Rising Stars is The Stargazer’s interview series where we sit down with young creatives to discuss their projects, inspirations, and goals. We recently had the opportunity to speak with graphic designer, creative director, and podcast producer Anthony Smith about his creative process and taking risks to achieve your dreams. Note: The following are excerpts.
Though comedian, actress, writer, and musician, Ziwe Fumudoh, has been a mainstay of the digital entertainment space for several years, she rocketed to popularity in the summer of 2020 with her Instagram Live interview series, which featured controversial internet personalities such as Caroline Calloway. Ziwe quickly became known for her unique and playfully confrontational interview style, which she brings to television in her new, A24-produced variety series on Showtime, named after the energetic host herself.
Of all of the films that Warner Brothers announced they would release both in theaters on streaming services in 2021, Godzilla vs. Kong was one of the most highly anticipated. And considering that the last time the two titans faced off was in the 1962 Japanese kaiju film, King Kong vs. Godzilla, it’s fair to say that two of pop culture’s most iconic giant beasts were overdue for a rematch. 2021’s Godzilla vs. Kong comes as the fourth installment of Warner Brothers “MonsterVerse” – following Godzilla (2014), Kong: Skull Island (2017), and Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019). It's the culmination of the mythology and story arc built up over the previous three pictures. While each of the previous films had issues, I did enjoy the comedic tone of Kong: Skull Island and the dramatic feeling of Godzilla and Godzilla: King of the Monsters. Since both films had slightly different styles, I was curious to see what direction this new film would take when both titans met on-screen. I also wondered whether or not they would continue with the plot and characters from Godzilla: King of the Monsters, especially considering that it consisted of an entirely different set of characters than Godzilla. Director Adam Wingard was certainly challenged by having to try and develop an interesting plot with meaningful characters without drawing away from the main attraction: the ultimate showdown between two of sci-fi’s all-time greatest monsters. Spoiler Warning as multiple key plot points are discussed throughout this article from this point forward!
Rising Stars is The Stargazer’s interview series where we sit down with young creatives to discuss their projects, inspirations, and goals. We recently had the opportunity to speak with writer, director, and CEO Matthew Manyak about his TV series, upcoming films, and work in the Tallahassee area.
Trigger Warning: mentions of depression, suicidal ideation
Writers and artists at The Stargazer love entertainment media, so we go through a lot of it. Want to know what we’ve been watching/reading/playing recently? Interested in what we have to say about it? Check out What’s in Our Orbit.
When I first heard that Zack Snyder would be getting a second chance at directing Justice League, I was hesitant, but I was also looking forward to seeing what the new version of the film would deliver. I, like many other fans, found the original 2017 theatrical release to be extremely underwhelming. DC films have been very inconsistent with multiple productions failing to live up to their potential, especially Suicide Squad and Batman vs. Superman. However, there have been some releases that I enjoyed, like Wonder Woman, Joker, and Birds of Prey. These gave me hope for Zack Snyder's Justice League. Snyder was given freedom to use deleted footage and shoot new scenes, along with a $300 million budget. And with a four-hour run time, Snyder leaves no stone unturned in making sure the story is told exactly the way he had originally envisioned. Now the question is, did it live up to the hype? Is it really that much better? Did DC fans finally get the movie they deserved?
Unfortunately, mainly due to human activity, many species of shark are considered endangered. This is partly due to things like overfishing or habitat destruction, but fear also plays a large role in the ongoing hunting of sharks that is causing their numbers to dwindle. Through popular culture, we have been programmed to view sharks as vicious, bloodthirsty killers, always looking for a next victim, but this is very far from the truth. So in honor of the ASLC’S screening of Steven Spielberg’s classic, Jaws, on April 8th, why don’t I share a few facts about sharks with you, to try and ease your fear and show you how wonderous and important these oceanic residents are.
Rising Stars is The Stargazer’s interview series where we sit down with young entertainment professional to discuss their projects, inspirations, and goals. We recently had the opportunity to speak with writer, director, and producer Ashley James about her time at Florida State, her short films, and her theatre work. Note: The following are excerpts.
Content Warning: brief mentions of miscarriages, abusive relationships
The advent of cinema was a liberating experience. Men and women alike were given keys to this new medium, allowing for female filmmakers like Lois Weber to make statements through her work. However, as film became more lucrative and industrialized, filmmaking became a boys’ club. By introducing major production companies and restrictive content laws, few female filmmakers were able to slip through the cracks, creating an imbalance in the stories being told.
Writers and artists at The Stargazer love entertainment media, so we go through a lot of it. Want to know what we’ve been watching/reading/playing recently? Interested in what we have to say about it? Check out What’s in Our Orbit.
