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The Student News Site of Ithaca College

The Ithacan

The Student News Site of Ithaca College

The Ithacan

Movies

Ridley Scott's 'Gladiator II' takes on a plot similar to its predecessor from 2000 while introducing a new cast with Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal and Denzel Washington.

Ridley Scott plays with new cinematography and fresh cast for ‘Gladiator II’

By Logan Thompson, Staff Writer December 3, 2024
“Gladiator II” is the highly-anticipated, 20-years-in-the-making sequel to 2000’s “Gladiator.” Ridley Scott brings the heat with bigger battles, rabid CGI animals and the flawless casting of Denzel Washington as the film’s lead antagonist. While earlier scripts had Russell Crowe’s Maximus fighting through the underworld to reclaim his life, this sequel includes only a few flashback clips of the original protagonist. Maximus’ bold presence is instead filled by Lucius (Paul Mescal), Lucilla’s (Connie Nielsen) son from the first film. Unlike Maximus, general of the vast Roman army and an established leader from the get-go, Lucius commands his village’s small artillery that tries to fend off the Roman ships.
Since its release on Nov. 22, 'Wicked' has become the highest grossing Broadway-to-screen adaptation in the domestic box office. This film, which will be released in two parts, stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo.

‘Wicked’ is holding space for fans but not for musical-cynics

By Mariana Contreras, Life and Culture Editor December 3, 2024
One of the most awaited films of the year made its debut in theaters Nov. 22, with fans restlessly preparing to see the green-pink duo in “Wicked.” Ironically and a little tediously, the movie opens with a voiceover where Glinda addresses the Munchkins, and the audience, to address any rumors and speculations and “tell [them] the whole story.” It’s hard to measure the movie’s success and mass appeal without accounting for the existing fanbase.
Shawn Mendes embraces vulnerability and reinvention in his introspective fifth studio album, whose release got delayed until November 15.

Shawn Mendes redefines himself with a soulful dive into vulnerability

By Mariana Contreras, Life & Culture Editor November 23, 2024
As foreshadowed by its title, “Shawn” — released Nov. 15 — allows listeners to get close and personal with the Canadian singer-songwriter as he shares the battles he’s been fighting since the release of “Wonder” in 2020. After canceling his 2022 world tour to take care of his mental health and going through a somewhat public breakup with Camila Cabello, Shawn Mendes shares part of his journey in this album full of rootsy folk-rock lullabies. 
"Emilia Perez" stars Zoe Saldana, Karla Sofia Gascon and Selena Gomez. The musical drama follows the gender transition of a drug lord in the midst of Mexico's longstanding drug war.

Netflix’s musical ‘Emilia Perez’ beautifully explores a gender transition in the face of war and murder

By Logan Thompson, Staff Writer November 22, 2024
"Emilia Perez" is a bombastic musical set in Mexico that has just landed on Netflix. A darling of critics and industry awards — the leads jointly won Best Actress at the Cannes Film Festival — the film juggles multiple plotlines during its short two-hour runtime: murder, infidelity and gender transitioning, all set against the brutal backdrop of Mexico’s unending drug war. 
"Red One" has not received much holiday cheer from critics since hitting theaters on Nov. 15.  The film debuted at only $32 million despite a $250 million budget.

Star-studded cast cannot save ‘Red One’

By Tim Anzalone, Contributing Writer November 20, 2024
“Red One,” released Nov. 15, is Hollywood’s marketing dream. Two of the biggest stars, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Chris Evans, travel around the world with name-brand toys like Hot Wheels. Their mission is to save Santa, who is codenamed RED ONE, and played by another one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, J.K. Simmons. Callum Drift (Johnson) is a member of the North Pole’s Enforcement, Logistics and Fortification team and Santa’s right-hand man. Callum teams up with heartthrob Jack O’Malley (Evans), a deadbeat dad trickster who happens to be a master thief and hacker. 
Hugh Grant utilizes his well-known charm to disarm two Mormon missionaries recruiting new converts as Mr. Reed in the A24's psychological thriller "Heretic."

A24 terrfies with captivating characters in ‘Heretic’

By Will Caron, Staff Writer November 13, 2024
“Heretic” was released by A24 on Nov. 8, marking directors Scott Beck and Bryan Woods’ latest terrifying contribution to the horror scene following “A Quiet Place” and other lesser-known horror films. The film stars Hugh Grant as the endlessly captivating yet bone chilling Mr. Reed, Sophie Thatcher as Sister Barnes, and Chloe East as Sister Paxton. From start to finish, “Heretic” proves itself a gem amidst the slew of horror movies already released this year. While this year has heralded some truly great horror films, this film takes it a step further through its unique blend of horror, intrigue and questions it poses to the audience. “Heretic” takes place in one house and follows three characters, yet it never gets old. Whether through its extremely clever use of tension or the genuinely thought-provoking questions Mr. Reed forces you to ponder, “Heretic” remains a captivating film through and through.
Mikey Madison, as Anora, and Mark Eidelstein, as Vanya, star in “Anora,” a raunchy rom-com and Gen-Z Cinderella story that made its debut May 21 at the 77th Cannes Film Festival.

