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The second season of Andor is now in full swing, reaching its midpoint in just two weeks. For better or for worse, episodes are dropping in batches of three, and the latest set delivers a fascinating look at life under the Empire as several Rebels gather on Ghorman, resulting in two major plot events.

One of the key events puts Kleya in a perilous situation as she must undertake a daring mission in the most adverse circumstances. Meanwhile, another subplot sees Saw Gerrera transform into an almost Don Corleone-like figure, leading to a Godfather-like twist. Here is everything you need to know about two of the most understated actions in Andor season 2.

Andor season 2 gives Kleya a legendary Star Wars mission

Andor season 2 episodes 4 to 6 primarily revolve around Ghorman, with Cassian and Bix infiltrating the Empire-occupied planet to run a mission for Luthen Rael (Stellan Skarsgård). Meanwhile, Luthen and his...

Check out Sinners IMDb rating and rank on IMDb 250 list (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Many diehard entertainment enthusiasts might already know that the globally popular movies and TV shows database portal IMDb houses a list that mentions the top 250 movies of all time from across the world, according to their IMDb user ratings. And the only film from the current year that has cracked the coveted IMDb top 250 movies list is Ryan Coogler & Michael B. Jordan’s Sinners.

Sinners IMDb Rating & Rank

It’s a pretty big deal if a film has cracked the IMDb top 250 movies list. Interestingly, Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan’s Sinners has become the first and only film from the year 2025 that has been able to find a place in the coveted list. As of now, Sinners has a user rating of 8.2/10 based on 58k votes and is currently placed at Rank 250 on the IMDb list.

Some of the best anime don’t need an expansive universe and go on for decades, they just need one season with a few episodes and a focused plot. 91 Days is one such hidden gem of an anime series, an amazing thriller with a revenge plot that rivals The Godfather franchise, though it isn’t a trilogy and nearly that vast.

91 Days only has 12 episodes, with an additional original video animation, and within this short span, you get a steady storyline with great pacing and a satisfying ending that allows viewers to interpret it for themselves. While most people are frustrated with open endings, 91 Days does it with grace.

The plot might be quite heavy, but it’s worth it. Angelo Lagusa’s story is something you can get quickly invested in from the get-go. You root for his revenge, but also come to know and understand the villains.

Oscar-winning Italian composer Nino Rota, who scored “La Dolce Vita,” “The Leopard” and “The Godfather” – among many other masterpiece movies – is set for “Nino” a high-profile documentary being directed by prominent editor, screenwriter and director Walter Fasano.

Fasano is known for his longtime creative collaboration with Luca Guadagnino mainly as an editor on films such as “I Am Love,” on which he served both as editor and co-writer; “A Bigger Splash”; “Call Me by Your Name”; and the doc “Bertolucci on Bertolucci” that Guadagnino and Fasano co-directed. Fasano more recently directed the doc “Pino” about Italian artist, sculptor, and set designer Pino Pascali.

Rota wrote the score for 16 films directed by Federico Fellini, including “La Strada,” “8 1/2,” “Juliet of the Spirits” and “Amarcord,” besides “La Dolce Vita.” He also composed music for Franco Zeffirelli’s “Romeo and Juliet” and the Sicilian-inspired theme for “The Godfather,” whose “Part II” score won him his only Oscar.

Weapons Trailer: "From New Line Cinema and Zach Cregger, the wholly original mind behind Barbarian, comes a new horror/thriller: Weapons.

When all but one child from the same class mysteriously vanish on the same night at exactly the same time, a community is left questioning who or what is behind their disappearance.

The film stars Josh Brolin, Julia Garner, Alden Ehrenreich, Austin Abrams, Cary Christopher, with Benedict Wong, and Amy Madigan.

Cregger directs from his own screenplay, and also produces alongside Roy Lee, Miri Yoon, J.D. Lifshitz and Raphael Margules, with Michelle Morrissey and Josh Brolin executive producing. The filmmaker’s creative team behind the camera includes director of photography Larkin Seiple, production designer Tom Hammock, editor Joe Murphy and costume designer Trish Sommerville. The music is by Ryan Holladay, Hays Holladay and Zach Cregger.

New Line Cinema Presents a Subconscious/Vertigo Entertainment/Boulderlight Pictures Production, a Zach Cregger Film,...

Film directors are the masterminds behind the magic, the real wizards of the silver screen. While actors may get all the glory, it’s the directors who pull the strings, calling the shots (literally) and shaping the stories we love. From the old-school legends who defined cinema to the fresh talents shaking things up today, the film industry has been home to some of the most iconic filmmakers in history.

Some directors are known for their jaw-dropping action sequences, others for their mind-bending storytelling, and a few for making us cry into our popcorn. Whether it’s Steven Spielberg’s heartwarming adventures, Quentin Tarantino’s blood-soaked brilliance, or Christopher Nolan’s brain-busting timelines, each director brings something unique to the table. Here are 30 legendary directors from all over the world who spellbind us with their craft.

