Moviefone Editorial

Tag: campus-beat

  • ‘You’re the Worst’ Is the Best Show You’re (Probably) Not Watching

    Over the last few years, many writers and critics have posited that we are currently living in a “television renaissance” and I certainly believe that to be true. While this can be seen as a great thing by avid television watchers such as myself, there are also some definite drawbacks. With so many great shows on TV and online, it can be easy for smaller, equally great shows to get brushed under the rug and ignored. One show that I firmly believe hasn’t received the attention it rightfully deserves is FXX’s “You’re the Worst.” Luckily, FXX just picked it up for a third season that will reportedly premiere in summer of 2016. In the meantime, I suggest that you catch up on this show. Because, seriously, “You’re the Worst” is the best.

    Created by Stephen Falk, the show focuses on Gretchen (The Mindy Project” and USA’s “Playing House” for further evidence).

    Continuing with the romantic comedy theory, Gretchen and Jimmy have their respective sidekicks, Lindsay (Kether Donohue) and Edgar (Desmin Borges). Unlike in a romantic comedy though, these characters too have fully fleshed out lives and backstories. Lindsay struggles with finding a balance between her party-girl ways and the adult life she believes she needs to be living, and Edgar battles PTSD from being an Iraq War veteran. They’re not simply there to play yes men to the main characters, and it creates a much more colorful and interesting world for the show to live in. Other highlights from the show’s particularly brilliant cast include the Odd Future-esque rap group that Gretchen reps as a PR Executive and Lindsay’s dopey brother-in-law, who is somehow a doctor.

    Another thing that’s great about “You’re the Worst” is that as a comedy it doesn’t stray away from the more difficult parts of life. As I mentioned earlier, the show has already thoughtfully dealt with the struggles of PTSD, and in its second season has done a great job of showing what life is like with clinical depression. Through Gretchen’s experiences we see that it’s much more complicated than many films and TV shows like to portray it. It’s unflinching in a sense, but the show’s writers always seem to find a way to make us laugh, even if it feels a little wrong to do so. In fact, that’s probably the best way to describe “You’re the Worst:” so wrong, but so completely, totally right.

    There are still two episodes left in “You’re the Worst’s” excellent second season, so now is as good of a time as any to get on board. If you’re more interested in watching from the beginning (as you should be) then catch up on either Hulu or Amazon. Either way, just watch this show. When it finally gets all of the love and attention that it deserves, you can be the cool one in your friend group who saw it first. And isn’t that really what we all want out of life?

    Jenn Murphy is a journalism student at Columbia College Chicago and a contributor to Moviefone’s Campus Beat. Are you a current college student with a love for all things movies and TV? Contribute to Campus Beat!
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  • CBS’s ‘Supergirl’ Is the Super-Powered Show We’ve Been Waiting For

    Melissa Benoist as Kara in CBS's "Supergirl"A new hero debuted on CBS Thursday night. A hero who has extraordinary, Earth-saving abilities. A hero with a unique perspective on what it means to have superpowers. A female superhero. “Supergirl” to be exact.

    The one-hour pilot, starring Glee,” did not disappoint. The excitement and badass charm displayed by Benoist as Kara Zor-El, cousin of Clark Kent (aka Superman), is infectious.

    Just like her cousin — who I truly am trying to avoid bringing up in comparison — she hides her abilities as an assistant to media mogul Cat Grant (Calista Flockhart). But once she feels the adrenalin of having saved a plane that carried her foster sister Alex (Chyler Leigh), she knows it’s time to be more than just an assistant.

    So that’s what she does. She goes up, up, and away to save National City from Vartox, the first criminal alien of many to come from the crashed Phantom Zone prison, Fort Rozz. She struggles in all aspects, emotionally and physically, but rebounds with the guidance of her sister, Alex.

    The ending did have an unexpected twist. Be warned: SPOILERS BELOW.

    The big-bad villain is her mother’s twin sister, Astra (Laura Benanti).

