Hello! I’m Mark Olsen. Welcome to another edition of your regular field guide to a world of Only Good Movies.
This week we lost two towering figures with the deaths of Robert Duvall and Frederick Wiseman.
Duvall, who died at 95 at his home in Virginia, was known as an actor for roles in films such as “The Godfather,” “Apocalypse Now,” “To Kill a Mockingbird” and countless more. As a director, his work included “The Apostle” and a handful of other projects.
Robert Duvall in the movie “Apocalypse Now.”
(CBS Photo Archive / Getty Images)
The movies team published a list of 10 of our favorite performances, including “Tender Mercies,” for which he won an Academy Award, as well as “Network,” “The Great Santini” and “Widows.”
Wiseman, who died at 96 in Cambridge, Mass., directed more than 45 documentary features beginning with 1967’s “Titicut Follies” on through 2023’s “Menus-Plaisirs — Les Troigros.” His work was known for its rigorous examinations of systems and institutions, giving viewers insights into why things functioned the way they did.
Frederick Wiseman, photographed at the Venice Film Festival in 2014.
(David Azia / Associated Press)
“The institution is also just an excuse to observe human behavior in somewhat defined conditions,” Wiseman told the Associated Press in 2020. “The films are as much about that as they are about institutions.”
Tribute screenings have already started to pop up in tribute to Duvall, with presumably more for both men on the way.
‘Sunshine’ in 35mm
Rose Byrne in the 2007 movie “Sunshine.”
(Alex Bailey / Twentieth Century Fox)
The collaboration between director Danny Boyle and screenwriter Alex Garland has yielded an ongoing examination of societies in varying stages of collapse, lately in their recent revival of the “28 Years Later” series. Among their other works is 2007’s “Sunshine,” which, while seen as something of a disappointment on initial release, has only grown in esteem in the years since. The Academy Museum will screen the movie on 35mm Friday in the Ted Mann Theater.
In 2057, Earth is freezing as the sun has begun to die. An international crew of astronauts — including Cillian Murphy, Michelle Yeoh, Rose Byrne, Hiroyuki Sanada, Benedict Wong and Chris Evans — are dispatched with the improbable mission of reigniting the sun. When they encounter another ship along the way, things begin to go very wrong.
In his review, Kenneth Turan wrote, “Not reflected in a synopsis is the way screenwriter Garland has made ‘Sunshine’ a thoughtful genre film, one with philosophical concerns about God, man and morality. It’s not for nothing that Icarus’ talking computer echoes Hal of Stanley Kubrick’s ‘2001: A Space Odyssey.’ Garland and Boyle also have devoted time and effort to character psychology, to making the members of the Icarus’ crew into recognizable people and not Hollywood stick figures. … All these good things enable us to buy into ‘Sunshine’s’ story for a considerable span, creating a palpable tension that underlines that no one should feel safe in the far reaches of space.”
John Horn also wrote an extensive production story on the film. Referring to delays in the editing process, which caused a delay in the film’s release, Boyle said, “No director, unless they are contractually obligated, will ever go back and do a sequel set in space. When I finished it in January, I would have said no, it wasn’t worth it. Because I fell out with everybody. To make these movies, you have to be so uncompromising and scorch all of the ground in front of you.”
Slamdance Film Festival
Vondie Curtis-Hall in the movie “The Projectionist,” the opening night film of the 2026 Slamdance Film Festival.
(Slamdance Film Festival)
The Slamdance Film Festival has launched its second year in Los Angeles, running through Feb. 25 with screenings at the DGA, Landmark Sunset and 2220 Arts + Archives. The virtual edition of the festival will run from Feb. 24–March 6 on the Slamdance Channel.
The festival opened with the world premiere of Alexandre Rockwell’s “The Projectionist.” Starring Vondie Curtis-Hall along with Kasi Lemmons and Kevin Corrigan, the film tells the story of a lonely film projectionist confronting his past.
Rockwell, who, in 1992 won the Grand Jury prize at Sundance with “In the Soup,” lauded Slamdance as “a festival that embodies the vital spirit of independent film better than anywhere.”
