logo
How to Decide What to Watch

How to Decide What to Watch

The Atlantica day ago
This is an edition of The Wonder Reader, a newsletter in which our editors recommend a set of stories to spark your curiosity and fill you with delight. Sign up here to get it every Saturday morning.
It's become an adage of the modern age to say that the more streaming options there are, the harder it is to decide what to watch. Our critic David Sims has a solution: 'As a way to avoid decision paralysis, I always have at least one movie-viewing project going, a way to check boxes and spur myself toward new things to explore—be it running through an influential director's filmography, checking out the cinema of a particular country or era, or going one by one through a long-running series,' he wrote recently.
In today's newsletter, spend time with our critics' suggestions for how to organize your movie-watching, find what's right for your mood, and expand your mind.
On Movies
Your Summer Project: Watching These Movies
By David Sims
Twelve franchises, genres, and filmographies to dig into
Read the article.
The Blockbuster That Captured a Growing American Rift
By Tyler Austin Harper
The novel that inspired the film Jaws was decidedly populist. The movie took a different turn.
Read the article.
Six Binge-Worthy Movie Series
By Stephanie Bai
Spend some time with a good movie—or two, or three.
Still Curious?
Five movies that changed viewers' minds: Our writers and editors on the films that shifted how they see the world
25 feel-good films you'll want to watch again—and again: In 2020, our critic offered suggestions to soothe the anxious mind.
Other Diversions
What's brilliant about the new Superman movie
Why can't Americans sleep?
'I fought plastic. Plastic won.'
P.S.
I asked readers to share a photo of something that sparks their sense of awe in the world. 'I find air travel deeply vexing and stressful, but I have never lost my sense of awe about flying, and the beauty of our planet,' Elizabeth Miller, 60, from Cabin John, Maryland, writes. 'I took this photo with my iPhone while flying in a commercial airliner over the Caribbean in January.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

‘Superman' rescues DC at the box office with a $122 million debut
‘Superman' rescues DC at the box office with a $122 million debut

Los Angeles Times

time23 minutes ago

  • Los Angeles Times

‘Superman' rescues DC at the box office with a $122 million debut

James Gunn's 'Superman' soared to the top of the box office this weekend, giving Warner Bros.'s DC Studios much-needed momentum in the superhero genre after a string of underperforming movies. 'Superman,' which stars David Corenswet as the Man of Steel, hauled in a robust $122 million in the U.S. and Canada. Globally, 'Superman' brought in a total of $217 million. The movie was a big swing for Burbank-based Warner Bros. and DC, costing an estimated $225 million to produce, not including substantial spending on a global marketing campaign. 'Superman' benefited from mostly positive critics reviews — the movie notched a 82% approval rating on aggregator Rotten Tomatoes. Moviegoers liked it too, indicated by an 'A-' grade from polling firm CinemaScore and a 93% positive audience rating from Rotten Tomatoes. The performance for 'Superman' fell short of expectations of some analysts, who had projected an opening weekend of $130 million. . Industry observers attributed that to heavy competition in the marketplace from other blockbusters, including Universal's 'Jurassic World Rebirth' and Apple and Warner Bros.'s 'F1 The Movie.' Shortly before its release, 'Superman' came under fire from right-wing commentators, who criticized comments Gunn made to the Times of London about how Superman (created by a Jewish writer-artist team in the late 1930s) is an immigrant and that he is 'the story of America.' 'If there's any softness here, it's overseas,' said industry analyst and consultant David A. Gross in his FranchiseRe newsletter, after describing the domestic opening as 'outstanding' for a longrunning superhero franchise. The movie generated $95 million outside the U.S. and Canada. Analysts had raised questions about whether Superman's reputation for earnestly promoting truth, justice and the American way would still appeal to a global audience, particularly as other countries have bristled at the U.S. tariff and trade policies enacted by President Trump. 'Superman has always been identified as a quintessentially American character and story, and in some parts of the world, America is currently not enjoying its greatest popularity,' Gross said. The movie's overall success is key to a planned reboot and refresh of the DC universe. Gunn and producer Peter Safran were named co-chairmen and co-chief executives of DC Studios in 2022 to help turn around the Warner Bros.-owned superhero brand after a years-long rough patch. While 2013's 'Man of Steel,' directed by Zack Snyder, and 2016's 'Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice' each achieved substantial box office hauls, they did not receive overwhelmingly positive reviews. 2017's 'Justice League,' which was intended to be DC's version of Marvel Studios' 'Avengers,' was a critical and commercial disaster for the studio. More recently, films focused on other DC characters such as 2023's 'Shazam! Fury of the Gods,' 'The Flash' and last year's 'Joker: Folie à Deux' struggled at the box office. With Gunn and Safran at the helm, the pair are now tasked with creating a cohesive vision and framework for its superhero universe, not unlike its rival Marvel, which has long consolidated control under president Kevin Feige (though its films and shows are handled by different directors). Starting the new DC epoch with Superman also presented its own unique challenges. Though he is one of the most recognizable superheroes in the world, Superman's film track record has been a roller coaster. Alternatively sincere, campy or gritty, the Man of Steel has been difficult for filmmakers and producers to strike the right tone. Gunn's version of 'Superman' — still mostly sincere but a touch of the filmmaker's signature goofy humor — worked for critics and audiences. It was a tall order, considering some fans still hold Richard Donner's 1978 'Superman,' starring Christopher Reeve, as the gold standard. 'Pinning down 'Superman' has been a challenge,' said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Comscore. 'It's been like Kryptonite for years for many filmmakers and producers to get it right.' 'Superman' bumped 'Jurassic World Rebirth' to second place, which collected $38.8 million domestically over the weekend for a total of $231 million so far. 'F1,' Universal's 'How to Train Your Dragon' and Disney-Pixar's 'Elio' rounded out the top five at the box office this weekend. Later this month, another major superhero movie will enter the summer blockbuster marketplace: 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps,' from Walt Disney Co.-owned Marvel Studios.

