“Mulan” Review: Visually Stunning Remake Aims to be a Modern Myth, with Mixed Results
by Ben Hiett
The first thing I did after seeing Disney’s live-action remake of “Mulan” was go to the source of all useful knowledge, Wikipedia, and look up the Chinese folk ballad on which both this movie and its animated counterpart are based.
I did this because the whole time I was watching this movie, I felt as though I was watching an ancient legend unfold before my eyes. With its sweeping scope, picturesque visuals, and archetypal characters, “Mulan” seeks to tell an ...
Tenet Review: Time Goes Backwards in Christopher Nolan’s Latest Epic
by Hunter Johnson
Again and again, Christopher Nolan has proven his singular ability to tell completely original stories, and his latest cinematic endeavor is no exception. “Tenet” is an espionage thriller that redefines the genre by bringing the concept of time to its forefront.
Nolan’s use of time has repeatedly pushed the boundaries of both storytelling and filmmaking. His first big-budget film, “Memento,” shocked audiences by telling its story in reverse. His later films ...
An Oddball Cast Brings Life to a Timeless Tale: “The Personal History of David Copperfield” Review
by Hunter Johnson
There is no way to truly prepare for the unabashed strangeness of Armando Iannucci’s brand-new adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic semi-autobiographical novel.
Indeed, “The Personal History of David Copperfield,” Iannucci’s third outing as a film director/writer, is a wild ride filled with sharp modern humor intertwined with classic Dickens material, creating an experience unlike any other.
Iannucci is well-known for his dry humor and sharp wit – his ...
Movie Review: ‘Parasite’
by Hunter Johnson
Director Bong Joon-ho has displayed social issues in many films. In “Okja,” he asked some difficult questions in regard to animal cruelty. Before that there was the sci-fi action film “Snowpiercer” that addressed class conflict. Now he’s made another film about class conflict, but this time, his work has received four Academy Awards, including the highest honor of all: Best Picture.
“Parasite” tells the story of a poor family and a rich family. The poor ...
Album Review: “American Standard” by James Taylor
By Joshua Stevens
As artists grow older, many of them choose to focus their music and art on their own mortality. In the years past their prime, they shift from lighthearted lyrics to more serious tales of death and regret. Except, singer-songwriter James Taylor doesn’t do that. On his newest album, “American Standard,” Taylor focuses mostly on more positive material, and the album both prospers and suffers as a result.
This album is loaded with cheerful, sunny lyrics and traditional ...
“Togo” Review
By Hunter Johnson
Most everyone has heard of Balto, the heroic sled-dog who led the 1925 serum run to Nome, Alaska, saving dozens of lives as a result. But most people haven’t heard the full story.
“Togo” tells the real-life tale of the dog who led the eighteenth team of dog sleds across Alaska. It shows that Balto did not actually run the entire serum run, but was only the twentieth and final team. However, Balto still received all the attention in the aftermath.
Director of ...
Album Review: “Are You Gone” by Sarah Harmer
By Joshua Stevens
Longing for someone who is no longer there: this is a common theme in music. With Sarah Harmer’s new album “Are You Gone,” the ideas of loss and sorrow are so subtle that the listener doesn’t even know they are on this journey until the end.
“Are You Gone” is Harmer’s first album since 2010’s “Oh Little Fire.” Active since the late 1980s, Hamer’s newest outing provides a look into her love life and centers on the process of moving forward. She ...
Top 5 Movies of 2019
By Hunter Johnson
5. 'Ad Astra'
“Ad Astra” is not like most space travel epics. It’s not about big stories or loud action set pieces or overly-relatable protagonists. It’s about holding onto hope in the midst of deep and despairing abandonment.
“Ad Astra” is about an introverted astronaut named Roy (played by Brad Pitt), who’s sent on a mission to retrieve his longlost father from space.
This film is brought to life by three bigname stars. In this film, Brad Pitt ...
Album Reviews
By Joshua Stevens
‘Behold the Lamb of God’ by Andrew Peterson
From the history of Moses and the Israelites to the birth of Christ, Andrew Peterson’s “Behold the Lamb of God” isn’t an album. It’s a Biblical history lesson.
Eight months after the Christian singer/songwriter spoke and performed at Cedarville University, Peterson has released his newest album. It showcases his unique songwriting ability, while also putting a spin on a Christmas classic and other old favorites.
...
‘Judy’ Review
by Hunter Johnson
Biographical films are not a new concept. Films like “Walk the Line” and “Chaplin” tell life stories from start to finish of their true-life protagonists. Other biopics focus just on the biggest event of someone’s life. “The Social Network” did this for Facebook creator Mark Zuckerberg and “The Disaster Artist” for film director Tommy Wiseau.
In “Judy,” rather than looking at what audiences are already aware of, director Rupert Goold focuses solely on ...