Among other notable titles in this year’s program is “The Untitled Ruby Slippers Documentary” directed by Seth Gordon and Nikki Calabrese, the story of the theft and recovery of one of the most famous pieces of Hollywood movie memorabilia. Gordon’s “The King of Kong” premiered at Slamdance in 2007.
Points of interest
‘A Thousand and One’
Teyana Taylor in the movie “A Thousand and One.”
(Aaron Ricketts / Focus Features)
Teyana Taylor is an Oscar nominee for her performance in “One Battle After Another.” (She’s also a recent guest on “The Envelope” podcast.) She got that role after “One Battle” director Paul Thomas Anderson saw Taylor’s performance in “A Thousand and One,” written and directed by A.V. Rockwell. Vidiots will show the movie Saturday.
In the film Taylor plays Inez, recently released from jail in New York City and attempting to reconnect with her son who has been in the foster system. When an opportunity presents itself, she impulsively abducts him and tries to get them set up in a new life together.
In her review of the film, Katie Walsh noted that Taylor “brings to her astonishing performance the coiled physicality of a panther ready to pounce.” Walsh added, “The film is utterly absorbing, anchored by the unpredictable performance of Taylor, playing a hopelessly complicated, but deeply caring woman. When faced with dire circumstances, she survives, then dares to imagine a life for Terry beyond the cycle she’s experienced, forging a family unit she never had.”
Sonaiya Kelley spoke to both Rockwell and Taylor about the film. Taylor said of the part, “I was drawn to the role before I even read the whole script. … A lot of the emotions I put onto Inez were real emotions from real triggers.”
‘Dont Look Back’
Bob Dylan in the documentary “Dont Look Back.”
(Criterion Collection)
As part of an ongoing series, the Academy Museum will show D.A. Pennebaker’s 1967 “Dont Look Back” in the David Geffen Theater with doc director Joan Churchill in person to introduce the film.
A pioneering work of cinema verité, the film tags along on Bob Dylan’s 1965 tour of England, capturing a period of heady creative evolution. As Dylan plays a series of shows, he is also seen in various hotel rooms, cutting down journalists and others with a self-regarding wit.
As Charles Champlin said in his 1967 review, “The technical shortcomings deliberately enhance the atmosphere of claustrophobic chaos surrounding a pop idol on tour. And this, after all, is what the film is about. … [Dylan’s] milieu and its hangers-on are by no means uniformaly attractive. But after this skillful and exhaustive piece of film reportage, no one need ask what it and they and he are really like. The camera has become an X-ray.”
People are raving on about the drama series which is believed to be a ‘hidden gem’ and it’s available on a number of TV networks, including Disney+. So have you seen this before?
Christine Younan Deputy Editor Social Newsdesk
06:06, 19 Feb 2026
You can view this series on Disney+(Image: Kim Simms/ABC)
Looking for the next big TV series to binge-watch? It can be hard finding a new show to watch, especially if you’ve just finished something decent on Netflix or Amazon Prime.
Now people are raving on about a ‘hidden gem’ they found – and it’s available on a number of TV networks, including Disney+. After one TV fan asked for recommendations in a popular thread, many people flooded the comments section where they offered a number of suggestions, one of them being Will Trent, a American police TV drama. The series follows a Special Agent of the Georgia Bureau of Investigations.
As a child, Trent was abandoned and forced to endure a harsh coming-of-age in Atlanta’s overwhelmed foster care system. It was based on one of prolific New York Times author Karin Slaughter’s bestselling books.
The Reddit post read: “Any current network (CBS, ABC, NBC, etc.) TV shows that are any good? Most of the shows I currently watch are on streaming services and I’m wondering if there’s any hidden gems I’m missing out on.”
Many people shared their suggestions, including High Potential and The Rookie.
But plenty of viewers labelled Will Trent as a must-see. The series, which is also available on other network channels, can be streamed on Disney+ for subscribers.
The series was developed by Liz Heldens and Daniel T. Thomsen which stars Ramón Rodríguez and premiered on January 3, 2023, on ABC.
A year later in April, the series was renewed for a third season which landed on January 7, 2025. Then months later, the series was given the green light for a fourth season which finally premiered on January 6, this year.
The series follows Will who grew up in the Atlanta foster care system after being abandoned as a child. Despite being dyslexic and his upbringing having a lasting effect on him, he became a Special Agent in the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI).