30. Francis Ford Coppola Francis Ford Coppola in The Godfather Part III (Credits- Paramount)

Francis...

Some cartoon buffoons may think The Godfather insists upon itself, but the film is widely considered one of the greatest ever, a masterful saga of family, legacy and business that topped the box office for 1972, nabbed three Oscars and is constantly ranked on best-of lists, from the AFI and Sight & Sound to Letterboxd and They Shoot Pictures, Don’t They? And since greatness recognizes greatness, Steven Spielberg has officially declared it as the best American film ever.

Speaking at pal Francis Ford Coppola’s recent AFI Life Achievement Award event (via Variety), Spielberg (who received the honor back in 1995), declared, “The Godfather, for me, is the greatest American film ever made. Many artists can and do take a bow from their work on a page, on a canvas, on a screen, but our applause for you Francis, is from a different kind of audience.” Spielberg has always been a...

Marvel Actor Stole Jordans(Photo Credit –Instagram)

In a move straight out of a Hollywood tradition, Shang-Chi star Simu Liu took home a keepsake that Marvel Studios probably never expected to go missing. While Marvel is notorious for guarding its props, Liu managed to sneak away with a pair of Nike Air Jordan Access sneakers worn during one of the most memorable scenes in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings—the iconic bus fight.

In a candid interview with GQ, Liu admitted, “I’m pretty sure there is a Marvel Pa out there still trying to track these down. But guess what? On my last day of shooting, I did manage to swipe them.” Talk about a move no one saw coming—except, maybe, for Liu, who clearly wanted to hold onto the moment. The bus scene was a fan favorite, with Liu’s split-kick move making waves...

Mafia Word Omission From The Godfather(Photo Credit –Prime Video)

It turns out that The Godfather’s absence of a specific infamous word wasn’t an accident, nor was it a subtle nod to classier storytelling; it was merely a survival instinct. Fans are only now connecting the dots, realizing why that single term, so central to the story’s real-life inspiration, is nowhere to be found in the script.

The production wasn’t just navigating the usual Hollywood egos and budget constraints behind the scenes. They were toeing a line that most wouldn’t dare cross as it could have dealt directly with the real-life underworld.

Hollywood Meets the Mob

At the time, the Italian-American Civil Rights League, headed by none other than mob boss Joe Colombo, was up in arms. They claimed the term “mafia” was a slur against Italian-Americans, and they made their opposition known in a...

On a night saluting the independence and go-for-broke cinematic life of Francis Ford Coppola, Al Pacino perhaps best summed up why the legendary filmmaker has opted out of accepting many honors over the decades by quoting Coppola himself, who once said, “The things you do when you’re young that you get fired for, are the same things that years later, they give you lifetime achievement awards for.”

Well Coppola, finally on the 50th anniversary of the AFI Life Achievement Award dinners, got the most prestigious one of all for movie makers, and having been to numerous of these AFI events over the decades (Frank Capra’s in 1982 was my first), this warm and very starry evening Saturday was among the very best, and certainly one of the best attended by other legends and past AFI honorees themselves.

No less than seven, count ’em, seven past AFI Life Achievement Award...

After the success of "The Godfather" in 1972 and the even larger success of "The Godfather Part II" in 1974, writer/director Francis Ford Coppola was done with the series. He felt that the stories of Vito Corleone and his son Michael (Al Pacino) had been told. Coppola told a complex Shakespearean drama about a man's loyalty to his mob-leading family, and how that seemingly honorable quality undercut his desire to live a normal life. Michael was granted power in the mob as a result, and as he rose through the ranks, he lost his soul. In his more lucid moments, he was at peace with that. 

Coppola was finished, but Paramount wanted to keep going, knowing that the "Godfather" movies weren't just prestige pictures, but major blockbusters. In that way that studios have, Paramount wanted to put a stool down next to "The Godfather" and milk it for all it was worth.

Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Harrison Ford, Morgan Freeman, Spike Lee, Diane Lane and more sang the praises of Francis Ford Coppola at the 50th AFI Lifetime Achievement Award tribute event Saturday night at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.

Spielberg called Coppola “peerless” while Lucas said, “You’re our hero, Francis, the first university student to make it in the industry.” Son Roman Coppola was also on hand, as was Gia Coppola, while Sofia Coppola shared a pre-taped video interview with her father.

Throughout the emotional evening, Coppola was celebrated as a true Hollywood outsider who made the system work for him and someone who launched dozens of careers, as with the cast of his 1983 film “The Outsiders.” Here are some of the highlights from the ceremony:

Steven Spielberg moved Coppola to tears

In his moving tribute to his longtime friend, Spielberg had his fellow filmmaker...

As Francis Ford Coppola received AFI’s 50th Life Achievement Award, Adam Driver praised his fearless approach to cinema.