Charles Reinhart, a Force in Mainstreaming Modern Dance, Dies at 94
Charles Reinhart, a Force in Mainstreaming Modern Dance, Dies at 94

New York Times

time44 minutes ago

  • New York Times

Charles Reinhart, a Force in Mainstreaming Modern Dance, Dies at 94

Charles Reinhart, who as the longtime director of the American Dance Festival popularized modern and avant-garde dance in the United States and worldwide, died on Saturday in Manhattan. He was 94. The cause was complications of a stroke, his daughter, Ariane Malia Reinhart, said. 'Modern dance was pretty unknown in the 1950s,' he recalled in an interview with Dance Teacher magazine in 2011. 'Even my own family had no idea who Paul Taylor was,' referring to the American choreographer whose dance company was founded in 1954 and whose pioneering work remains in repertory globally. Mr. Reinhart, who considered modern dance an 'indigenous American art form,' would become a pivotal force in bringing it into the mainstream. But early on, even he knew little about the Paul Taylor Dance Company — until he sat in on a rehearsal — after being asked by the founder himself to serve as the company's first manager. 'When they danced 'Aureole,'' he said of seeing Mr. Taylor's most-celebrated work, with its lyrical movement set to music by Handel, 'it was so beautiful and different. I couldn't believe what I was seeing.' The revelation persuaded Mr. Reinhart to accept the manager's role, which he held for six years. Under the banner of Charles Reinhart Management, he went on manage other influential artists, including Meredith Monk, Lucas Hoving and Donald McKayle, and produce some of the earliest modern dance festivals in New York City. But it was as the director of American Dance Festival that Mr. Reinhart had an outlet commensurate with his ambitions. As he told Jack Anderson of The New York Times in 1978, the festival 'is as holy a Mecca as one can find in the dance world.' Want all of The Times? Subscribe.

From UFC to FIFA: Trump's Domestic Trips Are Dominated by Sports
From UFC to FIFA: Trump's Domestic Trips Are Dominated by Sports

Newsweek

timean hour ago

  • Newsweek

From UFC to FIFA: Trump's Domestic Trips Are Dominated by Sports

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. President Donald Trump will travel to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Sunday to attend the FIFA Club World Cup final between Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea—his latest in a string of high-profile sports-related trips across the United States since his second term began. The President and first lady Melania Trump are set to make the 40-mile journey from his Trump National Golf Club, Bedminster, on the one-year anniversary of the assassination attempt he survived in Butler, Pennsylvania. The president did not schedule any public commemorations for the date aside from a pretaped Fox News interview with his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, which aired Saturday night. A Newsweek review shows sports outings have constituted the bulk of Trump's domestic travel since January 20, outpacing trips for disasters, political rallies, and official ceremonies. President Donald Trump speaks alongside President of Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) Gianni Infantino after unveiling the 2025 Club World Cup trophy in the Oval Office at the White House on March 07, 2025... President Donald Trump speaks alongside President of Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) Gianni Infantino after unveiling the 2025 Club World Cup trophy in the Oval Office at the White House on March 07, 2025 in Washington, D.C. MoreWhy It Matters Major national sporting events have provided Trump a highly visible platform, enabling his continued outreach to a broad base and signaling his affinity for popular American pastimes. Trump's appearance at the FIFA Club World Cup final also serves as a preview of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted across North America. What To Know Trump's domestic travel schedule for 2025 has prominently featured major U.S. sporting events. According to travel logs and contemporary media reports, these included Super Bowl LIX on February 9 in New Orleans, the Daytona 500 NASCAR race in Daytona Beach, UFC fights in Miami and Newark, the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships in Philadelphia, and the opening of the LIV Golf League in Miami. Other categories of presidential travel have included visits to disaster-affected regions—such as trips to North Carolina and California in January to survey hurricane and wildfire damage—political and GOP fundraising rallies, ceremonial events like commencement speeches, and official observances, including Memorial Day at Arlington National Cemetery. Trump has also frequented his own resort properties, notably Mar-a-Lago and Bedminster, for personal retreats or closed-press political dinners, but these have generally not been categorized as public events. Relationship with International Sports Leaders Trump has cultivated a warm relationship with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who has visited the White House multiple times. The decision by FIFA to open an office at Trump Tower in New York City, ahead of the 2026 World Cup, has drawn additional attention. "FIFA [is] a global organization [and] to be global, you have to be local, you have to be everywhere, so we have to be in New York—not just for the FIFA Club World Cup this year and the FIFA World Cup next year—we have to be in New York as well when it comes to where our offices are based," Infantino said during a visit to Trump Tower, according to a press release from the event. What Happens Next The White House has not released additional details on forthcoming presidential travel or planned appearances at World Cup fixtures beyond the president's own statements that he intends to attend multiple matches next year.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store