Aarcflick

Bollywood is in love again. Following Mohit Suri's Saiyaara, Aanand L. Rai, another master of the poetic portrayal of passion and pain, returns with a gripping exploration of love's destructive side, set against a social backdrop. Connected to Raanjhanaa (2013) by an umbilical cord, Tere Ishk Mein speaks of the magic of love lost in the logic of modern life, which compels us to exchange emotions. In Rai's universe, love is both poison and panacea, and once again, he has tackled a risky subject: the transformative power of romance. Here, he dissects the anatomy of the violence unleashed by so-called alpha males/bullyes with painterly flourish. He doesn't see them as dominant "animals" seeking to secure their territory in an urban jungle, but rather as ordinary men dwelling in the ravine behind glittering India. Their pain, their rage, feel real, not a cosmetic counterpoint to the rise of heroin in popular culture. Alongside A.R. Rahman, Rai composes a chaotic s...

 It's a 'Pitch Perfect' reunion directed by Simon West, with Wilson playing a secret agent attending her childhood best friend's (Anna Camp) wedding when it's attacked by armed mercenaries. When a movie is so terrible that you start to suspect you're in for a bad time before the title even plays, you cling to the small, fun details you find, like pieces of driftwood in a shipwreck. Director: Simon West Writers: Shaina Steinberg, Cece Pleasants Stars: Rebel Wilson, Anna Camp, Stephen Dorff So: Da'Vine Oscar winner Joy Randolph deserves far more than her small supporting role in Bride Hard, but she's respectably willing to serenade an unborn baby with "My Neck, My Back" or brazenly flirt with a clergyman. Justin Hartley delivers some good moments of physical comedy as an arrogant jerk who mistakenly believes he's a tough guy. The heroine Sam (Rebel Wilson), describing her bridesmaid look as "like Ariana Grande joined Real Housewives...

The Stringer: The Man Who Took the Photo is a fascinating new documentary available on Netflix that painstakingly exposes the unfair practice of Western media in the past of stealing and wrongfully claiming credit for art created—in this case, photographs—by Southeast Asian artists. When the photograph "The Terror of War," also popularly known as "Napalm Girl," was first taken and published in Western newspapers in 1972, it instantly encapsulated the horrific brutality of war, and the Vietnam War in particular, sparking widespread criticism of the US government. In the brilliant and poignant The Stringer, director Bao Nguyen and photojournalist Gary Knight set out to find the freelance photographer, or "stringer," who actually took the photograph, which continues to be wrongly attributed to Nick Ut. The "Napalm Girl" is a world-famous photograph taken during the Vietnam War that continues to express the heartbreaking and devastating effects of wa...

The More the Merrier is about community. A film about finding the silver lining, using positivity and human connection to overcome emergencies. Criticizing a film that tries to do good or improve the world feels wrong, but part of the problem is that it often strays too far from reality to feel a real connection. It's a sweet and pleasant idea, but it doesn't carry much weight (except for one scene). 2025 The film is set in a community hospital in a small town. It's supposed to be a very small rural community where everyone knows each other. It's very rare for a town like this to have a hospital, let alone one so beautiful, large, spacious, modern, and cutting-edge, with, count them, at least four enormous, fully decorated Christmas trees.  Director: Peter Benson Writers: Caroline Farah, Zac Hug Stars: Marlie Collins, Cai Holm, Jecca Beauchamp This town is also home to five doctors and three pregnant women who give birth on Christmas Day, the second least common day for...

 If you're like me, you saw the Prehistoric Planet: Ice Age trailer and jumped for joy. Then you checked its IMDb page and saw there was no sign of David Attenborough's involvement, and your heart sank. Since the Apple TV+ CGI documentary series began in 2022, the British nature king has been its voice-over artist. By the second season, Attenborough was even presenting the behind-the-scenes footage for each episode. Surely, this could only mean the almost-centenarian was having a health issue, as is often the case on social media. Stars: David Attenborough, Tom Hiddleston, Heïdi Sevestre But then I did some digging and realized that couldn't be the case. The day before I had the chance to speak with executive producer Mike Gunton, BBC iPlayer launched Kingdom, a new nature series featuring the voice of (you guessed it) Attenborough. "It's a new series. We've done two with David, and this is a completely new chapter," Gunton tells me. "We thought it wo...

