Skip to Content, Navigation, or Footer.
The Observer
Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024
Support The Observer Subscribe
Observer Store
The Observer

Scene

1679407382-edb01c45b2e5675

‘Break Point’ is good, but doesn’t win any grand slams

By Claire McKenna · Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023

Riding on the success of its documentary series “Formula 1: Drive to Survive”, Netflix has greenlit a slew of new sports documentary series to come out on its platform over the next two years. The first of these new documentaries to come out is “Break Point” — a series that ostensibly gives viewers a behind-the-scenes look into the goings-on of a tennis player’s life while they are on tour.

1679407359-a63c9d569f4b4f5

Black Mirror’s vision of ChatGPT

By Liam Price · Monday, Jan. 23, 2023

I’ve been on a “Black Mirror” phase since winter break and there’s a special episode, titled “Be Right Back,” which we must reflect on due to Black Mirror’s trademark “predicting the future” abilities. 

1679407355-1b2fcc5a73211e5

‘The Menu’: When your passion becomes a burden

By Gabriel Zarazua · Monday, Jan. 23, 2023

The release of Mark Mylod’s “The Menu” came during a time where I was struggling with my passion for art. Where the fun was no longer there, not the carefree emotions I used to have, now being replaced with the burden of finishing work and moving on to the next piece. It was an emotionally draining time, one where I wondered constantly if I would be able to handle this lifestyle I’ve chosen for years to come. Then during winter break, I realized “The Menu” was on HBO Max and decided to give it a watch. What I expected to be a horror thriller about a psycho chef, turned out to be a beautiful dark comedy with themes on losing passion for something you once adored.

1679407291-7bf61cdecaaeb63

The creativity of ‘Velma’

By Rose Androwich · Friday, Jan. 20, 2023

I’d never had the experience of loving something that is popularly recognized as bad, until “Velma,” HBO Max’s new adult animation series reimagining “Scooby-Doo.” According to Rotten Tomatoes, only 9% of its audience liked the show. Well, I found myself in that 9%.

1679407294-a0bf84f7e8903fe

‘The Fabelmans’: Spielberg in the factory of dreams

By Marcelle Couto · Friday, Jan. 20, 2023

I know what you’re thinking. Another movie about how great and fantastic “the movies” are? We get it, we know directors think they’re amazing. But trust me, “The Fabelmans,” despite playing on this overused trope, manages to combine innovative and moving elements with grace and ease. It is Steven Spielberg’s most personal movie, and maybe one of his best. It is a collage of its director’s memories that becomes a beautiful celebration of the playful spirit and power of cinema in our imagination.

1679407278-0d7b3f674ed2b26

‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ is a cosmic lesson in humanity

By Ayden Kowalski · Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023

“Avatar: The Way of Water” has enough ambition to fill a cinematic universe, a masterpiece in computer-generated imagery that successfully whisks the audience away to the moon of Pandora and its picturesque oceans. But James Cameron’s newest film has another trait lacking in today’s typical blockbuster: sincerity. This is a movie that unashamedly aims to encourage everyday compassion through the example of blue aliens who ride dinosaurs. It isn’t shameful to be earnest and a little bit strange. But it is beautiful and impactful, and ultimately, a soaring success that hopefully can be a model for blockbusters to follow.

1679407280-ec5da0429a5ef29

2022 was the year of Pinocchio

By Andy Ottone · Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023

Who doesn’t love Pinocchio? Whether it’s Carlo Collidi’s original novel or Walt Disney’s 1940 feature film, many know the story of the wooden boy with the growing nose. In 2022, three film adaptations were released, and I took it upon myself to watch all three. I would be remiss to not mention an influence on many “Pinocchio” adaptations: Walt Disney’s ideas to make the talking cricket Pinocchio’s friend, and the Blue Fairy bringing Pinocchio to life, both details not in the original text. 

