Devils' Advocate

“Raya and the Last Dragon” sports gorgeous animation in substitute of Disney’s best storytelling

Disney Animation's latest future film showcases the animation they frequently excel at with little for it to elevate.

Steven Pappas, Sophie Burns, Editor-In-Chief, and Olivia Ostrowski, Editor-In-Chief • March 18, 2021

On Thursday, March 5, Disney Animation released “Raya and the Last Dragon” to theaters and its streaming platform with premier access. The film follows the adventures of Raya (Kelly Marie Tran), a...

“Judas and the Black Messiah” powers through familiar territory with fantastic performances and bedazzling filmmaking

Shaka King's fast-paced direction, Sean Bobbitt's beautiful cinematography, and Daniel Kaluuya and Lakeith Stanfield's powerful performances pave the way for this exigent feature.

Steven Pappas, Sophie Burns, Editor-In-Chief, and Olivia Ostrowski, Editor-In-Chief • March 3, 2021

On Friday, Feb. 12, HBO Max released “Judas and the Black Messiah” to its streaming platform. The film follows the influence of Fred Hampton (Daniel Kaluuya) on the Black Panther Party (BPP) in Illinois....

“Nomadland” takes command of Chloé Zhao’s intimate direction and Frances McDormand’s heartfelt performance

Chloé Zhao's third feature film brings a forgotten populous in American history to the forefront of her powerful talents.

Steven Pappas, Sophie Burns, Editor-In-Chief, and Olivia Ostrowski, Editor-in-Chief • February 23, 2021

On Friday, Feb. 19, Hulu released “Nomadland” to its streaming platform. The film centers around Fern (Frances McDormand) an elderly woman who lost her job and home in Empire, NV following the Great...

“Promising Young Woman” powerfully showcases Carey Mulligan and confronts prominent contemporary societal issues

Emerald Fennell's directorial debut bleeds with deftly uncompromising power and ferociousness.

Steven Pappas, Sophie Burns, Editor-In-Chief, and Olivia Ostrowski, Editor-In-Chief • February 1, 2021

On Monday, Jan. 25, “Promising Young Woman” made its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival. The film stars Academy Award-nominated actress Carey Mulligan as Cassandra Thomas, a woman who, stricken...

“Soul” finds Pete Docter at his existential and life-affirming best

Pete Docter's newest feature combines his usual brilliant creativity with one of Pixar's most intrepid visions.

Steven Pappas, Sophie Burns, Editor-In-Chief, and Olivia Ostrowski, Editor-in-Chief • January 15, 2021

On Friday, Dec. 25, Pixar released “Soul,” its 23rd feature-length animated film, to its streaming platform Disney+. The film stars Jamie Foxx and Tina Fey and centers around Joe Gardner (Foxx), a...

“Happiest Season” overcomes its tropes to succeed as a fast, heartwarming feature

Clea DuVall's second directorial credit wonderfully uses Kristen Stewart and Mackenzie Davis's chemistry to make a heartwarming Christmas rom-com.

Steven Pappas, Sophie Burns, Editor-In-Chief, and Olivia Ostrowski, Editor-in-Chief • December 14, 2020

On Wednesday, Nov. 25, Hulu released “Happiest Season” to its streaming platform. The film follows Abby Holland and Harper Caldwell, played by Kristen Stewart and Mackenzie Davis respectively. The...

“Borat Subsequent Moviefilm” uses familiar satirical beats and new dramatic ones to prove its worth

Borat's second installment may not live up to the first, but it still entertains and sharply critiques American culture over a decade later.

Steven Pappas, Sophie Burns, Editor-In-Chief, and Olivia Ostrowski, Editor-in-Chief • November 24, 2020

Jagshemash! On Friday, Oct. 23, Amazon Prime Video released “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm: Delivery of Prodigious Bribe to American Regime to Make Benefit Once Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan.” It stars...

“On the Rocks” showcases Sofia Coppola’s technical flare without the full command of her craft

Sofia Coppola’s new feature film starring Rashida Jones and Bill Murray reaches its bare minimum but doesn’t trek her higher ground.

Steven Pappas, Sophie Burns, Editor-In-Chief, and Olivia Ostrowski, Editor-in-Chief • November 10, 2020

On Friday, Oct. 23, Apple TV+ released Sofia Coppola’s newest film, “On the Rocks.” The film stars Rashida Jones as Laura, a married woman with two daughters who suspects her husband, Dean, of infidelity....

“The Trial of the Chicago 7” presents a healthy meal of Aaron Sorkin without the best ingredients

Aaron Sorkin’s dramatic retelling of the important trial in American history tells its story adequately but without the best gravitas that he’s capable of.

Steven Pappas, Sophie Burns, Editor-In-Chief, and Olivia Ostrowski, Editor-in-Chief • November 9, 2020

On Friday, Oct. 16, Netflix digitally released “The Trial of the Chicago 7” to its streaming platform. The film stars Eddie Redmayne and Sacha Baron Cohen and the true story of the Chicago Seven, a...

“Enola Holmes” crafts an effective but standard Sherlock story

Harry Bradbeer’s adaptation of the series of mystery novels of the same name doesn’t stand on its own creatively, but is still effective in its craft.

Steven Pappas, Sophie Burns, Editor-In-Chief, and Olivia Ostrowski, Editor-in-Chief • October 15, 2020

On Wednesday, Sept. 23, Netflix released “Enola Holmes” onto their streaming platform, an adaptation of the series of mystery novels of the same name written by Nancy Springer. It follows Enola Holmes...