The Contending

(Los Angeles, CA – July 15, 2026) – The Critics Choice Association (CCA) announced today the nominees for the 6th annual Critics Choice Super Awards, honoring the most popular, fan-obsessed genres across both television and movies, including Superhero, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Horror, and Action. Winners will be announced via press release on Thursday, August 6, 2026. “Superman” leads this year’s film nominees, having earned six nominations including Best Superhero Movie.

Williamsport, PA – Once again the River Valley Film Festival will open its festival weekend with its Red Carpet Friday event. Closing down West Fourth Street in downtown Williamsport next to their weekend host, the AMC Classic Williamsport 11. The street festival will feature live music, local vendors, and the star-studded jurors and panelists on the red carpet for interviews and photo opportunities.

Executive-produced projects from Zoe Saldaña, Margot Robbie, Barry Keoghan, Idris and Sabrina Elba, Serena Williams and more also headline the 2026 programme. The HollyShorts Film Festival returns this summer for its 22nd edition, continuing its legacy as one of the world’s premier showcases for short-form cinema.

In Jonathan Spector’s theatrical masterwork Birthright, currently running at MCC, a sextet of Jewish Americans bonds after a “birthright” trip to Israel in 2006. The epic play follows their trials and tribulations over a span of almost two decades, over the course of three hours (plus two intermissions). It’s an absolutely riveting production that, with the help of the theatre gods, will move to Broadway. Read my review HERE. The ridiculously talented cast features Zoë Winters.

Going into Tomb Raider King, one thing people will immediately notice is how similar it is to Solo Leveling. Crunchyroll’s new anime also takes place in the modern world where secret tombs have appeared and raiders go in and steal artifacts to increase their powers, but also work for powerful corporations or governments. Our lead Jooheon Suh is, at the start, near death before a powerful entity gives him a second chance for unknown reasons.

Last week, the Television Academy unveiled their 2026 Emmy nominations. So now, we finally get to geek out at length over our favorite Emmy category: Title Design. Back in the fall of 2025, HBO Max’s IT: Welcome To Derry premiered and immediately caught our attention with its vivid, inventive, and often terrifying opening credits. We knew it would be a nominee for Title Design as soon as it launched. And we were right. But is it the front runner?

The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) today announced the nominees for the 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards. The ceremony is set to take place on Friday, October 30 in Hollywood, California. “We’re proud to honor the extraordinary talent and creative teams whose work continues to define and elevate daytime television,” said Adam Sharp, President and CEO of NATAS.

Most people probably think of Sam Neill as an Australian actor—close, but not quite. While it’s more accurate to think of Neill as a New Zealander, he was actually born in Omagh, Northern Ireland, in 1947. His family moved to New Zealand in 1954, where he would make his primary home for the rest of his life. “Sam” was actually born Nigel Neill, but as a boy, he decided that Nigel was too “effete” for the rugged playground of Cashmere Primary School.

Happy Tuesday, dear readers! Each week, we’ll rank the top 10 films in a specific category. While we aim to tie these lists to big releases, that won’t always be the case. Our goal? For you to enjoy, share your own lists, and join in on a lively, friendly debate. This is an interactive space to build community here at The Contending. No fancy intros, no long essays – just a category and a list. Sound good?

Are all detectives seeking satisfaction? When a crime has just been committed or a body is still on the ground, the most comforting thing that can happen with passersby is the arrival of the person determined to put the pieces together. If we found ourselves in the orbit of a murder investigation, we would find relief in a Poirot, a Miss Marple, or, yes, a Jessica Fletcher. Jorge Molina’s The Motive is a mousetrap all its own: a whodunnit when “the who” isn’t the biggest burning question.