Video: ‘Frankenstein’ | Anatomy of a Scene

Video: ‘Frankenstein’ | Anatomy of a Scene

“Hi, I am Guillermo del Toro, director of “Frankenstein.” “Life!” We are at a disciplinary hearing for Victor at the Royal College of Medicine in Edinburgh. And watch that little ball. I shot this as Victor narrating his past. So it’s idealized the way he remembers it. He remembers himself to be the hero, and … Read more

Frankenstein’s Many Adaptations Over the Years

Frankenstein’s Many Adaptations Over the Years

Ever since the mad scientist Frankenstein cried, “It’s alive!” in the 1931 classic film directed by James Whale, pop culture has never been the same. Few works of fiction have inspired more adaptations, re-imaginings, parodies and riffs than Mary Shelley’s tragic 1818 Gothic novel, “Frankenstein; or, the Modern Prometheus,” the tale of Victor Frankenstein, who, … Read more

‘Toy Story’: The Ultimate 30th Anniversary Quiz

‘Toy Story’: The Ultimate 30th Anniversary Quiz

When the first “Toy Story” film was released on Nov. 22, 1995, it created a fervor among children for cowboy hats, jet packs and little green aliens. Now, 30 years, four films, two theme park lands, and $3.3 billion in worldwide box-office revenue later, the animated franchise has become a staple of family movie nights. … Read more

Video: ‘A House of Dynamite’ | Anatomy of a Scene

Video: ‘A House of Dynamite’ | Anatomy of a Scene

“I’m Kathryn Bigelow, and I’m the Director of “A House of Dynamite. So here we are with Deputy National Security Adviser Jake Baerington, played by Gabriel Basso. And he’s in a hurry because he’s just learned that there is an incoming nuclear ICBM to North America. And he’s getting this information and trying to get … Read more

Video: ‘Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere’ | Anatomy of a Scene

Video: ‘Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere’ | Anatomy of a Scene

Hey, it’s Scott Cooper. I’m the writer and director of “Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere.” This is one of my favorite sequences in the film. “There’s just one more track I have to lay down.” Because it’s not about performance. It’s about confession where we see Jeremy Allen White, who’s playing Bruce Springsteen, is about … Read more

Video: ‘Kiss of the Spider Woman’ | Anatomy of a Scene

Video: ‘Kiss of the Spider Woman’ | Anatomy of a Scene

new video loaded: ‘Kiss of the Spider Woman’ | Anatomy of a Scene transcript Back transcript ‘Kiss of the Spider Woman’ | Anatomy of a Scene The director Bill Condon narrates a musical dance sequence featuring Jennifer Lopez. Hi, I’m Bill Condon. I directed “Kiss of the Spider Woman.” I also wrote the screenplay adaptation. … Read more

Video: ‘Tron: Ares’ | Anatomy of a Scene

Video: ‘Tron: Ares’ | Anatomy of a Scene

Hi, I’m Joachim Ronning. I’m the director of “Tron: Ares.” So this is the scene where Julian Dillinger has discovered that Eve is in possession of the permanence code. So he’s sending his two top programs after her, Ares and Athena. And we get to see them on the light cycles. And Ares obviously being … Read more

Test Yourself on Horror Novels That Were Adapted for the Screen

Test Yourself on Horror Novels That Were Adapted for the Screen

Welcome to Great Adaptations, the Book Review’s regular multiple-choice quiz about printed works that have gone on to find new life as movies, television shows, theatrical productions and more. With Halloween on the horizon, this week’s challenge highlights popular horror novels that were adapted for the screen. Just tap or click your answers to the … Read more

After Hurricane Helene, North Carolina Residents Turn to Art

After Hurricane Helene, North Carolina Residents Turn to Art

Deana Lytle felt nervous as she watched her 3-year-old son, Fitz, sit still in the back of the car, observing the pouring rain and falling trees as Helene bore down. They were fleeing toward her parents’ house in Swannanoa, N.C. “Dear God, please let us get there safely,” Ms. Lytle recalled praying aloud. They eventually … Read more

Video: ‘HIM’ | Anatomy of a Scene

Video: ‘HIM’ | Anatomy of a Scene

new video loaded: ‘HIM’ | Anatomy of a Scene transcript Back transcript ‘HIM’ | Anatomy of a Scene The director Justin Tipping narrates a scene from “HIM,” featuring Marlon Wayans and Tyriq Withers. “Hi, My name is Justin Tipping and I’m the director of “HIM.” “I’m going to need a little volunteer.” Mr. White. I … Read more

How Anime Took Over America: From Pokemon to Demon Slayer and Dragon Ball Z

How Anime Took Over America: From Pokemon to Demon Slayer and Dragon Ball Z

Like the name Walt Disney, the word “anime” brings to mind not just an aesthetic but a distinctive storytelling ethos. My own first encounter with anime was at a middle-school sleepover in the mid-1990s, where I watched a bootleg VHS copy of the Japanese anime film “Akira.” It was mesmerizing. Katsuhiro Otomo’s dystopian masterpiece was … Read more

Video: ‘Eddington’ | Anatomy of a Scene

Video: ‘Eddington’ | Anatomy of a Scene

new video loaded: ‘Eddington’ | Anatomy of a Scene transcript Back transcript ‘Eddington’ | Anatomy of a Scene The writer and director Ari Aster narrates a sequence from his film featuring Joaquin Phoenix and Pedro Pascal. My name is Ari Aster. I am the writer- director of “Eddington.” As we start, I just want to … Read more

Video: ‘Superman’ | Anatomy of a Scene

Video: ‘Superman’ | Anatomy of a Scene

I’m James Gunn. I’m the writer and director of ‘Superman.’ So in this scene, we have David Corenswet as Clark Kent slash Superman and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane. They are dating. And Lois calls out Clark for writing interviews with himself to put in the newspaper. And he says, well, you could interview me … Read more

Test Your Knowledge of French Novels Made Into Musicals and Movies

Test Your Knowledge of French Novels Made Into Musicals and Movies

Welcome to Great Adaptations, the Book Review’s regular multiple-choice quiz about books that have gone on to find new life as movies, television shows, theatrical productions and more. This week’s challenge is focused on globally popular French novels that went on to become big-screen adventures — and more. Just tap or click your answers to … Read more

Video: ‘Jurassic World Rebirth’ | Anatomy of a Scene

Video: ‘Jurassic World Rebirth’ | Anatomy of a Scene

“Hi, My name is Gareth Edwards and I am the director of “Jurassic World Rebirth.” So right now we’re with a family who have kind of been shipwrecked on this island with our team of experts. and essentially trying to get across the island to get rescued, which involves potentially going down river on this … Read more

Video: ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ | Anatomy of a Scene

Video: ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ | Anatomy of a Scene

“Hi, My name is Dean DeBlois. I’m the writer, director and one of the executive producers of “How to Train Your Dragon.” In this particular scene, it’s the catalyst of our story. Young Mason Thames, playing Hiccup, wanders into the woods to search for a dragon that he shot down the night before, and he … Read more