It was captivating to watch *Maria*. I wasn’t particularly familiar with Maria Callas beyond knowing some of her famous musical works. It was genuinely sad, but also very absorbing, to discover more about her life and the close of it. The story is presented in a lovely way. I found it surprising that Steven Knight wrote this, as it's not something I would have anticipated given his other projects—though clearly, h…

It’s easy to understand why big-screen events are so popular when you appreciate how amazing it is to experience a full orchestra—with pieces by Pucchini or Verdi—and the powerful voice of the lead singer through a cinema sound system. While I would have enjoyed more singing, Pablo Larraín didn't set out to create an exhaustive collection; instead, he partnered with Angelina Jolie to portray this complex woman’s fina…

It's challenging to step away from something you excel at, especially as your abilities begin to diminish. Accepting that your best work might be permanently behind you can be difficult, regardless of how much you desire to continue. This was the struggle faced by Maria Callas (1923-1977) (Angelina Jolie), an iconic opera singer, as she neared the end of her celebrated but troubled life. Having not performed in almos…