Movie Review: The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part
by Hunter Johnson
In 2014, audiences were introduced to the lovable LEGO icon known as Emmet Brickowski, voiced by fan-favorite Chris Pratt. Based on the extremely popular construction toys, “The LEGO Movie” was expected to be a simple cash-grab for Warner Bros, that is, until the film actually came out.
“The LEGO Movie” dominated at the box office and at the critical arena. It was hailed as a groundbreaking achievement in both visual effects and in creative storytelling. Audiences ...
Movie Review: ‘Glass’
by Hunter Johnson
“He’s the new Steven Spielberg!”
“His signature twists amaze and astonish without fail!”
“His eye for filmmaking surpasses all others!”
These are the kinds of things audiences and critics were saying about director M. Night Shyamalan twenty years ago. With hits like “The Sixth Sense,” “Unbreakable,” and “Signs,” Shyamalan proved over and over again that he could do no wrong.
So what happened? What caused a director to suddenly fall out of ...
Movie Review: ‘Mary Poppins Returns’
by Hunter Johnson
Julie Andrews, the original Mary Poppins, has returned to theaters. She’s in Aquaman.
But I’m not reviewing “Aquaman,” instead I’m taking a look at “Mary Poppins Returns,” with Emily Blunt as the titular character.
From Rob Marshall, director of musicals such as “Chicago” and “Into the Woods,” “Mary Poppins Returns” revives the character that has been in the hearts of families across the world since 1964.
Emily Blunt, having already worked ...
Movie Review: “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse”
by Hunter Johnson
After six live-action films, a full integration into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and a weird Venom spin-off/reboot, Spider-Man has hit theaters yet again, but this time, he’s animated, and his name isn’t Peter Parker.
“Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” is directed by Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, and Rodney Rothman and is written by Phil Lord, the writer/director of films like “The LEGO Movie” and “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.”
The ...
Book Review: ‘Skyward’
by Sarah Pennington
Spensa Chaser may be the daughter of a coward, but she'll do anything to prove she isn't one herself. Fighting the shame of her father's failures in the Battle of Alta and the resulting stigma against her family, Spensa earns herself a spot in the Defiant Defense Force flight school. There, she trains to become a pilot so she can redeem herself and her family and maybe, just maybe, prove her father wasn't a coward after all. But when the truth proves far different than she ...
“Schindler’s List” 25th Anniversary: a Hopeful Holocaust Film
by Hunter Johnson
This week, I saw Steven Spielberg’s “Schindler’s List” for the very first time. The film is back in theaters for its 25th anniversary. Some readers may be immediately tuning me out—how could someone call himself a film lover and not have seen “Schindler’s List” before? But there’s something you have to understand about me and this film.
I’ve spent my entire life loving films, but the first “Holocaust” film I saw was “The Boy in the Striped ...
Movie Review: ‘Creed II’
by Hunter Johnson
The Rocky franchise is full of ups and downs, but over the course of the 42 years that it’s been running, fans have never stopped loving these boxing films.
“Creed II” is the eighth film in the Rocky franchise, and serves as a sequel to both 2015’s “Creed” and 1985’s “Rocky IV.”
For anyone who is unaware, “Rocky IV” is notable for being one of the most ridiculous boxing movies ever made. Following three absolutely beloved Rocky films, it features a ...
Movie Review: ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’
by Hunter Johnson
Directed by Bryan Singer, “Bohemian Rhapsody” is a new film starring Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury. The film focuses on the life of Mercury and his position as lead singer of the band Queen.
Overall, “Bohemian Rhapsody” is a well-made biopic that nicely demonstrates the legacy and brilliance of Queen. It’s also a film that feels the need to include as many Queen songs as it possibly can, essentially making the film an extended music video.
While it demonstra...
Book Review: ‘An Absolutely Remarkable Thing’
by Sarah Pennington
What do you do when you find a mysterious statue of a giant robot on the streets of New York City? If you’re April May, the protagonist of Hank Green’s debut novel “An Absolutely Remarkable Thing,” you call a friend and make a YouTube video about it. Then April’s video goes viral and she finds out that the statue, and hundreds of other identical statues across the globe, just might be humanity’s first contact with an alien. Suddenly, she’s thrust into the ...
Movie Review: ‘First Man’
by Hunter Johnson
Damien Chazelle has been an up and coming name in the world of directing for several years now. He’s best know for his most recent film, “La La Land,” which garnered six academy awards and was a huge hit with audiences.
Now, Chazelle is back with his newest film, “First Man.” It’s Chazelle’s fourth film he’s directed, but it’s the first that’s not centered around music. The movie follows the story of Neil Armstrong in his years leading up to becoming ...