During Saturday’s gala at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, the actor paid tribute to “one of my cinematic heroes” and his big swing with last year’s Megalopolis, which Coppola self-funded after first conceiving the idea in 1983.

“A theater director who brought his process to film and revolutionized how we think about cinema, and certainly how we make it,” said Driver. “His movies, for some, are the yardstick to be measured by, and at the very least, examples of the possibilities in film, like in my opinion, Megalopolis.”

Recalling “the best piece of direction I ever heard” that came from the first day of filming Megalopolis, Driver said Coppola told the room, “We’re not being brave enough.”

Putting that piece of advice into the context of Coppola’s storied career,...

Although Robert De Niro was passed over for The Godfather, his starring role in the sequel turned out to be the offer he couldn’t refuse.

While paying tribute to director Francis Ford Coppola with the AFI Life Achievement Award, he and co-star Al Pacino reminisced about their time with the filmmaker on his seminal mafia film franchise.

“Francis, thank you for not casting me in The Godfather,” said De Niro during Saturday’s gala at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. “It was the best job I ever, never got. And it meant I was available for The Godfather Part II. Francis, you changed my career, you changed my life. We’re all here tonight because of you. We love you.”

Following Pacino’s breakout performance as Michael Corleone in 1972’s adaptation of Mario Puzo’s book, the 1974 sequel followed the parallel paths of father and son with De...

Francis Ford Coppola, one of cinema’s most influential auteurs, was honored with the 50th AFI Life Achievement Award on Saturday at a star-studded gala at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. Seated alongside Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, his filmmaker son Roman Coppola, and granddaughter Gia Coppola, the visionary behind The Godfather trilogy, Apocalypse Now, and The Conversation was celebrated in a way only he could inspire: with reverence, love, and a whole lot of family.

The night was a retrospective of the Academy Award-winning director, writer, and producer's career, highlighting friendships with Harrison Ford, Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Ralph Macchio, Diane Lane, Dustin Hoffman, and C. Thomas Howell, among others.

Speaking to Gold Derby on the red carpet before the gala, Coppola reflected on a constant in his creative process: connecting with actors before cameras roll.

"I always ask for a couple of weeks [to get time with the actors before a project starts],” he said. “If I'm lucky,...

The first celebrity to take to the Dolby Theatre stage to celebrate filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola becoming the 50th recipient of the AFI Life Achievement Award was an actor that has actually never worked with the iconic director. Still, Morgan Freeman, himself an AFI Life Achievement Award winner in 2011, set the tone for what the rest of Coppola’s colleagues and family members would highlight from his storied career.

“Francis Ford Coppola is still the independent filmmaker, believer of dreams on a dime, teller of tales that cost and lost millions,” said Freeman. “But tonight, fuck the bankers and the backers. We’re here to celebrate art.”

Though she was not at the event in person, his daughter Sofia Coppola, an Oscar-winning filmmaker in her own right, filmed a retrospective interview with the AFI honoree that served as a framework for the event.

One of the first films to get...

Francis Ford Coppola was honored by a star-studded group of friends and collaborators on Saturday night as he received this year’s AFI Life Achievement Award at the Dolby Theatre.

Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Adam Driver, Harrison Ford, Morgan Freeman, Dustin Hoffman, Ron Howard, C. Thomas Howell, Diane Lane, Spike Lee, Ralph Macchio, son Roman and granddaughter Gia all took part in the American Film Institute event, this year celebrating its landmark 50th anniversary.

Freeman kicked things off by joking that although he had “never, ever been in a movie written, directed or produced by Francis Ford Coppola,” he had profoundly moved by his films. Celebrating Coppola for being an independent filmmaker, Freeman called him a “weaver of dreams on a dime, teller of tales that cost and lost millions — but tonight, fuck the bankers and the backers. We are here to celebrate art and...

Hollywood stars who lost out on iconic roles ( Photo Credit – Instagram )

You know, like when you’re locked into one film and miss out on that other golden opportunity. It’s not always about a bad decision, sometimes it’s just about timing.

Honestly, picture it, you’re all set to play the hero, but a pesky scheduling conflict with a previous project keeps you from donning that cape. And while other actors swoop in and become legends, you’re left wondering what could’ve been. These stars found themselves trapped in other roles, missing out on iconic gigs that could’ve changed their careers. What could’ve happened if they’d had a free schedule?

Let’s dive into the stars who almost played some of Hollywood’s most unforgettable characters!

Trending The Godfather: Why Vito Corleone’s Death Is Still The Most Powerful Moment In The Franchise...

Francis Ford Coppola was celebrated Saturday night at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles as he received the 50th AFI Life Achievement Award, the highest recognition from the American Film Institute. The evening brought together many of Hollywood’s most respected names, including Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Harrison Ford, Adam Driver, Morgan Freeman, and Spike Lee.

