Is ‘Cinderella’ a Fun Reinvention or a Trashy Reboot?
By Janie Walenda
I’m a big Cinderella fan, but I’ve rarely enjoyed stories that try to modernize her story. I was worried this movie would be a clumsy retread filled with generic pop songs and pandering messages about “empowerment.” While I wasn’t necessarily wrong, “Cinderella” has enough fun and magic to make this an enjoyable ride.
This version hits all the beats of the classic Cinderella story but adds some new twists and turns along the way. Ella wants to design ...
Scarlett Johansson Lawsuit Exposes Disconnect in Movie Industry
By Josh McClain
Hollywood legal battles don’t always bring industry-wide change, but this one just might. Actress Scarlett Johansson made waves in the movie industry on July 29 when she filed a lawsuit against the Walt Disney Company over the release of her feature movie “Black Widow,” as first reported by the Wall Street Journal.
Johansson claimed that Disney violated the terms of her contract by releasing the film in theaters and on Disney+ at the same time, thereby limiting the ...
A&E podcast: 10/10 Rings? – ‘Shang-Chi’ Review
Does "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings" stand out amidst an ever-growing universe of heroes, or is it just your run-of-the-mill Marvel movie? Join hosts Ben Hiett and Sam Acosta along with special guest Josh Walden as they give their thoughts on the latest entry in the MCU.
‘The Bad Batch’ Explores the Aftermath of Order 66
By Nick Ratliff
“The Bad Batch” is the newest Star Wars show to hit Disney Plus. Last year, Disney gave viewers the last season of the previously canceled “Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” which introduced us to Clone Force 99, or the “Bad Batch” as some call them. Named after clone trooper 99 from “The Clone Wars,” the Bad Batch is a squad of genetically modified clones, each with his own set of specially enhanced abilities. Hunter has enhanced reaction speed and senses, Wrecker ...
‘What If…?’ Episode Four Unleashes The Dark Side Of The MCU
By Janie Walenda
If there’s anything we’ve learned from Marvel, it’s that superheroes do not cope well with grief. After “Endgame” saw the Avengers time-traveling to save their lost loved ones and “WandaVision” explored Wanda’s mourning process, “What If" episode 4 takes Dr. Strange down a similar path, with decidedly darker results.
In case you're unfamiliar with this series, let me catch you up. “What If” is an animated series exploring alternate realities of our ...
What To Watch Next: Quarantine Edition
by Sam Acosta
It’s the start of another wonderful semester here at Cedarville University, and with that, comes the return of some of our favorite things. One-on-ones in Chucks, the lively sounds of the Meet Market, the long lines at Chick-Fil-A, and, sadly, the return of quarantine and isolation. For those brave souls who find themselves stuck in their dorm rooms, at home, or the isolated islands of Faith and Alford, one of the most daunting trials facing you right now is boredom. So here is ...
“Land” Serves as a Cutting Commentary On Grief
by Kathryn McDonald
“Grieving woman moves somewhere new to make a fresh start and escape her somewhat haunting and tragic past.” It’s a story that will doubtless be familiar to audiences; however, in her directorial debut “Land,” director Robin Wright takes this familiar tale and turns it into a timeless masterpiece.
In addition to directing, Wright stars as Edee, a troubled woman who decides that she has had enough of people telling her that she will eventually heal from the ...
“The Father” is a Poignant Look at the Devastating Reality of Dementia
by Kathryn McDonald
According to the World Health Organization, there are approximately 50 million people worldwide who suffer from dementia, with an additional 10 million new cases each year. These staggering statistics make dementia one of the most common health conditions in elderly populations, with nearly 5-8% of those over the age of 60 experiencing some form of dementia.
It is little wonder, then, that the recently released film “The Father,” directed by Florian Zeller, ...
Season Finale Is A Mixed Bag of Satisfaction and Disappointment
by Sam Acosta
The finale for “The Falcon and The Winter Soldier” is finally here, and it does some things well while butchering others. While I didn’t feel completely let down by the ending of this series, everything is so rushed that some of the story beats end up feeling unresolved. Episodes four and five gave me a lot of hope for this finale, but this episode ultimately wastes that momentum and lands a little flat.
One thing I did love about the finale was Sam’s transition into ...
From the Silver Screen to Your Living Room: The Theater vs Streaming Debate
by Sam Acosta
In late 2020, Warner Brothers made an announcement that rocked the movie industry: all of their 2021 movies would be available on HBO Max on the same day they were released into theaters. This revelation sparked much debate within the industry about the future of the theater business. With COVID-19 restrictions forcing many theaters to close down indefinitely (sometimes permanently), the future of the industry is highly uncertain. For some, the movie-going experience is one that ...
