Beautiful ‘Minari’ Breathes New Multicultural Life into the American Dream
by Seth Tew
In this harsh world, the struggle for independence can be life-encompassing. You must leave behind comfort and stability, trusting that you have the determination and skills to carve out a life of your own. Stories of people overcoming adversity and fighting for their independence encapsulate one of the core themes of the American experience. Such are the stories of our founding fathers, the abolition of slavery, the pioneers, and even that weird trucking obsession in the 80s. ...
Chaos Walking is Good, Actually (Part 2)
A Thematically Rich World
by Breanna Beers
The more I think about this movie, the more I like it.
Yes, in hindsight, some of the structural flaws that plagued this movie become increasingly apparent. My editor’s eye is not blinded by my adoration for Tom Holland and Daisy Ridley’s compelling dynamic. However, the more I ruminate on this film, the more I find myself thinking about the larger themes of the script.
Given its premise, this movie is less about gender than I thought it ...
Episode Two of “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” Is Flashy, Stylish, and Unsatisfying
by Sam Acosta
With its first episode being the most-watched premiere in Disney Plus history, all eyes are now on “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” to live up to the hype. While this second episode does introduce some interesting aspects to the series, it feels like a lot of style with very little substance. I finished the episode wanting more, not because I loved what I had just seen but because I hadn’t gotten a lot out of it.
We start the episode with John Walker (Wyatt Russel...
‘Chaos Walking’ is Good, Actually (Part 1)
A Character-Driven Mystery
by Breanna Beers
I really wanted to like this movie, but I wasn’t actually expecting to.
“Chaos Walking” is based on a trilogy by Patrick Ness, whose novels are both potent and poignant. It stars the undeniably talented Daisy Ridley and impossibly likable Tom Holland, both of whom I unequivocally adore. Throw in some Nick Jonas for whimsy and a setting that’s equal parts supernatural, outer space and Frontierland, and you get a specific variety of weird ...
“Raya and the Last Dragon” Might be Worth the $30 After All
by Hunter Johnson
The Walt Disney Company has many subsidiary companies, but none reach the level of prestige of Walt Disney Animation Studios. Releasing only one film a year on average, Disney strives to make every film distributed under its biggest studio banner live up to the high expectations of fans.
That pattern of quality continues with their newest film, “Raya and the Last Dragon.”
Telling the story of a chief’s daughter who must unite a divided world, “Raya” follows ...
Unremarkable Series Premiere Reveals a Half-Baked World for Our Heroes
by Sam Acosta
The premiere of “The Falcon and The Winter Soldier” gives us a small taste of what we can expect from this six-episode series. Following the success of “WandaVision,” expectations are high for this new series. While this episode doesn’t offer the suspense and sense of mystery of that series’ premiere, it does boast some thrilling action sequences, something that many fans wish had been more prevalent in “WandaVision.”
The series opens with Sam (Anthony Mackie), ...
With a Heartfelt Story and Charming Cast, “Flora and Ulysses” Finds Wonder in the Ordinary
by Ben Hiett
Few films have pleasantly surprised me like “Flora and Ulysses,” a Disney Plus original quietly released in mid-February without much promotion. In many ways, such a humble release fits this movie well. “Flora and Ulysses” does not frantically vie for your attention with mile-a-minute jokes, frenetic plotting, and sugary, colorful characters. Instead, it is content to do what a kid’s movie should do: tell a good story with humor, heart, and, most importantly, originali...
Stiff Acting and Pretentious Screenplay Hurt “Malcolm and Marie”
by Seth Tew
Self-esteem can be a monster. Feelings of inadequacy or arrogance can make every moment in a relationship a fight for respect and recognition. In “Malcolm and Marie,” the fight goes from personal to relational and back again for its two characters: Malcolm (John David Washington), a breakout film director, and Marie (Zendaya), a former actress and Malcolm’s girlfriend.
For a film named after both its characters, its story starts and ends with the struggles of Marie, whose ...
The Broadcast Ends: Series Finale Leaves Fans with More Questions than Answers
by Sam Acosta
The end of the first Disney Plus Marvel series has finally arrived, with mixed emotions. Fans’ desires for big action sequences are finally satisfied, but at the cost of other aspects of the show, like the “Twilight Zone”-esque themes and mind-bending plot twists. This finale also gives us little closure. While I didn’t expect all the fan theories to be true, it doesn’t feel like we got any answers in their place. Rather, this episode simply leaves us wondering.
...
Discovering the Past: Eighth Episode Explores Wanda’s True Origins
by Sam Acosta
This episode of “WandaVision” is unlike any that has come before it, ditching the sitcom format for a complete focus on story. This is the Marvel we know and love, but it’s also even better. We get a look into Wanda’s past in a way we never have before, and we get a crazy preview of what might happen in the series finale. With nowhere to run and no way to fight, Wanda must face what she has been hiding from all along: her past.
We start the episode with a look into ...
