by Brooke Dorris and Erin Franklin | Dec 15, 2016 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider, Opinion
One of the most anticipated films of 2016, Rogue One succeeds in taking viewers on a different kind of Star Wars journey. Rogue One is not your typical Star Wars film. In fact, it doesn’t even have the classic opening crawl viewers have come to expect at the beginning of any Star Wars-associated movie. Jedi and lightsabers are hardly mentioned, and for the first time, Obi-Wan Kenobi is not seen or heard. That’s not to say that Rogue One isn’t a good film. The action takes place in between Episodes III and IV, and it fills in the gap between the prequels and the original trilogy perfectly. However, it also works well as its own standalone film. It tells the story of how the rebels got the plans which tell where the Death Star’s weak spot is. For moviegoers who have seen Episode IV, we know that the plans Leia sends out had to come from somewhere, and Rogue One tells us of the struggles and battles endured to get those very plans. Felicity Jones’ portrayal of Jyn Erso is especially convincing, but the whole cast delivers admirable performances. Notably, there’s a new droid in town, and Alan Tudyk’s portrayal of K-2SO might make you love this imperial-turned-rebel droid just as much as some old favorites like R2-D2 and C-3PO. Speaking of old favorites, there are some classic characters with cameos that you don’t expect to see, but of course, you’re glad you do. Rogue One is complex, but, since it is a standalone film, it wouldn’t be too difficult for someone who hasn’t seen any of the Star Wars films to...
by Brooke Dorris and Erin Franklin | Nov 4, 2016 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider, Opinion
It would seem that Marvel can’t make a bad movie. The Marvel cinematic universe is one of the most popular film franchises in history, and its newest addition, Doctor Strange, is sure to delight and entertain comic-book lovers and moviegoers of all ages as well. For a comic-book film, Doctor Strange contains some deep messages. The film will likely prompt some serious conversations after the credits roll (and after the two typical, bonus Marvel scenes at the end) among moviegoers because of its inherent themes. However, also typical of Marvel, the film has some delightful surprises, and, while not classified as a comedy by any means, will have viewers laughing nearly throughout its entirety. Therefore, fellow Lumination staff member Brooke Dorris and I have decided to do a co-review to hopefully give a glimpse of the conversational tone the film invokes. As alluded to before, Doctor Strange is a “strange film,” even for a Marvel movie. In fact, in some ways, it doesn’t even seem like a Marvel movie — perhaps it’s Benedict Cumberbatch’s stellar performance as Dr. Strange, or maybe it’s the simplicity of its story design. Nevertheless, it is a superhero film, but Strange isn’t your average superhero. He’s quite cocky and arrogant, and that gets him into trouble sometimes. His character is slightly reminiscent of Tony Stark, but Cumberbatch does an excellent job of making the character his own. The film begins with neurosurgeon, Dr. Stephen Strange, saving people’s lives (in the hospital). He’s confident in his ability, and this talent is where he seemingly derives his self worth. When he is careless while driving his Lamborghini...
