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Angel Ortega, A&E Editor

Angel Ortega is a journalism-news major with a minor in cinema studies. Angel has been on the Orion for four years, serving as both a staff writer and arts & entertainment editor. He enjoys writing artist profiles and film reviews. When he’s not working for the Orion, you can find him at a concert or music festival.

All content by Angel Ortega
Courtesy of Jason Halley/University Photographer/CSU Chico

Commencement ceremonies should not be held in 2020

Angel Ortega, A&E Editor
April 19, 2020
One concern Bell had was the food. Its really bad, he said. Courtesy of Michael Bell

Chico resident quarantined after cruise ship COVID-19 outbreak

Angel Ortega, A+E Editor
March 20, 2020
Left to right: Choi Woo-shik, Song Kang-ho, Jang Hye-jin and Park So-dam star as the impoverished Kim family in Parasite. Courtesy of NEON and CJ Entertainment.

‘Parasite’ is an introspective thriller

Angel Ortega and Melissa Herrera
December 2, 2019
Chico State Police and Butte County EMS reposed to an incident between two students outside of Butte and Plumas halls on Tuesday. Photo credit: Angel Ortega

Altercation breaks out between Chico State GOP president and protesting student

Angel Ortega
November 20, 2019
Matt Damon and Christian Bale star as Carroll Shelby and Ken Miles, respectively in Ford v Ferrari. Courtesy of Fox Movies.

‘Ford v Ferrari’ is a technical masterpiece, but lacks substance

Angel Ortega and Melissa Herrera
November 20, 2019
Eli (Charlie Shotwell) has a condition where he gets allergic conditions from the outdoors. Dr. Isabella Horn (Lili Taylor) claims she can cure him.

‘Eli’: great idea, flawed execution

Angel Ortega and Melissa Herrera
November 13, 2019
Firefighters rummaging through debris in the aftermath of the Camp Fire in Paradise, California. Photo by Zackary Canepari (Courtesy of Netflix)

Netflix’s ‘Fire in Paradise’: an intimate look at tragedy

Angel Ortega
November 5, 2019

PG&E: the bane of California’s existence

Angel Ortega
November 5, 2019
Willem Dafoe (left) and Robert Pattinson (right) star as Thomas Wake and Ephrain Winslow, two lighthouse keepers stuck on an island for four weeks off the coast of New England, in The Lighthouse. Photo by Eric Chakeen (Courtesy of A24)

‘The Lighthouse’ is beautiful yet upsetting

Angel Ortega and Melissa Herrera
November 5, 2019
PG&E crews working on moving electrical lines underground on Black Olive Drive, near the Paradise Fire Department, in Paradise, California. Photo credit: Angel Ortega

Paradise residential cleanup nearly complete

Angel Ortega
November 5, 2019
Quinn Harris (Elizabeth Lail) downloads an app that tells her she has only three days to live. (STX Films)

‘Countdown’: cheesy and flawed horror film fails to deliver a scare

Angel Ortega and Melissa Herrera
October 30, 2019
Little Rock (Abigail Breslin), Wichita (Emma Stone), Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson) and Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg) continue to fight for survival in Zomebieland, 10 years after the events of the first film. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Publicity.

‘Zombieland: Double Tap’ is funny, but not much else

Angel Ortega and Melissa Herrera
October 23, 2019
Left to right: Magenta (Makenzie Ryan), Dr. Frank N Furter (Juan Bolaños), and Riff Raff (Brandon Burchard). Photo credit: Angel Ortega

“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” delivers an erotically fun show

Angel Ortega
October 23, 2019

Video: ‘Between Two Ferns: The Movie’ film review

Angel Ortega and Rayanne Painter
October 21, 2019
Zach Galifianakis plays as himself in Between Two Ferns: The Movie, where he travels the country and aspires to one day become a famous talk show host. iMDB website photo.

‘Between Two Ferns: The Movie’ is a refreshing and hilarious comedy

Angel Ortega and Melissa Herrera
October 14, 2019
Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) is a failed comedian whos a downward spiral into madness transforms him into the Joker. Warner Bros. website photo

‘Joker’ is a beautifully sinister film

Angel Ortega
October 7, 2019
Ansel Elgort portrays Theo, a young man who was orphaned at a young age after his mother was killed in bombing. Warner Bros. website photo

‘The Goldfinch’ is visually appealing but lacks substance

Angel Ortega
September 30, 2019

Toxic masculinity: shaming men for seeking help

Angel Ortega
September 29, 2019

Ameer Vann makes solo album after scandal

Angel Ortega
September 24, 2019
Brad Pitt stars as Roy McBride, an astronaut who travels to the deep Solar System is search of his father who went missing over 20 years prior. Ad Astra/Fox Movies website photo

‘Ad Astra’ is an immersive, thematically deep drama

Angel Ortega
September 22, 2019
Brad Pitt stars as Roy McBride, an astronaut who travels to the deep Solar System is search of his father who went missing over 20 years prior. Ad Astra/Fox Movies website photo

‘Ad Astra’ is an immersive, thematically deep drama

Angel Ortega
September 22, 2019
Ramona (Jennifer Lopez) and Destiny (Constance Wu) manipulate and exploit Wall Street brokers to perpetuate their expensive life styles. IMDb website photo.

