Korean dramas have recently made their way into mainstream media, with shows like “Squid Game” and “Hellbound” breaking world records upon their release. Millions of viewers find themselves entering the realm of Korean cinema, searching for the next thriller to provide them with the same experience the aforementioned shows did.
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The newest movie to release on HBO Max is director Megan Park’s highly anticipated feature directorial debut “The Fallout,” which she wrote herself. The film drew lots of acclaim and attention last year at the 2021 South by Southwest Film Festival where it won three awards. Now, almost a year after its debut in March of 2021, it has finally been released for the public to watch this heartbreaking story.
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“Nightmare Alley” wasn’t a film that I was heavily anticipating, but was pleasantly surprised by how interesting and captivating the story and world created was. The film was released on Dec. 17 and was directed by Oscar winning director Guilermo del Toro. The film stars Bradley Cooper, Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara and Willem Dafoe. Cooper plays a man who is down on his luck and is trying to earn a living in the early 1940s. He starts his work as a carny in a traveling carnival show when he learns the art, or act, of mind reading. As he fraudulently schemes his way to the top, his lies and deceitfulness begin to catch up with him.
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“The Royal Treatment” taught me that if I want to get a man, a prince even, all I have to do is give them attitude and a haircut, because apparently that worked wonders for our main character, Isabella. At this point, I believe the concept of building chemistry between leads, or having an engaging, non-generic plot is lost on Netflix.
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After much anticipation, two-time Academy Award-winning director Asghar Farhadi’s newest movie, “A Hero” has finally been released on Amazon Prime Video for all to watch. Gaining lots of traction last year while traveling the film festival scene, “A Hero” won several awards including the Grand Prix at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival as well as many foreign language film awards.
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“The Tragedy of Macbeth,” released on Dec. 25, is Director Joel Coen’s interpretation of Shakespeare’s classic story. The film’s stellar cast includes Denzel Washington, Frances McDormand and Corey Hawkins among others. Just like the play, this A24-produced-film shows us the repercussions of greed when Macbeth, a Scottish general, is approached by three witches that tell him he will be the new king of Scotland. With influence from his wife, he kills the king and takes the throne for himself. We follow his rise to power and madness as he tries to deal with the guilt of the king’s blood on his hands.
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Netflix recently released its newest original series, “Archive 81,” on Friday, Jan. 14. The show, directed by Rebecca Thomas, stars Dina Shihabi (Melody Pendras), an emotionally damaged undergrad student seeking answers to who she is, and Mamoudou Athie (Dan Turner), a mentally perturbed film restoration expert who receives an unexpected job offer. This horror-based thriller is as riveting as it is grotesque but sadly seems to unravel as the show progresses.
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On Friday, Jan. 14, The Lumineers released their fourth studio album titled “BRIGHTSIDE.” The band, known for their indie/alternative/folk style, first performed together in 2005 right here in our home state of New Jersey and has been releasing catchy music ever since.
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Before watching Maggie Gyllenhaal’s directorial debut, “The Lost Daughter,” I didn’t expect a story about a woman’s struggles with motherhood and the subsequent loss of her identity to be told with so much kindness and empathy.
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In the film, two astronomers discover the comet, Michigan State Ph.D. candidate Kate Dibiasky (Jennifer Lawrence) and her professor, Dr. Randall Mindy (Leonardo DiCaprio). They do everything they can to educate the public about the impending strike, the resulting consequences and implications....However, the astronomers are ridiculed, silenced and ignored. In the end, none of their efforts are enough.
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Marvel Studios’ newest show “Hawkeye” has come to a close with the season finale, which aired on Dec. 23. The series centers around the titular Hawkeye aka Clint Barton (Jeremy Renner), who is drawn out of retirement and therefore must go away from his family during Christmas. Clint is forced to partner with his biggest fan, Kate Bishop (Hailee Steinfeld), after she is caught in a criminal conspiracy regarding his dark past as the assassin Ronin. There’s also a dog that eats pizza, and what more could you want?