Spielberg and Lucas, who share decades-long friendships with Coppola, presented the award. Spielberg, recalling their first meeting in 1967, praised Coppola’s openness and creative fearlessness. “On one hand, you are a warrior for independent artists,” Spielberg said. “But also, and always, you’re fearless in how open you are to ideas, opinions and inspiration.” He described watching an early five-hour cut of Apocalypse Now with other filmmakers, highlighting Coppola’s willingness to invite feedback and collaborate in the creative process.

“You have taken what came before and redefined the canon of American film,...

A Look At 8 Films That Nearly Ruined The Careers Of The Makers ( Photo Credit – Prime Video )

Directing a movie sounds glamorous, megaphone in hand, visions of Oscars dancing in your head. But in reality? It’s more like herding caffeinated cats through a minefield. One wrong move, and Hollywood will toss you into the “has-been” pile faster than you can say “creative differences.” Even the most brilliant directors aren’t immune. A single disaster at the box office, and suddenly, your next gig is directing car commercials in Ohio.

Some of the movies on this list came from fresh-faced newcomers; others were from seasoned legends who made one epic misstep. Whether it was a bloated passion project or a tone-deaf misfire, these films didn’t just flop, they nearly sent their directors into career exile. And while a few managed a comeback, others became cautionary tales whispered in studio boardrooms.

Hollywood legends gathered Saturday night to celebrate Francis Ford Coppola as he received the prestigious AFI Life Achievement Award, the highest honor bestowed by the American Film Institute.

Steven Spielberg and George Lucas presented Coppola with the 50th AFI Life Achievement Award.

Spielberg called Coppola “fearless.” Spielberg, who first met Coppola in 1967, said, “On one hand, you are a warrior for independent artists, you always champion their causes, but also, and always, you’re fearless in how open you are to ideas, opinions and inspiration.”

He recalled watching an early cut of “Apocalypse Now,” which was five hours long, with other filmmakers. “When the film ended, you asked us to tell you what we saw, how we felt. You invited all of us in, so one by one, we told you where we were lost and where we were found, and I sat there in awe, learning that leaving yourself open and searching was,...

Enola Holmes 3 ( Photo Credit – Netflix )

Enola Holmes is back at it again, and we’re here for all the sleuthing and sarcasm! Following the massive success of the first two films, Netflix has officially given the green light to Enola Holmes 3, much to the delight of fans everywhere. Based on Nancy Springer’s book series, the teen detective is set to unravel even more mysteries while breaking the fourth wall with her trademark wit.

From her electric performance to the thrilling cases that make Sherlock’s puzzles look like child’s play, Enola has captured hearts worldwide. So, grab your magnifying glasses, Enola Holmes is ready to solve more mysteries, and this time, she’s taking us on an even bigger adventure!

Enola Holmes 3 Release Date

Enola Holmes fans, the wait continues! After much speculation and plenty of crossed fingers, Netflix officially confirmed that Enola Holmes 3...

Vito Corleone In The Godfather ( Photo Credit – Prime Video )

The Godfather franchise, like all great gangster stories, is steeped in violence, but beneath the bloodshed lies a story rich with soul. It forces us to confront uncomfortable questions: Death, destruction, what were they all for? What did these characters truly achieve before they met their end? What were their final thoughts as life slipped away? In the end, there is a timeless question: after all the blood spilled and all the battles won, what does it mean to live a good life?

When we compare the deaths of two Godfathers from the franchise, Vito Corleone, who established the empire, and Michael Corleone, who expanded the empire and attempted to bring the business toward legitimacy, we can trace both of their lives and deaths to justify the headline.

On the surface, and even from a medical standpoint, both men died peacefully of natural causes.

The American Film Institute paid tribute to Francis Ford Coppola on Saturday with its 50th Life Achievement Award.

Performers like Elle Fanning and Andy Garcia; fellow filmmakers like Ron Howard, Spike Lee and George Lucas; as well as top brass such as Michael Barker and Ted Sarandos, among many others, were in attendance to celebrate the Godfather director during a gala at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

“Francis Ford Coppola is a peerless artist – one who has created seminal works in the canon of American film, and has also inspired generations of filmmakers who now embody his artistry and his independent spirit,” said Kathleen Kennedy, Chair of the AFI Board of Trustees. “AFI is honored to present him with the 50th AFI Life Achievement Award.”

Related: Francis Ford Coppola’s Career In Photos, From ‘Apocalypse Now’ To ‘The Godfather’

The Life Achievement Award is AFI’s highest esteem for a career in film.

Francis Ford Coppola has won five Oscars in a career where he has cemented his place as one of history’s greatest filmmakers.

He won twice for writing, for Patton, The Godfather, the latter of which also won him Best Director and Best Picture in 1973, leading two more Godfather movies of equal acclaim. He has garnered a total of 14 nominations and won the honorary Irving G. Thalberg Award in 2011.

Check out a photo gallery of his career work.

