Academy overlooks hit films

The Oscars are on Feb. 24, and some of this year’s nominees are overrated or average at best. But that doesn’t mean 2018 was without its hits, as the following alternative film choices shouldn’t be missed.  ‘CHAPPAQUIDDICK’ > ‘VICE’ Both films deal with the commonality of political drama. “Vice” is more of a satirical political drama that commentates on the entrance into the Iraq War and the folly of the Bush administration. Highlighted here is the performance of Christian Bale as Dick Cheney. The film isn’t as hard hitting as the critics think. “Chappaquiddick,” however, is that hard hitting film.…

Shyamlan shatters expectations

Nineteen years after the release of “Unbreakable” and three years after the release of “Split” comes M. Night Shyamalan’s final instalment in the superhero trilogy “Glass.”  Events of the first two films act as a setup for the final film. In “Glass,” David Dunn (Bruce Willis) and Kevin Wendell Crumb (James McAvoy) are sent to a mental institution where Dunn’s arch enemy, Elijah Price/Glass (Samuel L. Jackson), is being held. It is the mission of Dr. Elle Staple (Sarah Paulson) to cure the trio of their superhuman delusions. All three characters have different philosophies when it comes to dealing with…

‘Westworld’ returns with second season

Series continues answering questions after the first outing Season 2 of the sci-fi fantasy series “Westworld,” subtitled “The Door,” picks up right where the first season ended. Showrunners and writers Lisa Joy and Johnathan Nolan wasted no time after answering all the conspiracies and cliffhangers in Season 1. Robert Ford (Anthony Hopkins), the founder and creative director of Westworld, is now dead thanks to the gun of Dolores Abernathy, played by Evan Rachel Wood. Dolores is one of the oldest hosts in Westworld. “Journey into Night,” the title for this episode, comes from the name of Ford’s new narrative he…

All-Out War underwhelms on Survival Sunday

‘The Walking Dead’ finale fails while “Fear” premiere succeeds Season 8 of “The Walking Dead” was dubbed the All-Out War. Production team member Scott M. Gimple had long said the finale, “Wrath,” would be a game changer and bring eight years of the popular series to its final end. What we got instead was far from what we wanted. What Greg Nicotero gave us in “Wrath” was a contrived mess. The long-awaited battle between Rick and Negan literally lasted all of three minutes. Even the Rick/Governor battle lasted longer. This was Survival Sunday and thankfully “The Walking Dead” had “Fear”…

Fall in love with a book

Students take part in Library offer to go on ‘blind date’ If you want to have some fun with a book, then “Blind Date with a Book” is for you. The process is simple. The book is mysteriously wrapped and there are three key words describing that book on a sticky note and the student will have to guess if they like the book. For Library Assistant Aaron Avalos, “getting confidence to check out a book” is important for students. For Photography major Andrew Acuna, his reason is simple. “I hope the book shows me a good time just like…