    The premiere of “Supergirl” is a huge step forward; it’s a television show centered on a powerful female superhero airing in primetime on a broadcast network. And the show’s creators didn’t go for subtlety in showing that women can handle their own. At the start of the episode, we see shy Kara apologize to a guy she accidentally bumps into, and, by the end of the hour, she’s towering over the villain she’s just stopped from destroying National City. Throughout the ups and downs of the premiere, Kara is portrayed as fully dimensional, expressing her emotions and fighting the tough fight.

    At one point during Kara’s battle with Vartox, while the Department of Extranormal Operations watches the action go down from the safety headquarters, Alex and Hank Henshaw (David Harewood) engage in a telling exchange:

    Hank: “She’s not strong enough.”

    Alex: “Why, because she’s a girl? That’s exactly what we were counting on.”

    Boom. The whole show in one sentence.

    “Supergirl” airs Mondays at 8 p.m. on CBS.

    Khalid Moalim is a student at Ohio State University and a contributor to Moviefone’s Campus Beat.
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  • Movie Review – ’99 Homes’

    “99 Homes,” starring Andrew Garfield, Michael Shannon, and Laura Dern, is one thriller of a movie.

    Based on true events about the home foreclosure crisis, this movie will have your blood boiling and you gripping the arm rest in anger knowing people really were losing their homes left and right — and given only minutes to vacate them.

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    “99 Homes” centers on a greedy, heat-packing real estate broker (Shannon) who makes money by evicting people from their foreclosed homes. He shows up with sheriff’s deputies and a lock smith, and gives people two minutes to pack up all their worldly possessions and get out. Most people are stunned and still on the phone with their lawyers or their banks, trying to modify their home loans but to no avail. One of his evicted victims, Garfield’s Dennis Nash, is jobless and so desperate that he goes to work for the man who evicted him and starts making money doing the same dirty deed to others. Together they steal, pillage, and forge legal documents to make more and more money evicting hard-working people. Eventually, Garfield’s conscience catches up with him.

    “99 Homes” was written and directed by Ramin Bahrani, who also directed “Good Bye Solo” and “Man Push Cart.” While you’ve likely never heard of those movies, “Homes” will have you hooked by the trailer and talking about it days after you leave the theater. In 2009, legendary film critic Rodger Ebert declared Bahrani “the new great American director,” and this movie shows that he’s earned that title.

    Everyone should see “99 Homes,” if not for the amazing filmmaking then to better learn how banks caused the housing market crash that devastated so many Americans, and the greed and profiteering that followed.

    Wendell Escott is a student at El Camino Community College and a contributor to Moviefone’s Campus Beat.

  • Matt Damon’s ‘The Martian’ Movie Review

    Last Friday night, local movie theaters were packed in anticipation for the space-thriller showing of Matt Damon‘s new film, “The Martian.” The buzz was ridiculous. Regardless of the hype, I was planning on seeing the film. Who would I be kidding if I didn’t see such a star-studded film that included Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, and Jeff Daniels? I know, with a cast of that magnitude its got to be a must watch… but no.

    Sorry to disappoint.

    The Ridley Scott-directed “The Martian,” based on Andy Weir’s best-selling novel of the same name, follows astronaut Mark Watney as he struggles to survive when left behind on Mars.

    The film fares well initially, with drama and a good build up. The protagonist’s wit and charm via Damon is welcoming. However, with all of those ingredients, by the time the end credits roll, there’s no satisfaction.

    A big frustration from the Drew Goddard-penned film is the lack of strong setbacks. There are no moments that will have you on the edge of your seat like “Interstellar” and “Gravity.”​ The only real obstacle is the premise of the film, which is getting Watney back home. Each hurdle he faces is predictable.

