the conversation
Netflix doco shows Alexander the Great as queer – what does history say?
Alexander the Great: The Making of a God has sparked controversy from those who claim the show is pushing an…
The Color Purple is a joyful exploration of black womanhood in the deep south
The new adaptation of Alice Walker's novel shows characters finding community despite the harsh realities surrounding them.
Schindler’s List at 30: Spielberg’s shattering masterpiece
Spielberg acquired the rights to Thomas Keneally’s novel in 1983, but was initially reluctant to take on the film.
Napoleon: busting myths in the new Ridley Scott movie
Did Napoleon really fire at the pyramids? A historian explains the truth behind the legends of Ridley Scott’s biopic.
Master and Commander at 20: an emblem of wholesome masculinity
Peter Weir's 2003 masterpiece offers a heartwarming alternative picture of male camaraderie.
The Exorcist: Believer is a sequel that shouldn’t exist
Believer is a 'retcon', a movie that ignores or re-imagines events in previous films ... but why?
The rules of romantic comedy: a romcom expert explains
Miscommunication, conflict, friends to lovers ... the recipe for romantic comedy has been honed like a well-baked cake.
Are AI films fuelling moral panic or reflecting real anxiety?
Film's like 2022's M3GAN reflect the latest wave in an ongoing concern about AI and its effects on us.
2001: A Space Odyssey has left an indelible mark on culture
Kubrick's film was an almost immediate critical failure but more than 50 years later, nobody would question its ultimate success.
Five unsung films that put America’s union history on the silver screen
Battles between Hollywood unions and the studios have taken place since the 1940s, and films about labour movements have a…