‘Doctor Sleep’ understands recovery, but slightly misses mark
Michael Brzezinski, Chief Film Critic
November 11, 2019
Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining” has kept its top-shelf status in the annals of horror film history rightfully for almost 40 years now. Though it has been denounced by the author of its source material, Stephan King himself, the film community and beyond has never not recognized it as an importa...
‘The Irishman’ highlight’s director Martin Scorsese’s continued success
Michael Brzezinski, Chief Film Critic
November 11, 2019
Over the course of his almost fifty-year career, Martin Scorsese has more than earned his status as one of Hollywood’s most consistently amazing directors.. He is a filmmaker who constantly keeps up with the times and ups his game in terms of revolutionizing the platform on a narrative, formal, and t...
‘Gemini Man’ brings brand new film process to table
Gavin Farrow, Contributing Writer
October 21, 2019
“Gemini Man” -- which has been in development for two decades--is indicative of the late-1990s sci-fi action genre. Brimmed with the corny, formulaic plot devices of that era, it simultaneously rips off James Cameron’s “Terminator 2” and Paul Verhoeven’s more self-aware sci-fi films. The...
Some sequels are known to fail, but ‘Zombieland 2’ surpasses expectations
Aaron Somo, Contributing Writer
October 21, 2019
Ten years ago, “Zombieland” hit theaters and quickly racked up the box office accolades with its wise cracking, in-your-face comedy and the cast’s dysfunctional family dynamic. A decade later, Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson) and crew remain the simple zombie killing machines that just want to enjoy...
‘Hustlers’ emphasizes power of female friendship
Keira Wingate, Assistant Arts & Life Editor
October 14, 2019
Six-inch platform heels, a top-notch cast that screams sex appeal and an intriguing true-life story, “Hustlers” exceeded expectations on its opening weekend, making $33.2 million across 3,250 theaters. In 2014, a criminal ring of women who drugged men and stole their money came to light, being on t...
A love letter to Judy Garland: Renee Zellweger plays title role with honest poise
Rebecca Rogers, Contributing Writer
October 7, 2019
A bottle of pills on the bedside table. Bad relationships that end in heartbreak. The star collapsed on the stage and threw temper tantrums at those who wanted nothing more than to help. None of this is new for the many celebrity biopics we’ve seen in the past year or so, but there was something dif...
MGM’s ‘Candyman’ will look at Cabrini-Green, then and now
Joe Roman, Jr., Contributing Writer
September 30, 2019
We continue to live in a world where everything is being remade or, in some cases, “rebooted.” From video games to movies, there seems to be no stopping Hollywood from grinding out another remake no one wanted or saw coming. But that can’t be said about this project. Set to be released next June, MGM i...
James Gray’s ‘Ad Astra’ explores the nuance of the human psyche
Michael Brzezinski, Staff Writer
September 30, 2019
Films set in space lend the perfect backdrop to allow filmmakers to explore the deepest desires and most unkempt aspects of the human psyche. Kubrick did it. Speilberg did it. Cuaron did it. Nolan did it. Chazelle did it. And just earlier this year, Claire Denis scared the hell out of all of us when sh...
‘Ready or Not’ proves itself to be the perfect summer thriller
Holyn Thigpen, Staff Writer
September 16, 2019
The summer box office season often seems to entail finding something that’ll distract me from the wet blanket of humidity outside and kill a couple hours that I’d otherwise spend napping on my back porch. “Ready or Not,” a thriller-comedy that hit theaters late last month, more than delivere...
Brian Banks puts injustice into perspective
Tariqah Shakir, Contributing Writer
September 16, 2019
What would you do if half of your life was spent fighting a conviction for a crime you were innocent of? What would keep you fighting for justice? These are the questions “Brian Banks” asks while delving deep into the pit of many falsely accused and convicted black men who have spent half an...
Downton Abbey opens its doors again
Rebecca Rogers, Contributing Writer
September 16, 2019
“We’ve been expecting you,” reads the tagline of director Michael Engler’s film adaptation of “Downton Abbey.” A perfect tagline for a world that has seemingly frozen in time waiting for its audience to return. Engler doesn’t miss a beat in continuing where creator Julian Fellowes’ l...
Coming-of-age film ‘Blinded by the Light’ will bring audiences together
Michael Brzezinski, Staff Writer
August 20, 2019
Art is the most universal thing across all cultures and continents. It does not matter who you are or what you do; you have most definitely had at least one song that has moved you to tears or made you rethink aspects of your life. You may have even had a film that simply made you feel completely seen a...
Kathleen Foody, Associated Press
November 13, 2019 • No Comments
Student editors at the newspaper covering Northwestern University have faced two waves of criticism over...
Lightfoot pleads case in Springfield on casino, budget
November 12, 2019
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot crisscrossed the state...
DePaul students celebrate Day of the Dead
November 12, 2019
When walking into the Student Center on DePaul’s Lincoln Park campus, the...
Snow continues to fall in Chicago, cold air expected to break records
November 11, 2019
A storm that's brought snow to the Midwest is about to give way to record-setting...