‘Anora’ is an independent film classic just in time for awards season

By Logan Thompson, Staff Writer November 12, 2024
“Anora” is part comedy, part drama and all heart. The runtime of nearly two-and-a-half hours flies by thanks to writer-director Sean Baker’s emotionally riveting and hilarious narrative. It follows Anora (Mikey Madison), a young Brooklyn sex worker of Russian descent whose Cinderella fairytale might actually be a nightmare. At work, Anora — who goes by Ani — is self-assured, leading men to the ATM to withdraw cash, or slowly inching closer to them the longer they talk. Vanya (Mark Eidelstein) is no Prince Charming. He’s the 21-year-old son of a Russian oligarch who shows up at a strip club looking for a lap dance, preferably from someone who speaks Russian.
Tom Hanks plays Richard Young and Robin Wright plays Margaret, his wife, in "Here," a film showcasing a multitude of tales that happened in one location across time.

‘Here’ reeks of missed potential with underdeveloped ideas and wasted set design

By Will Caron, Contributing Writer November 12, 2024
“Here” was released by SONY Pictures on Nov. 1 to resounding indifference. This film marks the return of Robert Zemeckis, director of “Forrest Gump” and “Back to the Future.” It also serves as the long-awaited on-screen reunion of Tom Hanks and Robin Wright. “Here” had all the makings to be great, yet fails in all the places that count. The film’s concept is simple. The camera never moves. This concept, while interesting, proved difficult in execution for a feature-length film. Despite this, the film has its merits and utilizes its premise to the fullest –– albeit quite dragged out –– potential.
Eddie Brock and Venom returned to theaters in “Venom: The Last Dance," the final installment in director Kelly Marcel's trilogy following the symbiotic alien duo's journey as anti-heroes.

Venom and Eddie’s last dance is a chaotic send-off

By Will Caron, Contributing Writer October 30, 2024
“Venom: The Last Dance” was released Thursday, Oct. 24 by Sony Pictures. Serving as director Kelly Marcel’s final installment in the Venom franchise, “The Last Dance” was tasked with saying goodbye to audiences’ favorite symbiotic alien duo crisply and satisfyingly, while still keeping the pure ridiculousness the franchise is known for at its core. In this department, “Venom: The Last Dance” succeeds. While this movie does not particularly innovate or change the game, Tom Hardy delivers a fun final performance as both reporter Eddie Brock and Venom, an evil alien turned Eddie’s soulmate.
A24's new nonlinear film "We Live in Time" stars Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield who portray a couple grappling the implications of a cancer diagnosis.

Nonlinear storytelling of ‘We Live In Time’ illustrates complex love and loss

By Lucia Iandolo, Assistant Photo Editor October 26, 2024
“We Live In Time,” starring Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh, uses nonlinear storytelling to portray the beautifully gut-wrenching relationship between Tobias Durand (Garfield) and Almut Brühl (Pugh) over the course of a decade. This deeply moving romance follows the lives of the couple as their relationship forms and is challenged by managing the concept of time and how fast it passes. 
Two years after 'Smile' became Paramount's most successful original film since 'A Quiet Place,' director Parker Finn is back with a sequel.

‘Smile 2’ outperforms its predecessor with stronger characters and thrilling cinematography

By Logan Thompson, Staff Writer October 24, 2024
“Smile 2” starts with a bang and never pumps the brakes. Fans of “Smile” (2022) will be delighted, as this sequel is an upgrade in every way. The horror is more horrible and the scares are scarier. The main character is a scandal-plagued pop star, desperate for a comeback following a car accident and the public meltdown that tanked her career. In every way, her story is bigger than the previous main character, Rose, who was a psychiatric hospital therapist.
51-year-old musician Pharrell Williams produced the most recent Lego movie, 'Piece by Piece.' The film explores the singer's coming-of-age and rise to fame and features a soundtrack of Williams' hits.

‘Piece by Piece’ is an unexpected addition to the Lego movie franchise

By Logan Thompson, Staff Writer October 18, 2024
The new animated Lego movie, "Piece by Piece," is a documentary produced by Pharrell Williams and follows his rise to fame. Parents beware: despite the kid-friendly animation and musical elements, the documentary structure might be unexciting for younger audiences. “Piece by Piece” is an animated highlight reel of Williams’ rise to industry prowess, using his greatest hits as the soundtrack. He goes from being a middle school band kid to starring in and producing numerous hit singles, but the Lego documentary glosses over Williams' triumphs and tribulations with surface-level detail. 
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