News & Announcements

Phantom Thread: Distant Love, Burning Desire, the New Year's Eve Scene

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Phantom Thread follows Reynolds Woodcock, a scrupulous, renowned dressmaker in 1950s post-war London, as he falls for his benevolent, yet resolute muse, Alma (Vicky Krieps), who becomes the only thing in his life that he cannot maintain control over.Paul Thomas Anderson can craft short memorable scenes in his filmography that encapsulate the quintessence of the entire emotion and tone of his films. Scenes that come to mind are the processing scene from his 2012 epic of the soul, The Master, or from 2021’s adolescent love story, Licorice Pizza, where the two lovers run towards each other as night falls, intercut with earlier moments of their running escapades. These scenes are usually pocket-sized pieces of the film, yet without them, those films would never be the same. The same principle applies to Phantom Thread.

Tár: Despicable, Admirable, Layered

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Tár has had the internet in a frenzy since its release a little over three months ago. The
minutiae of the film leave much to be dissected, which has led to a deep division in viewers'
opinions. Nevertheless, I found it to be an entertaining tale of ultimate defeat that is shot and
acted in a way that makes it feel almost like a documentary. Despite the excellence of
cinematographic techniques, the film is not without its detriments; Ultimately, it is a triumph for
the lead actress Cate Blanchett, but it makes certain questionable choices that detract from
potential perfection.

Falling for Christmas: Every Holiday Trope Lover’s Dream

””With the Thanksgiving season over and the holiday season arriving, nothing beats cozying up to a cheesy Christmas movie with a cup of hot chocolate and a cozy blanket. Now there are plenty of movies to choose from, with more and more being released every year. This year, instead of watching the same Christmas movies for the millionth time, I branched out and decided to watch something new. The queen of cheesy 2000s teen movies, Lindsay Lohan, has dipped her toes back into the spotlight with a leading role in Falling for Christmas. Alongside Chord Overstreet, known for his role as Sam Evans in Glee, the duo embarks on a journey with a laundry list of Christmas movie tropes. From the rich girl meeting a small-town boy to the way too-generous townspeople offering their services. From the Christmas miracle granted by a Santa Claus figure to the weird memory loss that somehow didn’t send her into a coma, these tropes have been beaten to death over and over again. Yet somehow, I still fall for it every single time. Despite the hatred many have for these tired tropes, I think that they make the Christmas movie-watching experience.

What does it take to be considered a Christmas Movie?

””Ah, December. The one month a year where there’s nothing better than putting on your fuzziest socks and grabbing a steaming cup of hot chocolate to settle in on the couch for a classic Christmas movie. As you are guzzling down that sweet hot chocolate, the warm fuzzies seep all throughout your body as you sink into the couch, and your friend clicks the remote to start the movie. You think, ‘surely a classic Christmas film will revolve around a child learning “the true meaning of Christmas” or a scrooge meeting ghosts of various eras in time.’ But you’re wrong. This classic Christmas movie suddenly thrusts you into a plot that revolves around Bruce Willis fighting off terrorists who’ve hijacked a Los Angeles skyscraper. What classic Christmas movie is this? Well, it’s Die Hard, of course! Happy Holidays. Oh, you don’t think Die Hard is a Christmas movie? Well, what do you think makes something a Christmas movie?

House of the Dragon: A Fresh Journey Back To Westeros

””I still remember the night of May 19, 2019. Sitting in my living room, as I awaited the grand finale of what had been the greatest show I had ever seen, Game of Thrones. A show with so much complexity, grandeur, and heart that had amassed millions of fans in its 8 season run. I still remember the feeling I had once the credits began to roll. I wouldn't wish it upon my worst enemy. I wasn't alone in my disappointment as millions of other GOT fans took to the internet to vent. The series finale left such a sour taste in many fans' mouths that just 2 years after that, it held such a little grip on pop culture discourse. A show that brought in 18.4 million live viewers for its finale had seemingly disappeared from people's minds

Football State University: A Recap of the 2022 Football Season

””The loudest sound I have ever heard was the emphatic screams of 80,000 strong as the opening kickoff was returned for a touchdown. Seconds into the game against Boston College, Trey Benson ran the entire length of the football field for our first score. The closer he got, the louder the stadium grew until I could hardly stay upright from the mass chaos that ensued. Beer rained down from above, fans screamed until their voices grew hoarse, and my hand throbbed from so many high-fives. In many ways, this moment encapsulates what it was to experience Florida State football this season. Our passionate student section and unpredictably talented players gave FSU its best season in recent memory and gave me some of the wildest experiences I have had yet since arriving on campus.

Farewell, Evangelion

””This December, the blockbuster film from Japan, Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time, will be receiving a limited theatrical release in the United States. The film title is long and complicated, as is the Evangelion franchise. It originally was a beloved (if controversial) anime whose first episode aired in 1995. Later, Evangelion would include a movie continuation, a manga series, and a “Rebuild” theatrical series. Thrice Upon a Time is the final film of the “Rebuilds,” acting as a permanent conclusion for a franchise that has had many indefinite endings. Though it all seems overwhelming, Evangelion is genuinely one of the best pieces of media I’ve ever experienced, and every minute spent watching or reading it is worth it.

Do Worry Darling: Dangers of Men in Online Extremist Groups

””*Contains Spoilers for Don’t Worry Darling*

Whether you are a die-hard Harry Styles fan or not, many viewers of Don’t Worry Darling were shocked by the reveal of his character, Jack Chamber’s actual appearance. No matter how much you liked the movie, this switch from Styles’ portrayal of a charming 1950’s gentleman to a reclusive online incel was a real surprise for many. After seeing the film in theaters three times, I can confirm that each time, the audience was always overtaken with audible gasps when they saw the reality of Jack’s character. This harsh portrayal of Jack Chamber’s reality, while amusing for some, was a true wake-up call surrounding the realities and dangers of men in online extremist groups.