1679406970-55248c82ddef481

Observer Spotify Wrapped 2022: In our Taylor era

By Aidan Thomas · Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022

Ladies and gentlemen, kids of all ages, we’re back with the Observer Spotify (and other music platforms) Wrapped. Our team of student journalists, frequently found at major campus events or hunkered in our office in the basement of South Dining Hall, listen to a lot of music. Maybe even more music than the average listener, as we blast it away during late night production shifts, while traveling to cover Irish athletics or while writing a story. 

1679406858-37633add5a34eea

Gay love laid ‘Bare’ in PEMCo’s fall show

By Claire Lyons · Monday, Dec. 5, 2022

As Congress was passing the Respect for Marriage Act last week, members of Pasquerilla East Musical Company (PEMCo) were hard at work preparing for their fall show, “Bare: A Pop Opera,” which features a closeted gay couple. 

1679406813-593b0e9e9434c33

How does Arctic Monkeys’ ‘The Car’ fare after a month’s journey?

By Anna Falk · Friday, Dec. 2, 2022

Arctic Monkeys is one of the most well-loved rock bands of the 21st century. Hailing from Sheffield, England, this quartet has reached international fame over the past two decades. They’ve garnered a loyal fan base, put out albums relatively consistently and have created high expectations for the quality of their work — so how does “The Car” measure up?

1679406815-cd4a46ec91ec963

‘DUM-de went my trochaic heart’ after watching the ‘My Policeman’

By Ananya Dalmia · Friday, Dec. 2, 2022

There are movies that make you feel something. Then, there are the gut-wrenching movies that shatter the very expectations that you have about love and leave you and your group of friends crying for 20 minutes after the credits have rolled. “My Policeman,” written by Bethan Roberts, does a phenomenal job of shifting the viewers not just physically to Brighton, England, but mentally into the 1950s. The atmosphere of lost dreams due to societal oppression — since being gay was illegal at that time — mixed with desires of having an ideal life that seeks validation from that very society sets up a conflicted tension throughout the film. The movie took place in the past and present, showing the younger versions of the policeman Tom (Harry Styles), teacher Marion (Emma Corrin) and the museum curator Patrick (David Dawson) for the majority of it. The three characters are intertwined in a hopeless love triangle where Marion is unaware or purposely shielding her eyes to the obvious truth that her husband Tom is gay.

1679406787-5ce7d718e68cf12

‘Glass Onion’: A layered mystery

By Andy Ottone · Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022

As the sun starts setting later and the wind gets colder, we all need a sunny, summer escape. “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” centers on private detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig; “Casino Royale,” “No Time to Die”), returning from the film “Knives Out.” Blanc finds himself on a private island getaway with a billionaire and his influential, famous friends. The only issue? Benoit was never meant to show up. When people start turning up dead, the investigation begins.

1679406780-38435c74d3f9cd0

‘The True Cost’: A powerful critique of the fast fashion industry

By Rose Androwich · Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022

On Nov. 28, the “Fashion Ethics” class at Saint Mary’s showed a movie titled “The True Cost,” which showcases the negative impacts of fast fashion in a number of ways. The countries that are most affected by the industry are developing countries who fall victim to the unethical practices of corporations. 

1679406719-4519c7672e5aa0e

Winter Scene Selections

By Rose Androwich · Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022

The holiday season is in full swing! Here are some of Scene’s reflections and suggestions to begin this holiday season.

1679406585-5eca725b836fb0f

‘Black Panther’ two, in a theater near you

By Peter Breen · Monday, Nov. 21, 2022

Little did I know, when I took up a suggestion at my favorite Observer department meeting on Sunday to write a review for “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” I’d be enjoying almost four hours of my Monday afternoon, time I ought to have spent doing ethics homework, at the Cinemark in Mishawaka. Though I’m quite sure this was the first time I have ever gone to a movie theater alone, it’s not that I’m in any way movie theater adverse. I enjoyed watching “Minions: The Rise of Gru” in theaters with my friend Nate over the summer as much as the next 20-something-year-old. So, when I came across the opportunity to review a sequel who’s antecedent, 2018’s “Black Panther,” I had yet to watch, I jumped on the chance. It just didn’t cross my mind that they still released movies that weren’t on Netflix.

Trending