, I’ve never enjoyed fully, so this is another one… it’s extremely hard, and it took everything to get me here today.”

Mortensen Breaks His Silence

In a statement to Entertainment Weekly, Mortensen’s rep said his primary focus was protecting his and Paul’s son, Ever.

The rep added that Mortensen’s plan has always been to stay out of the drama; however, after the latest series of events, he’s realized he has to speak up.

“He was just hoping that if he says nothing, as he usually does, it would go away. He’s never done any kind of sit-down interview about his side,” they said. “He kind of just lets it all happen to him, and I think he realizes with the severity of everything now that he just can’t do that.”

A growing number of Hollywood stars have begun trading Los Angeles for life in France, and experts are now offering a reason for this trend.

Stars like George Clooney and Natalie Portman lead the exodus, which is believed to be tied to the “pressure cooker” landscape in Hollywood.

In contrast, France is said to offer privacy, culture, and a quieter lifestyle, which these celebrities are reportedly drawn to.

Experts Claim Hollywood No Longer Offer The Same Appeal To Celebrities

In recent years, Hollywood stars such as George Clooney and Natalie Portman have left Los Angeles to build lives in France, while some have also chosen to relocate overseas despite already being well-established in their home country.

Although these departures have occurred at different times, experts say they are all driven by the idea that Hollywood no longer offers the same appeal it once did. did.

“Hollywood has become deeply political in recent years, and for some celebrities, that environment can feel like a pressure cooker,” cultural commentator Jonathan Alpert told Fox News Digital.

The Stars Are Under Constant Scrutiny In Hollywood

Alpert specifically pointed to the intense scrutiny celebrities face in Hollywood, where even the smallest actions are now often picked apart.

He suggested that this constant attention can become overwhelming, leading some stars to feel that stepping away from that environment is the best decision for their well-being.

“Every comment, role, or social media post is scrutinized through a political or culture-war lens, and that kind of atmosphere can push people to look for some distance,” the expert noted.

Celebrities Like George Clooney And Natalie Portman Were Drawn By The Privacy France Offers

Regarding Portman, she relocated to France over a decade ago with French dancer and choreographer Benjamin Millepied, whom she married in 2012. Meanwhile, Clooney and his wife, Amal Clooney, have owned a home in the country since 2021 and recently became naturalized.

While both couples had personal reasons for making the move, experts believe the decision is largely influenced by the level of privacy France offers, along with its many other lifestyle advantages.

“France has always had a special pull for artists and celebrities. Paris and the South of France offer culture, architecture, food, and history in a way very few places do,” Celebrity real estate agent Josh Flagg shared.

“But the biggest factor is privacy. In many parts of France, even major stars can live relatively normal lives compared to Los Angeles. There’s also a long tradition of creatives gravitating there.”

Experts Believe Only Established Celebrities Can Step Away From Hollywood

In the coming years, it is believed that more stars will follow in the footsteps of Clooney and Portman. However, those most likely to make the move are established names with enough reputation and industry pull to continue landing major roles even while living outside Hollywood.

“When you’re starting out, you need to be in Los Angeles. But once your career is established, you can fly in when you need to work. At that point, privacy, security, and overall quality of life become much bigger priorities,” said Flagg.

As of now, Clooney and his family still maintain strong ties to the U.S., and it’s likely that Portman does as well despite spending years abroad. This pattern is expected to continue for those choosing to step away from Hollywood.

“Most of these stars aren’t truly leaving the American entertainment world. They still work here and often maintain homes here. In many cases, it’s less an exodus and more about creating breathing room from the scrutiny and political intensity that surrounds Hollywood today,” Alpert shared.

The Reasons Some Celebrities Gave For Leaving Hollywood

Last year, Portman revealed in an interview with Net-A-Porter that she was particularly drawn to France because of the country’s value for privacy.

“They’re very good at privacy here. I feel like the biggest compliment is ‘elle est très discrète’ [‘she is very discreet’],” Portman told the outlet.

Meanwhile, Clooney told Esquire that fearing his kids wouldn’t enjoy the same kind of life he lived while growing up was a major factor for him.