Letterkenny veteran Jacob Tierney wrote and directed the six-part series about two rising hockey stars who fall passionately in love. Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin entered the NHL in 2005. For more than 20 years, the Canadian star and his Russian counterpart have waged one of the greatest rivalries in the sport. They've won titles, medals, and scoring crowns, and both are still playing (with the same franchises that drafted them), having earned their place among hockey's all-time elite. Creator: Jacob Tierney Stars: Hudson Williams, Connor Storrie, Callan Potter That's the underlying premise at the heart of HBO Max and Crave's new six-part romantic drama, Heated Rivalry, based on the book by Rachel Reid and written and directed by Letterkenny veteran Jacob Tierney. Don't expect many direct similarities to Letterkenny, though. Heated Rivalry may have some comedic elements, as relationships between passionate men are often entertaining, but it's a sincere a...

Annemarie Jacir balances raw emotion with intimate details in a choral historical drama set during the British Mandate of Palestine, starring Jeremy Irons and Hiam Abbas alongside lesser-known faces. “Premonitory” is perhaps the most fitting word to describe “Palestine 36.” As the world’s attention is focused on Gaza, a film about the history of the conflict in the Middle East could not be more timely. However, Annemarie Jacir’s epic film has many other strengths. It is grand in scale, ambitious in its narrative, and balanced in the way it pays equal attention to historical scope and detailed characterization. The film, Palestine’s Oscar submission, has a lot of history to tell, yet it still manages to uniquely portray its numerous characters and give specificity to its different locations. It demands the audience’s full attention and earns it by the end. Director: Annemarie Jacir Writer: Annemarie Jacir Stars: Jeremy Irons, Liam Cunningham, Robert Aramayo As its title suggests, the fi...

 "We Met in December" is one of those movies that surprised me. From the moment Autumn Reeser and Niall Matter appear on screen, something screams chemistry, and that this movie was going to be different. The clichés were there. I thought the Christmas romance would be the main theme. But it's more than that. It's so much more than chance encounters, missed opportunities, and the search for love. It's a story about believing that love exists: self-love and opening your heart to dreams and possibilities. It's a story about believing that love exists and can be felt quickly and deeply. Writer: Nina Weinman Stars: Lara Amersey, Michael Barbuto, Valentina Capetola After a perfect night together, Annie and Dave part ways, believing that a few hours later they'll meet in the lobby and catch a flight. Four hours—they have four hours until they're supposed to see each other again and go home—seats next to each other, giving them all the time they need to talk....

 Real estate developer Hillary (Alicia Josipovic) is sent to the small town of Midnight Clear to buy the struggling community for her father's real estate business. The reception is anything but welcoming, and she clashes with Pastor Daniel (Jon McLaren), who is trying to raise funds to restore the town's dilapidated church. As Hillary grapples with her loyalty to her father and her empathy for the residents of Midnight Clear, she begins to question whether she should focus on saving the community, rather than buying people off to start their lives elsewhere. "Christmas in Midnight Clear" has a very familiar story and is an entertaining rehash of the "fish out of water" trope prevalent in so many Christmas TV movies. However, the story's familiarity isn't a problem, as "Christmas in Midnight Clear" hits the mark and benefits from a solid script, enriched by its cast. Great American Family always strives to blend traditional storytelling wit...

The Great Escapee is a drama that tells the story of a World War II veteran who escapes his retirement home to travel to France. He wants to attend the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings, and what follows is his journey and his memories. This is a charming and moving drama that touches the heart. The ghosts that haunt Bernard are palpable, and his journey is filled with chilling moments. It's based on a true story that the nation rallied around. Michael Caine and Glenda Jackson are truly fantastic in their roles. I would like to see this film included in the awards season conversation because I think they are two of the best of the year. Director: Oliver Parker Writer: William Ivory Stars: Michael Caine, Graeme Dalling, Myles Olofin Would the real Bernie Jordan and his family have been proud that he and his wife Reenie were portrayed by British film legends Michael Caine and Glenda Jackson? Undoubtedly, and rightly so: the film is an excellent tribute. In 2014, Bernie Jordan ma...

