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Amid a seemingly endless amount of entries in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” marks the 31st film (yes, you read that right) in the franchise. It also marks the third and assumedly final film in the “Ant-Man” trilogy. 

Following his CMA Award-winning song, “Buy Dirt,” Jordan Davis aims to capture the lightning in the bottle again with “Bluebird Days.” Davis has consistently been scoring hits on the country charts since his breakthrough 2018 single, “Take It from Me.” Primarily known for his high-tempo, pop…

“True Spirit” is a Netflix original film that depicts the true story of Jessica Watson. Watson, the youngest ever to sail around the world, is brought to the screen here in this biopic. The Australian film received a small theatrical release in Australia in January before landing on Netflix …

Of the countless films nominated for Academy Awards this year, only one is making headlines and causing such a stir. Controversially nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role, Andrea Riseborough stars in the award-winning indie darling “To Leslie” from first-time director Michael Morris.

Chicago-native band, The Smashing Pumpkins, have embarked on their most ambitious project yet: a triple album. “Atum: Act Two” serves as the middle entry in this trilogy of “Atum: A Rock Opera” albums. This bold project aims to continue the story of their 1995 record, “Mellon Collie and the …

M. Night Shyamalan, the master of the twist ending, presents his 15th film with “Knock at the Cabin.” Shyamalan is one of the most polarizing figures in the film industry. He’s known for three primary things: very high highs, very low lows and his trademark “Shyamalan twist.” With films rang…

A new year means a new slate for albums being released. Given that music releases often fluctuate throughout the year, it was a bit challenging to pin down a concrete list of new releases that were both relevant and interesting to me personally. However, I have compiled a list of five of the…

To be quite honest with you, dear reader, the first time I ever heard of Sam Smith was when it was announced that they would be composing the theme song for Bond 24 (“Spectre”). Contrary to the backlash the Academy Award-winning song, “Writing’s On The Wall,” would later receive, I must admi…

While headlines coming out of the 2023 Sundance Film Festival may focus on the gratuitous bodily fluid dispersed from our guileful protagonist, I must stress that there is far more to appreciate and admire from Brandon Cronenberg’s psychosexual sci-fi thriller, “Infinity Pool.”

While the future of the beloved theatre department remains in dire uncertainty, there are those who continue to help keep the community alive and well. Mary Emma Zimmermann is a junior psychology major with a double minor in theatre and human biology from St. Charles, Ill. Whether it’s worki…

Hello, Wisconsin! Nearly 17 years after “That ‘70s Show” ended, Netflix has released the highly anticipated spinoff which is endearingly titled “That ‘90s Show.” The show takes place in 1995 and revolves around Leia Forman, her group of friends and her grandparents, Kitty and Red Forman in P…

SZA’s new album “SOS,” released Dec. 9, 2022, has climbed the charts, staying at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for five weeks now. The album, officially released through her record label Top Dawg Entertainment and RCA Records, is the first full-length album the artist has issued to the public …

The found footage subgenre has seemingly been done to death. While the genre has seen its share of highs with “The Blair Witch Project,”, lately, found footage has simply been a vehicle for boring, low-budget horror films. “Missing,” like its predecessor, “Searching,” aims to throw a wrench …

As the burdensome stress and anxiety of my day-to-day life accumulates to varying degrees of unforgiving measures, rest assured, I always have a fortified safe space. As I venture out to that sacred cineplex and enter the darkened auditorium, all of my worries dissipate for a brief period. N…

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I’m not a zombie fan. Maybe it’s because I was scared by the “Thriller” music video as a child, maybe it’s because there were no teen romances about them (as opposed to vampires and werewolves, of course). Maybe I just find them tacky. Whatever the case, I still found myself intrigued by “Th…

With the trajectory of the world we all inhabit at a seemingly rapid decline (war, disease, poverty, depression) it would seem as though there was little to nothing to reflect fondly upon in 2022. That being said, however, the awe-inspiring, fantastical world of cinema has continued to bloss…

2022 was a great year for an avid music listener. From indie pop to indie country and established rap to established pop, there were big releases seemingly every week throughout the year. Given this, it was quite difficult to choose a top five. 2022 saw Taylor Swift’s “Midnights” shatter Spo…

What started as a viral internet sensation following an illegal leak at an online film festival screening back in 2022, has quickly become the sleeper hit of the new year. “Skinamarink” has officially been released to a staggering 600 theatres nationwide this past weekend, scaring up profits…

Kate Eisenhutt is a newly graduated Valpo student who recently earned her bachelor’s degrees in composition and German in December 2022. In the process of applying for graduate school in Germany and other career opportunities post-college, Eisenhutt has stayed involved on campus by composing…

What happens when you take the basic premise of the “Child’s Play” franchise and combine it with an American Girl doll-esque aesthetic? Admittedly not much in terms of a satisfying horror experience. “M3GAN” was released on Jan. 6, 2023, to overwhelmingly positive reviews. 

Does Michael Bublé’s Christmas album really need an introduction? Arguably the most iconic Christmas album since Mariah Carrey’s “Merry Christmas,” Bublé has become synonymous with the holiday since its release in 2011. His crooning vocals, jazzy instrumentation and the iconic blend of tradi…

Since the movie came out in 1990, “Home Alone” has been a classic holiday movie for many families over the past three decades. Directed by Chris Columbus and scored by John Williams, it has been a timeless Christmas movie sparkled with magic and comedy throughout. The film stars Macaulay Cau…

After nearly four years, the sequel to “Black Panther” was released in theaters on Nov. 11, 2022. Having been almost two years since the sudden and unexpected passing of the original Black Panther actor, Chadwick Boseman,  “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” had extremely large shoes to fill. …

As a flute performer with strong faith-based values and pursuits, Genevieve Brown is a senior flute performance major at Valpo and a Dec. 2022 graduate. As part of her B.A. of Music in Performance, Brown not only is involved with playing in bands but is also in the process of learning to conduct.

