The Ithacan

Taylor Swift enters her producer era in style

By Georgie Gassaro, Contributing Writer • October 19, 2023

Before Taylor Swift embarked on “The Eras Tour,” the singer-songwriter had not toured in five years. Four new albums had been released since 2019, all awaiting live performance debuts. During the pandemic, she had experimented with her creative expression by directing her own award-winning short film. And now, with the theatrical release of “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour,” she has ventured into the role of producer.

Deja View: The highs and lows of ‘Annihilation’

March 6, 2018

On this episode of "Deja View," host Jake Leary sits down with Staff Writer Michael Friedman to talk about Alex Garland's "Annihilation." Michael and Jake delve into the pros and cons of Garlands extremely...

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: 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: 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.”

Review: Deeper themes spell success for Disney

By Celisa Calacal, Life & Culture Editor • March 21, 2016

The decision of directors Byron Howard, Rich Moore and Jared Bush to tackle issues of prejudice through the animal world was a gutsy move — one that ultimately paid off.