Sonny Bunch
Free Beacon
Alexandria, VA, United States
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Past articles by Sonny:
And the Award Should Go To…
Fairly late in his entertaining, lengthy look at the history of the Oscars, Michael Schulman suggests that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) made a mistake by trying to appeal to Joe Moviegoer with the addition of pseudo-awards voted on by members of the public. → Read More
From ‘Avatar’ to Elon Musk, exploration is out and culture war is in
When did humans become the enemy, and exploration less exciting than petty, earthbound squabbles? → Read More
Chinese protesters want ‘cinema freedom.’ Hollywood should help them.
Hollywood has its best chance in recent years to redefine its relationship with Chinese censors, the Chinese public and reassert the value of artistic freedom. → Read More
Why Spotify and other streaming services can’t ditch Kanye West
Other businesses should feel free to cut ties with the rapper and designer. But streaming services need to take a stand. → Read More
Traumatized? Horror like ‘Halloween Ends’ shows how to fight back.
In horror movies, trauma isn't an identity or a source of paralysis. It's preparation. → Read More
‘Blonde,’ ‘Elvis’ and the challenge of telling the truth about icons
Elvis Presley's estate and family protected the late singer's reputation. Marilyn Monroe has no such defenders — which leaves her vulnerable to exploitation. → Read More
Hollywood couldn’t make ‘The Woman King’ historically accurate
Gina Prince-Bythewood's "The Woman King" could be empowering or accurate about the Dahomey kingdom's role in the slave trade. It couldn't be both. → Read More
China is coming for video games. Companies and players should be wary.
The American film industry shows what can happen when a wild, independent medium hobbles itself to please an authoritarian regime. → Read More
Forget Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. Anime just might save theaters.
Anime distribution company Crunchyroll is playing a surprising role in keeping movie theaters alive, even more so than companies like A24. → Read More
MoviePass is back. So is the idea that’s killing movies.
It’s hard to describe this state of affairs as anything other than a scam — but it’s not clear who was getting scammed. → Read More
‘Better Call Saul’ argued that the law matters. It’s a message we need.
The "Breaking Bad" prequel "Better Call Saul" made an eloquent case for the law in its finale. → Read More
The Great Rebundling is coming. It’s a bad idea.
Trying to be everything to all people is a risky strategy. → Read More
‘Nope’ director Jordan Peele mocks his audience. They love him for it.
In horror movies, we're used to seeing ourselves in the victims. Jordan Peele forces us to consider that we might be the villains. → Read More
The Zelenskys are in Vogue. That makes them smart, not silly.
Appearing with celebrities is the best way to capture the attention of a profoundly unserious American public. → Read More
As stars and politicians age, we’re entering a new era of stagnation
It's one thing for culture to stagnate and another for politics to get stuck. → Read More
Older audiences are coming back. But movie theaters need fresh blood.
The pure box office returns are also encouraging. → Read More
If Hollywood wants to stop gun violence, it should stop sanitizing it
Putting safe gun handling practices on-screen matters less than being honest about what guns do to human bodies. → Read More
‘The Wire’ is 20. ‘We Own This City’ is a challenge to its biggest fans.
Plenty of influential people claim to adore 'The Wire.' So why has so little changed? → Read More
‘Top Gun: Maverick’ proves Hollywood doesn’t need China
Tom Cruise's mega-hit is the latest, and biggest, illustration that American movies can thrive without subjecting themselves to Chinese censorship. → Read More
Does the world really want an ‘Avatar’ sequel?
James Cameron has a solid track record — and an ace up his sleeve. → Read More