The Ithacan

‘The Conjuring: Last Rites’ raises laughter rather than the dead

By Abbi Puckett, Contributing Writer • September 11, 2025

Empty and lifeless are a few words that describe “The Conjuring: Last Rites.” Ed and Lorraine Warren (Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga) are back on screen for the final movie and in action for their...

‘Caught Stealing’ swipes Austin Butler up in a thrilling thievery

By Logan Thompson, Staff Writer • September 4, 2025

When thinking about movie stars, older actors who started their careers far before modern blockbusters always come to mind: Cate Blanchett, Leonardo DiCaprio, Viola Davis, etc. Most of them are no younger...

DC Comics’ ‘Superman’ makes an epic crash landing

By Logan Thompson, Staff Writer • August 27, 2025

“Superman” is a firework, bringing new excitement into the oversaturated superhero genre. It is a fresh and hopeful take on one of pop culture’s most iconic fictional figures, launching a whole...

‘Weapons’ conjures wildly supernatural nightmares

By Brian Murray, Staff Writer • August 27, 2025

How does a community recover from an unfathomable tragedy? “Weapons,” the new horror hit from writer-director Zach Cregger, begins with 17 third graders mysteriously vanishing in the middle of the...

A revitalized ‘How to Train your Dragon’ swoops in

By Sarah Cochi, Videographer • August 26, 2025

In 2010, DreamWorks Animation released “How to Train Your Dragon” to much critical acclaim, including two Academy Award nominations and a 99% Rotten Tomatoes score. In 2025, DreamWorks Animation...

‘Sinners’ strikes a chord with its strong messaging

By Mariana Contreras, Newsletter Editor • May 2, 2025

Within the last decade, writer-director Ryan Coogler has cast Michael B. Jordan in six of his most significant projects. The dynamic, disruptive duo come back together to make “Sinners” as action-packed as “Creed” and as profound as “Black Panther.” At its heart, the film celebrates Black culture throughout history in an unexpected commentary about white supremacy and its impact on Black communities.

‘Until Dawn’ adapts its source material poorly

By Nolan Sheehan, Co-Life and Culture Editor • April 30, 2025

Attempting to build off of a popular video game with different story direction, “Until Dawn” is an adaptation that fails to follow the blueprint. Directed by David F. Sandberg, this film goes to great lengths to make itself unique in how it presents its horror.

A24’s creature feature ‘The Legend of Ochi’ fails to stay focused

By Noa Ran-Ressler, Managing Editor • April 30, 2025

“The Legend of Ochi” is an incredible visual experience. The cinematography, special effects, sound effects and soundtrack are all awe-inspiring. The plot and dialogue, however, are completely convoluted. So while this movie is well-made, it is not any good.

A24 brings combat realism with latest military thriller, ‘Warfare’

By Mila Ventura-Rodriguez, Staff writer • April 17, 2025

“Warfare,” co-directed by Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza, is a realistic war movie that appears to capitalize off of A24’s recent success with “Civil War.” It is a cinematic representation of...

Landon doesn’t ‘Drop’ the ball in riveting new movie

By Brian Murray, Contributing Writer • April 16, 2025

In “Drop,” the exhilarating new thriller from director Christopher Landon, a woman’s romantic misgivings on a first date fall by the wayside as a sinister plot unfurls. In an age of online dating...

‘A Minecraft Movie’ doesn’t chicken out from being itself

By Allison Dolan, Staff Writer • April 9, 2025

“A Minecraft Movie,” directed by Jared Hess, is the film adaptation of the formative video game. The film released April 4 and was highly anticipated despite the trailers receiving backlash from fans. Good comedic writing and some strong performances help to make up for the poorly developed characters and questionable plot.

Comedy and horror fuse for one ‘Hell of a Summer’

By Brian Murray, Contributing Writer • April 9, 2025

The horror genre is no stranger to camp, both in tone and subject matter. In “Hell of a Summer,” the new horror comedy from upstart writer-directors Finn Wolfhard and Billy Bryk, a group of summer...

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