‘Hit Man’ psychs itself out of doing more than perfecting the rom-com

Share: Before he was a hotshot in “Top Gun: Maverick” or a hunk opposite Sydney Sweeney in “Anyone But You,” Glen Powell appeared in director Richard Linklater’s “Fast Food Nation” as Paul Dano’s character’s classmate almost 20 years ago. Although “Fast Food Nation” was a lackluster effort for Linklater and far from a star vehicle for Powell, their fourth collaboration, “Hit Man,” makes up for lost time by aiming higher than most rom-coms. Loosely based on a 2001 article from Texas Monthly, “Hit Man” follows …

‘Blue Beetle’ scribe leaves students buzzing over Latinx cinema

Share: From the pages of comic books to the silver screen, “Blue Beetle” made its way to theaters in August of last year. It deeply resonated with audiences through its family-focused narrative that parallels writer Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer’s own story.  On Thursday, May 30, students filled the auditorium in room 101 of the Center for the Arts building. Aspiring filmmakers and writers alike were eager to expand their knowledge of filmmaking and the intricacies of screenwriting from Dunnet-Alcocer’s experience.  “So what I really appreciated and what …

With book banning on the rise, California risks following suit

Share: While Pasadena is pushing back on book censorship through participation in events like Banned Books Week, Huntington Beach, Fresno, and other cities across California are becoming the target of efforts to ban books in libraries and public schools. These cities are following a wider national trend in states like Florida, Texas and other predominantly conservative areas. “Book bans are incredibly effective,” said young adult author and national leader of Authors Against Book Bans (AABB) Maggie Tokuda-Hall. “They target places where books are most accessible—in …

Hollywood needs to learn high risk doesn’t mean high reward

Share: In no universe should the megalodon-centered Jason Statham vehicle “Meg 2: The Trench” make more money than the latest installment of “Indiana Jones.” But when the budget of “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” costs well over $400 million, then it’s no wonder blockbusters are now ticking time bombs waiting to blow up in producers’ faces at the expense of audiences’ entertainment. Before 2020, studios such as Disney and Warner Bros. had long been throwing absurd wads of cash at tentpole releases, particularly …

‘I Saw the TV Glow’ dims profound allegory behind spellbinding screen

Share: When it comes to A24 movies, there’s an unconvincing justification conveniently awaiting any negative thoughts over the inherent weirdness of most of their releases: you just don’t get it. With “I Saw the TV Glow,” a visually spectacular whirlwind of creativity from writer-director Jane Schoenbrun, the message is there but collapses under a convoluted narrative best described as an overstretched short film. The movie, spanning the late 90s to mid-2000s, takes place through the unreliable perspective of Owen (Justice Smith), who looks back on …

The Courier wishes Glitchy McIntire farewell in retirement

Share: Editorial note: This article is satire and not intended to be taken as fact. The Courier is saddened but proud to announce the retirement of our beloved mascot, ‘Ol Glitchy McIntire, the long-running and iron-willed iPhone SE of Courier adviser Nathan McIntire. As a young circuit board in an Apple factory, Glitchy always wanted to be a journalist. When it landed in the hands of the similarly bright-eyed McIntire, its dreams would eventually be realized. While employed at the Pasadena Star News, it served …