Skip to Main Content
Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion

Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion

Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion

Ralph Fiennes stars as Cardinal Lawrence in director Edward Berger’s "Conclave," a Focus Features release. Courtesy of Focus Features. © 2024 All Rights Reserved. © 2024 Focus Features, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

‘Conclave’ shakes the very nature of the Catholic Church

Chris Hutton, Entertainment Reporter // November 2, 2024

“Conclave” plays like poetry; its vivid and striking imagery draws viewers in and its slow-burning suspenseful plot keeps them enveloped in the world put on hold after the pope passes in his sleep.  Directed...

Paddy, James McAvoy, in “Speak No Evil,” directed by James Watkins. Courtesy Jay Maidment/Universal Pictures. © 2024 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

He said, she said: ‘Speak No Evil’

Ariana Powell and Garrett Hartman // September 22, 2024

In the horror-thriller “Speak No Evil,” an American couple and their daughter, while on a vacation in Italy, come into contact with another family who seems to have it all. After returning home they...

Michael Keaton as Beetlejuice in Warner Bros. Pictures’ comedy, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release.

He said, she said: ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’

Ariana Powell and Garrett Hartman // September 8, 2024

“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” is the sequel to the original 1988 film; released a mere 36 years after the original. The film reunites the Deetz family through the death of patriarch Charles Deetz when...

"They Cloned Tyrone" - Left to right, John Boyega as Fontaine, Teyonah Parris as Yo-Yo, Jamie Foxx, producer, as Slick Charles and Kiefer Sutherland as Nixon in "They Cloned Tyrone." Cr. Parrish Lewis/Netflix © 2023.

‘They Cloned Tyrone’: A lesson in Afro-surrealism

Christian Hutson, Contributor // October 3, 2023

With movies like “Boyz n the Hood” and “Selma” being created almost every year since the ’90s, Black films have become exhausting and repetitive. It seems as if every movie is a retelling of...

"Freaky" tells the story of a girl trapped in a serial murderers' body and pays homage to the teen-slasher genre. Courtesy of Universal Pictures.

‘Freaky’: an homage to the teen slasher genre

Danielle Kessler, A/E Editor // December 1, 2020

“Happy Death Day” (2017) director, Christopher Langdon brings a fresh take on a beloved teen horror genre with his newest film, “Freaky.” Structurally presenting something that breaks conventional...

Still image from the film, 1917

‘1917’ brings viewers to the front lines

Danielle Kessler // January 27, 2020

With beautiful cinematography, technical work and raw emotion, “1917" takes the war movie genre to a new level. The film takes place during WWI and focuses on two British soldiers, Corporal William...

The Orion Newscast: Womxn's Conference & Multicultural Night

The Orion Newscast: Womxn’s Conference & Multicultural Night

Christian Solis // November 20, 2019

https://youtu.be/UX3gfd0V2F0 This week on The Orion Newscast we cover two stories celebrating both women empowerment and cultural diversity. The newscast also includes coverage of both men and women's...

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

“Ford v Ferrari,” while lacking narrative substance, exhibits some of the best sound editing and mixing. Directed by James Mangold, “Ford v Ferrari” takes place in the 1960s, where...

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

What could have been a great horror film in “Eli”, was regressed by poor writing and mundane performances. Directed by Ciarán Foy, “Eli” is about a boy named Eli (Charlie...

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

The Netflix documentary “Fire in Paradise” recounts the events of the Camp Fire through first-hand accounts and video. Directed by Zackary Canepari and Drea Cooper, “Fire in Paradise”...

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

“Zombieland: Double Tap” is all flash and no substance.Taking place 10 years after the events of the first film, Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg), Little Rock (Abigail...

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

Angel Ortega and Rayanne Painter // October 21, 2019

Resident film critic Angel Ortega discusses "Between Two Ferns: The Movie."Angel Ortega and Melissa Hererra can be reached at [email protected].

Load More Stories