‘Clifford the Big Red Dog’ Fetches Loads of Fun
By Noah Tang
As a child, I occasionally watched “Clifford the Big Red Dog” and “Clifford’s Puppy Days.” Although I do not remember them very well, those shows left enough of an impression for me to understand the significance of this new movie. To my knowledge, this is the first time that Clifford has been translated into live-action.
The movie starts with Clifford’s birth family squatting in an abandoned factory and then being taken by animal control. However, the workers fail to ...
‘King Richard’ Tells an Inspirational Tale
By Noah Tang
The story of “King Richard” Williams has finally been told on the big screen, and it does not disappoint. Will Smith stars as Richard, the man who raised the two tennis stars that are the Williams sisters. Of course, he was much more than just that. Although Venus and Serena might be the most well-known sisters from that family, their three other siblings have accomplished much as well. Each of them can credit their father for providing them with a strong foundation for ...
‘Cowboy Bebop’ is a Flawed yet Entertaining Remix for the Returning Fan (Spoiler Review)
By Ben Konuch
“See you later, space cowboy…”
As an adaptation of the anime series of the same name, Netflix’s “Cowboy Bebop'' puzzles me. It gets a lot right, such as the phenomenal casting of John Cho as Spike, Daniella Pineda as Faye and especially Mustafa Shakir as Jet. Yet, it also manages to get some of the fundamentals of the story very wrong.
Starting with the positives, of which there are many, most of the subtle tweaks they make to Spike’s and Jet's backstories ...
‘Cowboy Bebop’ is an Exciting Experience for the Newcomer (Spoiler-Free Review)
By Ben Konuch
“Death follows you wherever you go. It’s in your bones, Spike...”
Netflix’s “Cowboy Bebop” really confused me. It’s the most recent in a long string of live-action anime remakes, following such failed attempts as “Dragonball: Evolution” and “Death Note.” Needless to say, studios have had a difficult time trying to adapt anime into live-action, especially with fans being very picky (and vocal) when they feel their favorite shows are being butchered in ...
‘Encanto’s’ Charm and Meaning Make it One of Disney’s Best
By Janie Walenda
I’m a distractible person, which generally interferes with my movie watching. My mind will often wander, even when I’m watching something I love. “Encanto” is the first film in a while where I was invested the whole time. Not only is it entertaining, but "Encanto" contains some great messages about giftedness and family that stuck with me.
From a technical standpoint, the film is nearly flawless. While the animation isn't groundbreaking, the visualization of the ...
The Season Premiere of “Hawkeye” Is Right on Target
By Janie Walenda
This review contains minor spoilers for the first two episodes of “Hawkeye,” as well as spoilers for the comics.
I should probably begin by apologizing to anyone who’s listened to me talk about “Hawkeye” within the past year. This was my most anticipated show from the initial MCU Disney+ lineup, and I had high expectations, and so far, “Hawkeye” has not disappointed.
One of the more surprising elements of “Hawkeye” is how heavily the show focuses on Kate ...
‘Belfast’ is a Film for the Heart and the Soul
By Sam Acosta
“Belfast” is a beautiful example of an accessible arthouse film. Even with its short hour-and-a-half runtime, it takes the viewer on a complete emotional journey that raises questions about family, parenthood, marriage and the meaning of home.
This semi-autobiographical film takes place in Belfast, Ireland in 1969, where tensions are rising between the Catholic and Protestant populations. We watch as the young boy Buddy and his family are faced with an impossible choice: ...
‘Tick, Tick…Boom!’ Soars as a Showcase of Unexpected Talents
By Ben Hiett
“Am I cut out to spend my time this way?”
So asks Jonathon Larson, the real-life Broadway composer and playwright who is the focus of this film. Directed by Broadway extraordinaire Lin-Manuel Miranda with a screenplay penned by “Dear Evan Hansen” writer Steven Levenson, “Tick, Tick...Boom!” is an adaptation of a solo rock opera originally composed and performed by Larson himself. Written before his most famous musical “Rent," the show tells the story of Larson’s ...
Streaming Services: The Binging Revolution and Its Consequences
By Josh McClain
Fifteen years ago, binging referred to the overconsumption of alcohol, money or other abusable substances—not something most Christians take pride in. Now, teens and young adults use the same word to describe watching through hours of the latest movies and series on streaming platforms like Netflix or Disney Plus. Just as word connotations morph over time in response to cultural change, the “binge” revolution represents a response to the emergence of accessible streaming ...
Analysis: Christians and Horror Films
By Sam Acosta
As believers, discernment in entertainment can be a daunting task, with the seemingly endless amounts of music, shows and movies to filter through and pick from. It’s an important task, however, as Phillipians 4:8 instructs us to be careful about what we dwell on and let into our minds.
Right off the bat, there are some fairly obvious rejects, such as the “Fifty Shades of Grey” series. Other properties are more controversial: some Christians refuse to watch “Harry ...
