“The Wild Robot” is directed by Chris Sanders (“Lilo & Stitch,” “How to Train Your Dragon”) and tells the story of a robot named Roz (voiced by Lupita Nyong’o), who is learning to adapt to challenging surroundings following a shipwreck, eventually adopting and raising a baby gosling who grows up named Brightbill.

The biggest praise I can give “The Wild Robot” is its animation. Dreamworks always puts out high-quality animation and this film is no different. Every scene is gorgeous to look at and what I love about the animation is that it blends 2D and 3D animation, a technique that has been done in Dreamworks’ more recent films such as “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” and “The Bad Guys.” One of the best sequences is towards the final act involving a forest fire. The colors vibrantly pop off the screen

The humor throughout the film was surprisingly hilarious. I didn’t expect to laugh as much with the audience. Many families who took their kids to the screening were thoroughly enjoying it. What was surprising about the humor was just how dark it was at times, particularly involving the situations Roz finds herself in, such as being with other animals including foxes, bears, opossums, etc.

The voice cast is also really good with Nyong’o and Kit Connor each being the highlights. Nyong’o does a great job of bringing humor yet a lot of heart into the character of Roz. Connor puts a lot of emotional baggage with his character of Brightbill wanting to be accepted.

Despite all of the critical acclaim the film has been getting, it isn’t one of Dreamworks’ best films as it didn’t have the emotional impact some of its other films did. Despite dealing with great themes on parenthood and finding your place in the world, I wanted it to have a better emotional impact. I also wanted more chemistry between Roz and Brightbill as I didn’t feel it until the second half. Some of the most memorable moments in DreamWorks films were the chemistry and banter between characters. What would films like “Shrek” and “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” look like without the chemistry between its characters? The buildup during the first half wasn’t that investing and it didn’t grab my interest until halfway through the film in a scene where Brightbill got into an argument with Roz about his actual upbringing. That was the moment I was interested and wanted to see what the film was going to do. 

Another problem I have is that the villain Vontra, voiced by Stephanie Hsu appears way too late in the film and her motivation needs much more background. Vontra’s motivation is to bring Roz back to her programming so they can study her. A great villain in any animated film has personality, motivation and complexity that can make the audience get behind even if we condemn their actions. 

Despite this not being as great as everyone says it is, “The Wild Robot” is still a good film for the whole family. Kids will love it, adults will appreciate its themes, it has fantastic animation as always, unexpectedly funny moments and a good message at its’ core earning the film a solid B.

Commentary Writer Linden Lansberry can be reached at linden.lansberry988@topper.wku.edu. 

“Speak No Evil”

A remake of the 2022 Danish film, an American family goes on vacation with a British family only to discover that something is very wrong with them. “Speak No Evil” is directed by James Watkins (“The Woman in Black”) and will be released in theaters on Sept. 13

While I haven’t seen the original, this looks like an intense and unsettling ride (in a good way), especially with James McAvoy who has proven to be one of the most underrated actors out there.

“Megalopolis”

An architect (Adam Driver) sets out to rebuild New York City following a disaster, but his goal is opposed by a ruthless mayor (Giancarlo Esposito). “Megalopolis” is directed by Francis Ford Coppola (“The Godfather Trilogy,” “Apocalypse Now”) and will be released in theaters on Sept. 27.

Coppola is one of the most legendary filmmakers of all time and this has been a lifelong dream for him. He started developing this film over four decades ago. After delays and revivals, it didn’t go anywhere. Coppola revived the project in 2019 and drew $120 million of his own money to finance the film. I am excited because not only is this Coppola’s first film since 2011’s “Twixt” but the reactions have been all over the place, with some comparing it to “Babylon” because of how insane and epic it is in proportion with its stellar ensemble cast including Driver, Esposito and many others.

“Joker: Folie à Deux”

While awaiting trial for his crimes Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) falls in love with Harley Quinn (Lady Gaga) and the two embark on a deadly adventure. “Joker: Folie à Deux” is directed by Todd Phillips (“Joker,” “The Hangover Trilogy”) and will be released on Oct. 4, exactly five years after its predecessor.

