New In Theaters: ‘oblivion’

Salon talks to the comic and writer about his latest effort, a tribute to the woman who found Richard III's remains

Hal Hefner is an award-winning artist best known for his “CONSUME” series that serves as acrid social commentary on everything from greed and corruption to narcissism and bigotry; as he says, “It is my artistic weapon.” Hefner had to improvise real-life weapons last May when he was relentlessly attacked on his suburban street by a drug-crazed stranger and the artist’s greatest ally was the memory of Wes Craven films to guide him.

Things are getting gloomier on Season 2 of “Yellowjackets” — and not just because Jackie is dead. The arrival of winter for the teens stranded in the wilderness signals a significant shift in the story and in what Season 2 production designer Margot Ready and her team were tasked with.

[Editor’s note: Spoilers ahead for “A Good Person.”] When Zach Braff’s “Garden State” debuted in 2004, it did two things almost instantly: It established the first-time filmmaker (then best known to most audiences as the star of the sitcom “Scrubs”) as an indie creator to watch; and, to even greater effect, kickstarted a debate about the kinds of female characters who populate such stories.

For most filmmakers working today, the challenges involved in building a successful franchise aren’t likely to come up. It’s hard enough to get one movie made, much less a whole fleet of them. By that same token, navigating today’s industry requires some understanding of the key market forces driving success, and IP is definitely one of them.

The Scottish government made alcoholic drinks more expensive – and it saved people's lives. Could this be implemented in the United States?