“I was worried about raising our kids in L.A., in the culture of Hollywood. I felt like they were never going to get a fair shake at life,” he shared in the interview.

“Breaking Bad” star Aaron Paul told Travel + Leisure that the country’s food, history, and his desire for his kids to learn another language sold him.

Christina Milan, another star who lives in France, also shares similar sentiments and told People Magazine that she and her family may reside in the country for most of their lives.

The word “bravery” is sometimes overused when describing the filmmaking process; while it does take stamina to put one’s creative ideas on display, making a film is rarely a legitimately dangerous act. However, the acclaimed Iranian filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof was targeted by the government prior to the premiere of his film The Seed of the Sacred Fig, as it was deemed “propaganda” by the authorities. Rasoulof had previously been arrested for protesting the government but was released and able to film The Seed of the Sacred Fig in secret so that it could debut at the Cannes Film Festival. And now you can watch this powerful film on Hulu.

Although he was sentenced to eight years in prison, Rasoulof fled by foot to Europe and was able to complete editing The Seed of the Sacred Fig in Germany. Although The Seed of the Sacred Fig was submitted and nominated as Germany’s entry for the Academy Award for Best International Feature, it also stands as an important work of political filmmaking that should turn the eyes of the world to the horrific situation going on in Tehran.

What Is ‘The Seed of the Sacred Fig’ About?

Image via NEON

Although the story of the film is fictional, The Seed of the Sacred Fig is set during the real Iranian protests in 2022, in which critics of the government took to the streets after a young woman was killed under suspicious circumstances; real footage from the events was incorporated by Rasoulof to provide contextual information. The film centers on the lawyer Iman (Missagh Zareh), who is appointed to be a federal judge within the Revolutionary Court and given a gun to defend himself. Iman begins to grow agitated about his work, as he learns that he will pass execution orders given to him by higher-ranking officials; he is also not allowed to pass along any information about the nature of his work to his wife, Najmeh (Soheila Golestani), who raises their adolescent children Rezvan (Mahsa Rostami) and Sana (Setareh Maleki). The situation spirals out of control when Iman discovers that the gun is missing, leading him to question the loyalties of the family he thought he could trust.

The Seed of the Sacred Fig explores how the governmental practices in Iran cause the splintering of one family, as the film is tightly focused on how paranoia and fear cause Iman to act irrationally. Iman is so used to being tracked by the government that he knows that any mistake on his part could cause significant consequences; since the gun was registered to him, its involvement in any crime could be traced back to him. Iman’s situation is more strenuous because he does not feel that there is anyone that he can trust; while he is afraid that any other government employees would inform on him to steal his position, he also comes to suspect his family, as Rezvan has become increasingly interested in the revolutionary movement. Although Iman is terrified of the power that the authoritative regime holds, he also fears that he could be targeted by protesters if they knew of his real employment.

What Impact Will ‘The Seed of the Sacred Fig’ Have?

The Seed of the Sacred Fig examines why Iran is in a period of political stagnation, as many people who disagree with the government are forced into isolation. While Rezvan discovers that there are many others on social media that share her resentment towards the law enforcement process, Iman is so obsessed with avoiding political conversations that he prevents the family from watching television news or having any active conversations about controversial topics. Although Iman acts in ways that may seem irrational, it’s easy to understand how a man with no support system would be willing to put his family in such intense situations.

The Seed of the Sacred Fig is a great piece of filmmaking, as it is rare to find a film nearly three hours in length in which every scene advances the narrative and reveals something new about the characters. However, the danger that Rasoulof experienced shows how powerful cinema can be, as there was genuine fear on the part of the Iranian government that The Seed of the Sacred Fig could inspire sympathy for the protesters. Rasoulof has earned his place among the great filmmakers working today, but he’s also helped to influence important conversations about an experience that many viewers may be ignorant of.

The phrase “hang it in the Louvre” has become commonplace for images so iconic that they are masterpieces in their own right. Now, imagine an entire film built on iconic shots, each image worthy of living in a museum. From arthouse films to big-budget epics, black-and-white masterpieces to Technicolor classics, when a movie looks that astounding, it should be celebrated.