The first installment in this series, “Joker,” is one of my favorite DC Comics films with Phoenix giving the performance of his career and rightfully earning his first Oscar. What really caught my interest was that it had a $200 million budget, which is significantly larger than the first. The fact that this movie will be a musical also piqued my interest.

“Piece by Piece”

The life story of music icon Pharrell Williams told through Lego animation. “Piece by Piece” is directed by Morgan Neville (“20 Feet from Stardom”) and will be released on Oct. 11.

I don’t usually include documentaries on these types of lists but I wanted to make an exception because the way it’s being told is truly unique and unlike anything I have seen done before. Had it been a standard documentary on Williams I would’ve maybe seen it, but the documentary being made with Lego instantly caught my attention.

“Anora”

A hooker (Mikey Madison) meets and marries the son of an oligarch (Mark Eydelshtyen) but her marriage is threatened when the parents set out to get the marriage annulled. “Anora” is directed by Sean Baker (“The Florida Project,” “Red Rocket”) and will be released on Oct. 18.

“Anora” won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, the festival’s top prize, back in May, becoming the fifth NEON film in a row and the first American film since “The Tree of Life” to do so. I’m interested not only because I haven’t seen any of the director’s films but because it’s premiering at the New York Film Festival which I will be attending. I’m hoping I get to see this one at the festival.

“Venom: The Last Dance”

Eddie Brock and Venom (Tom Hardy) are hunted by both of their worlds. “Venom: The Last Dance” is directed by Kelly Marcel in her directorial debut and will be released on Oct. 25.

While the first two “Venom” films got mixed reviews, I enjoyed them with Tom Hardy giving a charismatic performance in both films. Since this is reportedly the last one, I’m really hoping this gets an R rating instead of a PG-13 because many rated R superhero films have been very successful critically and financially. Hardy mentioned the film could get an R-rating in an interview with Forbes when he said, “By the third one, we’ve been given so much creative support to do – to push it. It’s a much wider piece and there’s much more love – not that there was not love in the last ones. We’ve been allowed to put more of our ideas into it and I’m really excited to see how they land.”

“Gladiator II”

Over two decades after the first “Gladiator,” Lucius (Paul Mescal) ranks his way to the top as a gladiator under the rule of Macrinus (Denzel Washington). “Gladiator II” is directed by Ridley Scott (“Alien,” “Gladiator,” “Napoleon”) and will be released on Nov. 22.

The first “Gladiator” is full of awesome performances, visuals, cinematography and action, and while I didn’t think a sequel was completely necessary since it ended on a great note, I’m excited because of the talent in front and behind the camera especially Paul Mescal who is quickly becoming one of my favorite actors after his tremendous performance in “Aftersun”. This is also the first sequel made by Scott where he directed the previous installment. 

“Wicked”

Based on the widely beloved musical of the same name, Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) develops an unlikely friendship with Glinda the Good (Ariana Grande), but their friendship takes a turn that neither expects. “Wicked” is directed by Jon M. Chu (“Crazy Rich Asians,” “In the Heights”) and will be released on Nov. 22.

I’ve actually never seen the musical which is quite shocking but I’m excited because all the trailers were really good as well as having a great cast and director. Erivo and Grande are both major fans of the musical which is awesome when actors are fans of the source material and want to give it justice instead of an actor who isn’t familiar with the source material.

“Mufasa: The Lion King”

A sequel and prequel to 2019’s “The Lion King,” Rafiki tells the story of Mufasa, who was originally an orphan who meets and befriends Taka, also known as Scar. “Mufasa: The Lion King” is directed by Barry Jenkins (“Moonlight” “If Beale Street Could Talk”) and will be released on Dec. 20.

I was surprised to learn that “Mufasa” was going to be both a sequel and a prequel, which fueled my curiosity, as this is similar to “The Godfather: Part II” where it presents two parallel storylines. I’m also excited because Jenkins made the fantastic film “Moonlight,” so I’m hopeful this will be good, especially because this can be a really interesting take on Mufasa’s backstory

“Nosferatu”

A remake of the 1922 film of the same name, this gothic film is about a vampire infatuated with a young woman causing unspeakable consequences for everyone. “Nosferatu” is directed by Robert Eggers (“The VVitch,” “The Lighthouse,” “The Northman”) and will be released on Christmas Day.

