Reviews

An illustration of Buddy, the main character from "Elf" movie, throwing a snowball.

An ‘Elf’ review: ‘Santa! I know him!’

By Amelia Gatzke | Lifestyle Writer | December 8

When many people think of a Christmas classic, it’s safe to say that “Elf” is one of the first movies to come to mind. The 2003 film stars Will Ferrell as Buddy Hobbs, a human who was raised by Santa’s elves in the North Pole, and follows his odyssey to New York City to discover who he truly is. “Elf” explores themes of family, romance and acceptance, while aiming to warm the hearts of its viewers during the holiday season.

A white silhouette of Dek posed dynamically overlays a dark red background, with the words "PREDATOR" and "BADLANDS" prominently displayed.

A profitable, forgettable sequel: 'Predator: Badlands' review

By Logan Myers | Columnist | December 3

In "Predator: Badlands," writer-director Dan Trachtenberg does away with the traditional cat-and-mouse structure of a Predator film, focusing instead on a buddy-cop adventure film with no human characters. While certainly an ambitious venture, this attempt at humanizing the Predator takes away from the aura of mystery that made the monster so iconic in the first place. For the first time in the history of the series, our titular Predator is given a name — Dex — and daddy issues.

Shadow of two figures facing each other, inside a Christmas ornament with wings wrapped around.

Classical Christmas: A review of Capra’s ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’

By Lorelei Young | Lifestyle Writer | December 2

Frank Capra’s 1946 Christmas film ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ covers the life of George Bailey (James Stewart) and the struggles that he faces between his family, his finances and missed opportunities. After facing financial ruin due to a bad relationship with the town’s richest man, Mr. Potter (Lionel Barrymore), and a bad night with his wife, Mary Hatch (Donna Reed), George plans to end his own life. Just before he carries out his plan, a guardian angel, Clarence (Henry Travers) visits George and helps him realize all of the good that he has put into the world around him.

The lyrics "But because I knew you... I have been changed for GOOD" are on a light yellow background with a pink magic wand and brown broom.

'Wicked: For Good' review: 'It's looking at things another way'

By Chloe Glass | Lifestyle Writer | November 28

After its premiere on Nov. 21, the sequel to “Wicked” (2024) has finally hit theatres, leaving audiences changed for good.

Two cartoon turkeys, one black and one purple, joyfully dance beside large, bold red letters spelling "FREE BIRDS" against a light purple background.

'We're taking turkey off the menu' — A review of 'Free Birds'

By Lorelei Young | Lifestyle Writer | November 27

The 2013 film “Free Birds,” details the adventures of two talking turkeys, Reggie (Owen Wilson) and Jake (Woody Harrelson) who travel back in time to the year 1621, with the goal of stopping turkey from being served at the first Thanksgiving feast. Reggie and Jake meet a slew of turkey friends when they travel back in time. Reggie also develops a crush on Jenny (Amy Poehler), a charming turkey from 1621. Reggie, Jake and the turkeys they meet in 1621 work to fight a group of colonists hunting them for the first Thanksgiving feast.

A silhouette of the main character beside a motorcycle in front of forested trees, with text reading "THE PLACE BEYOND THE PINES."

Ride like lightning, crash like thunder: A review of 'The Place Beyond the Pines'

By Logan Myers | Columnist | November 17

There are films that entertain, and there are films that haunt you long after the credits have rolled. "The Place Beyond the Pines" belongs unmistakably to the latter. Derek Cianfrance’s third feature is not merely a story about men and their choices; it is a meditation on legacy, guilt and the invisible threads binding fathers and sons across time.

Many students are outside the Auburn University Recreation and Wellness Center. Contributed by Leanne Greene.

Staying active in Auburn

By Margaret Griffin | Lifestyle Writer | November 9

Whether students enjoy late afternoon runs in "The Rec," walks with friends around campus or fitness classes conveniently located near their apartment, there is no shortage of ways to stay active in Auburn. Within the past couple of years, recent fitness additions, such as workout classes or local gyms, have grown to help students maintain healthy lifestyles year-round. These new fitness communities are becoming multigenerational, as they are populated with college students and residents who enjoy a breadth of exercise options.