Will, a highly observant character, had been assigned a corruption case involving the Atlanta Police Department which shares an office building with the GBI.
The story also shows his on-again off-again relationship with APD Detective Angie Polaski, a childhood friend from the foster care system.
Will Trent has a 7.7 out of 10 rating on IMDb and 83% on Rotten Tomatoes. To watch it on Disney+, you must have a subscription on the streaming platform.
LEIGH-ANNE Pinnock shrugged off her Jesy Nelson drama as she flashed her underwear at a film premiere – after Little Mix reunion hopes were dashed this week.
Leigh-Anne Pinnock flashed her thong in this see-through outfitCredit: Getty ImagesThe sexy outfit left little to the imagination at the London premiere of Charli XCX’s movie, The Moment.Credit: Alamy Live News.
Leigh-Anne also cheekily flashed her thong in the see-through outfit.
The star’s striking look made sure to turn heads on the red carpet, and she looked incredible as she posed for the waiting cameras.
Little Mix was the first group to win The X Factor back in 2011, before going on to break UK singles chart history with five No. 1s and selling more than 75million records worldwide.
Jesy quit the band after nine years, blaming battles with her mental health and struggles with the pressures of fame as her reasons for leaving.
The band then went on a hiatus in 2021.
Last week, Little Mixers everywhere had been hopeful the girlband would regroup after Jesy hinted that their six-year feud was over after the girls had privately reached out.
Leigh-Anne pulled out all the stops for her sexy lookCredit: Tiar/SOPA Images/ShutterstockIt comes after Jesy released her bombshell Amazon Prime documentaryCredit: Prime
In her recent documentary Jesy revealed hersecret suicide attemptdays before quitting the group – suggesting her cry for help was ignored by bandmates.
Fighting back tears in the doc, she said: “That made me feel really alone. I felt like there was no point. That no one cared.”
But while Jesy gave fresh hope about the possibility of reconciling with the girls, Leigh-Anne, Jade and Perrie’s reactions over the last week, suggest maybe not.
A source told The Sun: “Jesy’s confession has obviously opened up a can of worms for the girls.
“The documentary itself and the backlash that has followed, has brought up a lot of bad feeling from the past.
“It’s been upsetting for the girls, but they are focused on their solo careers and the future now.”
It comes after Jade broke down in tears on stage as she sang Natural At Disaster, whilst on her current solo tour.
The track is said to have been written about her struggling friendship with Jesy, with lyrics including: “It’s hard to love you when you hate yourself. Can’t be there for you without negatively impacting mymental health.”
Seemingly in another swipe at Jesy, she then chose to play Natural At Disaster over her latest Instagram post.
Sharing video footage from behind the scenes at her show in Chicago, JADE wrote: “And all that jazz.”
One fan commented: “The song choice… I hope you’re not shading Jesy. I love you all.”
Perrie meanwhile has kept off social media, last posting a week ago to promote her new song Woman In Love.
She brought forward the release by four days after originally announcing it would be available on the same day as Jesy’s doc.
While Leigh-Anne has been more active than usual on social media.
She has been busy posting about her new album My Ego Told Me To as she goes on tour.
She told fans: “I can’t tell you how excited I am to perform this album live for you!
“Get me back to my happy place nowww! This one’s going to be so special!”
It comes after hopes of a Little Mix reunion appear to be now dashedCredit: AlamyThe three women are yet to respond publicly to Jesy’s Prime documentaryCredit: Getty
The crime thriller centres on three female forensic experts – Emma Hedges (portrayed by Molly Windsor), Sarah Gordon (Laura Fraser) and Kathy Torrance (Jennifer Spence) as they piece together evidence in a murder investigation and secure a conviction.
Traces unfolds in and around Dundee, though viewers might find it intriguing that most of the BBC production was actually shot in Bolton, Manchester.
Created by Val McDermid and Amelia Bullmore, the drama tracks Emma Hedges, a laboratory technician returning to her native Dundee for a fresh position.
Beyond her professional duties, she harbours a personal quest to uncover the truth surrounding her mother’s killing.
