THE ITHACAN

Review: ‘Squad’ adaptation refuses to stay true to comics

By Kate Nalepinski, Assistant Life and Culture Editor • August 22, 2016

The concept of the Suicide Squad — a group of supervillains who are signed up to do the government’s dirty work — is strong. But when a director subtracts the action, emotion and comedic relief, and replaces it with backstories and unaddressed abusive relationships, it fails.

Review: Musician goes back to roots on ‘Golden’ album

By Angela Poffenbaugh, Staff Writer • August 22, 2016

Walker’s unexpected instrumental changes work to his advantage: While the songs take a bit of time to adjust to, the different style will slowly grow on the listener.

Review: AJJ’s altered sound disappoints listeners

By Mary Ford, Life and Culture Editor • August 21, 2016

In “The Bible 2,” harmonized vocals, heavy guitars and percussion give the music a disappointingly generic energy.

Review: Satirical remake of ‘Ghostbusters’ fails to please

By Mary Ford, Staff Writer • August 7, 2016

It’s obvious the “Ghostbusters” team put a great deal of thought into how best to bridge the gap between old and new. In the end, however, the original wins out.

Review: “Finding Dory” eagerly addresses mental disabilities

By Jacqueline Borwick, Staff Writer • August 4, 2016

As audience members follow Dory on her journey to reunite with her family in the wide expanse of the ocean, they are overcome with emotions of sadness, hopefulness, and contentment as Dory is aided by other sea creatures along with Marlin and Nemo.

Review: “Genius” film lacks intelligence and purpose

By Mary Ford, Staff Writer • July 8, 2016

Ironically, what “Genius” needs is a good editor, an outside eye to trim the fat of excessively flashy production value and mine down to the characters who drive the story and the excellent cast hired to portray them.

Review: Grande proves powerful with new album

By Jacqueline Borwick, Staff Writer • May 30, 2016

The title track of the album, “Dangerous Woman,” left an imprint on her fan base — who are referred to as the Arianators — and the general public alike, when it was released in March. Notwithstanding the great array of songs on the album, this single is particularly impactful — Grande’s use of lyricism and instrumentation leave a mark on listeners.

Review: Film pleases mothers and fathers alike

By Jacqueline Borwick, Staff Writer • May 4, 2016

The film addresses deeply emotional familial issues like divorce, the loss of a parent or partner, insecurity about marriage, a daughter’s trying to reunite with her biological mother, and sisters’ trying to making amends with their parents. Each moment is brought to life on screen by the cast in a way that is honest, relatable and believable.

Review: Suspenseful plot and rich characters carry ‘Quantico’

By Jacqueline Borwick, Staff Writer • April 22, 2016

The show is full of suspense, drama and mystery, and each episode reveals new information that will ultimately lead to the finale episode.

Review: Stunning graphics and acting save film

By Tyler Obropta, Staff Writer • April 19, 2016

In Jon Favreau’s “The Jungle Book,” Christopher Walken voices a giant orangutan. And he sings. That alone is worth the price of admission. At this point, it’s hard to imagine that anyone has...

Review: Sentimental themes carry Disney series

By Ashley Wolf, Staff Writer • April 13, 2016

Those who liked and watched “Boy Meets World” can catch up on the lives of the characters they watched growing up and relive the awkward and bewildering times of adolescence through this Disney Channel hit show.

Review: Boring superhero flick falls short of hype

By Josh Vitchkoski, STAFF WRITER • March 29, 2016

In the end, it isn’t so much the clash between Superman and Batman as it is the clash between production value and lost potential for a greater, more wholesome story, resulting in a middle ground that’s guaranteed to polarize audiences for “Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice.”