Hi Cougars! As the spring semester draws to an end, here are some movies for you to check out or rewatch for the summer.
Scream (2022)
I’d consider myself a massive horror fan. It’s a great genre with room for a lot of creativity. Some specific favorites of mine come from the Scream series, meta-slasher films directed by the late and great Wes Craven. The series most recently had its fifth installment released, directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett (Ready or Not). Scream (2022) is the fifth in the iconic horror series of the same name, in which a new cast of characters and some familiar faces from the franchise are terrorized by Ghostface once again.
This is the first (and so far only) film to not be directed by Craven. When the new directors were first announced, I was hopeful yet skeptical. Craven always brought a sense of genuine fear into these movies, making them slightly more realistic to embody the meta-theme throughout. However, I think the new directing duo captured it perfectly. The film feels like a Scream film, and not a random slasher with the franchise’s name slapped onto it. So much care was put into the film’s creation, and it’s hard to say anything negative about it. It’s probably the best film since the original from 1996. Bettinelli-Olpin and Gillett, who have some prior experience in the horror genre, made a film for modern horror fans that exemplifies how far we’ve come since the original film. It contains references, easter eggs, and surprises that even I didn’t expect.
Another stellar part of the film is the cast. The new characters are compelling and while they fit respective horror tropes, brought little details into their performances that make things fresh and new. Standouts were Jazmin Savoy Brown (Showtime’s Yellowjackets) and Jenna Ortega (The Babysitter: Killer Queen). The legacy cast (David Arquette, Neve Campbell, and Courtney Cox), who has appeared in all four prior films, doesn’t overshadow the new victims of Ghostface’s madness and compliments them in a subtle way. Specifically, I loved how Sam Carpenter, played by Melissa Barrera (In The Heights) compliments the final girl to end all final girls, Sidney Prescott (Campbell).
And finally, Ghostface himself. Ghostface is the most brutal we’ve ever seen him, and his knife only gets bloodier as the film reaches its impeccable final act.
In conclusion, Scream was the treat and the gift fans have been waiting for since Scream 4 (the final film Craven directed). As a lifelong fan of Craven and his films, even thinking about it still gives me chills in the best way.
9 Paws out of 10
Encanto (2021)
I wasn’t sure if Disney would be able to outdo themselves after Frozen (can you BELIEVE that was released in 2013?), but it looks like they might have with Encanto. The film tells the story of a family bestowed with a magical house, and the inhabitants all have special gifts, save for Mirabel (Stephanie Beatriz). When this magic is threatened, it’s up to Mirabel to uncover her family’s secrets and save their home.
This film is bright, colorful, and whimsical in the best way, and Lin-Manuel Miranda’s songwriting throughout solidifies the tone effortlessly. It’s no surprise that “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” is the first song to make No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 since “A Whole New World” from 1994’s Aladdin. The script is filled with wit and humor and almost every joke lands. It’s a film that embraces itself and its Colombian influence, scattered throughout the film. It’s a great thing to see nowadays, and I hope Disney continues with representation like this.
The voice cast is wonderful, filling out their roles with style and charisma that could only come from top-notch voice acting. Casting actors that actually resemble their characters only adds to how perfect it is. My favorite character had to be Luisa; her strength (physical and emotional) is inspiring and amazing to see.
While a few plot devices are cliche and end up falling flat, it’s not hard to say that Encanto is another hit from Disney. Embracing a rich culture while staying true to a theme about understanding yourself and your family, it’s a film I’m glad exists not only for myself but for so many children that will grow up with it.
8 paws out of 10
The preceding reviews were dictated to Collin College student Nadia Arain. Collin College News appreciates her assistance.