Initially broadcast on Alibi, both series subsequently transferred to BBC One, with the final episode of the 12-part run transmitted in 2024.
Fraser portrays Sarah Gordon, a Chemistry professor at the University of Tayside who becomes Emma’s superior at SIFA.
Spence takes on the role of Kathy Torrence, a forensic anthropology professor at the University of Tayside and fellow SIFA colleague.
Viewers flocked to IMDb to express their opinions on the programme, with craigpetterson noting: “Set in Dundee, Scotland, great performances by the cast. Keeps the viewer hooked until the end.”
They added: “Congratulations to Alibi for commissioning and producing such a high quality production in Scotland.”
Barryrd enthused: “I was glued to Britbox watching the first season of this highly enjoyable show. This great drama consisted of several episodes and showed how a young woman, who lost her mother as a child, struggled valiantly to find out the truth of her mother’s death.
“The story had me transfixed to my screen and highlighted the science of forensics which is such a fascinating part of solving crimes in the 21st century.”
Bella-10103 praised the series as “addictive”, adding: “Binged watched this over a couple of days, absolutely loved Traces.”
Lyninbyron summed up: “I binge watched in one day. I had to! Riveting story, great cast but missed quite a bit of the dialogue due to fast, garbled lines.
“That said, I rate it a 10 for being excellently written. Series two please, can’t wait. Congratulations to all involved.”
Traces is currently airing on NOW.
**For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new Everything Gossip website**
This BBC Three drama based on Sally Rooney’s bestselling novel is coming to Netflix soon
‘Gorgeous’ romance drama based on ‘perfect’ novel coming to Netflix
A beloved BBC drama adapted from a bestselling novel that readers have described as “perfect” is arriving on Netflix by the end of this week.
Boasting a stellar cast of familiar faces from the UK, Ireland and the USA, the eight-part series originally debuted in 2022.
Adapted from Sally Rooney’s debut novel, Conversations With Friends didn’t quite achieve the cultural phenomenon status of its BBC predecessor, Normal People, which captivated audiences during the Covid-19 lockdown of 2020.
Nevertheless, despite garnering mixed reviews upon release, there are numerous fans who believe the drama about two young best friends who become entangled with an older, successful couple has aged remarkably well and merits viewing.
Alison Oliver (Wuthering Heights) and Sasha Lane (Loki) portray Frances and Bobbi, alongside Sex Education’s Jemima Kirke and Hamnet’s Joe Alwyn as Melissa and Nick, whose lives grow increasingly intertwined, reports the Express.
One five-star review on Goodreads praised the novel as “stupidly good” and “perfect from start to finish”.
Another user concurred, describing the novel as a “perfect representation of life: it’s messy and unpredictable, and we are all just trying to find our footing”.
The live-action adaptation for BBC Three and Hulu is praised as a faithful portrayal of the novel’s events and themes, meaning Normal People fans are certainly in for a treat if they choose to dive in or revisit the series several years after its release. It will be landing on Netflix in its entirety this Sunday, 22nd February.
Watch Bridgerton on Netflix for free with Sky
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Sky is giving away a free Netflix subscription with its new Sky Stream TV bundles, including the £15 Essential TV plan.
This lets members watch live and on-demand TV content without a satellite dish or aerial and includes hit shows like Bridgerton.
One viewer remarked upon its release: “Conversations With Friends the TV adaptation is a phenomenal success and I loved every moment of it. I may even re-watch.”
Meanwhile, an IMDb user described the series as “perfect”, hinting the television adaptation might even eclipse the original novel: “These are the kind of shows I love that don’t come around often. The actors were so interesting, different, and artistic. The backdrop of Dublin with its slightly melancholic and gritty feel captured me straight away.
**For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new **Everything Gossip** website**
“I read the book some while ago, which I really enjoyed but the storyline didn’t overly stay with me. The show brought the story to life with its intelligent conversation, character flaws and nuances.
“I found the filming to be sparing and gorgeous- it created this nostalgic feeling. Such a simple storyline with no in-your-face twist or shocking reveal. It’s more human, subtle and visceral. I haven’t watched Normal People yet but this has made me look forward to watching it.”
Conversations With Friends is available to stream on Netflix from Sunday, 22nd February.
