Reviews of what’s been happening the past couple weeks in entertainment
Robert ‘Battinson’ rises as the new Batman
By Michael Bald, Entertainment Editor
Since the announcement of a new Batman film starring Robert Pattinson, being separate from the established “DC Expanded Universe,” fans of the character have been speculating what this iteration will look like.
Matt Reeves, the director of the project, has kept details about the movie fairly under wraps. He has been vocal about his casting choices and the tone that the movie is going for, which is “thrilling but also emotional,” said Reeves in an interview with the Hollywood Reporter.
It wasn’t until recently that we finally got a test footage shot of Pattinson in the finished suit. The overall consensus appears to be positive, but like all things comic related, there are some who like to criticize every aspect of the character.
Most of the complaints given to the suit are about the cowl and the way they presented it. A lot of comparisons have been made to Netflix’s “Daredevil,” due to the red lighting and the armor looking similar.
While these can seem similar to each other, the Daredevil character has taken a lot of influence from the character of Batman, so the argument can be made for both sides.
Fans have also shared some of their theories on the new bat sigil on the costume. The wings of the bat look to some as the handle of a handgun, leaving some to think that it’s made of the gun used to kill Bruce Wayne’s parents.
If that’s the case, Matt Reeves isn’t joking about the darker tone this film would have.
In the end, there is a strangeness surrounding the film, only when it is released can the fans see if these decisions are justified.
Billie Eilish makes Bond 25 theme music
By Michael Bald, Entertainment Editor
The name’s Eilish, Billie Eilish, and she has just written and released the new song for the 25th James Bond movie titled “No Time to Die.”
When it was announced that she would be writing the new song, I was wondering why that was the case, considering she’s a relative newcomer to the music industry and her sound is arguably different than most. Fortunately, she was able to add her style while still making it sound like a cinematic score.
Her whispering and somber voice really help set the mood for the song and help give an insight to what the tone of the new movie will be. The ending of the song helps bring the cinematic quality as well. Billie hits the loudest note I have ever heard her hit.
If there was any criticism toward the song, it seems to be trying to ride off the success of Adele’s song for the 23rd Bond film “Skyfall.” That isn’t to say Eilish is the only one to do this; Sam Smith wrote the song “Writing’s on the Wall” from the 24th Bond film “Spectre.” It seems that the people in charge of the series are trying to ride off the success of Adele’s song and are trying to copy the feel of it. It makes me wonder how much creative control the past two artists have had on the songs.
This is a minor nit-pick but I personally find it annoying when studio’s choose someone not for their artistic ability but instead to target to a specific demographic that maybe wouldn’t have come to see the movie otherwise. Not to say Billie doesn’t have talent but it is obvious that they got her because she popular.
As it stands, I think the new song is well written and will be a fine addition to the songs of this long running series.
Stranger Things 4 trailer is strange
By Michael Bald, Entertainment Editor
After the season finale of “Stranger Things 3,” many were left wondering where the show could go after the involvement of Russians and the return of the Mind Flayer. We finally got a look at “Stranger Things 4” with a small teaser.
The trailer opens on a forest in the middle of a winter snow storm. There appears to be some sort of prisoner camp in Russia. It shows prisoners working on a railroad track until it pans down to see a prisoner facing away from the camera. It’s revealed to be the character Jim Hopper, who was presumed dead at the end of season three.
Most expected this to be the case for the character, considering that the audience never got to see him actually die.
For me personally, I found season three to be underwhelming due to its reliance on the formula setup since season one and out of place humor spread throughout. The main threat, being the entities of the Upside Down, didn’t feel as threatening or mysterious this season. It feels as if the writers are just making it up as it goes along, which is never a good sign.
However, this season looks like it’s going for a darker tone which is most welcome.
Just by the shots and lighting, one can tell this season has a more serious tone. I’m also glad they revealed Hopper to be alive now because if they had tried to do a big reveal in the show, it would have come across as cheesy.
One fan on Reddit, according to nme.com, thinks that the season four debut will be on April 3, 2020. However, that seems unlikely, considering the show had a year between season one and two and a two year break between season two and three.
The best we can do is wait and see what the Duffer brothers have planned for the show.
‘Sonic: The Hedgehog’ is a fun time
By Hillary White, Contributing Writer and Photographer
If you want to bring your inner child out, “Sonic the Hedgehog” is the movie for you! The beloved 90s classic video game icon and cartoon series character came to the big screen on Feb. 14. I was very excited to see this fast, blue spikey hedgehog come to life on the silver screen. My 6-year-old inner self was jumping for joy.
Sonic is hiding from anybody who is trying to harm him but finds a safe haven on Earth. Sonic hides there and makes himself a home and a new friend. Sonic causes a citywide power outage, which draws the attention of an evil mastermind scientist called Dr. Eggman (Jim Carrey). Sonic hides in Tom Wachowski’s (Jim Marsden) garage to hide from Dr. Eggman. Sonic loses his pouch full of rings that transport him to different locations.
Tom and Sonic then embark a journey to San Francisco to get the rings. Along the way they participated in a bar fight and Dr. Eggman’s robots continuously attempted to beat him. Jim and Sonic make it to San Francisco to get his rings and prepare for a battle Dr. Eggman.
I thought the movie was decent; it’s faithful to the video game character and it also helped that Paramount delayed the original release by three months in order to fix Sonic’s animation.
Overall, the movie was decent, but I was expecting a little bit more from the storyline. As with most movies, there is an extra scene at the ending. I would give it a grade of a B+. Sonic was very kid-friendly, so the family can go and watch it.
