Reviews

Zach Bryan expands his sound in new album ‘With Heaven On Top’

By Liam McDermott, Senior Writer • January 26, 2026

On Jan. 9,  Zach Bryan released his sixth studio album titled “With Heaven On Top.” The album keeps up with the same country-folk vibe heard on his past five albums while simultaneously testing out some new sounds, including newer instruments. 

Feig holds the audience hostage with ‘The Housemaid’

By Parker Anne Devine, Life & Culture Editor • January 22, 2026

On Dec. 19, the film adaptation of Freida McFadden’s 2022 novel “The Housemaid” was released in theaters. While the story is a satisfying piece of entertainment for those who crave gimmicky thriller novels, the adaptation fails to impress on the big screen. 

Anticipated finale flips show’s reputation upside down

By Abbi Puckett, Staff Writer • January 22, 2026

Season five of the hit Netflix show, “Stranger Things,” concluded Dec. 31, and it seemed to be a letdown to viewers.

‘Marty Supreme’ is a Christmas gift from Josh Safdie

By Brian Murray, Staff Writer • January 22, 2026

A Manhattan chase sequence, a canine ownership dispute turned deadly, and a structurally unsound bathtub — can you believe these are featured in a movie about ping-pong? It is certainly unusual, but “Marty Supreme,” the outstanding new sports film from director Josh Safdie, defies the odds at every corner.

‘Five Nights at Freddy’s’ sequel is horrifically incomplete

By Allison Dolan, Staff Writer • December 11, 2025

“Five Nights at Freddy’s 2,” directed by Emma Tammi and released Dec. 5, outperforms its predecessor in scares but fails to deliver in terms of performances and plot.

‘Merrily We Roll Along’ struggles cinematically

By Abbi Puckett, Staff Writer • December 10, 2025

“What’s to discuss, old friend?” The long-awaited proshot of “Merrily We Roll Along,” a classic Stephen Sondheim musical, is bringing a big buzz in the Broadway community. The four-time Tony winning revival from the 2023-24 Broadway season released the professional recording Dec. 5. The musical's material was consistent, but the proshot lacked in its cinematic elements. 

Actors in ‘Hamnet’ put forth emotional performances

By Riley Young, Staff Writer • December 10, 2025

Director Chloé Zhao’s latest film “Hamnet” was released in theaters Nov. 26. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Maggie O’Farrell, who also cowrote the screenplay with Zhao. “Hamnet”...

‘The Morning Show’ analyzes AI, corruption and political tension in new season

By Georgie Gassaro, Staff Writer • December 3, 2025

The fourth season of “The Morning Show” debuted Sept. 17 with weekly episodes until Nov. 19. Apple TV+ was confident about their portrayal of the news media landscape and the drama series was renewed for a fifth season before the fourth even aired. This decision was far smarter than most decisions made by the series’ characters, who find themselves drowning in geopolitical upheaval, PR dumpster fires and personal betrayals.

‘Wicked: For Good’ makes changes for the better

By Abbi Puckett, Staff Writer • December 3, 2025

“Wicked: For Good,” the long-awaited second act of “Wicked,” hit theaters on Nov. 21 with a bang. The movie brought in $150 million in the U.S. for its opening weekend. Many new elements were introduced in this movie with surprising artistic choices involving lyrical changes and plot changes, making this goodbye to the “Wicked” movies quite memorable. 

Actors masterfully depict complicated family dynamics in ‘Sentimental Value’

By Riley Young, Staff Writer • December 2, 2025

Filmmaker-actor duo Joachim Trier and Renate Reinsve return with another exemplary film, “Sentimental Value,” released Nov. 7.

‘Now You See Me: Now You Don’t’ chaotically mystifies

By Meital Fried, Life & Culture Editor • November 20, 2025

“Now You See Me: Now You Don’t,” the third movie in the “Now You See Me” franchise, opens with a variation on its iconic catchphrase. Magician and con artist J. Daniel Atlas (Jesse Eisenberg) stands on a stage in Brooklyn, New York, prepared to perform his first trick in years as part of his magic group, The Four Horsemen.

‘The Neighbourhood’ falls back on nothing new in ‘(((((ultraSOUND)))))’

By Ally Dheeradhada, Contributing Writer • November 20, 2025

The Neighbourhood made a comeback Nov. 14 with their newest album, “(((((ultraSOUND)))))” after the announcement of the band’s hiatus in November 2021.