The films that make this list are revered for an array of reasons, but from a visual standpoint, they’re extraordinary. Spanning all genres, from sci-fi to fantasy, the shots in these movies live rent-free in our minds. Some have even been turned into posters or inspired other artistic media. For this list, we are avoiding animated features, as they would be a part of a different celebration. When the film hall of fame calls for visual masterpieces, these titles will proudly hang on the wall.

1

‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’ (2014)

Image via Searchlight Pictures

This entire list could be a Wes Anderson tribute piece. As a lover of his distinct style, drawn to symmetry and color, I have a deep appreciation for the visuals in his films. The director’s vision has inspired social media, as it’s well-suited to photography. While all of his films utilize the Anderson effect, his most beautiful film is The Grand Budapest Hotel. A fast-paced, stylized caper, the story follows Monsieur Gustave H. (Ralph Fiennes), a legendary concierge at a famed European hotel between the wars, and his loyal lobby boy protégé, Zero Moustafa (Tony Revolori). The unlikely duo becomes embroiled in a battle for a massive family fortune, the theft of a priceless painting, and a murder mystery. A vibrant romp with a star-studded ensemble, The Grand Budapest Hotel may be Anderson’s greatest artistic achievement.

Harkening back to a 1930s aesthetic, Anderson meticulously chooses colors to reflect the period. Utilizing richly thematic colors, including beautifully muted pinks against the deeply bold reds, the color palette sets it apart from anything he’s done before. In a memory play, when the story hops back to 1968 as a young writer visits the dilapidated hotel, the colors are in sharp contrast to display the loss of a once-vibrant Europe. Visually, it’s as if Anderson tells his layered story within a dream-like dollhouse. Even with an aura of whimsy, the painstakingly pristine, symmetrical compositions are glorious. Whether straight-on or angled, Anderson blocks his performers so precisely that they become part of the set. Using adorable miniatures and switches in aspect ratio, The Grand Budapest Hotel is truly one of the most beautiful movies Anderson has ever made.

2

‘Amelie’ (2001)

Image via Miramax

When you craft a whimsically innovative film, chances are it’s going to turn out like a work of art. Such was the case for Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s Amelie. The French-language romantic comedy tells the story of a shy, imaginative waitress named Amélie Poulain (Audrey Tautou) living in Paris. After finding a hidden box of childhood treasures, she decides to anonymously improve the lives of the eccentric people around her, ultimately finding the courage to pursue her own love and happiness. A romanticized, colorful version of Paris, the backdrop becomes a character in its own right. The bricolage version of Amelie’s Paris allows for the film to stand on its own.

With a delightful performance from Tautou, it pairs perfectly with the charming color palette, and the optimistic mission of the story shines through. The warm, saturated color story evokes a dreamlike sense of nostalgia. From there, the cinematography by Bruno Delbonnel, when focusing on close-ups of small pleasures like cracking crème brûlée, becomes its own important cinematic moment. With surrealistic elements woven in, Amelie’s imagery is synonymous with the film, and there’s yet to be a film to match its splendor.

3

‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ (1968)

Image via MGM

Perhaps the most important film ever made is Stanley Kubrick’s masterpiece 2001: A Space Odyssey. The breathtaking epic covers humanity’s evolution from prehistoric times to the future with mysterious alien monoliths. With an imposing black structure serving as a link between the past and the future, Dr. Dave Bowman (Keir Dullea) and his team of astronauts are sent on a mysterious voyage. Their ship’s sentient computer system, HAL 9000, begins to exhibit increasingly strange behavior, leading to a tense battle between man and machine that culminates in a mind-bending trek through space and time. An enigmatic film, 2001: A Space Odyssey, took audiences places they’d never seen before. And let’s just say, Kubrick’s brilliant vision is why.

Through single-point cinematography, Kubrick’s composition drew the eye to the center of the screen, creating a breathtaking photographic aura. You can even call it a moving painting. Using showing-not-telling visual storytelling, Kubrick allowed for long, mesmerizing takes to bring the audience along for the ride. A film made pre-CGI, everything is practical, using physical models. When you watch Bowman, dressed in a rich burnt red, walk inside the stark white Discovery, you understand why it’s the most popular shot in the film. Then, as he’s drawn into Star Gate, you’re taken by a vortex of colored light, bizarre landscapes, and inexplicable cosmic events. It’s a beautifully shot ending to a groundbreaking film.