The season follows Eva and her companions as they navigate new alliances, old threats, and an increasingly intense conflict that leads them to discover their true place in a changing universe. The third season arrives with the confidence of a show that knows exactly what it is, even if it sometimes forgets what it was doing five minutes ago. Watching this trailer, I felt the series had finally matured: bolder, faster-paced, and more emotionally grounded, without losing that slightly chaotic energy that makes you wonder if the writers consumed too much caffeine during brainstorming sessions. I mean that affectionately. Stars: Jeanine Mason, D.C. Douglas, Brad Garrett From the outset, the season sets a dynamic pace. Eva finds herself embroiled in situations that test her, challenge her, and, at times, throw her into what feel like the intergalactic equivalent of group projects gone awry. Her character arc this time around is surprisingly nuanced. She has matured, but not in a tiresome wa...

For those new to Getting Ready and Landing, it's an elite organization tasked with preparing homes around the world for Santa's arrival. The new special follows Christmas elves Lanny and Wayne, whose holiday mission goes awry when Wayne's Gingerbread Man Device self-destructs. Wayne insists to Lanny that they never speak of the incident again, enforcing the "snowball protocol" of silence. Upon returning to the North Pole, Magee informs them that "Big Guy," also known as Santa, wants to speak with them. Wayne becomes convinced he's in serious trouble with Santa and accidentally reveals other mishaps. Thinking Lanny broke the "snowball protocol" after Santa spoke to them separately, Wayne reveals two separate incidents, hoping Santa is still unaware of the latest setback. Director: Shane Zalvin Writers: Kevin Deters, Colleen Evanson, Hilary Helding Stars: Dave Foley, Derek Richardson, Sarah Chalke The new special, which retains the animation ...

 Episodes 1-3 of “Bel-Air” are now available on Peacock. For the past three years, Jabari Banks has played Will in Peacock’s reboot of the beloved '90s sitcom, “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” a legendary role originated by Will Smith. “He’s been a guide and a light throughout this whole experience,” Banks says of working with Smith. “We rarely talked about the character, but we did talk about the industry and my career. That was the most impactful conversation I’ve had with him.” Reflecting on his experience during his last day on set, Banks recalls, “There were a lot of tears and memories. It’s like graduating from high school. When it’s time to say goodbye, it’s awful.” In an industry where nostalgia sells, reboots often fail to offer a fresh, modern take on the original story. In a landscape dominated by remakes, Peacock’s “Bel-Air” is one of the few series that got it right. And it all started with a viral trailer from its creator, Morgan Cooper. In 2019, Cooper created a nearly...

It's always a hit or a flop when Hallmark takes a specific theme and turns it into their usual romance. Melt My Heart This Christmas is an unfortunate failure when they take the world of glassblowing and build a romance around the awful caricature of an evil boss. Ruining a movie with a single character is difficult, and the lack of concrete details doesn't help. Holly (Laura Vandervoot) is an amateur glassblower who now works for a new company and is trying to showcase her glass ornaments at a Christmas glass festival. She doesn't get along with the festival organizer, Jack (Stephen Huszar). To appease Jack, Holly agrees to work as an assistant to the festival's big-name headliner, Bianca Bonhomme (Jennifer Wighorn), a supposedly world-renowned, semi-retired glass artist whose assistant has just quit, so she's threatening to withdraw from the festival because she's a horrible person. Director: Amy Force Writer: Ansley Gordon Stars: Laura Vandervoort, Stephen Hu...

