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Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion

Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion

Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion

Timothée Chalamet in A COMPLETE UNKNOWN. Photo by James Mangold, Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures. © 2024 Searchlight Pictures All Rights Reserved.

What to watch: Best picture nominations

Chris Hutton, Entertainment and Features Editor
February 11, 2025

This year's Oscars race nominated a wide range of films, from suspenseful mysteries about the Catholic Church to blood-soaked thrillers that take aim at the misogyny in the entertainment industry. The...

(from back center) Roz (Lupita N’yongo), and Brightbill (Kit Connor) in DreamWorks Animation’s “Wild Robot,” directed by Chris Sanders. Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures.

My top five 2024 films, and what’s in store for 2025

Elena Mendonsa, Reporter
February 2, 2025

This past year gave audiences all over the world a wide plethora of films to dive into. Whether viewers were thrown into the world of gladiators, minions, emotions or the Land of Oz, 2024 was a wild ride...

Photo taken by Chris Hutton on Jan. 25

The terrifying reminder of our place in ‘Presence’

Chris Hutton, Entertainment and Features Editor
January 29, 2025

“Presence” captures the unfiltered rawness of family life through the point-of-view of a ghost in an exceptionally experimental way. As a family settles into their new house, secrets and tensions are...

Cutline: Animation presents itself in a variety of ways, the most common we see being computer animation. Photo courtesy of Pexels, taken by Antoni Shkraba on June 4, 2019.

The underappreciated captivating nature of animation

Chris Hutton, Entertainment and Features Editor
January 29, 2025

People often begin their relationship to film with animation, whether watching cartoons like ”SpongeBob SquarePants” or animated movies like “Cars.” Sadly, it seems that people are reluctant to...

Justin Topp enjoys working with the camera and is interested in cinematography. Photo courtesy of Justin Topp.

From dreams to reality: a student’s journey to the Cannes Film Festival

Chris Hutton, Entertainment Reporter
December 4, 2024

Correction: clarifications on responsibilities for the American Pavillion Student Outreach Program. Justin Topp, a Chico local and film student, has been offered a unique opportunity to attend the Cannes...

David Howard Thornton as Art the Clown in the horror film, “Terrifier 3,” a Cineverse release. Photo courtesy of Jesse Korman/Dark Age Cinema.

He said, she said: ‘Terrifier 3’

Ariana Powell and Garrett Hartman
October 21, 2024

“Terrifier 3” is the third installment of the “Terrifier” series. It takes place five years after the events of “Terrifier 2” and follows Sienna Shaw, one of two survivors of Art the Clown’s...

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...

Sydney Sweeney in "Immaculate." Photo courtesy of NEON.

He said, she said: ‘Immaculate’

Garrett Hartman and Ariana Powell
May 18, 2024

"Immaculate," a March released horror film, follows Cecilia — played by Sydney Sweeney — as she travels to Italy to join a convent. However, once she arrives, she quickly notices strange people and...

One sheet artwork for the film "Monkey Man." Photo credit: Universal

He said, she said: ‘Monkey Man’

Garrett Hartman and Ariana Powell
May 11, 2024

"Monkey Man," an early April released action/thriller, follows the main character — played by director and co-writer Dev Patel — as he navigates and realizes his past, taking revenge and fixing the...

Pyper Braun as Alice in "Imaginary." Photo credit: Parrish Lewis/Lionsgate

He said, she said: ‘Imaginary’

Garrett Hartman and Ariana Powell
May 9, 2024

Released March 8 by Blumhouse Pictures, directed and co-written by Jeff Wadlow, “Imaginary” is a film that explores the relationship between a little girl and her new imaginary friend, but this friend...

Alisha Weir as Abigail in Abigail, directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett. Photo courtesy Bernard Walsh/Universal Pictures/© 2024 Universal Studios

He said, she said: ‘Abigail’

Garrett Hartman and Ariana Powell
April 27, 2024

"Abigail," a horror and thriller film released on April 19, follows a group of kidnappers as they carry-out orders to kidnap the pink ballerina daughter of a powerful criminal. The only catch is … the...