‘The Runner’ marks a renaissance for action-thrillers
By Josh Ball
Is there anything you would not do to save your child’s life? That is the question Maia Marten (Gal Gadot) is forced to answer in “The Runner.” Early on her morning run, the London prosecuting attorney receives a call from her son’s phone. The caller presents an ultimatum: one hour to run across the city and kill your star witness or I kill your son.
Everything about the film is amazing. The score is nearly perfect, the stakes are high, the viewer is challenged to ...
‘Coyote vs. ACME’ teaches its audience the value of perseverance in the face of immense adversity
By Evan Allred
Thomas Edison once said:
“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.”
Edison was most famous for his inventions of the lightbulb and the phonograph, and this quote encapsulates where success is found – perseverance.
Most people are familiar with the Looney Tunes cartoons like “The Road Runner Show,” in which Wile E. Coyote consistently pursues the Road Runner, but always comes up ...
‘The Whisper Man’ shows that a simple plot can carry a lot of meaning
By Danielle Cherry
A child who sees people who aren't there. A father haunted by his mistakes. And a serial killer luring children with his whispers. With top tier acting and precise direction, the Russo Brothers’ new film, “The Whisper Man” is tastefully tense, yet speaks of a deeper longing.
Every great thriller starts with a creepy house, and “The Whisper Man” is no different. After the death of his wife, Tom (Adam Scott) and his son, Jake Kennedy (Acston Luca Porto) ...
‘The Dog Stars’ is visually stunning, but lacking in plot
By Danielle Cherry
A man and man’s best friend wandering through life, seeking the next place for shelter, food and gasoline—what could possibly go wrong. What starts as a hopeful dystopian storyline quickly falls into horror and psychological thriller, leaving viewers wondering if staring at the stars was really a better use of their time.
“The Dog Stars” boasts a star-studded cast with Jacob Elordi, fresh off his success in Frankenstein as the main protagonist: Hig. ...
‘The Magic Faraway Tree’ brings family fun back to the big screen
By Amelia Morris
“The Magic Faraway Tree” was a breath of fresh air. The movie takes the audience along for a magical trip to unique lands.
“The Magic Faraway Tree” centers around a wholesome family, the Thompsons with three kids absorbed in their speedy, tech-filled, city lifestyle. The kids lack imagination, creativity and inspiration— leaning into this generation's “iPad kid” stereotype.”
When the mom, Polly, quits her job, the family decides to start over in ...
‘Michael’ takes us through the King of Pop’s thrilling rise
By Carly Shaner
On April 24, the world was given a glimpse into the rise of Michael Jackson (played by Jaafar Jackson), the “King of Pop.” The movie follows Michael and the Jackson family from the start of the Jackson 5 in 1966 to the “Bad” Tour in 1988. A sequel is already in development that is set to follow the more musically and legally complex parts of Michael's later life.
The first amazing thing about this movie is the soundtrack. It features hits by the Jackson 5 like ...
‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’ is entertaining but could’ve been Season 4
By Carly Shaner
Mando and his little green partner are back for an action-packed adventure. The Mandalorian (played by Pedro Pascal), currently contracted under the New Republic, is sent on a job to find the ex-Imperial Commander Coin (played by Jonny Coyne). Information is promised to him at the right price from the current rulers of Nal Hutta, called “the Twins.” In order to get the information, Mando must rescue their nephew and Jabba the Hutt’s son, Rotta (voiced by Jeremy Allen ...
‘Animal Farm’ 2026 has uncovered a new species of atrocious
By Amelia Morris
The newest adaptation of “Animal Farm” had a short run in theaters in early May. The animated tale vaguely reprises themes from the original book of the same name. Since then, the movie has been relegated to streaming platforms after its poor performance.
The book “Animal Farm” by George Orwell is a classic allegorical take on the Russian revolution in the 1940s using farm animals. Each character reflects qualities of their respective historical figure ...
Kane Parsons’ ‘Backrooms’ has left some room for improvement
By Cadence Powers
Author’s Note: This is a film that contains explicit gore and violence. Please keep in mind the rating when looking to view the film.
At just twenty years old, Kane Parsons, a YouTuber made popular for his “Backrooms”video game series, has put out his first feature-length film entitled: “Backrooms.” The film follows a recently divorced, down-on-his-luck discount furniture salesman named Clark (Chiwetel Ejiofor), who finds a mysterious entrance to another ...
‘Masters of the Universe’ is a great experience for fans of the franchise, but falls short beyond that benchmark
By Gabriel Payne
In 1982, the company Mattel released an action figure toy line titled “Masters of the Universe.” This toy series boasted several characters that seemed to blend the mystical and the mechanical in a way that hadn’t been seen before. The series erupted in popularity, generating comic books, children’s cartoons, animated movies and generating over two billion dollars in merchandise revenue.
This beloved franchise captured the hearts and minds of children all ...