    There’s really not much character development other than Watney’s. We’re given bits and pieces, but not enough. The biggest frustration is the mysterious love-relationship between Kate Mara’s character Beth Johanssen and Sebastian Stan’s Chris Beck. The only attention brought to this is a goodbye wave and a kiss on Beck’s helmet, which is so frustrating because there is little-to-no additional insight into their lives.

    There’s buzz surrounding a potential Best Picture nomination for this film, and I’m not sure I totally agree. Watching “The Martian” was like going up on the most feared, deadly rollercoaster of all time and finding out there’s no drop.

    Khalid Moalim is a student at Ohio State University and a contributor to Moviefone’s Campus Beat.

  • 5 Hidden Gems on Netflix You Need to Watch Right Now

    the way he looks hidden gems on netflixAs someone with a serious binge-watching addiction and access to a Netflix account, I have watched my fair share of movies and television shows; many of which I would not have seen otherwise. It’s always a nice surprise when you click on a movie you’ve never heard of, and it turns out being amazing. If you haven’t watched any of these, then do yourself a favor and jump onto Netflix right now. (Well, after you finish reading this). I have hopes that you will be happily surprised like I was!

    1. “The Way He Looks” (2014)
    Let me start by saying THIS IS SUCH A GOOD MOVIE. This might be in my top 10 favorite movies ever. It tells the story of a young boy in school who is blind, and another boy who is new in town and just started at the school. The two of them become friends, and together deal with jealousies and bullies. It’s a beautiful story about friendships, independence, and first loves.

    2. “Sleepwalk With Me” (2012)
    If you have ever watched any of Mike Birbiglia’s standup, this movie may seem a bit familiar. He wrote and directed it, and plays a character very much based on himself. His character feels pressured into marrying his long-time girlfriend, which surprisingly helps his almost nonexistent career as a standup comedian. Oh, and he also sleepwalks a lot. Hence, the name of the movie.

    3. “The Giant Mechanical Man” (2012)
    I initially watched this movie because it was starring Jenna Fischer (a.k.a. Pam, from “The Office”). She plays a woman who is very much lost in her life. She doesn’t have a steady job, she doesn’t have a significant other, and she is unsure of who she is. She ends up meeting a street performer who is in a similar place in his life. It is a sweet, quirky love story (my favorite kind) about finding the one person who “makes you feel like you belong”. (Awwwww).

    4. “The Boxtrolls” (2014)
    If you’re like me, you may have seen commercials for this movie and thought it looked weird as heck. It’s about a little boy who was raised by trolls that wear boxes and live underground. I went into this movie with a lot of skepticism, but was so happily surprised with it. It is such a warm, loving story about identity, family, and good triumphing over evil. If this movie were a feeling, it would be the feeling of warming your feet by a fire after a cold day, surrounded by people you love. That’s cheesy, I know, but it’s also completely accurate.

    5. “They Came Together” (2014)
    I actually don’t know if this counts as a “hidden gem,” because I have no idea if people know of it or not. However, if you have not seen it, you should change that immediately. It’s a parody of romantic comedies, and it stars Amy Poehler and Paul Rudd. I know, it sounds too good to be true. If you need to be cheered up or just have a laugh, you’re welcome, because this is the movie for you.

    Abigail Drueke is a telecommunications major at the University of Florida and a contributor to Moviefone’s Campus Beat. Are you a current college student with a love for all things movies and TV? Contribute to Campus Beat!
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  • Psychological Thriller ‘The Gift’ Shows Karma Is Alive and Kickin’

    the gift 2015 reviewSPOILERS AHEAD! Don’t read this unless you want the twist revealed.

    “The Gift,” a mystery-thriller released August 7, stars Jason Bateman, Rebecca Hall, and Joel Edgerton, who also steps in as first-time director. No blood and guts in this flick, one of the many positives about the movie, which kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time I watched it.

