“Avengers: Age of Ultron”Directed by Joss WhedonMarvel Studios3.5 / 5.0 paws Back in October, Marvel Studios officially laid out its grand scheme for the remainder of the decade: a slew of nine films – now 10 – that will all tie into the Marvel Cinematic Universe as part of “phase three” of what will shortly […]
Author Archives: Sebastian Torrelio
Student film ‘The Martyr’ explores issues of Islamophobia
With concerns about how his art will be perceived on campus, director and writer Ryan Jow said he hopes he has a piece of art with a statement in his hands. With less than a week remaining to reach its Kickstarter funding goal, “The Martyr,” an undergraduate student thesis film project, carries with it multiple […]
Album Review: ‘Carrie & Lowell’
Sufjan Stevens’ main musical projects come few and far between – only two appeared in the last decade: 2005’s state-centric “Illinois” and 2010’s electronically-minded “The Age of Adz.” But Stevens is no slacker, as shown by his expansive output of work in between studio albums, including rap collaborations, movie soundtracks and a few Christmas CDs. […]
Movie Review: ”71′
“’71”Directed by Yann Demange Roadside Attractions 4.0 / 5.0 paws One of art’s most majestic qualities lies in how viewing experiences can be shaped by real-life experiences. “Zero Dark Thirty,” for example, took the trials and hardships of war on both sides and injected them into a hardened premise that fit the mindset of practically […]
Movie Review: ‘Focus’
“Focus”Directed by Glenn Ficarra and John RequaWarner Bros.3.0 / 5.0 paws To say that Will Smith’s career has been hit or miss lately is a gross understatement. It’s been so hit or miss that the two-time Academy Award nominee has morosely described how 2013’s critical punching bag “After Earth” has made him change his career […]
Movie Review: ‘Kingsman: The Secret Service’
The last time a film as promisingly ludicrous as “Kingsman: The Secret Service” came out, it was also by the hand of director Matthew Vaughn. “Kick-Ass” was a gleefully unprofessional way to handle cinematic adaptations of comic books, and it was all the better for it. “Kingsman” fits the same genre-bending mold, but with more […]
Movie Review: ‘Jupiter Ascending’
“Jupiter Ascending”Directed by Andy Wachowski and Lana WachowskiWarner Bros.2.0 / 5.0 paws Ever since their peak with 1999’s “The Matrix,” a film that fits the idea of “cultural touchstone” to a T, the Wachowskis have fallen further and further down the rabbit hole. That’s not just in regards to the maligned “Matrix” sequels – their […]