“Challengers” Film Review: A Ball-Slapping Good Time

Challengers (2024) is a romantic sports drama film from director Luca Guadagnino and writer Justin Kuritzkes. It stars Zendaya as Tashi, a former tennis phenom who enters her superstar husband Art (Mike Faist) in a local tournament to boost his confidence, only to find him facing his former best friend and her ex-boyfriend (Josh O’Connor). The film was originally slated for a debut at the 2023 Venice Film Festival, before the actors’ strike pushed its premiere back to April of this year. What propelled this to the top of the box office?

“Hundreds of Beavers” Film Review: Slapstick Symphony

Hundreds of Beavers (2024) is a silent black-and-white comedy film from director Mike Cheslik and writers Cheslik and Ryland Brickson Cole Tews. It stars Tews as an applejack farmer turned fur trapper who vies to win the hand of a fur trader’s daughter by hunting and delivering him hundreds of beavers from the wilderness. The film debuted way back at Fantastic Fest in 2022 and has finally received a U.S. theatrical release and streaming debut on Amazon Prime Video. Why has this film captured the attention of the film world?

“Civil War” Film Review: History in Motion

Civil War (2024) is an action drama film from writer-director Alex Garland. It stars Kirsten Dunst as a photojournalist embedded in dangerous Washington, D.C. at the pinnacle of a U.S. civil war between warring factions. The film debuted at SXSW last month ahead of its theatrical release this past weekend, becoming A24’s biggest opening weekend ever. Why has this stoked such controversy across the nation?

“Monkey Man” Film Review: The Man in the Mask

Monkey Man (2024) is an action thriller film from debut writer-director Dev Patel. He also stars in the film as an underground cage fighter who infiltrates a sinister crime underworld to seek revenge against the men who destroyed his childhood. Originally slated for Netflix release, the film was championed by Jordan Peele and sold to Universal for theatrical release. Was it worth the big screen treatment?

Way-too-Early Predictions for the 2025 Oscars

The 96th Academy Awards wrapped up last weekend, with Oppenheimer taking home most of the major awards! The big question on every pundit’s mind now is, what will take home the gold at NEXT year’s Oscar ceremony? Let’s jump in and talk about the 97th Academy Awards in a year’s time!

Final 2024 Oscar Predictions: Who Will Win, Should Win, and Should’ve Been There

The big day is (finally) almost upon us! The 96th Academy Awards ceremony takes place this Sunday, March 10th, giving us another year of Oscar winners! Who will take home the gold? What upsets and surprises might we see at the ceremony? What snubs should have been nominated in their place? Let’s make our final predictions and see how we do!

“Dune: Part Two” Film Review: Lord of the Worms

Dune: Part 2 (2024) is a sci-fi action epic film from filmmaker Denis Villeneuve. It continues the story of Paul Atreides, living in exile among the Fremen on the desert planet Arrakis, who leads the nomadic people into open revolt against the harsh Harkkonen regime. The film was delayed from its original 2023 release date and will hit theaters worldwide this Friday. Is it a worthy successor to the first installment, and does it adhere faithfully to the source material?

**SPOILERS AHEAD!!**

Belated Film Review Round-Up: International Edition

Over the past few weeks, I have been catching up on several 2023 films I missed in their initial release. Many of them happen to be foreign-language titles from overseas, as those were difficult for me to watch before the calendar year was up. Enjoy my mini-reviews of The Promised Land (Denmark), Io Capitano (Italy), The Teachers’ Lounge (Germany), Fallen Leaves (Finland), and Monster (Japan)!

“Origin” Film Review: Caste Away

Origin (2023) is an American drama film from writer-director Ava DuVernay. Based on the 2020 nonfiction novel Caste by Isabel Wilkerson, it stars Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor as Wilkerson herself, following the life of the author as she writes the book while experiencing personal tragedy. The film debuted at last year’s Venice Film Festival and was released theatrically by Neon.

40 Films to Watch for the 2025 Oscars

With awards season winding down for the 2023-24 Oscar cycle, it’s time once again to look forward to the year to come! What films and performances are we likely to see in a year’s time at the 97th Academy Awards? What are the major studios cooking up for our entertainment in the coming calendar year? Let’s take a sampling and look at the most likely awards contenders for next year!