‘Hustlers’ is funny yet fleshed-out

Angel Ortega
September 16, 2019
Some pennants depicting Clone Troopers and Storm Troopers, recurring characters featured in the Star Wars franchise. Photo credit: Angel Ortega

‘Chico Print Party’ makes its debut

Angel Ortega
September 12, 2019
Bill Skarsgård plays as Pennywise the Dancing Clown, a cosmic evil entity that terrorizes and hunts the children of Derry, Maine. IT: Chapter Two official website photo

‘IT: Chapter Two’ flawed, but entertaining

Angel Ortega
September 10, 2019
Through the Late Night Podcast: What is Kanye Wests best album?

Through the Late Night Podcast: What is Kanye West’s best album?

Angel Ortega, Mitchell Kret, Angel Ortega, and Mitchell Kret
September 9, 2019
Rift Raffa preforming “Tip Toe Wing in my Jawwwdinz” for the crowed during his show at the El Rey Photo credit: Alex Coba

Riff Raff headlines show in Downtown Chico

Angel Ortega
September 8, 2019

‘Look Mom I Can Fly’ an introspective look at Travis Scott’s life and career

Angel Ortega
August 31, 2019
Cody Blanchard and Shannon Shaw performing during Shannon and the Clams headlining show at the Sierra Nevada Big Room. Photo credit: Angel Ortega

Shannon and the Clams headline show at Sierra Nevada’s Big Room

Angel Ortega
August 29, 2019
All the food served the Sunday Brunch was catered and donated by Leon Bistro. Photo credit: Angel Ortega

Community brunch held as Chico Pride week concludes

Angel Ortega
August 27, 2019
Bernie Sanders addresses the public at the Masonic Lodge in Chico on Thursday.

[Photo] Bernie Sanders visits Chico, Paradise

August 23, 2019
FermÍn (Jorge Antonio Guerrero) embraces Cleo (Yalitza Aparicio) during a screening of a film in Alfonso Cuaróns Roma. IMDb website photo

My top 15 films of all time

Angel Ortega
May 8, 2019
FermÍn (Jorge Antonio Guerrero) embraces Cleo (Yalitza Aparicio) during a screening of a film in Alfonso Cuaróns Roma. IMDb website photo

My top 15 films of all time

Angel Ortega
May 8, 2019
Michael Ealy and Meagan Good play a young couple who are being stalked by the houses previous homeowner. IMDb website photo

“The Intruder”: problematic, distasteful and forgettable

Angel Ortega
May 8, 2019
A depiction of Jesus Christ on the baptismal pool at the Hope Christian Church on Pentz Road in Paradise. Photo credit: Angel Ortega

Chico-born artist brings hope to Paradise through mural artwork

Angel Ortega
May 8, 2019
Photo credit: Melissa Joseph

Through the Late Night final show featuring ‘Scarlet Pumps’

Angel Ortega and Mitchell Kret
May 7, 2019
Chico States Chamber Singers performing And the Earth Sings, during a choir concert curated by School of the Arts, commemorating Earth Day. Photo credit: Angel Ortega

School of the Arts hosts final choir concert of the semester

Angel Ortega
April 29, 2019
Robert Downey Jr. stars as Tony Stark (Iron Man) in Avengers: Endgame IMDb website photo

“Avengers: Endgame” a monumental conclusion to an era

Angel Ortega
April 28, 2019
Guests dancing on the dance floor during GSECs Second Annual Queer Prom Photo credit: Angel Ortega

Queer Prom offers music, dancing and inclusivity

Angel Ortega
April 22, 2019
Jaynee-Lynne Kinchen and Roman Christou stars as Samantha and Chris Garcia in The Curse of La Llorona. Warner Bros. Pictures photo

“The Curse of La Llorona” reaps a flawed attempt at horror

Angel Ortega
April 21, 2019
KIDS SEE GHOSTS (Kid Cudi and Kanye West) performing at Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival in November 2018. Camp Flog Gnaw Instagram Photo

Playlist: Angel Ortega’s ten picks

Angel Ortega
April 13, 2019
Illustration by Melissa Joseph

Through the Late Night Podcast: Kodak Black receives backlash after comment

Alex Coba, Mitchell Kret, and Angel Ortega
April 13, 2019
Church, the Creed family cat, is one the main antagonists of the film. IMDb website photo