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Walt Disney Animation Studios’ released its newest animated feature “Encanto” in theaters on Nov. 25, Thanksgiving Day. The movie lived up to every expectation I had. “Encanto” is refreshingly comedic while also powerful, serving as a reminder that the act of storytelling is intrinsic to living a good life because stories can remind us of what is truly important.
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“King Richard” was released in theaters on Nov. 19 as well as on HBO Max the same day. It was directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green and stars Will Smith as Richard Williams, the unconventional but determined coach and father of the legendary tennis sister duo, Venus and Serena Willams, played by Saniyya Sidney and Demi Singleton, respectively. The film additionally features Aunjanue Ellis, Jon Bernthal and Tony Goldwyn. “King Richard” is a delightful movie that follows Richard Williams and his ultimate plan of making his daughters into “the next two Michael Jordans.”
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Coldplay did it again with their new album called “Music of the Spheres,” a space-themed pop record filled with songs about their fictional system called the Spheres. Released on Oct. 15, the album was inspired by the “Star Wars” movies, according to lead singer Chris Martin. Space music is one of the best types of music to listen to when you want to de-stress and have fun. Each of their songs has a meaning to it that makes up a part of the Spheres.
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After years of buildup, the final movie in Marvel Studios’ first Spider-Man trilogy is here with “Spider-Man: No Way Home.” This movie takes place immediately after the previous film, and follows Peter Parker (Tom Holland) as his identity is revealed to the whole world. In an attempt to fix this problem, Peter goes to Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) for help, but after a botched spell, things only get worse as villains from throughout the multiverse threaten their reality.
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“C’mon C’mon,” released on Nov. 19th, is the newest A24 film directed by Mike Mills. It stars Joaquin Phoenix, Gaby Hoffmann and Woody Norman. “C’mon C’mon” follows Phoenix's character Johnny, a radio host who interviews children across the country on their views of the future. When Johnny’s sister has to take care of her ex-husband, who is dealing with mental health issues, she appoints Johnny to watch Jesse, her 9 year old son. This film tackles loss, complex family relationships, and gives an insightful view of how kids view the world and how hard it can be to feel misunderstood.
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“House of Gucci” is the newest release from director Ridley Scott and the crime-drama is based on a true story, telling the tale of the relationship and tragic murder of Maurizio Gucci by his wife, Patrizia Reggiani. The cast consists of exclusively a-list celebrities, with Lady Gaga and Adam Driver starring as Patrizia and Maurizio respectively, but the film also showcases actors such as Jeremy Irons in the role of Rodolfo Gucci, Al Pacino in the role of Aldo Gucci and Jared Leto as Paolo Gucci.
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“Anything Goes,” the podcast hosted by YouTube personality Emma Chamberlain, has been and continues to be a popular form of entertainment for young people across the globe. The 20-year-old influencer has become well known for her honesty and relatability that she translates to her viewers through her multiple platforms. She gained her following after starting her YouTube channel in May 2017 and since then has branched out to create a series on Instagram Reels, her own coffee brand and her highly-rated podcast “Anything Goes.”
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“Ghostbusters: Afterlife” released in theaters on Nov. 19th and was directed by Jason Reitman, who is the son of Ivan Reitman, the director and producer of the original two “Ghostbusters” films. “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” stars Finn Wolfhard, Mckenna Grace, Paul Rudd and Carrie Coon. The film follows the family of Egon Spangler, the former Ghostbuster played by Harold Ramis who unfortunately passed away in 2014. The Spangler family moves onto their grandfather’s old farm as they uncover the secret past of their seemingly normal small town in Oklahoma.
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“Belfast,” released on Nov. 12, is a film by Kenneth Branagh. “Belfast” takes the viewers to 1960s Ireland during the Troubles, a political and religious conflict between Catholics and Protestants. It stars Jamie Dornan, Judi Dench and introduces Jude Hill as Buddy.
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