After almost 30 years since the first “Santa Clause” was released, the movie has spawned two sequels and now a TV mini-series streaming exclusively on Disney+. Still starring Tim Allen as Scott Calvin (Santa Claus), the series follows a new clause on the contract he agreed to the moment he p…

You will surely have a newfound appreciation for miniature donkeys after viewing “The Banshees of Inisherin,” the latest dark comedy from acclaimed British-Irish filmmaker, Martin McDonagh (“Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.”)

“Triangle of Sadness,” the provocative, dense, pitiless social satire from acclaimed Swedish filmmaker Ruben Östlund (“Force Majeure”) has taken home the prestigious Palme d’or at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival and is sure to make a splash at the upcoming Academy Awards. Despite the accolades…

A firm believer that a good costume can come from everyday items around one’s house, Sarah Brase is a junior digital media and communications double major with a minor in music. The performing arts of cosplay, theatre and music surround her life. As an avid cosplayer here at Valpo, Brase is …

I’ll be the first to say I had incredibly low expectations for “My Policeman.” My roommates and I hunkered down in the living room to watch this, giggling and watching clips of Harry Styles’ acting from “Don’t Worry Darling” that can only be described as questionable, at best. To say we were…

Australian pop star, Dean Lewis, released his sophomore album, “The Hardest Love.” After seeing huge success in 2016 and 2018 with smash hits such as “Waves” and “Be Alright”, Lewis hasn’t had as much chart success in the last few years. Frankly, I don’t see “The Hardest Love” helping Lewis …

After a seemingly endless amount of delays, the supernatural horror film “Prey for the Devil” has finally been released. Originally slated for a February 2021 release, the film was pushed back to February 2022 due to the pandemic. It was pushed back once again to release on Halloween weekend…

“The Stranger” is an Australian thriller based on an actual kidnapping and murder investigation from the late 2000s. The narrative follows an undercover agent striking up a friendship with the main suspect in the investigation while an interesting character study between the two develops. Wr…

Cavetown’s new three-song compilation “frog” is a blissful escape from reality. Preserving his usual minimalistic-style sound production and lyrical melodies doused in nature metaphors, Cavetown’s silky voice makes listeners feel like they’re on a cloud. One song a folktale, another an aside…

If you attend a church service or choir performance at the Chapel of the Resurrection, chances are you will encounter Carolina Bowen. She is heavily involved with music, from serving as Head Sacristan for the Chapel and working as a music tutor, to being a member of both the University Chora…

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Amidst a slew of seemingly unceasing allegations in a post “#MeToo” world, renowned writer and director, Todd Field (“In the Bedroom”), crafts an intricate, tempestuous film that both challenges and provokes. “Tár” is quite possibly the most relevant, timely picture to have come out in recen…

Released in 1982, “Halloween III: Season of the Witch” is a fascinating, all too alluring film within not only the “Halloween” franchise but horror in general. It’s this bizarre marriage of technology and witchcraft. Grotesque, macabre body horror accompanied by an undoubtedly bleak, nihilis…

Fifteen years after the casting of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as the titular character, “Black Adam” has finally been released. After a seemingly never-ending cycle of appearances being canceled and/or postponed, Johnson finally suits up as Black Adam. The film serves as another entry in the …

From acting to stage managing to performing to directing to building sets, Trey Erny has done it all. The junior is a theatre major with minors in music and education. On campus, Erny is involved in Alpha Psi Omega, the VU Chorale and all of the theatre productions here at Valparaiso Univers…

After dedicating a significant portion of my adolescence and wallet to Miss Taylor Swift, you can bet I was counting down the days and minutes to “Midnights” midnight release (well, 11 p.m. here, thanks timezones). Upon first listen, I was really questioning where she was going with this one…

Found footage franchise, “V/H/S” returns for its fifth installment in the series with “V/H/S99.” The “V/H/S” franchise is an interesting one in today’s horror landscape, being that it is one of the only found footage-style series outside of “Blair Witch” and “Paranormal Activity.” What makes…

Recently, yours truly had the opportunity to talk with Chicagoan Karsten Runquist; a YouTuber, filmmaker, toast enthusiast and all-around nice guy. You may know him from his widely successful YouTube channel of the same name where he talks about film and television, or his podcast, The Karst…

Dayglow, an indie one-man-band from Texas, released his third studio album “People in Motion” on Oct. 7, 2022—an album that appears to be an ode to a special someone in the artist’s life. The music of his new album, while staying true to Dayglow’s iconic indie-pop style, seems to veer into t…

Greetings and salutations my fellow ghouls and goblins. As Halloween night frighteningly approaches, you may be seeking some thrills and chills. Whether it’s deeply macabre, grotesque creature features or blood-curdling paranormal endeavors, your trusty Arts & Entertainment Editor is her…

Michael Myers slashes his way onto the silver screen for the final entry in the newest string of “Halloween” films. “Halloween Ends” marks the third and final film in this new trilogy and the 13th in the franchise. The film marketed itself as the final entry in the franchise for horror legen…

In his new self-titled album, “CHARLIE,” singer-songwriter Charlie Puth acknowledges the hypocrisy of the human heart. Throughout his new collection of songs, Puth unpacks his experiences of finding out how he’s able to distance himself from some people while not others. A narrative of the h…

We all have that one film that forever changes us, and for me, it was David O. Russell’s 2013 magnum opus, “American Hustle”. I still vividly remember the day I saw the film with my mother. We went to an earlier matinee screening at Meadowview Theatre on a brisk, winter afternoon. It forever…