4

‘8 1/2’ (1963)

Image via Colombia Pictures

Of course, a film about a filmmaker is going to be a good-looking piece, especially when it serves as your autobiography. Such was the case for Federico Fellini’s 8 1/2. The film follows a famous Italian director, Guido Anselmi (Marcello Mastroianni), suffering from intense creative blockage. As he tries to produce a science-fiction film, he struggles with his professional pressures, personal relationships, memories, and fantastical dreams. Blurring the lines between reality and fantasy and the pain and pressure of the creation process, Fellini masters the beautiful confusion of a director’s mind through extraordinary imagery.

Revolutionizing the way surrealism, dreams, and memory are integrated into the creative process, Fellini’s marvel brings meta-cinema to pioneering heights. Shot by Gianni Di Venanzo, 8 1/2 utilizes high-contrast black-and-white shots as an homage to films of the past. Then, the manner in which the camera moves is like a choreographed ballet, providing sharp shots that convey the narrative as characters move in and out of the foreground and background, building a new portrait within the mindscape. The spherical cinematographic process proved to be the magic touch. With every shot resembling a beautiful photography exhibit, 8 1/2 is all about pushing the bounds of what art can be. There’s a reason why 8 1/2 transformed seamlessly into a stunning musical.

5

‘North by Northwest’ (1959)

Image via MGM

The crop duster in the cornfield scene. We could leave it just there, but we won’t, as there is so much to discuss. Directed by the legend himself, Alfred Hitchcock, North by Northwest is a finely tuned spy thriller. Roger Thornhill (Cary Grant) is a New York advertising executive mistaken for a government agent named George Kaplan by foreign spies. Pursued across the U.S., he tries to clear his name while caught in a deadly web of espionage, romance, and iconic action sequences. A man on the run story, Hitchcock takes viewers on a tour of America, from New York to the Midwest, with a conclusion at Mount Rushmore. With stylish suspense, Hitchcock’s visually driven action sequences have provided iconic shots that have gone down in history.

A top-tier Hitchcock film, it stands out from many others for the way he composes large-scale scenes with such profound mastery. Many films on this list are revered for their intimacy; North by Northwest bravely zooms out for grandeur. Now, one may think that the climactic finale was filmed on location, but it was not. Instead, Hitchcock and his team replicated the infamous landmark, thereby achieving a major technical feat. The specificity of the art direction imbues this film with a timelessness that continually marks it as one of the greatest cinematic feats.

6

‘Speed Racer’ (2008)

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

There have been countless films that have tried to adapt cartoons into live action, abandoning their cartoon imagery. It’s a fine choice, but the allure and charm don’t always hold. But then, in 2008, the Wachowskis took a beloved cartoon and figured out just how to make the two-dimensional world shine in a three-dimensional world. Speed Racer, one of the most underrated films of all time, lifts Tatsuo Yoshida‘s manga series and drops it into a high-speed visual acid trip that maintains the integrity of its source material. The film follows a young, talented driver named Speed (Emile Hirsch), who navigates a corrupt, corporate-dominated racing world to save his family’s independent business. After rejecting a deal with the villainous Royalton Industries, Speed uncovers fixed races and teams up with his family, girlfriend Trixie (Christina Ricci), and the mysterious Racer X (Matthew Fox) to win the dangerous championship. Highly stylized, visually vibrant, and CGI-heavy, Speed Racer is a masterclass in filmmaking.

The Wachowskis have great reverence for the source material, yet avoid the potential corniness to build a neon-soaked universe that became the epitome of being “posterized.” Through pop art, cubism, and technical CGI enhancements, Speed Racer is a welcome sensory assault in which physical laws are pushed aside for maximum visual pleasure, going to the max with color saturation to craft a surreal universe that’s in perpetual motion. As someone who attended a midnight viewing on opening night, Speed Racer is a moving art installation straight from your wildest imagination. ​​​​​​​

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7

‘The Wizard of Oz’ (1939)

Image via Warner Bros.

