“Black Panther” brings black superheroes into the spotlight
Alec Collins, Arts Columnist
February 28, 2018
The latest addition to Disney’s sprawling Marvel Cinematic Universe, “Black Panther,” is the most important superhero blockbuster since “Iron Man” reinvented the genre in 2008. “Black Panther,” released Feb. 15, has a majority-black creative team and cast, as well as an unabashedly...
“Call Me By Your Name” transports audience
Hunter McKenzie, Arts Columnist
January 31, 2018
I am stumbling out of a movie theater, turning a line of dialogue from the film I’ve just seen around in my head, over and over: “Nature has cunning ways of finding our weakest spot.” In the process of trying to understand what it means, I’m met by brutal winter wind. I’m stunned, having...
‘Huntsman:’ a good laugh
April 29, 2016
"The Huntsman: Winter’s War” is entertaining for all the wrong reasons.Despite the $170 million budget, the film is laughably ill-conceived and poorly executed.Even the film’s all-star cast, comprised of Chris Hemsworth, Charlize Theron, Emily Blunt, Jessica Chastain and Liam Neeson’s narration, can...
‘Star Wars’ takes a detour
April 21, 2016
If you haven’t been living under a rock and have surfed the web recently, you might’ve watched the trailer for the upcoming film “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” at least once, or in my case, 20 times.The film is directed by Gareth Edwards, known for 2014’s “Godzilla,” and stars Felicity J...
‘Cloverfield’ sequel strays from the original
March 30, 2016
After six years, the second film in the “Cloverfield” franchise has hit theaters and is just as anxiety inducing as the first.The sequel, “10 Cloverfield Lane,” is a whirlwind of suspense and apocalyptic fantasy with a psychological twist. Mary Elizabeth Winstead, who has had previous roles in“...
Marvel’s witty superhero makes it to the big screen
March 24, 2016
From lines like, “Time to make the chimi-fucking-changas!” to masturbation references, Deadpool is definitely not a typical superhero movie. The movie follows Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds), an ex-special forces operative turned mercenary, who is diagnosed with cancer. In order to stay with his girlfriend ...
‘Carol’ crosses social barriers but misses nomination
February 17, 2016
Abeautiful and sensual love story between two women is making waves this Academy Award season.Set in 1952 in New York City, “Carol” begins when Carol Aird (Cate Blanchett) and Therese Belivet (Rooney Mara) meet in a department store.Carol, who has a young daughter and is going through a divorce, in...
February 10, 2016
A coming-of-age story is something to which we can all relate.Touching and delicately sweet, “Brooklyn” is the story of a young Irish immigrant named Eilis Lacey (Saoirse Ronan) and her journey to become an independent woman and American citizen.The nostalgic tale takes place during the 1950s and is ...
February 3, 2016
Shockingly violent and overwhelmingly heart- breaking, “The Revenant” is the most gruesome western to date.Inspired by true events, “The Revenant” is the stomach-churning tale of frontiersman Hugh Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio) surviving a near-fatal bear attack and his journey to seek revenge against t...
‘Spotlight’ displays hard journalism at its greatest
December 9, 2015
The new journalist-centric film “Spotlight” deftly handles the stomach-turning story of the Boston Globe’s uncovering of the Catholic Church’s protection of pedophile-priests. The story focuses on the newspaper’s “Spotlight” team, America’s oldest continually operating inves...
Rock the Kasbah Review
November 19, 2015
Even a predictably funny performance from Bill Murray isn’t enough to save this promising movie from disappointing mediocrity. Bill Murray plays Richie Lanz, a washed up band manager who takes one of his clients (Zooey Deschanel) to Afghanistan for a USO tour. However, after seeing the da...
Nosferatu: A symphony of Horror review
November 19, 2015
While the prospect of watching a silent, black and white movie from 1922 might sound frighteningly boring for some, “Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror” proves that even films approaching their 100-year anniversary are highly watchable. For those familiar with “Spongebob Squarepants,” the Hallowe...