The Godfather Whispered Secret (Photo Credit – Prime Video)

Film openings are a treacherous art, demanding an impossible balance as they must grab attention, introduce vital players, and sketch a world we’re about to lose ourselves in. Few have ever nailed this as perfectly as The Godfather’s first scene, where Bonasera, the funeral director, humbly steps into the darkened court of Don Vito Corleone. From the moment he asks for “justice” after his daughter’s brutal assault, the film announces itself with a quiet power that words alone could never capture.

What We Don’t Hear Is Just As Powerful

Without theatrics or over-explanation, the scene whispers its intentions, quite literally. Bonasera leans in, breathing his desperate request into Vito’s ear and the audience is left stranded in vain to catch it.

What we don’t hear speaks louder than anything we could have heard. We learn quickly...

It is a pretty common notion that books are better than films. This is usually true because a film has constraints on length and time, while a book doesn’t have these issues and can flesh out a story properly. However, there have been instances where a film adaptation of a novel turned out to be way better than the book.

Some of these films went on to win accolades, like the Academy Awards, while others became cult classics. From The Godfather to Misery, these are our favorite picks for the movies that are way better than the book they were based on.

10. The Godfather (1972) Based on: The Godfather by Mario Puzo (1969)

Mario Puzo’s crime novel was a brilliantly imagined work, quickly becoming a bestseller worldwide. When Puzo discussed a film adaptation of The Godfather with Francis Ford Coppola, fans never expected it to outperform the novel. Coppola ran...

In a statement, the 86-year-old director of the critical and box-office flop said the book confirms his feeling that ‘art can never be constrained’

Megalopolis, Francis Ford Coppola’s $120m passion project, was neither a box office nor a critical success on release last year. Largely funded by the sale of Coppola’s own vineyards, the sci-fi epic starring Adam Driver took around $14m at the global box office amid unconvinced reviews and rumours of abnormal on-set behaviour by its director.

A marketing campaign attempted to leverage bad critical notices by flagging that previous works by Coppola now acclaimed as masterpieces – including Apocalypse Now and The Godfather – had been dismissed by critics at the time. But this backfired after it emerged all of the sniffy historical reviews had been fabricated.

Talk about turnarounds: Hollywood is getting high marks this week for two timely hits that are being devoured by Gen Z audiences worldwide.

Filmgoers are lauding the game-based A Minecraft Movie and the original thriller Sinners — a veritable feast of video games and vampires.

And memories are short. Two years ago at this moment studio chiefs were running for cover, film releases were canceled, strikes were looming and Warner Bros. announced that all its product would be released as streaming movies. The studio even came up with the perfect counterprogramming for Oppenheimer: It was called Coyote vs Acme, basking in the afterglow of Looney Tunes.

Then came the show-stopper: Emerging from the mist was a concept called Barbenheimer. A few critics threw up their hands until Tom Cruise promised to see Oppenheimer and Barbie back to back. Even Scorsese lent his endorsement. The Coyote had vanished into the pink cloud of Barbiedom.

Global Cinema Blockbuster Hits(Photo Credit –Prime Video)

Box office records are like shifting sands, always moving, always reshaping cinema history. Every few decades, a film arrives that doesn’t just entertain but redefines what’s possible commercially. Whether through technological innovation, sweeping love stories, intergalactic battles, or groundbreaking effects, these films create cultural events that bring people to theatres in droves. Some dominate for years, others are surpassed swiftly, but all of them, at some point, claimed the same title: the highest-grossing movie of all time.

This title isn’t just about bragging rights, it’s a reflection of a film’s reach and the evolution of cinema itself. From hand-painted reels of the early 20th century to CGI spectacles of today, the list of box office kings tells a parallel story of filmmaking innovation and audience taste. And while the numbers keep climbing, only a rare few have worn the crown.

Francis Ford Coppola, one of Hollywood's most important living directors, is set to receive the Life Achievement Award from the AFI in their upcoming ceremony. Taking place at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles on April 26, the event, titled "The 50th AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Francis Ford Coppola," will be televised on TNT, although no official air date has yet been announced. However, what has been confirmed is that the prestigious award will be handed to Coppola by two Hollywood legends who happen to be very close to the director: Steven Spielberg and George Lucas.

As reported by IndieWire, the American Film Institute selected Coppola to be the next recipient of the prestigious award. Lucas and Spielberg will join other incredibly important guests such as Harrison Ford, Morgan Freeman, Dustin Hoffman, Robert De Niro, Adam Driver, Spike Lee, Al Pacino, Ralph Macchio, C. Thomas Howell and Diane Lane,...

Francis Ford Coppola is about to trade in his Razzie Award for an AFI Life Achievement Award.

The five-time Oscar winner has been named the 50th recipient of the American Film Institute's most prestigious honor. It couldn't come at a better time. Earlier this year, the 86-year-old filmmaker "won" the Worst Director Razzie for directing Megalopolis, his big-screen gamble that failed to connect with audiences.

