‘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 ...
Disney+ and Spiderman and Ghostbusters! Oh My!
By Janie Walenda
It is nearly impossible to keep up with movies and TV shows nowadays, so let me help by recapping the past few weeks of Hollywood news, including the latest box office figures, “Spiderman: No Way Home” leaks, recent casting announcements, and Disney+ Day.
While the box office is still nowhere close to the state it was in 2019, it is gradually returning back to normal. After just two weekends, “Eternals” has already earned 118.7 million dollars, surpassing “Dune. ...
‘Ghostbusters: Afterlife’ Brings Heart Back to the Franchise
By Janie Walenda
“Ghostbusters” has a rough history with sequels. In 1989, “Ghostbusters II” failed to recapture the magic of the original, and the 2016 reboot has been largely reviled by fans. While “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” is by no means a perfect film, it manages to both satisfy old fans and win over new ones.
One key to the film’s success is its use of another iconic 80’s genre: family adventure films. Drawing on the trademarks of this genre, the film follows most ...
Rumors Run Rampant Following the Astroworld Tragedy
By Sam Acosta
On Friday, November 5, tragedy struck the Astroworld music festival in NRG Park in Houston. The festival brought tens of thousands of people together to hear famous musical artists such as Earth, Wind & Fire and 21 Savage, amongst others. On Friday night, the first of the two-night event, headliner Travis Scott took to the stage.
As his performance began, the riled-up crowd surged forward to get closer. With too many people in too small of a space, many were trampled and ...
Calls for Caution Come in Light of the ‘Rust’ Shooting Incident
By Sam Acosta
In late October, tragedy struck the New Mexico movie set for the film “Rust” when lead actor Alec Baldwin accidentally fatally shot the film’s cinematographer and wounded the director with what was supposed to be a “cold” revolver. A gun is “cold” when it has no bullets in it and is safe to use as a prop.
Nobody has been officially blamed for the incident as of the writing of this article, as the investigation is still underway, but the incident has called into ...
