Spy

Director Gavin Hood’s new thriller, ‘Eye in the Sky,’ is a vital commentary on the nature of point-and-click warfare.

2015 was yet another strong year for movies, so much so that we had over 100 films submitted by our numerous contributors for consideration. In the end, these are the 30 that made the cut for PopOptiq’s Best of the Year. Enjoy!   30.) Shaun the Sheep Aardman Studios is the stop-motion clay animation equivalent …

Not only is ‘Spectre’ Craig’s best Bond film, it’s the most definitive artistic statement on the super-spy since ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.’

The Bond franchise which has been with us so long, has become so deeply entrenched in popular culture, that we often forget what it was that first distinguished the Bonds a half-century ago. Skyfall might be one of the best of the Bonds, and even, arguably, one of the best big-budget big-action flicks to come …

‘Bridge of Spies’ is Spielberg at his wonky best, aided by some first-rate cinematography and a predictably wonderful performance from Tom Hanks

Summer 2015 had a lot to offer, a lot to lose sleep over, and a lot to learn from. It gave us hope that the next summer could be even better, and that Hollywood blockbusters still have some life in them yet. Before back to school this month, here are nine lessons we took away …

Feig is at the top of his game in this riotous crowd-pleaser.

There’s a hilarious moment in the classic ‘80s comedy Planes, Trains & Automobiles when Steve Martin has finally had enough of John Candy’s inane anecdotes. “When you’re telling these little stories,” he instructs Candy, “here’s a good idea… have a point. It makes it so much more interesting for the listener!” If only the makers of the new spy actioner Kingsman: The Secret Service had taken that advice. Despite all of its self-satisfied smugness, Kingsman neglects to give us a coherent story, consistent tone, or anything worth caring about. It’s ironic that a film trying so hard to be inventive and outrageous ends up being such a derivative bore.

South by Southwest, the multi-faceted film, music and technology festival held annually in Austin, TX will feature such upcoming films as Paul Feig’s Spy, David Gordon Green’s Manglehorn, Alex Gibney’s documentary Steve Jobs: The Man in the Machine, and Ondi Timoner’s Russell Brand profile BRAND: A Second Coming as headliners in this year’s film festival …

Back in February, it seemed almost unfathomable that 2014 could produce a more listless spy thriller than 3 Days to Kill. Oh, for a return to those bygone days of innocence. There’s a new kid on the block and he looks a lot like the guy who used to be James Bond. Based on a popular series of ‘80’s espionage novels, The November Man feels less like an adaptation and more like the outtakes from some mediocre made-for-television movie. It’s a Frankenstein creation of re-cycled plots and villains, pieced together with lethargic pacing and turgid action sequences. Where are the invisible cars when you need them?

Shadow Dancer Directed by James Marsh Written by Tom Bradby 2012, UK, Ireland There’s no real reason to believe that the artistry required in the making of a documentary is vastly different to that required in the making of a fictional narrative. Nonetheless it is always interesting to watch filmmakers transition from one to the …

Hot on the heels of the release of the first wave of films announced to screen at the Toronto Film Festival, comes the main lineup for the 68th Venice Film Festival, which runs from August 31 to September 10. There are a few highly anticipated films that appear here that are not yet scheduled for …

  Well it looks like another John le Carré novel is about to be adapted into a feature film. In 1965, Martin Ritt directed the first film adaptation of a John le Carré novel, The Spy Who Came in from the Cold. In 1966, Sidney Lumet directed The Deadly Affair. In 1969, Frank Pierson directed …

2011 is upon us, and hence a whole new year’s worth of films are here to look forward to. 2010’s Top Tens have been meticulously finalized, marathons have been tirelessly watched, and now it’s time to start anew. Although it’s obviously too early to tell how the year in film will hold up to previous …