    Jason Bateman plays a successful family man who moves to California with his wife, played by Rebecca Hall, after landing a new job there. Everything seems fine, life is great — and getting better! — until an old high-school acquaintance shows up. Unbeknownst to us, Bateman was a bully in high school and spread a nasty rumor he made up that caused Edgerton to suffer mental and physical abuse at the hands of his own father; 25 years later Edgerton comes for payback.

    What I really liked about this psychological thriller is the karma aspect of it. Bateman, as an adult, was a successful salesman with a beautiful wife who made moves up the corporate ladder, but, 25 years ago in high school, he was a bully who put his victim through hell. Instead of peace in their new home, Edgerton is popping up un-announced several times, causing Bateman’s wife extreme anxiety and sleepless nights. Things really start to unravel for the couple as Bateman’s wife learns of his past horrible deeds and starts to question who she married. Bateman’s new friends find out how low he’ll go to get what he wants. He loses his job and has to question the paternity of his new child. Karma at its best!

    “The Gift” is a great psychological thriller and mystery movie that, in my opinion, should be watched by high school and adult bullies alike. It really shows how a person’s actions, and how we treat others — even as kids — can have lasting and sometimes devastating effects on others; even to the point where they carry that hurt around and seek revenge years later.

    Bullying is a real problem in middle school and high school, and “The Gift” puts a nasty little spin on how karma loves to visit when you least expect it. Nice job, Edgerton. Me likey.

    Wendell Escott is a student at El Camino Community College and a contributor to Moviefone’s Campus Beat. Are you a current college student with a love for all things movies and TV? Contribute to Campus Beat!

  • Here Comes NBC’s ‘Mr. Robinson’!

    mr robinson craig robinson nbc“Mr. Robinson,” starring Craig Robinson, made its debut Wednesday, August 5th, on NBC. It’s about a part-time musician who gets a job as a part-time music teacher, all to reconnect with an old high school flame he stood up at his prom.

    I liked the concept of “Mr. Robinson,” which shows a new high school music teacher (Robinson) who is more of a friend to the students than a teacher or disciplinarian. In one scene, he catches a kid on the school yard with a joint, but instead of having him expelled he takes the joint, chastises him a little, then dismisses him with a “now get yo little ass outta here.” Parts of the show were fun and funny and made me laugh (like that joint scene), but others (for those of you who had biology class) were about as fun and funny as watching fungi get freaky.

    “Mr. Robinson” had its funny moments in the two episodes that aired but, it really needs to be funnier if it’s going to last. That said, I’m ready to tune in next week. This comedy has heart, and it’s fun to watch with the whole family. Kids will really like it and, perhaps, relate better to it than the adults in the room.

    The premiere of “Mr. Robinson” drew NBC’s best summer comedy viewership since 2007, with 4.6 million viewers, and internet buzz says NBC ordered six episodes of Mr. Robinson. I hope we get to see episode 7, 8, and 20. Congrats, Craig Robinson!

    Wendell Escott is a student at El Camino Community College and a contributor to Moviefone’s Campus Beat. Are you a current college student with a love for all things movies and TV? Contribute to Campus Beat!
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  • This Is Why You Really Need to Watch ‘Black Mirror’

    jon hamm in black mirrorIt’s somewhat safe to say that technology has in many ways taken over our lives. Depending on one’s use of it, the various screens that we look at on a daily basis have the potential to influence what we read, what we see, what we watch and even what we know to be true. But at the end of the day, when you turn your phone or computer or television off, all you have is a black mirror starring back at you. And that, in an of itself, is incredibly dangerous.

    At least, that’s what Black Mirror” (available on Netflix) delves deep into the potential repercussions of a technology-reliant world through highly suspenseful, hour-long episodes.

    The ideas presented in the series really run the gamut, from a political leader forced into a compromising position with an actual pig by an anonymous online threat, to a new service that allows people to reconnect with the dearly departed through the use of their loved one’s social media back catalog. It may seem like I’m being vague in my descriptions, but it’s necessary; to spoil the plot of a “Black Mirror” episode, with all of its winding twists and turns, is really a capital offense, worthy of a punishment like the one inflicted in the vicious season two episode “White Bear.”

