Movie Reviews
‘The Wages of Fear’: A ticking time bomb and the damning pursuit of capital
Luke Liao -
“The Wages of Fear” opens in a barren Latin American town where the skies are clear and the humidity is palpable. The town’s geography is never disclosed, but a plane ticket is seemingly the only way out. Wanting exactly this is Mario (Yves Montand), a suave Frenchman without work who loiters around the cantina. Mario treats his lover Linda...
Movie Reviews
The ‘Rascal Does Not Dream’ double feature hits American theaters and tugs at its audience’s heartstrings
Brendan Vo -
“Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai” is a romance comedy manga adaptation anime series that covers the first five volumes of the novel. The anime series, also generally called the “Rascal Does Not Dream” series, became popular amongst the community, achieving an 8.23 rating on MyAnimeList. It garnered praise for its dry humor, cute banter and an...
Movie Reviews
Radar Replay: Let ‘Her’ enamor you into falling in love with your computer
Brenda Jovel -
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has increasingly grown into unexpected territories, primarily within entertainment in recent years. Though AI has been tainted with negative perceptions, the entertainment industry has had several projects in the past (e.g. M3GAN, Ex Machina) that focus more on the ingenuity of this form of technology. AI is typically depicted as a threat to the human race,...
In 1985, Wim Wenders released the documentary “Tokyo-Ga.” set in the eponymous city, Tokyo, and inspired by the films of Yasjiro Ozu. For all of Wenders’ good intentions and curiosity channeled in the project, it plays out like exoticism and is a bit silly in conception. With “Perfect Days,” Wenders returns to Japan, largely steering clear of these trappings...
For those still waiting for Rihanna to release music, collect your napkins or handkerchiefs because it is going to be a hot minute until that happens. Rihanna’s latest project released on YouTube titled, “Born to Steal: Yours, Mine, Ours,” is a one-minute and 53-second short film promoting her newest product in her Fenty Beauty line, Lux Balm Ultra-Hydrating Cherry...
Movie Reviews
‘Through My Window: Looking at You’: maybe it’s time to close the window
Spandana Janapati -
*Spoilers*
“Through My Window: Looking at You,” the third and final installment of the “Through My Window” movie trilogy, follows the relationship between Raquel (Clara Galle) and Ares Hidalgo (Julio Peña) as they navigate the aftermath of Yoshi (Guillermo Lasheras), one of Raquel’s best friends’, death. Based on the novel originally published on Wattpad by author Ariana Godoy, this Spanish...
On Feb. 29, the Associated Students Program Board (ASPB) presented Film Fest, an event that showcased six works of fellow University of California, Riverside (UCR) student filmmakers where the top three student films would win awards. The competition was judged by professor of Theatre, Film, and Digital Production (TFDP) Dr. Bella Merlin, a regular director for TFDP productions and...
Movie Reviews
Radar Replay: Revisiting Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ‘Phantom of the Opera’
Maribel Gamez-Reyes -
Encapsulating the musical experience of Broadway’s longest-running show, Joel Schumacher directed a seamless transition from stage to screen in his 2004 adaptation of “The Phantom of the Opera.” With a notable track record of accomplished films, his ambitious execution resulted in a well-rounded installment. With preceding films paying homage to the novel, Schumacher's formidable adaptation was distinguishable as it...
Movie Reviews
‘Drive Away Dolls’ proves the need for more fun and silly lesbian movies
Ramita Setty -
In 2021, Saturday Night Live released a sketch named “Lesbian Period Drama.” It was meant as a parody of period dramas featuring lesbians in a repressive setting, such as “Carol,” “Portrait of a Lady on Fire,” “The Favourite” and “Ammonite.” The sketch poked fun at the overly serious nature of movies like these and how they were the only...
*Spoilers*
The first trailer for “Madame Web” dropped on Nov. 15, giving audiences a glimpse into the new superhero. Although there was no mention or hint of Spider-Man in the trailer, audiences couldn’t ignore the similarities between the two storylines, questioning if “Madame Web” would be a parody of hero films or a new addition to Marvel’s Spider-Verse. These suspicions...