Coppola's directing buddies George Lucas and Steven Spielberg will present the trophy on April 26. The televised special, titled The 50th AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Francis Ford Coppola, will air on TNT with an encore on TCM at a later date.

The swanky tribute will take place at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, with other A-list guests and presenters including Gia Coppola, Roman Coppola, Robert De Niro, Adam Driver, Harrison Ford, Morgan Freeman, Dustin Hoffman, Ron Howard, C. Thomas Howell, Diane Lane, Spike Lee,...

As previously announced, Francis Ford Coppola is finally receiving the coveted AFI Life Achievement Award from the American Film Institute. Now, it’s revealed that fellow directors George Lucas, who co-founded American Zoetrope with Coppola, and Steven Spielberg will present the award to the auteur during the 50th AFI Life Achievement ceremony.

“There is only one Francis Ford Coppola,” Bob Gazzale, AFI President and CEO, said. “And it is AFI’s honor to gather the art and entertainment communities, along with his family, friends and colleagues to celebrate cinema — all of it — and the very best of it.”

Coppola has famously pushed the boundaries of cinema, most recently with his self-funded epic “Megalopolis.” When he won the Worst Director title from the Razzie Awards, Coppola brilliantly wrote on Instagram that he chooses to “not follow the gutless rules laid down by an industry so terrified of risk that despite the...

When Francis Ford Coppola receives the AFI Life Achievement Award in Hollywood on Saturday, he will be supported by an A-list group of friends, family and former collaborators.

The American Film Institute announced on Tuesday that George Lucas and Steven Spielberg will present the 50th AFI Life Achievement Award to the famed filmmaker at the Dolby Theater. Gia and Roman Coppola, Robert De Niro, Adam Driver, Harrison Ford, Morgan Freeman, Dustin Hoffman, Ron Howard, C. Thomas Howell, Diane Lane, Spike Lee, Ralph Macchio and Al Pacino will also be among the presenters and guests taking part in the event.

“There is only one Francis Ford Coppola,” AFI president and CEO Bob Gazzale said in a statement. “And it is AFI’s honor to gather the art and entertainment communities, along with his family, friends and colleagues to celebrate cinema — all of it and the very best of it.”

The AFI Life Achievement Award...

There’s always something magical about a classic movie that refuses to age. It feels like the filmmakers have found the fountain of youth while the rest of the world scrambles for anti-aging creams. These classics aren’t just “old” movies; they’re the truest cinematic time capsules that still feel fresh, exciting, and oddly relevant. Take Casablanca, does romance get any cooler than Humphrey Bogart’s effortless swagger? Or The Godfather, where every line could double as life advice.

And yes, of course, how can we forget Psycho, which is still making people second-guess their shower curtain choices decades later? Honestly, the beauty of these timeless classics lies in their ability to connect with every generation. We’ve got themes of love, fear, ambition, and triumph that never go out of style, and neither do unforgettable characters or sharp dialogue. Doesn’t watching Roman Holiday feel like a warm hug from an old friend,...

Paris-based sales outfit Alpha Violet has acquired world distribution rights to “Caravan,” a first feature by Czech director Zuzana Kirchnerová about a mother and her disabled son who embark on road trip. The film will soon premiere in Un Certain Regard at the Cannes Film Festival.

“Caravan” stars prominent Czech actor Aňa Geislerová as a mother “worn down by years of caregiving who embarks on a transformative journey through Italy with her intellectually disabled son,” according to the provided synopsis.

A personal drama, shaped by Kirchnerová’s own experience as a parent to a child with Down syndrome and autism, “Caravan” explores themes of motherhood and rebellion. The film marks Czech cinema’s return to the Cannes’ official selection after more than three decades. The last majority Czech film in the fest’s main program was Jan Švankmajer’s “Faust” in 1994.

“Despite its difficult subject, I wanted to create a film that allows for lightness,...

Did you know that the famous cat scene in The Godfather was unplanned? ( Photo Credit – Prime Video )

Among the many unforgettable moments stitched into The Godfather, there’s one scene that lives rent-free in the minds of film lovers and it wasn’t even planned. The iconic image of Don Vito Corleone, with a cat lounging in his lap, was pure serendipity, an accident that later bloomed into cinematic gold.

A Cat with No Role, Yet Steals the Show

That feline wasn’t in the script or cast. It didn’t audition. It just wandered onto the set like it owned the place. Coppola spotted it prowling around and, in a stroke of quiet genius, placed it into Brando’s hands without so much as a whisper.

No direction. No heads-up. Just pure instinct. The purring, which nearly drowned out Brando’s dialogue, became part of the scene’s strange,...

Al Pacino is the Oscar-winning actor who has starred in dozens of classics throughout his nearly 50 year career, from his star-making breakthrough in "The Godfather" (1972) to his late-career triumph in "The Irishman" (2019). Tour through our photo gallery of Pacino's 25 greatest films, ranked worst to best.

