‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ is a step in the wrong direction for James Cameron’s world of Pandora
By Gabriel Payne
There have not been many franchise films in recent years that generated more hype and enthusiasm than the third installment to James Cameron’s “Avatar” universe. In 2022, he delivered an impressive and record breaking sequel in “The Way of Water,” defying the cynics who claimed the success of the original “Avatar” could never be repeated.
As a result, expectations were high for what looked like an exciting new exploration into the world of Pandora, ...
‘David’ brings the beautiful biblical story to life.
By Amelia Morris
‘David’ is a musical biblical epic following the life story of king David. Even from humble beginnings he is chosen by God for a greater purpose, more than he could ever imagine.
The story begins with David as a young shepherd, defending his flock from danger. When Samuel the prophet visits David’s home to anoint him, the parallels between David as a shepherd and becoming the next king are not lost on anyone in the audience. David was an excellent shepherd ...
Lackluster and gauche, ‘Merv’ will not be joining the ranks of Christmas classics.
By Eva Tweeten
Breakups are hard on everyone, especially for Anna (Zooey Deschanel) and Russ (Charlie Cox). Anna is mourning the loss of a decade-long relationship. Russ is grappling with the unknown of why it ended. Worst of all, their beloved dog, Merv, is down in the dumps. Nothing anyone does seems to bring a smile to his face.
But no matter how irreconcilable their differences, Russ and Anna will do anything for Merv. Merv is their life, their light, their pride and joy. After six ...
‘Five Nights at Freddy’s 2’ is a wonderful treatise on the nature of revenge
By Josh Ball
Revenge is a powerful motivator. In pop culture, it can keep people alive. “Five Nights at Freddy’s 2” takes a deep dive into the full destructive force of revenge.
The prologue takes place in 1982 at a birthday party at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza. During a horrific incident in a back room at the pizzeria, an isolated girl named Charlotte (Audrey Lynn-Marie) is stabbed. Bleeding out, she screams in rage as a trap door opens under her and she falls into the arms of her ...
‘Sons of Day and Night’ achieves the minimum requirements for a fantasy novel
by Megan Deets
“Sons of Day and Night” is a fantasy, action-adventure retelling of the classic story “The Prince and the Pauper” by Mariposa Aristeo. Her debut novel is published by Enclave, a leading publisher of young adult Christian speculative fiction.
In the kingdom of Twinsbane, the people are divided into the Sons of Day and the Sons of Night, each with a magical connection to these elements. Every person is born with a double from the opposite group. When their double ...
Despite a darker tone “Wicked: For Good” is good
By Sophia Monastra
A year ago, “Wicked: Part 1” released and was reviewed by an intrepid Arts and Entertainment writer who had only just realized the musical “Wicked” had been split into two movies and she had to wait a year before finishing it.
With the one-year intermission, you’d have to wonder–is it worth it?
Well, "Wicked: For Good" is far from perfect. The main issue with the movie is that “Wicked” is originally a singular Broadway musical, and transferring ...
‘Plurbius’ Episodes 1-3 masterfully tackles the ethics of a hivemind virus
By John Hiett
From Vince Gilligan, the creator of legendary shows such as “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul,” comes a new sci-fi show that looks at the practical consequences of an alien virus. “Plurbius” follows Carol Sturka (Rhea Seehorn), a cynical drama writer, who is thrust into dealing with the aftermath of an alien virus that takes over almost the entire population on Earth.
For some unknown reason, she and 11 others are miraculously immune to the virus. The ...
Opinion: The two picks for Game of the Year and why ‘Expedition 33’ should win
By Balen Allain
The annual Game Awards are happening tonight at 8p.m., and among a myriad of available awards, the most prestigious title – Game of the Year – has a few nominees: “Clair Obscur: Expedition 33,” “Death Stranding 2: On the Beach,” “Donkey Kong Bananza,” “Hades II,” “Hollow Knight: Silksong” and “Kingdom Come: Deliverance II.”
This is a stacked lineup. “Silksong” has been the anticipated sequel to the acclaimed “Hollow Knight” for ...
‘Stranger Things’ Season 5, Vol. 1, draws audiences back to the Upside Down
By Danielle Cherry
It happened. “Stranger Things” season five is finally here after four painful years of waiting to see what happens next. With the mind flayer in the distance and Will Byler’s iconic hand-on-neck sensations, fans correctly predicted that season five would only go deeper into the Upside Down.
Production quality for the final season skyrocketed, and the plot only dives deeper into the connection between Will and Vecna. Eleven (Mille Bobby Brown), now with her ...
‘Eternity’ is so much more than a love triangle dramafest
By Gabriel Payne
If you had to choose where to spend the rest of all time, how long would it take you to make that decision? In David Freyne’s “Eternity,” the recently deceased get one week to cement the rest of their eternity. But for Joan Cutler (Elizabeth Olsen), this decision is even more complex and difficult than it initially seems.
Upon her arrival to the “afterlife,” she is faced with an impossible dilemma. She must choose between her first husband and love of her ...
