Cody Dericks

Chicago

movies, gay stuff, etc | Writer/podcaster @NextBestPicture | @chicagocritics & @DorianAwards | @halloweenerspod host | Harvey Fierstein once called me Mary

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Articles

ChatGPT, Princess Mononoke, And The Exploitation Of Studio Ghibli

2 weeks ago | nextbestpicture.com | Cody Dericks

It’s impossible to watch a Studio Ghibli film without being struck by the beauty of the artistry on display. The legendary Japanese animation studio, and specifically the films of its co-founder Hayao Miyazaki, have been praised for not only their visual splendor but also their soul-enriching storytelling that emphasizes the importance of the shared collective experience of humanity and living in harmony with the natural world.
"ERIC LARUE" - Review

3 weeks ago | nextbestpicture.com | Cody Dericks

THE STORY – Janice is struggling in the aftermath of a shocking crime at the hands of her son. She and her husband seek solace in rival religious congregations.
"HOW TO BE NORMAL AND THE ODDNESS OF THE OTHER WORLD"

1 month ago | nextbestpicture.com | Cody Dericks

THE STORY – Freshly released from a psychiatric hospital, 26-year-old Pia moves back to her parents’ house on the outskirts of Vienna – only to discover that she is not the only one whose life has fallen apart. Her parents, Elfie and Klaus, are also finding it hard to keep up with a world that is constantly changing. In the daily struggle to survive with a shaky new job, lingering heartbreak, her meds and social stigma, Pia stumbles into a reality that feels as unsteady as herself.
From Magic To Mediocrity: Disney’s Live-Action Remakes And The Oscars

1 month ago | nextbestpicture.com | Cody Dericks

It’s easy to be pessimistic about Disney. Once upon a time, it was a film studio that captured the imaginations of the young and young at heart with clever, magical reinterpretations of classic tales and original, innovative stories. Now, it’s a regurgitative conveyor belt relying on cheap nostalgia and hollow pastiche to sell content, with no distinction in quality between films meant for theaters and slop intended for their streaming service.
"AUM: THE CULT AT THE END OF THE WORLD"

1 month ago | nextbestpicture.com | Cody Dericks

THE STORY – In 1984, Shoko Asahara started a seemingly innocuous yoga school based in Tokyo. By 1995, the group had evolved into a doomsday cult called Aum Shinrikyo, meaning “Supreme Truth,” whose weapon of choice was sarin, an extraordinarily toxic nerve gas first invented by the Nazis during World War II.
"THE ALTO KNIGHTS" - Review

1 month ago | nextbestpicture.com | Cody Dericks

THE STORY – In the 1950s, notorious New York crime bosses Frank Costello and Vito Genovese vie for control of the city streets. Once the best of friends, petty jealousies and a series of betrayals place them on a deadly collision course that reshapes organized crime forever.
"FORGE" - Review

1 month ago | nextbestpicture.com | Cody Dericks

THE STORY – In Miami, the resourceful Zhang siblings—Raymond and Coco—sell forged paintings to unsuspecting parties. Despite their thriving underground operation, the siblings are still short on cash when they cross paths with disgraced millionaire Holden Beaumont. Sensing an opportunity to make a fortune, Holden convinces the Zhangs to forge long lost masterpieces as a front for his family’s collection.
"THE SURRENDER" - Review

1 month ago | nextbestpicture.com | Cody Dericks

THE STORY – A fraught mother-daughter relationship is put to a terrifying test when the family patriarch dies, and the grieving mother hires a mysterious stranger to bring her husband back from the dead. As the bizarre and brutal resurrection spirals out of control, both women must confront their differences as they fight for their lives – and for each other.
"FOR WORSE" - Review

1 month ago | nextbestpicture.com | Cody Dericks

THE STORY – Lauren, a newly divorced, sober mom, feels like she has a new lease on life after joining her first acting class and starting a fling with her hot, young scene partner. However, when they attend their Gen Z classmate’s wedding together, things begin to fall apart, and Lauren finds herself behaving like a drunk 25-year-old bridesmaid. Luckily after a disastrous night she stumbles into a new day and a new beginning.
"CONTROL FREAK" - Review

1 month ago | nextbestpicture.com | Cody Dericks

THE STORY – A motivational speaker is tormented by an unrelenting itch on the back of her head. THE CAST – Kelly Marie Tran, Miles Robbins, Toan Le & Kieu ChinhTHE TEAM – Shal Ngo (Director/Writer)THE RUNNING TIME – 104 MinutesGood news for folks who invested in Kelly Marie Tran stock after her breakthrough performance in “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” – 2025 is going to be a big year for her. She’s leading a film called “Forge” set to open at South by Southwest this week.