Though an acting legend, it took Pacino 20 years and eight nominations to finally cash in his Oscar I.O.U. for "Scent of a Woman". Prior to that he competed for "The Godfather", "Serpico", "The Godfather, Part II", "Dog Day Afternoon", "... And Justice for All", "Dick Tracy" and "Glengarry Glen Ross", but he didn't win any of those bids.

Surprisingly, his 1992 noms for "Scent of a Woman" and "Glengarry Glen Ross" were followed by a long Academy drought, despite additional critically acclaimed performances in "Heat" (1995), "Donnie Brasco" (1997), "The Insider" (1999) and "Insomnia" (2002). During that time, he became a TV favorite with Emmy-winning turns in "Angels in America...

If there’s one thing people know about Rodney Dangerfield, it’s that he never received any admiration, regard or esteem. Dangerfield’s signature catchphrase about getting “no respect” from anyone was, of course, a foundational part of his stand-up act, his public persona and his mercifully brief hip-hop career.

But where did the line actually come from? Well, Dangerfield offered up a few different stories about the joke’s origin over the years. During a 1973 appearance on the game show What’s My Line? he claimed that it began with an encounter in an elevator. “How I first happened to start with ‘no respect’ was I actually felt I wasn’t getting any, as a lot of people do in life, and I said what I felt,” Dangerfield explained. “One day I was going in an elevator, and I was going to the third floor, and the elevator operator looked at me,...

The Sopranos blew the doors off what TV could be. It set the standard for prestige drama, something that, in all honesty, has been quite hard to beat, or even match. Before The Sopranos, networks enjoyed their safety, comfort, and the tried and tested formula for success. Why fix what’s not broke? Things could have very well remained the same – a good ol’ mix of happy endings, clean-cut heroes, and nobody rocking the boat.

The medium would eventually get its breakout anti-hero, with a fair bit of agita. Tony Soprano kicked the door open for every great show that followed: Breaking Bad, Mad Men, Game of Thrones, all of it. The Peabody Awards took notice early, awarding its first two seasons back-to-back – an honor shared only by Northern Exposure and The West Wing.

It’s been almost two decades since The Sopranos infamously cut to black in its finale,...

Friendships can develop over the smallest of commonalities. Jerry Seinfeld, the legendary comedian, acutely observed that in most cases, kids form friendships simply because they live near each other. In Jerry Schatzberg’s “Scarecrow” (1973), when Francis asks Max, “Why did you pick me as your friend and business partner?” Max earnestly responds, “Cause you gave me your last match. You made me laugh.” When these bonds form, they form for life.

“Scarecrow” won the Cannes Palme d’Or in 1973 but got lost in the crowd of movies now remembered from that era. While it’s arguable whether it’s an important film, the fact remains that two of the greatest actors of all time give performances that remain singular in their filmography. Probably one of the strongest lead pairings of the 1970s in terms of acting prowess, Al Pacino and Gene Hackman chose this particular project to be their next...

We are excited to present the important and robust 2025 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival slate of films. The line up includes themes of resilience, community, identity and family.

The opening night film of the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival is the Los Angeles Premiere of Moloka’I Bound directed by Alika Tengan. His second feature is a deep and compelling film that follows Kainoa De Silva, a wayward Hawaiian man who is on parole and committed to reconnecting with his family. As he attempts to rebuild, he makes mistakes along the way which affects his relationship with his son. This cinematically beautiful film explores themes of second chances and strong cultural identity.

Maybe It’S Just The Rain

The World Premiere of the thoughtful and graceful Maybe It’S Just The Rain directed by Reina Bonta (member of the Philippine World Cup Female Soccer Team) is a poetic...

Having binged 1923, it’s hard not to imagine Clint Eastwood raising an eyebrow or maybe even walking out of the room altogether. The standoffs, the brooding cowboys… sure, it’s all there. But somewhere between all the shootouts and drama, Sheridan’s Yellowstone universe turned into something Eastwood might’ve side-eyed.

Eastwood’s legacy was built on lean storytelling and quiet strength. Sheridan’s got power struggles, family feuds, and enough monologues to fill a saloon. Respect to the empire he’s built, but if Eastwood’s no-nonsense Westerns were the blueprint, this franchise feels like the overly dramatic, big-budget remix.

Clint Eastwood’s legacy didn’t ride into Yellowstone; it got trampled by it Clint Eastwood in a still from Unforgiven | Credits: Warner Bros.

After watching 1923, I had one thought stuck in my head: Unforgiven didn’t deserve this. That gritty, haunting masterpiece from Clint Eastwood inspired a Western empire,...

As a bloodsucking Transylvanian Count once sort of said, "Listen to them, genre filmmakers of the night. What vampire movies they make!" And they sure do make some pretty great vampire movies. Whether it's a grandiose sweeping romance made by the director of The Godfather to honour the most famous vampire book ever made, a hundred-plus-year-old work of pure German Expressionist terror, or a Kiwi comic caper that gives the undead the mockumentary treatment, time and again moviemakers have found new and ever-edifying ways to bring fresh blood to one of genre storytelling's most perennially appealing creatures of the night.

