Editorial: From Tolkien to Tedium. What “Rings of Power” Reveal About Hollywood
The failure of "Rings of Power" is emblematic of an industry that no longer understands the fundamental principles of myth-making.
Weekly
Hollywood's Last Act
For decades, Hollywood dominated the global entertainment industry, not only as a commercial behemoth but as a cultural force shaping narratives, aesthetics, and values worldwide. Yet, as the 2025 Academy Awards approach, the cracks in its empire are becoming too obvious to ignore. A once-unrivaled industry now finds itself battling economic decline, ideological overreach, competitors from all over the world, and a changing media landscape where traditional cinema faces existential threats from streaming, AI-generated content, and even video games.
Editorial: From Tolkien to Tedium. What “Rings of Power” Reveal About Hollywood
The failure of "Rings of Power" is emblematic of an industry that no longer understands the fundamental principles of myth-making.
The Oscars: Timeless Institution or Dusty Relic?
It was Brideshead Revisited author Evelyn Waugh who in 1947, after a six-week visit, described Hollywood as a place ”where all is …
Indie Survivors: Hollywood’s Remnant After the Blockbuster’s Decline
Hollywood retains its grandeur but struggles with irrelevance amid a rapidly evolving global film landscape.
Black Dwarves, Gay Elves: Inclusion or Corruption?
A lone warrior moves through an ancient forest, his blade catching the pale moonlight.
When European Cinema Led the World (And How it Could Again)
European cinema, once a creative powerhouse with global reach, now struggles to compete with the Hollywood juggernaut.
Non-Actor Characters: Is AI the future of Cinema?
For some time now, generative AI has been the talk of Tinseltown, as it threatens to rewrite every rule in the book, with doomsaye…
Hollywood Adjusts to Trump II: Survival or Submission?
News of Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy’s impending resignation after another “woke row” has shaken the industry. It came aft…
Say Hello to the Little Guy: How Indie Cinema Can Save Hollywood
It is movie night. Of course, with Netflix or HBO on hand, why bother going to the cinema, which would cost one €18-19 a ticket…
Why Watch When You Can Play?
For decades, Hollywood dominated the entertainment market both economically and culturally. But has gaming surpassed it?
Tune in Next Week: The Financial Temptations of Longform Storytelling
For much of television’s history, long-running serialised dramas were dismissed as lowbrow entertainment.
Beyond Bollywood: The Financial Shift of Indian Cinema
Bollywood can no longer afford to rely on past formulas.
The Chinese Film Industry’s Rise: A Dragon Unleashed?
The final scene of Wolf Warrior 2 (2017) shows its Chinese hero killing the main villain, an American human trafficker, who operat…
Japanese Anime: More Than Kawaii
“Anime was a mistake. It’s nothing but trash.” To quotes like these, the Italian saying “if it's not true, it’s certainly well-mad…
Africa’s Changing Reels: The Rise of Nollywood
In a cramped Lagos apartment, a group of girls squeeze themselves into a couch in front of a flickering screen. The title sequence…
Great Texts Revisited: “Sculpting in Time” – Andrei Tarkovsky
Films with philosophical depth have always been the exception in Hollywood.
How Streaming Killed the Film Star
A dimly lit screening room, the aroma of freshly popped popcorn, a palpable sense of anticipation in an audience; filmgoing was on…