While the montage has taken many different forms over the years—and has been used for various functions in numerous creative ways—Eisenstein mainly considered it a tool for symbolism. Many filmmakers still use montages for this purpose, while others have evolved to using montages for demonstrating the passage of time. However, the ideal cinematic montage does both: not only does it demonstrate progress, but it also conveys all of the symbolic resonance that the passage of time holds for the characters involved....

From hippies to surfers, there have been all kinds of stoner characters in movies who spend most of their on-screen time “dazed and confused”—and many of them have gathered cult followings over the years. Here are our picks for the best stoner movies to watch when you want to sit back and relax, and why they’re great. 8. Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) Is there anything more chilled out than surfing?...

Think of all the times we’ve watched two people fall in love, try and be happy, fall apart, and somehow make up again within a 90-minute runtime. It can often feel manufactured and unrealistic, which makes us jaded and cynical… but that doesn’t mean we don’t still want it. These days, happy endings can still happen… as long as the characters earn it. We expect characters to work for it rather than have their happy ending arrive via tired, old, contrived plot devices—and this has made romantic comedies more challenging for modern filmmakers....

The adventures Bond has undertaken have seen him go all around the globe—sneaking into renegade states like North Korea and old powers such as China—all in service of the British government. Numerous men have taken up the mantle of Bond to varying degrees of success. Some found the material lacking and had trouble making it work, while others epitomized the reality of a highly-skilled assassin who kills for Queen and country....

Sure, there have been a few motion pictures since the invention of “talkies” that have used the silent technique, such as 2011’s Academy Award-winning film The Artist. But practically speaking, silent films are history—“too artistic” for modern box office viewers. Have you ever wondered what the silent movie era was actually like? Are there any masterpiece silent films that would still be considered great if they came out today? Well, you’d be surprised how many silent films are still considered among the industry’s most beloved classics....

As Bob Dylan plays “Farewell,” Llewyn lays on the ground after he’s been kicked good, while explaining to his attacker that the concept of a show is that people will sometimes heckle. That sequence shows the audience everything they need to know about Llewyn: he’s unapologetic, ruthlessly sarcastic, and can take a beating. We get the sense he’s taken a few beatings in his time. And that’s why Joel and Ethan Coen decided to open and close their film with it....

Alas, they were the protagonist all along! Only hidden beneath layers of prosthetics, weight gain, makeup, or all of the above. It’s a true show of dedication when an actor spends weeks or months transforming their body—or spends hours upon hours in makeup—for a role. Here are some of the craziest examples of movie actor transformations that you probably didn’t recognize! Of course, CGI doesn’t count! Andy Serkis didn’t exactly “transform” himself to play Gollum, for example....

Gervais doesn’t ever seem to have suffered through a lull in his television epoch. His ability to find humor in the strangest of situations, all while being genuinely affecting at times as well, is one of Gervais’ great strengths as a creative. His and Merchant’s most famous work with The Office has garnered both critical acclaim and millions of dollars after selling the concept off worldwide, so other countries could put their own spin on it....

Whether you’re a PC gamer or an office worker (or both), you spend way too many hours sitting in front of your computer. That’s going to wreak havoc on your back muscles, spine, hips, and more. Haven’t felt that pain yet? Count yourself lucky and take preventative measures early! But not everyone can shell out over $1,000 for a top-of-the-line Herman Miller or Steelcase. What if you only have $200?...

The premise centers on the major news anchors of the USA’s most famous morning TV show, as one of them is accused by several people of sexual misconduct allegations. Starring a heavyweight principal cast, The Morning Show engulfs the audience with its actors—and as we descend its dark story, the flaws that permeate their characters get put forth for all to see. Led by Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, and Steve Carell—who all deliver excellent turns in their roles—The Morning Show became Apple’s first hit TV show, finding itself nominated for Emmys and Golden Globes for a stellar first season....

It’s a hard topic to talk about as poverty and homelessness are tough to truly grasp if you haven’t had first-hand experience, and it’s (understandably) prone to get emotions flaring. One of the best ways to develop sympathy and cognizance for both poverty and homelessness is to watch movies with realistic depictions of what it’s like to live on the poverty line, the failings of modern society, and the challenges of climbing out when you’re stuck....

Due to the physical and logistical constraints when making movies—as opposed to writing words on paper—even the best books need drastic changes to be adapted for the big screen. Movie adaptations require the screenwriter and director to trim the story down to its most essential elements. That isn’t always easy. When done well, this results in a movie that unfolds plot and explores themes more effectively than the book might have done....

There have been plenty such movies made throughout the decades, but not all of them are suitable as Valentine’s Day fare. Here are our picks for the best Valentine’s Day movies to watch this year, especially if you’re watching as a couple! 10. Dirty Dancing (1987) You’ve been living under a rock if you think anyone puts Baby in a corner, and this is a great time of year to revisit this 80s romance classic....

You’ve got to hand it to the makeup artists who make it possible, as well as the actors and actresses who convincingly portray their characters despite being another gender altogether. Here are the best movies where actors and actresses played characters who were different genders—and knocked it out of the park. 11. Sarah Snook in Predestination (2014) In Predestination, Agent Doe (Ethan Hawk) is at the bar and starts chatting with a crime confession writer named John—and right off the bat, something immediately seems off about him....

Horror games put you at the center of the action and force you to live out the frightening sequences waiting in the shadows. And the PlayStation 4 is jam-packed with quality horror games. If you’re looking for the most dreadful, most terrifying, most heart-pounding gaming experiences, then here are the best PlayStation 4 horror games you need to check out. 13. The Evil Within The Evil Within (and its sequel) is a survival horror played in third-person, where you use guns and other weapons to fight your way through nightmarish locations full of terrifying creatures....

Usually, the longer the fight scene, the more memorable it is. Time is needed to build up tension, establish the stakes, and throw the fighters through ups and downs that force them to adapt and grow. But there are also many anime fight scenes that end in just one hit—and, surprisingly, they can be just as awesome. With the right kind of preparation, a fight that ends in the blink of an eye can be incredibly satisfying....

If you want to eat healthier but can’t find time to hit the store for fresh groceries and home-cooked meals, you might want to look into meal subscription boxes that periodically deliver straight to your door. There are countless meal subscription services that offer all kinds of variety for all kinds of diets and lifestyles. Here are the best meal delivery services for busy people who want to eat healthier!...

But playing opposite Spider-Man as one of the many villains in the Spider-Man lore comes with its own set of unique challenges—so much so that playing a Spider-Man villain has often proven to be a poisoned chalice for any actor willing to step up to the plate. When Sam Raimi’s first Spider-Man film arrived in cinemas in 2002, not only did it showcase Tobey Maguire in what would become his defining role, it also put Willem Dafoe in the spotlight opposite him....

It’s simply unnatural for so many humans to be so interconnected in such a fast-paced, tech-centric, online landscape where screens constantly ping us with notifications and advertisements. Not to mention cyberbullying, catfishing, scams, fraud, comparison depression, and all that other stuff to worry about. Here are some of the best movies about social media that explore the various threats and issues that come with it. 8. Disconnect (2012) One of the biggest problems with social media is how it disconnects you from the world—the same world that social media advocates claim it brings you closer to....

Jerry, Elaine, George, and Kramer all led expansive lives involving all kinds of situations. Every week, millions of people tuned in to see the group’s antics, which always felt close enough to reality to be relatable. Since Seinfeld, many other TV sitcoms have leaned on the same formula, with cultural hits like Friends and How I Met Your Mother and the much more twisted It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia putting their own spins....