“Stan & Ollie” captures essence of renowned comedy duo
Landon Roberts, Contributing Writer In the last decade, comedy has become more complex and layered via social media. The excessive satire and sarcasm behind every viral meme leaves many craving for a simpler time in comedy. “Stan & Ollie,” the biopic about the silent film stars Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, somehow fills that craving while […]
“The Kid Who Would Be King” is the hope we need right now
Landon Roberts, Contributing Writer “The Kid Who Would Be King” presents a world of slowly-spreading hate, bigotry and xenophobia caused by fear-mongering politicians. The modern take on the classic King Arthur tale may seem heavy, but director Joe Cornish brings a witty, whimsical sensibility that will inspire generations to come. In a divided modern London, an […]
Landon’s Outlook: “On the Basis of Sex” only scratches the surface of RBG
Landon Roberts, Contributing Writer Ruth Bader Ginsburg has dedicated her life to the fight for equal rights. The obstacle of sex-based discrimination she had to endure along with the triumphs she achieved is a story that should be told for years to come. However, “On the Basis of Sex” is a one-note look at Ginsburg’s complex […]
Landon and Brandon’s Top 5 Picks of 2018
Landon Roberts and Brandon Shillingford, Contributing Writers Landon’s Choices The Favourite The chaotic rat race to the top presented in “The Favourite” is both hilarious and heart-wrenching. Despicable characters throughout the film become more complex as the movie progresses, and their actions become more vivid. Career-best performances come from Rachel Weisz, Emma Stone and Olivia Colman. […]
“Suspiria”: Double review
Samuel Goodrich, Staff Writer Landon Roberts, Contributing Writer Sam’s Take: Guilt is a powerful, life draining emotion that creeps into our minds when we’re alone. Imagine an entire country feeling that and waking up every day to see the symbol of your guilt dividing you from the world, looming over your head. The 2018 remake […]
Landon’s Outlook: “The Grinch” fails to live up to meaner, greener previous adaptations
Landon Roberts Contributing Writer Dr. Seuss’ “The Grinch” is a story of heart, forgiveness and unity. However, the 2018 adaptation on the holiday story abandons these themes and, instead, leaves an empty shell of immature jokes and half-baked attempts at emotion. The plot of the story recounts the Grinch’s typical attempts to ruin Christmas for […]
The Virginia Film Festival delivers relevance and quality
Landon Roberts Contributing Writer The 2018 Virginia Film Festival was nestled in the heart of Charlottesville and, along with the beauty of the bronzing leaves, this year’s festival brought many heartwarming and breathtaking films. Of the 150 films scheduled on this years program, many stood out — these are just some to get excited about […]
“Mid90s” captures skate culture, nostalgia and growing up
Landon Roberts Contributing Writer Entertainment company A24 and coming-of-age stories have become synonymous following the production of films like “Lady Bird,” “Eighth Grade” and “20th Century Women.” While all these films may take place during different time periods, the theme of finding a sense of belonging is evident in each one. The same can be […]
Landon and Sam’s recommended horror movies
Sam’s picks — Eyes Without a Face (1960) While it is a tad dated by modern standards, “Eyes Without a Face” is still a haunting, poetic film that isn’t afraid to get gory. The film follows a mad doctor who kidnaps women and surgically removes their faces. His goal is to reconstruct his daughter’s disfigured […]
Landon’s Outlook: “The Hate U Give” delivers an important message in a straightforward manner
Landon Roberts Contributing Writer “The Hate U Give” portrays its themes of discrimination — including police brutality, gentrification and cultural appropriation — in a straightforward manner, leading to a film with a powerful central message. After Starr Carter witnesses the death of her best friend Khalil at the hands of a white police officer, she […]