Classic Hollywood’s journey from black and white to Technicolor was a glorious transition. Perhaps the film that defined that shift was the timeless classic, The Wizard of Oz. The film tells the story of Dorothy Gale (Judy Garland), a young farm girl from Kansas, who is swept away via a tornado to the magical Land of Oz, where she embarks on a quest along the Yellow Brick Road to find the powerful Wizard (Frank Morgan) in the Emerald City to help her get home. On her journey, she meets three new friends, each of whom is seeking something of their own from the Wizard (Frank Morgan) — the Scarecrow (Ray Bolger), who needs a brain; the Tin Man (Jack Haley), who needs a heart; and the Cowardly Lion (Bert Lahr), who needs courage. From a sepia reality turned colorful dream world, The Wizard of Oz’s iconography has already found itself in museums, because each shot is spectacular.

Directed by Victor Fleming, The Wizard of Oz was a technological innovation using tremendous production design that magically came to life. Every single set piece was meticulously crafted, reminding viewers that colors aren’t just a simple shade. With brilliant detail, the yellow-coated bricks pop. The perfect shade of green allowed the Emerald City to dazzle. Then, without that precise red, those famous ruby slippers wouldn’t be nearly as memorable. Bring all the colors together, and The Wizard of Oz transports you into this immersive world over the rainbow. The Wizard of Oz is the definition of why color is so integral. When we head back to Kansas and Dorothy awakes in bed to her friends by her side, returning to the sepia world serves as a reminder of how important our imagination is to us. Even that shot with the trio flanking Dorothy while in bed left a lasting impact. There’s not a single shot in The Wizard of Oz that hasn’t impacted pop culture and cinema since.

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Collider Exclusive · Star Wars Quiz
Which Force User
Are You?
Light Side · Dark Side · Or Somewhere Between

The Force is not a binary. It is a spectrum — from the serene halls of the Jedi Temple to the shadowed corridors of Sith space. Ten questions will reveal where you truly fall. The Force has always known. Now you will too.

🔵Jedi Master

🟡Padawan

🔴Sith Lord

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⚫Inquisitor

⚪Grey Jedi

IGNITE YOUR SABER →

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01

What is the Force to you?
Your relationship with the Force defines everything else.

AA living energy I must be worthy of — it is not mine to control.
BSomething vast and mysterious I’m only beginning to understand.
CNeither light nor dark — just a current I choose to ride.
DPower. Pure and simple. The strong take it; the weak don’t.

NEXT QUESTION →

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02

When you feel strong emotions — anger, grief, love — what do you do?
The Jedi suppress. The Sith feed. Others choose differently.

AAcknowledge them, then release them. Attachment leads to suffering.
BFeel them fully, then decide what to do — they’re not the enemy.
CBury them. Emotion is a liability I can’t afford to indulge.
DUse them. Passion is the engine of the dark side for good reason.

NEXT QUESTION →

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03

The Jedi Council gives you an order you disagree with. You:
How you handle authority reveals your alignment.

AFollow it. The Council’s wisdom surpasses my own perspective.
BVoice my objection clearly, then defer to the decision.
CComply outwardly while doing what I think is right.
DIgnore it. The strong don’t answer to committees.

NEXT QUESTION →

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04

You are offered forbidden knowledge that could give you enormous power. The cost is crossing a moral line. You:
The dark side’s pull is never more than a choice away.

ARefuse without hesitation. There is no cost worth that price.
BWeigh it carefully — sometimes darkness holds real answers.
CFeel the pull but walk away — for now.
DAccept it. Power justifies the method used to obtain it.

NEXT QUESTION →

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05

Your approach to training and learning is:
A student’s habits become a master’s character.

ADedicated but humble. There is always more to learn from my masters.
BRigorous and patient. Mastery is earned through years of discipline.
CEclectic — I draw from every tradition, not just one.
DRelentless and brutal. Pain accelerates growth. Rest is weakness.

NEXT QUESTION →

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06

In a duel, your lightsaber fighting style reflects:
Combat is the purest expression of a Force user’s philosophy.

