‘Suzume’ stuns as an animated adventure
By Ben Konuch
Very few names have advanced the genres of anime and animation in recent times like Makoto Shinkai. The creator and director of 2016’s anime phenomenon “Your Name” and its followup in 2019, “Weathering with You,” Shinkai has prioritized a sharp and clear art style that paints even the mundane of everyday life with beauty and style. His stories typically center on love, loss and a touch of something magical that breaks through the normal realities of day-to-day life ...
Why ‘The Bad Batch’ is my Star Wars show
By Janie Walenda
Every Star Wars fan can pinpoint which piece of Star Wars media is “theirs.” For a lot of people who grew up in the last 2000s, it’s “The Clone Wars.” For a more recent generation, it might be “Rebels.” Going further back, you have fans who have defended the prequel trilogy since day one, or those who grew up on the Old Republic video games. That’s the magic of Star Wars. There is an era, a character and a storyline for everyone. For me, my Star Wars is ...
‘Power Rangers: Once and Always’ reunites the original team
By Katlynn Rossignol
The original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers are back to defend the world from evil in “Power Rangers: Once & Always”. When the ranger’s nemesis, Rita Repulsa, destroys Yellow Ranger Trini, it’s up to Billy and Zack to lead the Ranger team. Minh Kwan, Trini’s distraught teenage daughter must learn what it means to be a true hero in order to help her adopted family and save the world.
This special is a treat for long-time fans of the Power Ranger ...
‘Tetris’ is a fast-paced, stylized look at the game’s complicated origins
By Janie Walenda
When I think about Tetris, my first thought usually isn’t Cold War espionage, but that’s the premise of Apple TV’s “Tetris:” A look inside the convoluted negotiations for the rights to license Tetris during the 1980s. While the characters are based on very real people, it’s dubious how much of this high-stakes and dramatized movie is factual. However, the end result is so entertaining, I didn’t mind it.
Taron Egerton plays the hero of the story, Henk ...
‘The Mandalorian’ season three disappoints, but doesn’t devastate
By Ellie Estrema
Like bees leaving the hive in the spring, Star Wars fans are dispersing now from their almost-yearly congregation around the latest season of “The Mandalorian.” But this time, reviews are not quite as glowing as they have been for the last two seasons. While this season of “The Mandalorian” did have some fantastic elements, overall, it did not live up to expectations. However, I found that, while this season was disappointing, I am still excited to hear more about ...
Opinion: Why we should consider consuming stories with a worldview focus
By Ben Konuch
When was the last time you watched something you completely disagreed with? Was it a movie or series that said something about a value that you inherently stand against, or perhaps a character that showcased behavior that you fundamentally can’t agree with? People are faced with concepts and themes in media that they disagree with all the time, and it often causes them to pull back and withdraw to a piece of media that’s seen as more comfortable ground.
But ...
How should the military be represented in media?
By Janie Walenda
It is hard to find a more successful movie from last year than “Top Gun: Maverick.” Rave reviews, a $1 billion box office and six Oscar nominations cemented this film as one of the best modern blockbusters.
Another film from last year with notable success is “All Quiet on the Western Front,” an adaptation of the iconic book by Erich Maria Remarque. The film is among the most awarded foreign language films in history, with four Oscar wins in major technical ...
The Star Wars Showdown
If you are a Star Wars fan, then this episode is for you! Janie, Ben, Sam, and Jacob settle the debate over the best piece of Star Wars media ever made, March Madness bracket style. Which one do you think the winner will be?
‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ Provides Nostalgia For Fans
By Anna Harman
I grew up playing the original Mario Bros. game as well as the spin-off games such as the new Super Mario Bros., Mario Sports Mix, and many others. This is a classic game for so many people, young and old, and so there was a wide range of people excited for this movie to come out. There were also many skeptics of this movie. People didn’t want the producers to ruin this beloved game or make it seem “cheap.”
This movie was very interesting to me for several reasons. ...
‘Air’ reflects a cultural fascination with building a personal brand
By Kathryn McDonald
Today we live in a culture that is fascinated with the idea of building personal brands. Individuals spend their time and money buying into aesthetics and products that they feel reflect who they are or who they want to become. Our culture’s preoccupation with building a personal brand is reflected in director Ben Affleck’s most recent film “Air” starring Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Jason Bateman, and Viola Davis.
In the world of sports, athleisure ...
