Season Finale Is A Mixed Bag of Satisfaction and Disappointment
by Sam Acosta
The finale for “The Falcon and The Winter Soldier” is finally here, and it does some things well while butchering others. While I didn’t feel completely let down by the ending of this series, everything is so rushed that some of the story beats end up feeling unresolved. Episodes four and five gave me a lot of hope for this finale, but this episode ultimately wastes that momentum and lands a little flat.
One thing I did love about the finale was Sam’s transition into ...
Taking Christian Music Out of Context: The Movie: The Musical
by Sam Acosta
In this incorrigible ode to Steve Curtis Chapman, “A Week Away” manages to not only ruin my memories of church camp but somehow remove God from the experience as well. Over the course of an hour and thirty-four minutes, I was forced to endure painfully written dialogue, Christian stereotypes on steroids, and theology that feels like it came as a prize in my Chick-Fil-A kid’s meal. Luckily, the production value of the film is very good, so at least that was nice.
The ...
Episode Five Gives Us Our New Captain America
by Sam Acosta
This episode gives us a deeper look into the mind of Sam as he wrestles with whether he should take up the mantle of Captain America. Boasting one of the greatest fight scenes to ever grace the MCU and some truly moving moments, episode five continues the upward trajectory of amazing quality and high expectations started in episode four. I loved this episode so much, and there is a lot that I want to unpack here.
First, let’s talk about the intro scene. After Walker ...
‘Godzilla vs. Kong’ Brings A Legendary Rivalry to the Big Screen
by Nick Ratliff
“Godzilla vs. Kong'' is one of the biggest blockbusters to come out since the pandemic started last March. Because new releases have become so rare, the hype and expectation for this movie were very high. After the success of the first three films in the MonsterVerse, this climatic crossover needed to be nothing short of greatness.
“Godzilla vs. Kong'' takes place five years after Godzilla killed Ghidorah, his primary rival titan. Titans are enormous beings who ruled ...
Episode Four is the Redemption Fans Have Been Waiting For
by Sam Acosta
This episode is the best of the series by far. The story, the acting, and the action all come together in a perfect cinematic symphony that will thrill you and make you feel like a superhero. What I was very worried would end up being a failed endeavor on Marvel’s part is now a show that I can’t get enough of.
The first scene provides one of the series’ most emotional scenes thus far. We see Ayo and Bucky back in Wakanda before the events of “Infinity War.” Ayo ...
Episode Three Stumbles in The Right Direction
by Sam Acosta
Episode three of “The Falcon and The Winter Soldier” throws a lot of exciting new elements and characters into the mix. The plot is becoming more interesting, but the execution is still somewhat sloppy. While I like the direction the show is headed, I wish it was moving that direction in a straight line instead of swerving its way forward.
The intro sequence has Bucky talking with Baron Zemo (Daniel Brühl), who claims to know where to find information about the new ...
Beautiful ‘Minari’ Breathes New Multicultural Life into the American Dream
by Seth Tew
In this harsh world, the struggle for independence can be life-encompassing. You must leave behind comfort and stability, trusting that you have the determination and skills to carve out a life of your own. Stories of people overcoming adversity and fighting for their independence encapsulate one of the core themes of the American experience. Such are the stories of our founding fathers, the abolition of slavery, the pioneers, and even that weird trucking obsession in the 80s. ...
Chaos Walking is Good, Actually (Part 2)
A Thematically Rich World
by Breanna Beers
The more I think about this movie, the more I like it.
Yes, in hindsight, some of the structural flaws that plagued this movie become increasingly apparent. My editor’s eye is not blinded by my adoration for Tom Holland and Daisy Ridley’s compelling dynamic. However, the more I ruminate on this film, the more I find myself thinking about the larger themes of the script.
Given its premise, this movie is less about gender than I thought it ...
Episode Two of “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” Is Flashy, Stylish, and Unsatisfying
by Sam Acosta
With its first episode being the most-watched premiere in Disney Plus history, all eyes are now on “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” to live up to the hype. While this second episode does introduce some interesting aspects to the series, it feels like a lot of style with very little substance. I finished the episode wanting more, not because I loved what I had just seen but because I hadn’t gotten a lot out of it.
We start the episode with John Walker (Wyatt Russel...
‘Chaos Walking’ is Good, Actually (Part 1)
A Character-Driven Mystery
by Breanna Beers
I really wanted to like this movie, but I wasn’t actually expecting to.
“Chaos Walking” is based on a trilogy by Patrick Ness, whose novels are both potent and poignant. It stars the undeniably talented Daisy Ridley and impossibly likable Tom Holland, both of whom I unequivocally adore. Throw in some Nick Jonas for whimsy and a setting that’s equal parts supernatural, outer space and Frontierland, and you get a specific variety of weird ...