‘Pet Sematary’ is a poor-man’s horror film

Angel Ortega
April 9, 2019
(L to R) Chris Thorne and Aman Cowell performing during their set with Sounds Good. Photo credit: Angel Ortega

SOTA Productions brings “soul” in an intimate concert

Angel Ortega
April 9, 2019
Colin Farrell, Nico Parker and Finley Hobbins star in Dumbo. IMDb website phot

Review: ‘Dumbo’ doesn’t fly

Angel Ortega
April 2, 2019
Illustration by Kyle Hilton. Hollywood Reporter website photo.

Ticket scalping: A plague in the concert industry

Angel Ortega
April 2, 2019
Illustration Credit: Melissa Joseph

‘Through the Late Night’ podcast features overlooked music producers

Mitchell Kret, Angel Ortega, and Alex Coba
March 29, 2019
Lupita Nyongo stars as Adelaide Wilson, a mother whos family is terrorized by their evil doppelgangers. IMDb website photo

Jordan Peele delivers another instant-classic horror film

Angel Ortega
March 24, 2019
D-FY members (from left to right) Tommy Ghiorso, Milo Hopkins and Aidan Sobon performing their set during their tour kickoff show. Photo credit: Angel Ortega

Bands D-FY and ICED bring hardcore punk to Chico

Angel Ortega
March 19, 2019
Tyler Perry stars as Mabel Madea Simmons in A Madea Family Funeral. IMDb wesbite photo

‘A Madea Family Funeral’ delivers dull attempt at comedy in typical Tyler Perry fashion

Angel Ortega
March 15, 2019
Photo credit: Melissa Joseph

Through the Late Night podcast: Jaden Smith provides clean water for Flint, Michigan

Mitchell Kret, Angel Ortega, and Alex Coba
March 12, 2019
Brie Larson stars as Vers, an extraterrestrial warrior from the Kree planet, Hala. IMDb website photo

‘Captain Marvel’ displays an astronomical origin story

Angel Ortega
March 11, 2019
Tim Blake Nelson stars as Buster Scruggs, the main character featured in one of six short films in The Ballad of Buster Scruggs. IMDb website photo

Coen Brothers deliver another stellar period piece

Angel Ortega
March 3, 2019
Viggo Mortensen and Marhershala Ali star as Tony Vallelonga and Don Shirley, respectively, in Green Book, this years Best Picture recipient. Ali won Best Supporting Actor for his performance. IMDb website photo

Oscars Recap: “Green Book” wins Best Picture

Angel Ortega
February 27, 2019
Rosa Salazar stars as Alita, a female cyborg, in Alita: Battle Angel. IMDb website photo

‘Alita: Battle Angel’ is all flash but no substance

Angel Ortega
February 24, 2019
Photo credit: Melissa Joseph

Through the Late Night podcast: 21 Savage shocking ICE detainment

Mitchell Kret, Angel Ortega, and Alex Coba
February 23, 2019
Milo Hopkins of Rogue Squadron performing at Ikes. Photo credit: Angel Ortega

Ike’s Place hosts hardcore rock concert

Angel Ortega
February 21, 2019
Amandla Stenberg plays as Starr Carter. IMDb website photo

‘The Hate U Give’ is a forgettable drama

Angel Ortega
February 15, 2019
Emmet Birckowski, voiced by Chris Pratt, in The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part. IMDb website photo

‘The Lego Movie 2′ is much more than a kids’ movie

Angel Ortega
February 10, 2019
Kiki Layne (left) and Stephan James (right) star as Tish and Fonny in Barry Jenkins newest film, If Beale Street Could Talk. IMDb website photo.

Director Barry Jenkins delivers another masterpiece with ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’

Angel Ortega
February 6, 2019

Chico art curators host 3-D mural art gallery

Angel Ortega
February 4, 2019
A portrait of U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh during his Senate hearing regarding accusations of sexual assault. Acrylic ink printed on plexiglass. Photo credit: Angel Ortega

BMU hosts interactive, insightful art gallery

Mitchell Kret and Angel Ortega
February 1, 2019
The Favourite is a brilliant period piece

“The Favourite” is a brilliant period piece

Angel Ortega
January 31, 2019
Roma has been nominated for a variety of Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

Nominations for the 91st Academy Awards announced

Angel Ortega
January 24, 2019
Image from IMDB

‘Roma’ delivers stunning performance, cinematography

Angel Ortega
January 22, 2019
Left to right: Sakura Ando, Mayu Matsuoka, Miyu Sasaki, Kairi Jo, and Lily Franky star in Shoplifters IMDb website photo