The scariest movie of all time: A review of Friedkin's 'The Exorcist'

By Katelyn Smith | Lifestyle Writer | October 25

Once hailed as "the scariest movie of all time," William Friedkin’s “The Exorcist” follows the paranormal possession of a young girl and the lengths her worried mother goes to help her. Throughout the movie, Regan (Linda Blair) starts behaving strangely, developing symptoms such as vulgar outbursts, grotesque physical transformations and violent behavior. While I did not necessarily find it scary, the practical effects, the story and the incredible performance by Blair really sold the film for me. It is a movie that just feels evil, with its disturbing scenes and the sinister energy that the young girl possesses.

Movie title, year, and Michael Myers silhouette on an orange background.

A classic slasher: Review of 'Halloween' (1978)

By Amelia Gatzke | Lifestyle Writer | October 21

On Oct. 25, 1978, director John Carpenter’s breakthrough film, “Halloween”, was released. This movie follows the iconic masked figure Michael Myers (Nick Castle), who had been in a mental institution for murdering his teenage sister when he was just six years old. After 15 years, Myers managed to escape this institution and returned to his hometown of Haddonfield, Illinois to begin his prowl for new victims. “Halloween” became a staple for slasher films as we know them and paved the way for the “Final Girl” trope as well.

A review of Scream: ‘What’s your favorite scary movie?’

By Layla Hyatt | Lifestyle Writer | October 19

A masked killer plagues the fictional town of Woodsboro, California, often using phone calls to taunt victims. Taking place in the 1990s, the killer is untraceable, and help is further than just an emergency call on a cell phone. Constantly referencing infamous horror movies and the “rules” to survive a scary movie, the characters tend to still fall into the stereotype of dumb teenagers running straight to the killer. This is “Scream,” the pinnacle of tongue-in-cheek horror. “Scream” allows audiences to connect with the characters and root for them, while also providing ample opportunities to laugh at the meta moments in the film. Whether you are a horror movie fanatic or someone easing into the genre, “Scream” will not disappoint.

Irving’s reinvention: A review of Tim Burton’s 'Sleepy Hollow'

By Lorelei Young | Lifestyle Writer | October 17

Tim Burton’s 1999 film “Sleepy Hollow” is a loose spin-off of Washington Irving’s 1820 short story, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” Burton’s film is a chilling piece that follows Constable Ichabod Crane (Johnny Depp) on his 1799 journey to Sleepy Hollow from New York City.

Black and white graphic rendition of Taylor Swift's photo for the cover of her twelfth studio album "The Life of a Showgirl."

The downfall of a showgirl: An analysis of Taylor Swift’s newest album

By Amelia Gatzke | Lifestyle Writer | October 14

On Oct. 3, Taylor Swift released her twelfth original studio album, “The Life of a Showgirl” (TLOAS). Fans were ecstatic, as this would be the first album dedicated to Travis Kelce, Swift’s fiancé and National Football League star. However, those dedicated fans, including myself, would be sorely disappointed.

Movie title, year, and hotel building on a blue background.

Friendly fright: A review of Alfred Hitchcock’s 'Psycho'

By Lorelei Young | Lifestyle Writer | October 14

The 1960 horror film “Psycho,” directed by Alfred Hitchcock, illustrates a slew of chilling events that take place over a weekend in Arizona and California. On a Friday afternoon, Marion Crane (Janet Leigh) commits a monetary crime that motivates her to go on the run. She stops at the Bates Motel and charms the man who runs the motel, Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins). At the Motel, Crane meets her mysterious end, and her sister, Lila Crane (Vera Miles) employs a private detective, Milton Arbogast (Martin Balsam), to search for her. When Arbogast stops responding with updates, Lila and Sam Loomis (John Gavin), Marion’s boyfriend, go to the Bates Motel themselves and discover a mortifying secret about the events that occurred there.

Halloween Movie Review: Frankenstein (1931) Graphic

'It’s alive!' — A review of 1931’s 'Frankenstein'

By Sam Bainter | Assistant Lifestyle Editor | October 9

“Frankenstein” is a chilling story of a mad scientist driven by relentless ambition, striving to push science beyond its natural boundaries, with ethical themes of nature rivaling nurture and the dangers of isolation and alienation. The 1931 film of this classic narrative is the most well-known and influential retelling of Mary Shelley’s novel in the world of cinema due to its commercial and cultural success, which fully allowed Henry Frankenstein and his monster to break into mainstream pop culture.