MUST-SEE SUMMER MOVIES: Staff Picks

June 9 Transformers: Rise of the Beasts The latest film in the long running live action Transformers franchise, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts follows the Autobots and the maximals as they fight the Terrorcons and the planet eating Unicron in order to save Earth. With notable actors such as Peter Dinklage and Michelle Yeoh playing important roles alongside longtime Transformers … Read More

‘Halo’ Disappoints Fans Despite High Expectations

by Justin Lakso ’25 With its riveting multiplayer, captivating campaign story, and iconic protagonist, Master Chief, it’s no wonder the Halo series has sold more than 81 million copies worldwide. Taking inspiration from The Last of Us, Xbox Game Studios decided to create a TV series based on its ever popular space arcade shooter. With production by Kyle Killen and … Read More

‘Across the Spider-Verse’ Lives up to Original Film

by Noah Bair ‘24 Even though the first movie in the series, Into the Spider-Verse, saw a 97-percent score on Rotten Tomatoes and numerous awards including the Best Animated Feature Film at the 2019 Golden Globes, Across the Spider-Verse may have topped it. Shameik Moore and Hailee Steinfeld provide incredible voice performances once again as Miles Morales and Gwen Stacy, … Read More

An Odyssey of Modern Anxieties

by Liam Trump ’24 Veering off of the cult-ish edge from his previous two films Hereditary (2018) and Midsommar (2019), writer-director Ari Aster returns with a refreshingly surrealist tragicomedy horror film, Beau Is Afraid. Delving into themes of fear, paranoia, and guilt, Aster puts his audience through a 3-hour long journey of a man battling his inner demons. With celebrated … Read More

‘Guardians 3’ Is a Needed Step in the Right Direction for Marvel

by Dasun Panapitiya ‘24 After a plethora of movies that have fallen flat within the so-called Phase 4 of its films, Marvel steps it up with James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Gunn’s departure from the Guardians series is bittersweet for many fans, but he caps off his involvement by creating a masterful work of cinema out of … Read More

‘Air’ Deserves the Bright Lights

by Thomas Fenner ‘24 Air, the highly anticipated sports drama, depicts the relationship between Nike and NBA legend Michael Jordan. Directed and starred by Ben Affleck, Air brings together a stellar cast led by Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro, Viola Davis as Jordan’s mother, Jason Bateman as Rob Stasser, and Affleck as Nike founder Phil Knight. The movie displays Nike’s … Read More

‘John Wick: Chapter 4’ Is a Loud, Entertaining Masterpiece

by Dasun Panapitiya ‘24 In spite of the action genre’s often formulaic nature, director Chad Stahelski crafts a perfect and genuine finale to the John Wick tetralogy that never detracts in quality throughout its runtime. In fact, it gets better with every movie. John Wick: Chapter 4 follows the titular character (Keanu Reeves) in a last ditch attempt at freedom … Read More

After Four Seasons, You Is Feeling Repetitive

by Maggie Reese ‘24 The character Joe Goldberg (Penn Badgley) isn’t the only one who likes to change his identity. Netflix’s You shifts each season, too, transforming to a setting in a new city with a different cast of characters each time. But whether he’s surrounded by LA hipsters or suburban Momfluencers, Joe’s own refusal to change makes each season … Read More

Ticketmaster Under Fire for Mishaps and Bullying

by Tatiana Rodriguez ‘23 The entertainment company Ticketmaster continues to face fallout from its miscues for Taylor Swift’s “Eras Tour” last summer when the general sale of tickets had to be canceled since the event sold out during the presale. The general sale was the only opportunity for most fans to get tickets because they already were locked out of … Read More

Cracker Island Struggles To Meet High Expectations

by Audrey Farris ‘25 This February, alternative-rock band Gorillaz released their eighth studio album, Cracker Island, a considerably more mellow effort than their previous albums and also lacking the variety that is commonplace in Gorillaz’ discography. Gorillaz is known for frequent use of featured artists throughout their various albums, and typically they are able to sufficiently incorporate different artists’ sounds … Read More