The Ithacan

‘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...

‘Snow White’ writes past the storybook pages

By Lucia Iandolo, Photo Editor • March 27, 2025

“Snow White” premiered in U.S. theaters March 21, reimagining the renowned Disney classic to give Snow White a purpose beyond merely eating a poisoned apple and being woken up by true love’s kiss....

‘Novocaine’ bends the action genre with dynamic characters

By Shelby Riley-Cherubin, Contributing Writer • March 21, 2025

“Novocaine” welcomes Jack Quaid back to the screens after an outstanding performance in his most recent movie “Companion” in January. This action-comedy movie follows Nathan Caine (Quaid) who...

Cult movie ‘Opus’ is obsessed with the wrong things

By Ava Suffredini, Co-Video Editor • March 20, 2025

“Opus,” released March 14, attempts to be a standout contemporary horror film. Despite fans and critics comparing “Opus” to popular movies such as “Midsommar” and “Get Out,” it ultimately...

‘My Dead Friend Zoe’ attempts to explore heavy-handed concepts

By Juno Brooks, Contributing Writer • March 5, 2025

“My Dead Friend Zoe” follows the tear-jerking story of Merit (Sonequa Martin-Green) as she works through the grief of losing her friend and fellow servicemember, Zoe (Natalie Morales). After a call...

Way too much ‘Riff Raff’ to go around

By Nolan Sheehan, Co-Life and Culture Editor • March 5, 2025

Flying into theaters with as much grace as a clumsy housecat, Dito Montiel's “Riff Raff” debuted in theaters Feb. 28. A former hitman, Vincent (Ed Harris), tries to fall off the grid after living...

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