Disney’s “The Rise of Skywalker” is Outrageous and Unfair to the Star Wars Legacy

By Wlad Sarmiento, Associate Arts Editor / January 21, 2020

Disney has depleted the Star Wars saga of compelling storytelling for the sake of money-making nostalgia, and Episode IX is no exception.

Rian Johnson Talks “Knives Out.”

By Wlad Sarmiento, Associate Arts Editor / December 2, 2019

The Chicago Maroon sat down with writer-director Rian Johnson to discuss his new film, "Knives Out."

“Knives Out” Is a Sharp and Funny Whodunit for Our Times

By Wlad Sarmiento, Associate Arts Editor / November 27, 2019

Writer-director Rian Johnson and an all-star cast deliver one of the most entertaining movie-going experiences of the year

The Intense, the Funny, and the Less Funny: 55th CIFF Review

By Wlad Sarmiento, Associate Arts Editor / November 8, 2019

Our writers check out some choice picks from the extensive lineup at this year's Chicago International Film Festival.

Lulu Wang Goes Above And Beyond With “The Farewell,” And She’s Only Getting Started

By Wlad Sarmiento, Associate Arts Editor / July 25, 2019

Director Lulu Wang sits with the Chicago Maroon for an interview about her second feature film, The Farewell, out July 19.

“The Farewell” Teaches Us How to Welcome Our Differences Before Saying Goodbye

By Wlad Sarmiento, Associate Arts Editor / July 18, 2019

Lulu Wang’s “The Farewell” offers a loving, sensitive take on Chinese-American culture, and may very well be the best film of the summer.

Detective Pikachu Uses Humor! It’s Not Very Effective…

By Wlad Sarmiento, Associate Arts Editor / May 17, 2019

What the majority of characters in "Detective Pikachu" lack in terms of good lines, Ryan Reynolds makes up for in voice-acting Pikachu.

The Wide-Eyed Wonder of “Shazam!”

By Wlad Sarmiento, Associate Arts Editor / April 4, 2019

With "Shazam!", DC delivers strong, family-friendly fare that is equal parts entertaining and lighthearted.

The Standard Badass Superhero of Captain Marvel

By Wlad Sarmiento, Associate Arts Editor / March 21, 2019

It is an enjoyable film that, while relying heavily on the established tropes and feel of the MCU so far, will not leave comic book movie fans unsatisfied.

“Glass” Shatters (Good) Expectations

By Wlad Sarmiento, Associate Arts Editor / January 31, 2019

Hopes for a worthy sequel to "Unbreakable" are shattered by the next installment in M. Night Shyamalan’s surprise trilogy.

Bird Box Fails to Think Outside the Box

By Wlad Sarmiento, Associate Arts Editor / January 10, 2019

With mediocre acting and an unrealized concept, the hype around Bird Box is confounding.

“The Crimes of Grindelwald”: A Failed Magic Trick

By Wlad Sarmiento, Associate Arts Editor / November 19, 2018

Although leading actor Eddie Redmayne delivered an endearing performance, it was not enough to make up for the discontinuous, rapportless plot.

Entertainment is Dead in the Water in “Hunter Killer”

By Wlad Sarmiento, Associate Arts Editor / October 29, 2018

Full of cliched motifs and mindless action sequences, "Hunter Killer" is the worst type of bad movie.

Deadpool 2 Proves That Second Time’s the Charm

By Wlad Sarmiento, Associate Arts Editor / May 28, 2018

"Deadpool 2" is even better than the first one, and improves on the humor, action and acting.

Heroes and Galaxies Converge In “Avengers: Infinity War”

By Wlad Sarmiento, Associate Arts Editor / May 7, 2018

Marvel's latest movie features it's largest-ever cast of superheroes.

In “A Quiet Place,” Whispers Frighten More than Screams

By Wlad Sarmiento, Associate Arts Editor / April 19, 2018

John Krasinki has proven his directorial acumen, crafting a spare, taut thriller.

“Ready Player One” Courts Fans with Nostalgia, But Makes Predictable Moves

By Wlad Sarmiento, Associate Arts Editor / April 12, 2018

Steven Spielberg brings Ernest Cline's novel to the big screen. It is a flashy procession of familiar science fiction, teenage romance, and references to the 80s.

“Phantom Thread” Weaves Haunting Tapestry

By Wlad Sarmiento, Associate Arts Editor / February 15, 2018

The film "Phantom Thread" proves to be a thought-provoking exploration of a vulnerable yet disturbing romance.

Gary Oldman Shines in Churchill Biopic “Darkest Hour”

By Wlad Sarmiento, Associate Arts Editor / February 5, 2018

Gary Oldman's latest film showcases why he deserves to win an Oscar.