    Much like a modern-day “Twilight Zone,” each episode is independent of the others, with a rotating who’s who cast of stars including Allen Leech of “Downton Abbey” and “The Imitation Game,” “Agent Carter” star Hayley Atwell, and Domhnall Gleeson of “Ex Machina” and the upcoming “Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens.” Even Don Draper himself, Jon Hamm, appears in the decidedly un-jolly Christmas special.

    “Black Mirror” is certainly not for the faint of heart. Its plot twists often fall on the more disturbing side, leaving an unsettling feeling that doesn’t quite go away when the episode ends. But perhaps that’s necessary. Perhaps that feeling is what we need to stop ourselves from getting to the point where these technology-fueled stories seem like more than just a fun, fascinating, fictional tale. Regardless, “Black Mirror” is yet another excellent way to spend time staring at a screen. Trust me, you won’t regret it.

    Jenn Murphy is a journalism student at Columbia College Chicago and a contributor to Moviefone’s Campus Beat. Are you a current college student with a love for all things movies and TV? Contribute to Campus Beat!
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  • The 10 Must-See Movies of the Summer

    must-see summer movies1. ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron‘
    Like almost everyone, I was a huge fan of the first Avengers movie. I’ve been talking about “Age of Ultron” for months now and it’s finally here! This movie follows the plot of a peacekeeping program gone wrong, and how the famous team of superheroes tries to save the world from chaos. Superheroes, action scenes, and the beautiful Chris Evans. What else do you want in a movie?

    2. ‘Pitch Perfect 2‘
    Comedy, girl power, and a cappella music: three of my favorite things. In this sequel, the Barden Bellas enter an international singing competition, which has never been won by an American group before. If it is anything like the first film, “Pitch Perfect 2” is sure to be an instant hit. With it’s catchy songs (I totally listened to the first soundtrack on repeat for weeks), incredible cast (Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Brittany Snow), and witty humor, you won’t want to miss this aca-amazing movie.

    3. ‘Tomorrowland‘
    This new mystery action Disney movie follows the story of two people who are on a “mission to unearth the secrets of an enigmatic place somewhere in time and space” called “Tomorrowland.” The trailer looks awesome, and it stars Britt Robertson and the always-charming George Clooney. It kind of seems like a cross between “Spy Kids” and “Meet the Robinsons,” both of which rock. I predict that after this movie comes out, kids everywhere will have the little Tomorrowland pin on their backpacks. (Me included).

    4. ‘Poltergeist‘
    Honestly, I am not a huge horror movie person. I watched the original “Poltergeist” and I didn’t find it all that scary. However, even the commercial for the remake is terrifying. Moving toy clowns are enough to give me nightmares for a few days, and this movie has that and more. I don’t know if this movie will stand up to the original, but I’m definitely going to watch it, even if it’s from between my fingers while covering my eyes.

    5. ‘Jurassic World‘
    I am one of the few people who has never seen “Jurassic Park.” I know, it’s crazy. Even so, the new “Jurassic World” looks completely incredible. I love action movies. I love Chris Pratt. I will definitely love “Jurassic World.”

    6. ‘Me and Earl and the Dying Girl’
    Please everyone go watch the trailer for this movie if you haven’t seen it already. It follows the story of a boy in high school who befriends a girl who was diagnosed with cancer. I guess cancer is a popular topic for movies since “The Fault In Our Stars.” In my opinion, this movie seems incredible and I cannot wait to watch it.

    7. ‘Inside Out‘
    Yes, this is a kids movie. Yes, you should definitely still watch it. Basically, this movie shows the point of view of the emotions (Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust, Madness) and how they guide our actions. Plus, the cast stars Bill Hader, Amy Poehler, and Mindy Kaling, who are all comedy gods. So basically, watch “Inside Out.”