ADefense and composure — I wait for my opponent to overcommit.
BFast and instinctive — I trust the Force to guide my movements.
CUnpredictable — I blend styles to keep enemies off-balance.
DOverwhelming aggression — I end fights before they begin.

NEXT QUESTION →

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07

A defeated enemy lies at your feet, powerless. You:
Mercy — or its absence — is the truest test of alignment.

AStrike them down — compassion toward enemies is naïve and costly.
BNeutralize them permanently. I can’t afford loose ends.
CSpare them if I can — but stay clear-eyed about the risks.
DOffer them a chance to surrender. Every being deserves that.

NEXT QUESTION →

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08

The Jedi Code forbids attachment. Your honest view on love and bonds:
The source of the greatest falls in the galaxy.

AThe Code is right. Attachment clouds judgment and invites suffering.
BLove is not a weakness — the Jedi Code got this one wrong.
CI have no attachment — only loyalty to my master’s mission.
DI feel it deeply but struggle to reconcile it with my training.

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09

Why do you use the Force at all? What’s the point?
Purpose is the difference between a knight and a weapon.

ATo learn. I’m still figuring out what I’m capable of.
BTo protect and serve. The Force is a responsibility, not a gift.
CTo survive — and maybe carve out something worth having.
DTo dominate. Strength demands to be expressed, not contained.

NEXT QUESTION →

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10

At the final moment — light side or dark side pulling at you — what wins?
In the end, every Force user faces this moment. What does yours look like?

AThe light. I choose peace, even when darkness would be easier.
BNeither fully — I carve my own path through the middle.
CWhoever I serve — my loyalty defines me more than my morality.
DThe dark. Power is the only thing that’s ever actually been real.

REVEAL MY ALIGNMENT →

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Your Alignment Has Been Determined
Your Place in the Force

The scores below reveal how the Force sees you. Your highest number is your true alignment. Read on to understand what that means — and what it will cost you.

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🔵
Jedi Master

🟡
Padawan

🔴
Sith Lord

⚫
Inquisitor

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⚪
Grey Jedi

Disciplined, compassionate, and deeply attuned to the living Force, you have walked the path long enough to understand its demands — and accept them. You lead not through authority alone, but through example. You have felt the pull of the dark side and chosen otherwise, every time. That is not certainty. That is courage.

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You are earnest, powerful, and brimming with potential — and you know it, which is both your greatest asset and your most dangerous flaw. You act before you think, trust your gut over your training, and sometimes confuse impatience for bravery. The Masters see something in you, though. The question isn’t whether you have what it takes — it’s whether you’ll be patient enough to find out.

You are not simply dangerous — you are certain, and that is worse. You have decided what the galaxy needs, and you have decided you are the one to deliver it. Your power is genuine and formidable, earned through sacrifice that would have broken lesser beings. But examine your victories carefully. Every Sith believed their cause was righteous. The dark side’s cruelest trick is that it agrees with you.

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You were forged in fire and reshaped by those who found you at your lowest. You serve, because service gave you structure when you had none. Your allegiance is not to an ideology — it is to survival and to the master who gave you purpose. But there is something buried beneath the conditioning. The Jedi you hunt? You recognize them. Because you remember what it felt like before the choice was taken from you.

You have looked at the Jedi Code and the Sith Code and found both of them incomplete. You walk the line not out of indecision but out of conviction — you genuinely believe both extremes miss something essential. The Jedi don’t fully trust you. The Sith think you’re wasting your potential. They’re both partially right. But so are you.

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8

‘The Tree of Life’ (2011)

Image via Searchlight Pictures

A profound, poetic exploration of existence, the Terrence Malick-directed film The Tree of Life looks and feels like a beautiful painting. The experimental drama centers on Jack (Sean Penn), who reconciles childhood memories of his stern father (Brad Pitt) and loving mother (Jessica Chastain) with the vast, humbling scale of existence. Of course, Jack’s parents represent a way of living. Mr. O’Brien represents the way of nature — selfishness and survival — while Mrs. O’Brien represents the way of grace, selflessness, and love. Through the cosmic significance of the mundane, as filtered through the memories of a reflective man, Malick evokes a symbolic vocabulary through which he crafts the visual story.

