‘Last Night in Soho’ Teeters Between Mess and Masterpiece
By Sam Acosta
“Last Night in Soho” is one of the best examples of gorgeous cinematography in the last decade. Supported by an interesting plot and talented cast, this film starts strong but then loses steam halfway through, see-sawing between wonderful storytelling and awkward filmmaking. As a result, I left the theater with mixed feelings.
“Last Night in Soho” follows Eloise, a young woman who dreams of becoming a famous fashion designer. Along with her eye for fashion, Eloise has ...
‘The Last Duel’ Addresses a Serious Topic with Tact and Honesty
by the Cedars A&E Staff
Editor’s Note: [“The Last Duel” contains some mature scenes and deals with the sensitive topics of rape and sexual assault. Viewer and reader discretion is advised.]
“The truth does not matter. There is only the power of man.”
“The Last Duel” is an enigma of a film. It is directed by Ridley Scott, who is known for his gripping action films such as “Alien,” “Gladiator” and “The Martian.” While the marketing has made “The Last Duel” ...
‘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 ...
‘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 ...
‘Dear Evan Hansen’ is an Impactful Film Critics Just Don’t Understand
By Sam Acosta
“Dear Evan Hansen” is a beautiful adaptation that brings the same big emotions that the original musical did. While some of the most popular songs are missing from the film, the story is still largely intact and communicated well. The new songs written for the film are also well written and well placed within the story's narrative.
The movie follows Evan, a high school senior struggling with depression and anxiety, whose therapist has instructed him to write letters of ...
Stiff Acting and Pretentious Screenplay Hurt “Malcolm and Marie”
by Seth Tew
Self-esteem can be a monster. Feelings of inadequacy or arrogance can make every moment in a relationship a fight for respect and recognition. In “Malcolm and Marie,” the fight goes from personal to relational and back again for its two characters: Malcolm (John David Washington), a breakout film director, and Marie (Zendaya), a former actress and Malcolm’s girlfriend.
For a film named after both its characters, its story starts and ends with the struggles of Marie, whose ...