Eggers’ “The Lighthouse” is my favorite horror film of all time (and one of my favorites in general), and while I didn’t love “The Northman” it was a beautifully made film full of stunning visuals. The trailer barely shows the main villain Count Orlok, played by Bill Skarsgard known for Pennywise in “It Chapter 1 and 2” and I really like it when films limit the presence of the villain in previews such as The Riddler in “The Batman” or the titular character in “Longlegs” because it makes those villains more terrifying to watch. Hopefully “Nosferatu” will be on the same level as “The Lighthouse.”

Commentary writer Linden Lansberry can be reached at linden.lansberry988@topper.wku.edu.

If you would like to submit a reaction to a piece, Letter to the Editor or other submission, please send it to Editor-in-Chief Price Wilborn at herald.opinion@wku.edu or edwin.wilborn835@topper.wku.edu.

5. “Kinds of Kindness”

Academy award nominated filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos reunites with Emma Stone and Willem Dafoe from his previous film, “Poor Things,” for a brand new original film. The trailer doesn’t give much away but the premise is a triptych fable, meaning it will focus on three stories: a man trying to control his life, a policeman worried his wife is a different person after returning from sea and a woman committed to finding someone who is destined to become a spiritual leader. I’m very intrigued which story will be the best. With a reported runtime of 164 minutes, this will be Lanthimos’ longest film to date.

4. “Twisters”

Releasing 28 years after the first “Twister,” that starred Bill Paxton and Helen Hunt, I’m excited to see a new set of characters including Glen Powell, Daisy Edgar-Jones, and Anthony Ramos chasing multiple tornadoes. The first “Twister” is very enjoyable and this one will hopefully be just as entertaining if not more than its predecessor given that Powell, Edgar-Jones, and Ramos have proven themselves to be talented actors. I was curious to see that the sequel will be directed by Lee Isaac Chung, who made “Minari,” a fantastic indie film.

3. “A Quiet Place: Day One”

The first two installments of the “A Quiet Place” franchise are among the best horror films ever made, with “Part II” being the rare sequel that is superior to the first. With “Day One” a prequel, not only does it look terrifying but I want to know if these characters will be able to survive, especially since it takes place in New York City rather than the middle of upstate New York, which is where the first two films took place. It kind of reminds me of Scream VI in a way where that took place in the city instead of Woodsboro which made it more suspenseful. The cast includes Lupita Nyong’o, Djimon Hounsou and Joseph Quinn star as people trying to survive in deadly times.

2. “Inside Out 2”

Anytime Pixar comes out with a new film whether it’s a sequel or an original film, I’m always excited to see what they have in store. “Inside Out” is absolutely fantastic and I’ve always wanted to see what Pixar could do with a sequel and how they can expand the story and universe further. I was 11 when the first one came out. I’m 20 now so I’ve been through all of the emotions that are new in the film such as Anxiety, Envy, Ennui and Embarrassment and then some and judging by the trailers it looks like it won’t disappoint.

1. “Deadpool & Wolverine”

Ryan Reynolds returns as the merc with the mouth and he’s bringing along Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine for the ride, his first time performing in the role since “Logan,” which came out in 2017. For those who are fans like I am of the film “Logan,” Hugh Jackman has made sure that the film wouldn’t interfere with the ending in which Wolverine died. As for “Deadpool & Wolverine,” I am excited not just to see Reynolds again as Deadpool but the chemistry and banter between him and Wolverine is almost certain to be worth a watch.

Commentary writer Linden Lansberry can be reached at linden.lansberry988@topper.wku.edu. 

If you would like to submit a reaction to a piece, Letter to the Editor or other submission, please send it to commentary editor Price Wilborn at herald.opinion@wku.edu or edwin.wilborn835@topper.wku.edu.

