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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

Lewis (Owen Vacarro, center) with his uncle, Jonathan (Jack Black, right) and the neighbor witch, Florence (Cate Blanchett, left) in "The House With a Clock in Its Walls". Image courtesy of Universal Pictures.

‘The House with a Clock in Its Walls’ surprises in a good way

Ulises Duenas
October 1, 2018

Director Eli Roth puts his horror background to good use by venturing into whatever dark pit Jack Black's career has been in and temporarily digs him out for "The House with a Clock in Its Walls".It's...

He's gonna shoot something. "The Predator" is in theaters now. Photo credit: imdb.com

‘The Predator’ gets it all wrong

Ulises Duenas
September 18, 2018

Making a good "Predator" movie shouldn't be difficult. Just have an alien monster chase a bunch of military dudes around until the coolest one is left alive. "The Predator" feels like three different movie...

A scene from the new animated film from Netflix, "Next Gen."

‘Next Gen’: The newest animated movie you’ve already seen

Ulises Duenas
September 13, 2018

Netflix continues its trend of putting out movies that make people say "oh it's like (insert movie) but not as good" with "Next Gen."You've got a girl and you've got a robot, and they're going on an adventure...

She must be looking at something funny. I wish I was too. Photo from imdb.com

‘The Happytime Murders’ assumes everything is funnier with puppets

Ulises Duenas
September 4, 2018

Some movies treat comedy like the art that it is, placing jokes in the right spots with precise timing so that each punchline is as effective as possible. Others like "The Happytime Murders" treat comedy...

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

“A Quiet Place” had the potential to become a great horror film, but its flaws and shortcomings leave something to be desired. Though “A Quiet Place” is far from perfect, John Krasinski...

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

Though the film 'The Leisure Seeker' is an emotionally driven film, it does have flaws that almost lead it to its demise.The film “The Leisure Seeker,” John (Donald Sutherland) and Ella Spencer...

Jamie Bell and Annette Bening star in "Film Stars Don't 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

Though the film does not deliver anything noteworthy in terms of cinematic value, “Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool” brings a heartfelt and emotional romance to the big screen. Recently...

Doug Jones and Sally Hawkins star in "The Shape of Water."
Fox Searchlight Website's Photo

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

Angel Ortega
March 7, 2018

Guillermo del Toro reinvents how monsters in movies are depicted with his signature filmmaking style and methods in his film, “The Shape of Water." There are many good qualities throughout the film...

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

“Call Me by Your Name” is one of the best romances in recent years, earning it a Best Picture nomination at this year’s Academy Awards. Adapted from the novel of the same name by André...

Helen Mirren stars as Sarah Winchester. 
CBS Films Website Photo

‘Winchester’ fails to deliver a fright

Angel Ortega
February 19, 2018

"Winchester" had the potential to be a decent horror film, but its overuse of clichés makes it one of the most disappointing horror films of the year. In terms of commercial success at the box office,...

T'Challa and "Killmonger" face to face.
image from imdb.com

‘Black Panther’ is Marvel’s next big thing

Ulises Duenas
February 18, 2018

"Black Panther" feels more like a spy movie than a superhero one, but it makes for one of the best movies in Marvel's cinematic universe. The fictional country of Wakanda is filled with political intrigue,...