‘Eternals’ is Simultaneously Compelling and Dull
By Janie Walenda
Editors Note: [The first half of this review is spoiler-free; however, the second half contains spoilers for Marvel’s “Eternals”]
“Eternals” has been surrounded by quite the firestorm of press. While the MCU’s latest project totes the franchise’s lowest critic scores, it’s backed with strong opening box office numbers, audience scores, and support for the diverse cast. Ultimately, enjoyment of the “Eternals” is going to come down to personal taste. ...
‘Antlers’ Never Quite Lives Up to Its Phenomenal Potential
By Ben Konuch
“He’ll come for me. He needs me.”
The chilling atmosphere and sense of unease that “Antlers” manages to convey is nothing short of astonishing. This feeling starts as early as its opening text, a Native American warning about an all-corrupting evil. This warning is followed by a scene set on a bleak and dreary Oregon coastline, where a little boy is shown playing outside while he waits for his father to finish his work in a mine. What follows in this scene perfectly ...
‘Black Widow’ Completes Her Arc in Long Overdue Solo Film
By Noah Tang
Like many other Marvel fans, I eagerly awaited the release of “Black Widow,” faithfully waiting through the pandemic-related delays. This solo film for the MCU’s first female Avenger was long overdue, having been desired by fans ever since her first appearance in “Iron Man 2” all the way back in 2010. In-universe, “Black Widow” takes place after most of the events of “Captain America: Civil War” and before “Avengers: Infinity War.”
The movie opens in 1995, ...
Bond Goes Out With a Bang
By Owen Nolt
It seems as if the first initial trailer for “No Time to Die” came out years ago, and that’s because it did. The final outing for Daniel Craig’s James Bond was one of the first films to be delayed back in March of 2020 when the COVID-19 lockdowns began. After being pushed back three times from its initial release date in November 2019, the film finally premiered October 8, 2021. In the midst of all these delays and pushbacks, I wondered whether the film would live up to ...
‘Muppets: Haunted Mansion’ Is A Fun Halloween Watch
By Janie Walenda
The Muppets are back, or at least they are trying to be. There have been several attempts to relaunch the Muppet franchise, with varying degrees of success. So far, the movies “Muppets” and “Muppets: Most Wanted” have been the most successful, with the recent Disney Plus series “Muppets Now” receiving a lukewarm reception. On paper, “Muppets: Haunted Mansion” is a perfect fusion of Disney properties. For the most part, the newest Muppet holiday special ...
‘Dune’ Could Be the Next Great Epic
By Sam Acosta
Denis Villeneuve’s adaptation of the classic sci-fi epic “Dune” has been one of the most anticipated movies of the last decade. After the failure of the 1984 adaptation, many wondered whether Villeneuve would be able to redeem the story and create a movie adaptation with the same level of success as the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy. While he does create a beautiful piece of cinema and world-building, it is yet to be seen if this film will find the same level of success...
‘Halloween Kills’ Delivers on Its Gruesome Title
By Sam Acosta
The relatively solid second installment in the “Halloween” reboot series acts as a bridge between the first film and the planned finale slated to come out next year. With an intriguing plot and a rather heartbreaking scene about the reality of human nature, I found this film to be an entertaining addition to the franchise.
That said, the gore is unnecessarily gratuitous and over-the-top, especially when compared to the film’s predecessor. Obviously, this is a slasher ...
‘The Guilty’ is a Gripping Thriller about the Importance of Truth
By Ben Hiett
This heart-pounding psychological thriller opens with the text of John 8:32 written in journalistic print across a black screen: “And the truth shall make you free.” “The Guilty,” a remake of a Danish film of the same name, shows us the importance of having the whole truth, as far too often, we can treat our assumptions as fact until they come crashing down around us when we come to see the bigger picture.
The film opens on a city on the brink; raging wildfires have ...
‘Diana: The Musical’ Is a Royal Mess
By Janie Walenda
There is no shortage of dramatizations of Princess Diana's life. “The Crown” introduced her in its most recent season to great success, and “Spencer” was lauded by critics when it premiered at the Venice International Film Festival in early September. Diana’s story remains one of the most intriguing and complex of the 20th century, and sadly, “Diana: The Musical” waters it down to nearly nothing.
To start, the music is just bad. There’s no rhythm to ...
Like Its Anti-Hero, ‘Venom: Let There Be Carnage’ is Chaotic, Violent and Better Than You’d Expect
By Chris Karenbauer
[Editor’s Note: This review contains mild spoilers]
“Eddie, you feel like home to me. Like family,” said Cletus Kasidy, the main antagonist in “Venom: Let There Be Carnage.” It embodies the relationship between Kasidy and Eddie Brock as well as between Brock and Venom.
Venom is one of Spider-Man’s most well-known adversaries. The creature Venom is an alien who finds a symbiotic host in Eddie Brock.
It’s been a while since the first movie’s release ...
