Share: Director Denis Villeneuve is known for breathtaking visuals mixed with fantastic character work to boot, and no movie gives him more of an opportunity to show this off than the “Dune” series. After a three-year-long wait, Villeneuve has returned to his Sci-Fi epic with “Dune: Part Two.” Truthfully, it’s hard to put into words how amazing this movie is, as it takes a serious step up in every department over its predecessor. The movie once again follows Paul Atreides, played by Timothée Chalamet, and …
Netflix Avatarnishes new adaptation
Share: Netflix’s “Avatar: The Last Airbender” remake feels like a very genuine love letter written with largely inaccurate information about the recipient. It’s really difficult to fully hate this show when it’s clear so many people tried to make something truly special. From the cast’s infectious enthusiasm in the promotional material to the emphasis on staying respectful to the various real cultures the world of “Avatar” takes influence from, it’s a shame it was all in service to a result so painfully mediocre. The notion …
‘May December’ mystifies the melodrama in one of the year’s best movies
Share: Before cancel culture had its torches and pitchforks out for anyone at the center of controversy, there were scandals. Fueled by tabloids and morbid curiosities, nothing made national news quite like an appalling figure that raised uncomfortable questions about what it means to be human. “May December,” the new film directed by Todd Haynes, seeks to scrutinize scandal for all its melodramatic, unholy glory through a pitch-perfect script by Samy Burch. Led by career-best performances from Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore, “May December” initially …
‘Scott Pilgrim Takes Off’ has the guts to change the story
Share: Two decades ago in Toronto, Canada Scott Pilgrim was dating a high schooler and it was more problematic than my 16-year-old brain could comprehend. Recently, Netflix has released its anime adaptation ‘Scott Pilgrim Takes Off’ and by the end of the first episode the plot literally takes off, leaving the original storyline behind. It is possibly the boldest and smartest move any adaptation has ever done. The 2010 film ‘Scott Pilgrim vs. the World’ is considered by fans a perfect adaptation of the original …
‘Hunger Games’ prequel relights the franchise flame
Share: Frances Lawrence’s latest addition to “The Hunger Games” franchise is reigniting passion amongst Hunger Games fans, and rightfully so. “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” was released on Nov 17, and since its release, it has received high praise from its fans. In this prequel to “The Hunger Games,” viewers are sent back 64 years before the events of the first book and can finally see Panem in the days before the Hunger Games and only 10 years after the “dark …
David Fincher’s most introspective movie reveals his inner assassin
Share: In David Fincher’s latest, he proves how valuable his filmmaking experience is for an ostensibly simple and straightforward story. “The Killer” feels like Fincher’s most introspective film in years; examining the POV of a conscientious perfectionist through the lens of a nihilistic hit-man. Notorious for his painstaking attention to detail, as seen with his penchant for an excessive number of takes, no other protagonist of his has felt as self-reflective as the titular “Killer.” Fincher reteams with writer Andrew Kevin Walker, whom he previously …
The foodie’s game day guide to Pasadena’s sports bars
Share: Fall is in full swing, and so is football season! For some of us, this means rich tradition and undying love for your team. For the rest of us, football season simply means endless wings and nachos. Whether you’re a diehard or a foodie, we’ve rounded up a few of Pasadena’s favorite local sports joints worth checking out to amp up your next game day. Kings Row Gastropub Kings Row is a modern Thursday night football hub where it’s easy to find a seat, …
‘Modern Warfare III’ fails to live up to its original legacy
Share: Following a successful prison break from a Kastovian gulag, a former terrorist is let loose unto the world. The danger of another World War looms heavy over everyone’s heads and leaves one question… where is Makarov? “Modern Warfare III” picks up hot off the heels of last year’s “Modern Warfare II,” and follows Task Force 141’s attempts to stop Vladimir Makarov and his Konni Group from instigating a global conflict between the East and West. The game also includes a few supporting characters from …
‘Era’s Tour’ captures the intimate concert experience on the big screen
Share: It’s March of 2023, and life is not great. A slew of personal issues and the fact that I had missed out on tickets to Taylor Swift’s highly anticipated “Eras Tour” had me feeling really bummed. But one day while out with my family I heard the magic words that every Swiftie wanted to hear, “Congratulations! You got tickets to Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour!” To say I was ecstatic wouldn’t properly convey everything running through my head. Fast forward to Aug 4, and …
Modernized classic returns 20 years later in ‘The Exorcist: Believer’
Share: Although “Exorcist: Believer” will never take the place of the original “Exorcist”, it is a very close second. The acting was top notch, the effects were spectacular, and the story behind how the possession came to be was fantastic. The director of this film, David Gordon Green, has quite a good amount of experience in the horror world. He was also the director of the reboot of “Halloween” in 2018, “Halloween Kills” in 2021, and “Halloween Ends” in 2022. While it was definitely a …