Film & TV

February 11, 2016

Boston under the Spotlight

By Alex Wehrung

Taking place in late 2001, “Spotlight” follows the true story of the titular Spotlight special investigations team of The Boston Globe. These four reporters begin an investigation into the sexual abuses committed by ...

February 11, 2016

“Spotlight” Shines Light on Church Abuse and Media Decline

By Phi Do

“Spotlight” is a story of an exposé of child sexual abuse perpetrated by Catholic priests. Simultaneously, the film is also about the peril of investigative journalism, the media’s heartbeat that is often regarded...

February 11, 2016

SBIFF Producers Panel and Writers Panel

By Frank Horne

Producers Panel Coverage Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) always manages to draw an engaging assortment of industry professionals to speak on the ins and outs of their trade, which is most likely at leas...

February 9, 2016

“Finest Hours” Interview with Casey Affleck and Ben Pine

By Jack Wallace

“The Finest Hours” premiered in theaters on Friday, Jan. 29. The film tells the story of the rescue of the S.S. Pendleton, one of the most daring rescue missions in the history of the Coast Guard. When the ship is sp...

February 4, 2016

Leo, Oscars and Bears – Oh My!

By Alex Wehrung

Poor Leonardo DiCaprio. Five times he has seen golden statues march past him, and five times he has had to watch them fall into the hands of another. So now, in an attempt to finally ensnare an Oscar, he screams and wail...

February 4, 2016

‘Room’ Leaves Viewers Heartbroken

By Antonio Morales

Like many of the other astounding independent films that debuted in 2015, “Room” failed to gain attention prior to its release. Despite the setback, the movie has managed to gather the attention of audiences across t...

January 25, 2016

Finding Home with Brooklyn

By Alex Wehrung

Where is home? “Brooklyn” chronicles a young woman’s journey that is both literal and introspective. After stepping out of Ellis Island’s customs checkpoint into a heavenly light, Saoirse Ronan&#8...

January 7, 2016

“The Force Awakens” Brings Back What We Love

By Alex Wehrung

“I’ve never seen so many nerds in one place.” I said that to my father as the theater continued to fill up with kids and adults, most wearing Star Wars T-shirts. It was the first time he and I sat down ...

January 7, 2016

Hateful 8: Didn’t Hate, Wasn’t Great

By Frank Horne

Quentin Tarantino has always had trouble dialing it down for anyone, and this has usually been to cinematically fresh effect. His films always revel in excess, often taking the form of the candy-coated violence of “Ing...

January 5, 2016

The Money’s on the Humor

By Alex Wehrung

I’d be lying if I said I understood half of what the hell people were talking about in this film. Not since “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy” have I been so befuddled. Listening to its financial jargon is lik...

November 23, 2015

Magic Lantern Celebrates 50th Anniversary with ‘Citizen Kane’

By Allie Graydon

Neon flashing lights and enthusiastic calls of “Welcome!” greeted audience members in I.V. Theater on Monday night as Magic Lantern Films celebrated their 50th year of cinematic appreciation. Crowds in and around the...

November 19, 2015

‘Chewie, We’re Home.’

By Robert Johnson

On Dec. 1, 2014, comedian Stephen Colbert dedicated his show’s opening segment to an impassioned recollection of a moment from his childhood: seeing “Star Wars: A New Hope” a whole two weeks before any of his f...

November 18, 2015

“Stories of Our Lives” Brings Awareness to Prevalent Anti-Gay Views in Kenya

By Karrah Bates

At 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 12 the Multicultural Center showed the 2014 film “Stories of Our Lives” as part of Santa Barbara’s OUTrageous Film Festival. The film consists of reenactments of real-life stories of ...

November 12, 2015

Peanuts Returns, and It’s Wonderful

By Alex Wehrung

I may have shot myself in the foot here by choosing to review a film mired in a universe I am only somewhat familiar with. And I doubt very many people will want to go see a rated-G film in lieu of “Spectre,” which w...

November 10, 2015

7 Nicolas Cage Films That Everyone Needs to See

By Natalie Noblett

  Since the start of his career, Nicolas Cage has refused to be typecast. He takes on countless roles that challenge him as an actor, and pushes his skills to the extreme. Over the years, many have considered this t...

October 30, 2015

A Success Chiseled in Stone: “Trumbo” screens at Pollock

By Alex Wehrung

As a writer, I found myself basking in the characterization wonder that was Dalton Trumbo, realized on-screen by Bryan Cranston. I believe the audience in the Pollock did as well, as they were not only laughing uproariou...