The Tree of Life’s cinematographer, Emmanuel Lubezki, uses the world around us to the film’s advantage. Through the mastery of natural light, Lubezki gives Jack a visceral image to remember. By staying away from artificial lighting, the shots feel believably lived-in, like a memory. Using the luscious colors of nature, The Tree of Life showcases the beauty we may take for granted. The fleeting moments, such as a hand touching a plant or the sun beaming through the trees, become a grand surrealist painting. Now, lest we forget, The Tree of Life also dives through the history of creation. In doing so, the story intertwines intimate shots of personal moments in Texas, juxtaposed with the massive shots of the universe’s creation. It helps to make those natural moments look simply majestic. Malick’s film is a reflective meditation on life, death, and divinity, heightened by the splendor of the images. ​​​​​​​

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9

‘Apocalypse Now’ (1979)

Image via United Artists

The horrors of war may not sound like something that would be visually stunning, but then Francis Ford Coppola made Apocalypse Now. The visceral imagery was so perfectly reflective of the Vietnam War that it changed war films forever. A surreal look at the Vietnam War, Apocalypse Now tells the story of a river journey from South Vietnam into Cambodia undertaken by Captain Willard (Martin Sheen) during a secret mission to assassinate Colonel Kurtz (Marlon Brando), a renegade Special Forces officer accused of murder and presumed insane. Through the lens of war, Apocalypse Now is a psychological examination of the descent into the heart of darkness. To capture the sensational horror of war, Coppola shot the film with a meticulous, organic approach that then exploded into a surreal nightmare. As sanity is lost in the soldiers, the film opens up into a wonderland of images. Right from the start, the surreal montage of palm trees exploding into flame and bold shots of helicopters in flight set an instantly artistic tone for this war thriller.

Cinematographer Vittorio Storaro‘s use of color and light brought out a mesmerizing sense of storytelling. Specified by mastery of light and shadow, Storaro captured the characters’ inner turmoil. Just look at how Brando is framed, with only parts of his face in the light. The shafts of light that pierce through the dark, foggy jungle move the film from a simple war documentary to a phantasmagoria. One of the most famous shots in film history is of Sheen in the water. The brilliance of the warm amber light hitting his face is evocative. Through the use of color, each character had a color story to define them. Take, for instance, Robert Duvall‘s Colonel Kilgore. He’s often shown in scenes featuring vividly bright colors that match his larger-than-life demeanor and his insane reality. Apocalypse Now is a film that holds a mirror up to the feelings about the Vietnam War. With the perception being negative, Coppola crafted a living nightmare to provoke the trauma of the war.

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10

‘Sin City’ (2005)

Image via Miramax Films

Sin City might be one of those films you’ve forgotten about, but the truth is, it’s a visual marvel that deserves more recognition. Directed by Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller, and based on Miller’s comic book series, Sin City perfectly elevates the hand-drawn masterpiece into a three-dimensional world where every single original panel becomes the storyboard for the picture. The anthology film follows multiple interconnected storylines of violence, revenge, and redemption in the corrupt, fictional Basin City, featuring characters such as a brutish vigilante, a retired cop, and a hitman grappling with sordid crimes. With an all-star cast, including Bruce Willis, Clive Owen, Jessica Alba, Rosario Dawson, Brittany Murphy, Josh Hartnett, Benicio del Toro, and more, the faithfully crafted monochromatic pulp noir was a feast for the eyes.

The introduction of color into black-and-white film often serves as an essential storytelling device. Look at films like Schindler’s List and Pleasantville. When the colors emerge, it’s a sign for the audience that it’s important for the story. Here, color tends to represent corruption or innocence, separating good characters from the dark, gray world they inhabit. Watching Sin City is literally like seeing a comic book in motion. The close-ups, the camera swoops, the precise angles, all come together for a fascinating composition. The dark visual mode helped establish the noir tone of classic thrillers while preserving the comic’s integrity. Allowing the film to live in a surreal world amplified each shot into a comic frame. Through digital construction and vibrant splashes of color, Sin City is an atmospheric accomplishment.

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