‘Shoplifters’ manages to steal the hearts of moviegoers

Angel Ortega
January 22, 2019
From left to right: Alex Turner (lead vocals, guitar), Jamie Cook (guitar), Nick OMalley (bass, vocals), and Matt Helders (drums, vocals) NME website photo

Arctic Monkeys mark the end of a five-year hiatus with a stellar comeback album

Angel Ortega
May 15, 2018
Armie Hammer and Geoffrey Rush star as James Lord and Alberto Giacometti in Final Portrait Sony Pictures Classics Website Photo

‘Final Portrait’ is clever, yet mundane

Angel Ortega
May 11, 2018
Jason Mitchell and Garrett Hedlund star as Ronsel Jackson and Jamie McAllan in Mudbound IMDb website photo

Netflix original film ‘Mudbound’ brings a dense insight in race relations

Angel Ortega
May 10, 2018
Ekaterina Samsonov and Joaquin Phoenix star as Nina and Joe in You Were Never Really Here Amazon Studios Photo

Joaquin Phoenix delivers his best performance yet in ‘You Were Never Really Here’

Angel Ortega
May 3, 2018
Dermot Crowley, Paul Whitehouse, Steven Buscemi, Jeffrey Tambor and Paul Chahidi in The Death of Stalin. IFC Films Photo

‘The Death of Stalin’ is a cleverly written satire

Angel Ortega
May 1, 2018
John Krasinski and Noah Jupe star as Lee and Marcus Abbott in A Quiet Place. Paramount Pictures Website Photo

‘A Quiet Place’ is a decent thriller, but still falls short from being ‘great’

Angel Ortega
April 22, 2018
Chief (Bryan Cranston) and Atari (Koyu Rankin) embrace each other in the film, Isle of Dogs. Fox Searchlight Website Photo

‘Isle of Dogs’ captivates and delights its audience in typical Wes Anderson fashion

Angel Ortega
April 20, 2018
Donald Sutherland and Helen Mirren star as John and Ella Spencer in The Leisure Seeker. Sony Pictures Classics Website Photo

‘The Leisure Seeker’ is a heartfelt romantic-comedy

Angel Ortega
April 14, 2018
Francisco Reyes and Daniela Vega star in A Fantastic Woman. Sony Pictures Classics website photo.

‘A Fantastic Woman’ is a brilliant foreign film

Angel Ortega
April 6, 2018
Keir Dullea stars as Dave Bowman on 2001: A Space Odyssey IMDB Website Photo

Fifty years later: ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ continues to inspire future filmmakers

Angel Ortega
April 5, 2018
Jamie Bell and Annette Bening star in Film Stars Dont Die in Liverpool. Sony Classics Website Photo.

‘Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool’ delivers a flawed, but poignant romance

Angel Ortega
March 15, 2018
Doug Jones and Sally Hawkins star in The Shape of Water. Fox Searchlight Websites Photo

‘The Shape of Water’ delivers unique love story between janitor, creature

Angel Ortega
March 7, 2018
Timothée Chalamet and Arnie Hammer star in Call Me by Your Name. Sony Pictures Classics Website Photo.

Timothée Chalamet delivers outstanding performance in ‘Call Me by Your Name’

Angel Ortega
February 23, 2018
Helen Mirren stars as Sarah Winchester. CBS Films Website Photo

‘Winchester’ fails to deliver a fright

Angel Ortega
February 19, 2018
Replica of a barrack from the Tule Lake Relocation Center. Photo credit: Angel Ortega

Imprisoned at Home: Japanese internment camps are brought to life

Angel Ortega
February 16, 2018
Revolutionizing the World? is a traveling art exhibit currently on display at the Jacki Headley University Art Gallery. Photo credit: Angel Ortega

The Russian Revolution is reimagined at the Jacki Headley University Art Gallery

Angel Ortega
February 9, 2018
Woody Harrelson and Sam Rockwell star in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. Fox Searchlight Pictures photo.

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri is one of best films of the year

Angel Ortega
February 5, 2018
Lewis Black performs as part of a USO holiday show in Aviano Air Base, Italy, 2007. Photo by Tabitha M. Mans (Wikimedia Commons)

The Joke’s on US: Lewis Black comes to Chico

Angel Ortega
January 30, 2018
Daniel Day-Lewis ans Vicky Kreips in Phantom Thread. Courtesy of Focus Features.

Phantom Thread is one of the best romance movies of the year

Angel Ortega
January 27, 2018
Gary Oldman plays Winston Churchill in Darkest Hour Courtesy of Focus Features.

Gary Oldman brings Winston Churchill to the big screen in ‘Darkest Hour’

Angel Ortega
January 22, 2018
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Angel Ortega