    8. ‘Dope‘
    Another awesome movie with another awesome trailer. This film is about a group of geeky high school students living in a tough neighborhood in Inglewood, CA, who get caught up with some not so great people. The movie also has a very strong nostalgic/hipster aesthetic, which I am a complete sucker for.

    9. ‘Trainwreck‘
    Combining Amy Schumer and Bill Hader in one movie is sure to make “Trainwreck” comedy gold. Schumer plays a career-focused woman who is terrified of commitment. Her ideas about relationships are changed, though, when she meets Hader’s character. Also LeBron James is randomly in it so that’s cool.

    10. ‘Paper Towns‘
    John Green is at it again. After the extremely popular book-to-film adaptation of his novel “The Fault In Our Stars”, a new movie for his book “Paper Towns” will be out later this summer. Don’t worry, though, nobody is dying of cancer in this one. Instead, a high school boy and his friends go on a road trip to find his missing girl-next-door. Starring Nat Wolff and Cara Delevigne, this movie is sure to be a huge summer hit.

    Abigail Drueke is a first year telecommunications major at the University of Florida and a contributor to Moviefone’s Campus Beat. Are you a current college student with a love for all things movies and TV? Contribute to Campus Beat!
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  • How ‘Gilmore Girls’ Changed My Life in the Best Way Possible

    My mom and I watch a lot of television together. Binge-watching shows is one of our bonding experiences, and it isn’t just about lying on the couch and watch seven straight hours of TV. We’ll watch everything from “Game of Thrones” to “Parks and Recreation” together, and then we’ll take the time to discuss our favorite characters, our conspiracy theories, our opinions on any moral and psychological complexities the show may have. It’s a fun way to spend time with my mom, while also giving me the opportunity to watch some quality TV. The first show that we ever watched together in this way was “Gilmore Girls,” and it definitely affected both of our lives for the better.

    Way back when I was in seventh grade, my mom and I decided to rent the DVDs for the first season of “Gilmore Girls” from the library. (Wow, it’s been only seven years and that’s already a pretty dated sentence.) We instantly clicked with Lorelai and Rory: my mom is a working single mother, and I was definitely an ambitious and precocious child.

    While Rory was slightly older than I was, I was inspired by her dedication to academics and her knowledge of classic literature. I was already preoccupied with doing well in school, but I wanted to be just like Rory, so I started reading many of the books that she mentioned in the show. My love for “Gilmore Girls” kick-started my years-long binge of fine literature. I read everything from “Les Miserables” to “The Count of Monte Cristo,” from “Candide” to “Vanity Fair,” from “Anna Karenina” to “Jane Eyre.” (Of course, I was around 13 when I read all these books, so it’s entirely possible that many of the themes went over my head.)

    But not only did the Gilmore girls inspire me to be better, they helped my mom and I have a stronger relationship. Whenever Rory or Lorelai did something stupid, which was rather often, my mom and I would analyze their onscreen actions and then discuss what we would do instead. “Gilmore Girls” encouraged us to be more honest with each other, and also more trusting. It’s hard to be a single mom or an only daughter, and “Gilmore Girls” reflected our struggles and our fun times. It made us think about our successes and the ways in which we could still improve. I’ve talked to other girls who watched the show with their moms, and even if they weren’t in the same single parent situation, all of them have said that “Gilmore Girls” really helped to improve and strengthen their relationships with their mothers.

    While I think that “Gilmore Girls” had a sharp decline in quality in its later seasons, the messages of the earlier episodes were very important to me, to my mom, and to both of us as a unit. Whenever people ask me what media changed my life, I always have a shortlist of answers, and “Gilmore Girls” is definitely at the top.

    Many family TV shows have attempted to follow its lead, but to be honest, nothing can follow “Gilmore Girls.”

    Grace Segers is a student at Tufts University and a contributor to Moviefone’s Campus Beat. Are you a current college student with a love for all things movies and TV? Contribute to Campus Beat!
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