Minority Mindset

As a die-hard Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) fan, let me tell you that one of the most unexpected deaths in Phase 4 was that of the Scarlet Witch in “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness”. Although Wanda Maximoff’s end might have been set in stone during the sequel to “Doctor Strange”, there’s still a lot of chatter online about her fate, given how strong a character she was. With the Multiverse Saga due to wrap up and a reset on the horizon, a fresh piece of news could potentially clarify Scarlet Witch’s destiny – and it promises to be electrifying!

A significant portion of this is accomplished through acting and cinematography. The film portrays Maddie’s complicated relationship with food by depicting her looking at and consuming it in a passionate yet unhealthy manner. This begins subtly, as the meals she prepares, initially made to appear appealing, leave traces of sauce or frosting on her face due to her eating them too hastily – something many people can likely relate to after skipping a meal. However, the film soon progresses to a scene of binge-eating, where Maddie aggressively stuffs food into her mouth in a dimly lit kitchen. She forces it down by drinking milk so quickly that it drips off her chin. This scene is shot up close and in a way that could be described as borderline explicit, with sound design so intense that it could trigger a strong response in someone with misophonia.

During its debut weekend, I was among many who caught the movie “Caught Stealing.” To put it simply, Austin Butler’s film about a man in the wrong place at the wrong time provided an enjoyable, exhilarating viewing experience. As several critics have noted, even TopMob’s review included, Darren Aronofsky’s newest work might be darker and more violent at times than his past films, but it offers a more uplifting and entertaining journey compared to his previous projects.

In simpler terms, Olivier Assayas’s film portrays the story of Russia in the 21st century, focusing on a character inspired by real-life figures, such as a playwright, media mogul, and political strategist (played chilling by Paul Dano). This character helps put Vladimir Putin (delivered well by Jude Law) into power and works tirelessly to maintain his rule. He manipulates news, invents stories, stirs up discord, and teams up with the most radical segments of society to keep his chosen leader in office. As the movie races through significant events from the post-Soviet period, we witness a nation that was brimming with freedom and potential shut down and descend into brutal dictatorship, all under the guise of safety. Evidently, something similar could never happen anywhere else.

When films are screened for European audiences, the crowds are often very honest and vocal when responding. If an audience doesn’t like a film, they may boo and even walk out of screenings. However, when a feature is received well, audiences are generous with their praise, often resulting in lengthy standing ovations. This was particularly the case with Smashing Machine, which received a 15-minute standing ovation in Venice. Johnson was very emotional in receiving such a reaction and shared his gratitude on Instagram, saying: