film Archives - The Mount Observer

(Archive December 2018) The…The…The Grinch!

By editorialteam on April 1, 2025

By Cassie Roy | Assistant Editor

*The Grinch*
Poster from Wikimedia, via Universal/Illumination

The Grinch came out in theaters on November 9th. This is now the third version of Dr. Seuss’ book to be made into a movie. This version is most like the original one that came out in 1966 where the movie is depicted in a cartoon style with the Grinch being slightly more family friendly.

The Grinch has a modern twist as Pharrell Williams, a rap artist, narrates the story and Tyler, the Creator produced the soundtrack. Instead of the songs being sung like the older versions, Tyler raps all of the songs in the movie. By doing this the producers, Janet Healy and Chris Meledandri, can connect to and keep the attention of a larger audience. read more

(Archive October 2018) Review: The Nun

By editorialteam on April 1, 2025

By Cassie Roy | Assistant Editor

Image from junaidrao from Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0), copyright Warner Bros. Pictures

The backstory to the backstory, The Nun came out in theatres on September 6^th of this year. This movie, produced by Peter Safran and James Wan, is a part of a series of Annabelle movies that were released out of order. The first movie to be produced was The Conjuring in 2013, Annabelle in 2014, The Conjuring 2 in 2016, Annabelle: Creation in 2017 and finally The Nun. The actual order of the movies however is The Nun, Annabelle: Creation, Annabelle, The Conjuring, and ending with The Conjuring 2. read more

(Archive May 2018) The Strangers: Prey at Night Review

By editorialteam on February 20, 2025

By Jennafer Gonsalves | Observer Correspondent

The Strangers: Prey at Night, directed by Johannes Roberts
Image from Wikimedia Commons, by BRFZ1

The Strangers: Prey at Night, while flawed, stays true to the bone-chilling concept of the original while also having quite a bit more fun.

In the year 2008, horror movies were popular, particularly those that contained a lot of blood, guts and mutilation. With franchises like Saw and Hostel going strong, as well as classic slashers such as A Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13^th, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and Halloween being remade for more modern audiences, a move like The Strangers seemed like it would go largely unnoticed, lost in the midst of more and more of the same. read more

(Archive April 2018) Black Panther Claws Its Way to the Top

By editorialteam on February 5, 2025

By Maurisa Weld | Observer Contributor

Marvel Studios’*Black Panther*
Image via http://www.impawards.com/2018/black_panther_ver3.htm
Copyright Disney and Marvel Studios

Marvel Studios’ Black Panther has struck a controversial debate in the U.S. The blockbuster has become a Hot Topic, creating arguments especially on social media as some say the movie is racist. The movie set in a fictional land in Africa, Wakanda, and is said to be the first black super-hero movie. Fans argue that it is just that: a superhero movie. While others say there is a hidden meaning of racism towards the white community.

Joseph Hollenbeck, a student at Fitchburg University, shared his belief. His argument was that the only two white characters throughout the movie were portrayed in negative ways. The first being the main super villain, and the second being weak and ignorant. “Claus” (pronounced “Claw”) is introduced as an American and his duty as super villain is to steal the resource- Vibranium, from the people of Wakanda. Hollenbeck suggested that this course of action refers to the historians of America bringing slaves over, stealing their culture. read more

(Archive December 2017) Under the Sun Review

By editorialteam on January 28, 2025

By Meghan Doyle | Observer Contributor

Documentaries are intended to provide an audience with factual records and reports on the subject matter. However, when you’re filming in one of the most controlling countries in the world, you don’t always get a choice on what you can shoot. In this case, Zin-Mi and her family appear to be perfect example of an ordinary North Korean family. The only problem is that none of it is true.

Released in 2015, the documentary Under The Sun was filmed under strict government supervision. It was released by Icarus Films and directed by Vitaly Mansky, who was allowed only a small crew for filming. read more

(Archive November 2017) It (2017) Movie Review

By editorialteam on January 28, 2025

By Shayna Rolon | Observer Contributor

Based on the cult-classic novel written by Stephen King, It, (directed by Andy Muschietti), sends off rather quick frights from jump scares but leaves something to be desired in terms of truly invoking fear within the viewer, the type of fear that would leave you sleepless the same night of watching it.

The setting of It takes place in the small town of Derry and begins with Georgie, the little brother of Bill Denbrough (Jaeden Lieberher), who goes out in the rain to sail a boat that his older brother had given to him. Georgie suddenly loses the boat as it falls into a gutter, and as he attempts to retrieve it, he meets the ominous Pennywise the Clown (Bill Skarsgard), who has the paper boat and taunts Georgie to enter the sewer, repeatedly chanting, “take it, take it…” read more

(Archive February 2017) Things are Getting Strange..?

By editorialteam on September 5, 2024

By Santiago Ferreira Vila | Observer Contributor

Early last week Marvel Cinematic Universe released its latest film in their franchise, Doctor Strange. Based off the comic book of the same name, Doctor Strange follows main character Dr. Stephen Strange, played by Benedict Cumberbatch, an esteemed neurosurgeon who ends up in a horrific car crash, which ends his career after his hands are injured beyond repair. Following the crash, Dr. Strange finds himself studying the possibilities of fixing his hands, in which he ends up studying the mystic arts, entangling himself between the fight of good and evil. read more

(Archive May 2016) Batman v Superman Review

By editorialteam on September 3, 2024

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justifiably Mixed Feelings

By Mark Ramos | Observer Contributor

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is a film movie goers and comic lovers alike have been waiting 3 years to get their eyes on. Now that we have, the film is sure to leave many with more questions than answers and also left to struggling with not liking a film they wanted to love.

Let’s get the elephant in the room out of the way first. Many fans were uneasy with the casting of Ben Affleck as Bruce Wayne/Batman and it needs to be said, Affleck is the shining star of this film. Not only does he nail the role of both Bruce Wayne and Batman, something none of his predecessors have been able to do, but he is the only actor cast in the role who physically matches the sheer size of the character from the comics. Affleck also gives us the greatest fight sequence that has ever been filmed in live action for the iconic character. read more

(Archive May 2016) The Revenant Review

By editorialteam on September 3, 2024

By Holly Tata | Observer Contributor

*The Revenant*
Courtesy 20thCenturyFox.com

After losing a fight with a grizzly bear, frontiersman and all-around-tough-guy Hugh Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio, The Wolf of Wall Street), crawls, hobbles, and fights his way over the frozen unforgiving wilderness back to the fort and the men who left him for dead.

The Revenant is harrowing and enjoyable to watch, but it seriously missed the mark when it comes to character development. The movie does not give the audience much detail about DiCaprio’s character other than painting him as a tough as nails survivor and loving father, making Hugh Glass seem like an unfinished character. read more

(Archive April 2016) Review of Pee-Wee’s Big Holiday

By editorialteam on August 28, 2024

By Jason Greenough | Arts & Entertainment Editor

*Pee-Wee’s Big Holiday*
Photo courtesy: press.netflix.com

If you know me, you may know of my love for Pee-Wee Herman.

I grew up watching Pee-Wee’s Playhouse, Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure, and Big Top Pee-Wee with my Brother, and the Pee-Wee Christmas special we owned on VHS is close to its demise thanks to our incessant desire to watch it again and again. It’s safe to say that Paul Reubens’ brainchild that originated as a character in his, how you would say nowadays, “NSFW” stand-up comedy routine, was a big part of the cultural exposure of my childhood. All of this paved the way for an excitement comparable to a small kid on Christmas morning, for the release of Pee-Wee’s Big Holiday, the newest installment of the Pee-Wee Empire, and one of the newest Netflix originals. read more

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Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justifiably Mixed Feelings