But with such a deep, presumably claret-filled pool of vampire cinema to dive into, we know just how hard it can be to bite the bullet (and/or neck) and whittle down the ever-growing watchlist to the true genre essentials. And so, with that in mind, we here at Empire have drawn our holy water,...

Pam Brady is a comedy writer’s comedy writer, her Hollywood career starting in the mid-1990s. If you don’t recognize her name, you know her credits: She was integral to the early years of South Park — she was also co-writer of South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut and Team America: World Police — and she wrote the cult classic Hot Rod and co-created the Maria Bamford sitcom Lady Dynamite. And if all that wasn’t enough, she’s got stories about Robert Evans, the notorious producer and studio head responsible for some of the great American movies of the 1970s, like The Godfather. That’s what she wants to talk about first when we meet up over Zoom.

“I did the animated show Kid Notorious,” she says, referring to the short-lived 2003 Comedy Central sitcom that featured Evans as the swaggering main character. “I had to quit before we even...

Clint Eastwood may have retired from directing after Juror No.2, but he leaves behind a lasting legacy that consists of riveting dramas that span genres. Eastwood has been a multiple Oscar-winner, but he won his first for Best Director with the Western drama Unforgiven, which also won Best Picture and got him a Best Actor nomination.

Eastwood’s drama on justice and morality was written by David Webb Peoples. The writer mentioned that the film was roughly the same as the script, and no rewrites were demanded from the Gran Torino star. However, the filmmaker was not the first to get his hands on the script, as almost a decade earlier, Francis Ford Coppola had optioned the rights for it.

Francis Ford Coppola’s version of Unforgiven would have been tough to get made Clint Eastwood in Unforgiven | Credits: Warner Bros.

Screenwriter David Webb Peoples was known for his work...

With every Breaking Bad rewatch, something new unlocks; yes, that’s how insanely detailed the story is. Vince Gilligan went all out, layering in so many dimensions that fans are still dissecting scenes over a decade later. The Easter eggs drop hints about what’s coming, while the references nod to iconic works that inspired it all.

Walter White is so complex that even he might struggle to figure out what he really wants. But the subtle clues hidden in plain sight give us a glimpse into his true nature. After all, no matter what someone does, at the core of it, it’s what they wanted all along, right? His relationships, intentions, and motivations are all foreshadowed through these Easter eggs.

Every masterpiece is built on the shoulders of others, and Gilligan doesn’t hold back on the tributes. From The Godfather to Pulp Fiction, the show is packed...

With a career now easily over five decades, Al Pacino has given us some of the most iconic roles on the silver screen. If you look at his run in the ‘70s – The Godfather movies, Serpico, Dog Day Afternoon, …And Justice For All – you’re looking at some iconic performances. But for Pacino, it’s never been all about dramas like those. Yes, he fell into some self-parody later on, but the guy could chew a scene like a pack of gum. And it’s those sorts of performances that Pacino considers his most fun.

Appearing at the American Cinematheque last month for a special 50th anniversary screening of Dog Day Afternoon, Al Pacino fielded questions from attendees, one of whom wanted to know what his most fun roles were. The number one choice for Pacino was Dick Tracy, in which he played colorful crime boss Big Boy Caprice, which...

If you're ever having a bad day or feeling like you're not good enough, remember that Steven Spielberg has made some pretty bad movies. That's not to disparage the Beard. He's an iconic director and a huge reason for Hollywood's astronomical success in the 1970s, '80s, and '90s. Indeed, he belongs on the Mount Rushmore of great filmmakers -- but he's far from perfect. Yes, even Steven freaking Spielberg is not immune from making a bad call now and again. Somehow, every time he seemingly hits a low point, like immediately after 1990's "Hook," he bounces back with a vengeance, namely the one-two punch of "Jurassic Park" and Best Picture winner "Schindler's List."

He's not the only one. James Cameron, Ron Howard, Peter Jackson, and George Lucas proudly stand atop this list of 15 great movie directors who made terrible films. As you keep reading, remember that we do...

Among some of the most famous stories about making iconic movies, one that is exceptionally well-known is how Sylvester Stallone made the first Rocky. The actor's perseverance in what could be considered one of the lowest points of his life, paired with the massive success that Rocky turned out to be, turns the making-of story into an underdog story in and of itself. The executives at Amazon MGM Studios seem to have realized this themselves, as an exciting update on a film adaptation of Stallone's campaign to make and play Rocky has now been confirmed.

During the Amazon MGM Studios panel at the recent CinemaCon event (via Film Stories), the project was revealed to be officially moving forward and going into production soon. The film, tentatively titled I Play Rocky, was first announced in a report from Deadline back in May 2024. Peter Farrelly is attached to direct the project,...