 James Nunn directs a low-budget crime film with a simple yet effective rescue plot, set in an East London ravaged by brutal gangs. Ada (Kate Beckinsale) is a single mother living in East London with her adorable deaf daughter, Charlotte (Isabelle Moxley). However, she has a dark past, and in "Wildcat" we first meet her not while taking the children to school or at a parent-teacher meeting, but in the middle of a high-stakes diamond heist.  Director: James Nunn Writer: Dominic Burns Stars: Kate Beckinsale, Lewis Tan, Rasmus Hardiker In this passable film from director James Nunn and screenwriter Dominic Burns, she leads a small, quirky group comprised of her attractive American ex, Roman (Lewis Tan, star of "Mortal Kombat"), her reliable partner, Curtis (Bailey Patrick), and her vulnerable brother, Edward (Rasmus Hardiker), who will later be insensitively but deservedly given the nickname Looney Tunes. The main plot of "Wildcat" is not unusual: a loved one...

 Regardless of your feelings about snakes, Ke Huy Quan's blue adder is a delightful addition to the "Zooptopia" lineup, which continues to focus on the unlikely duo of Nick Wilde and Judy Hopps. Nine years is an eternity for foxes and hares. But it's also the ideal gap between installments in a thoughtful animated franchise (see "Inside Out 2"). In 2016, Disney's wildly popular "Zootopia" showed vulnerable species struggling to coexist with those who would normally try to eat them. Now, the animation studio's well-crafted sequel focuses on a different kind of predator: greedy land grabbers. Directors: Jared Bush, Byron Howard Writers: Jared Bush, Byron Howard Stars: Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Ke Huy Quan To say more might spoil the mystery, and that would be a shame, as it's one of the things that makes "Zootopia 2" such a worthy successor. Both that film and its sequel, which expands the scope, incorporate anthropomorph...

 Joan Cutler faces an impossible decision in "Eternity." The recently deceased character, played by Elizabeth Olsen, has one week to decide with whom she wants to spend her afterlife, and two husbands are vying for her choice. Luke (Callum Turner) is the handsome one who died in the Korean War just as they were beginning their life together. Larry (Miles Teller) is the other, a bit ordinary, a bit eccentric, but the one she was married to for 65 years. Apparently, not even death offers respite from earthly enigmas like the love triangle. Sure, it's chaotic and confusing for those involved, but it's also one of the best narrative settings for a wacky comedy. And this particular film, imaginative and cleverly quirky, with an absolutely delightful cast, delivers on that promise. Lucky us! Director: David Freyne Writers: Patrick Cunnane, David Freyne Stars: Miles Teller, Elizabeth Olsen, Callum Turner Most of the film takes place at the Junction, a comically ordinary, bru...

A big-city graphic designer returns home for the holidays to help her struggling mother's bookstore. But as she reconnects with her roots and her faith, she questions whether success is measured by career milestones or by love, creativity, and the joy of truly belonging. Christmas on Every Page stars Rose Reid (A Thousand Mornings) and Jake Allyn. An advertising executive (Rose Reid) returns to her hometown to help save her family's struggling bookstore. During her stay, she collaborates with a local artisan (Jake Allyn) to design and paint a Christmas mural that not only unites the community but also reignites her own sense of creativity and connection. Director: Lisa France Writers: Paul Ditty, Riley Weston Stars: Rose Reid, Jake Allyn, Carol Keith Christmas on Every Page premieres Saturday, November 22 at 8 p.m. ET on Great American Family and will be available on Pure Flix starting November 20. An advertising executive (Rose Reid) returns to her hometown to help save her st...

Inspired by her 2000 hit of the same name, Braxton will star alongside Essence Atkins (First Wives Club) and Yvette Nicole Brown (Community) in He Wasn’t Man Enough. The film premieres November 22 at 8/7c as part of Love of a Lifetime’s November romantic movie lineup. In it, Braxton plays bestselling author Mel Montgomery, whose world crumbles when she discovers her boyfriend Richard (Thomas Cadrot, The Night Agent) has been cheating on her. When Mel learns that Richard is now engaged to his former college friend Monica (Atkins), the two women, with the help of Mel’s loyal best friend Candy (Brown), put aside old wounds to stay together.  Director: Stan Brooks Writers: Tara Knight, Aireka Muse, Angela Nissel Stars: Toni Braxton, Toni Braxton, Chezca Vega What begins as betrayal evolves into a story of resilience and solidarity, proving that Richard picked the wrong trio. Because in the end, it was never about the man who let them down, but about the women who chose each other. Brax...