Listening to upbeat or relaxing music can promote feelings of positivity. Sad songs versus upbeat tunes evoke different emotions. By keeping the melody upbeat, one can avoid negative vibes, calming your nerves and dispelling those butterflies from your stomach. Genres such as Afrobeats, House and R&B are great for boosting mood, while jazz, binaural beats and piano instrumentals are excellent for studying. Along with boosting our mood, music can also change our heartbeat. Listening to a gentle tune can slow a racing heart; in a way, our heart will sync with the beat.

Sometimes we don’t like all the parts of a song, but there are always small moments to look forward to. Similarly, practicing gratitude and appreciating life’s small joys can fine-tune your mind to see the positive side of life. Saying three things you are grateful for before bed and upon waking can fine-tune your mind to see the positive side of life. Writing gratitude letters can also aid mental health; they do not need to be sent, but it is a nice gesture. Finding the positive side of a situation, though challenging, is not impossible; sometimes, you just have to skip through the bad parts of the song to get to the good.

Adding random songs to your playlist is akin to not setting boundaries with yourself and others. If you struggle with saying no, it is essential to prioritize yourself. Learning to decline disruptive plans can save a lot of hassle later on. After all, free Spotify only offers six skips. After that, you are stuck listening to undesired songs, particularly when time is limited. 

It is tempting to get caught in a loop, playing the same song on repeat for hours. However, practicing time management can help avoid this trap. It is also easy to become absorbed in a task and postpone other items on your to-do list, often leading to dramatic all-nighters. Imagine yourself at 1:30 AM, exhausted, wrapped in a blanket, struggling through a three hour homework assignment. It sounds rough, but this scenario can be avoided with proper planning. Planning ahead and sticking to your schedule can boost your sense of progress and ensure tasks are completed on time. So, hit pause on that song and move forward.

These are just some strategies that you can incorporate into your final playlist of the semester, making it a memorable one.

Commentary writer Vidhi Parekh can be reached at vidhi.parekh134@topper.wku.edu.

If you would like to submit a reaction to a piece, Letter to the Editor or other submission, please send it to commentary editor Price Wilborn at herald.opinion@wku.edu or edwin.wilborn835@topper.wku.edu. 

“Civil War” is directed by Garland (“Ex Machina,” “Annihilation,” “Men”) and stars Dunst (“The Power of the Dog” “Spider-Man Trilogy”), McKinley Henderson (“Dune,” “Beau Is Afraid”), Wagner Moura (“Puss in Boots: The Last Wish,” “Narcos,” Narcos: Mexico”) and Spaeny (“Priscilla”) as a team of journalists who travel from New York City to Washington D.C. during a civil war that has taken over all of America.

What I loved about this film was that it focuses on the journalists instead of the soldiers. Not only is this perspective refreshing, but it makes it much more terrifying and thrilling. As these journalists are photographing and reporting on war events you feel like you’re on the journey with them. Not only that, but the stakes are so high because anytime these journalists are doing their jobs, they are risking their lives.

The performances are terrific but the main standout is Spaeny as Jessie. The situations Jessie is found in are so suspenseful and terrifying particularly with a scene involving a chilling Jesse Plemons (Kirsten Dunst’s real life husband) where I really did not know what was going to happen next. Her subtle reactions made it far more thrilling, and scary to watch. It’s not a long scene but it’s one of the highlights in this film. 

Another standout is Dunst as Lee, a veteran war photographer who is on the journey with these journalists and builds a friendship with Jessie along the way. Lee is such a compelling character because, as a war photographer, her work has taken an emotional toll on her. This is particularly visible in a scene where she is alone in a bathtub and the film uses silent flashbacks to show all of the horrific events she has witnessed throughout the years.

Some of the best moments in the film are the conversations the journalists have, particularly one involving Jessie talking to Lee, who she has looked up to.

The film does an incredible job of not picking sides, rather focusing on the journalists doing their jobs while risking life and limb any and every time they do so. In the third act, I really did not know if the characters were going to survive and that left me on the edge of my seat.

As for issues, because the film is so well paced I would’ve wanted to see an extra 20-30 minutes. I would’ve also wanted to see the president, played by Nick Offerman, to have more screen time. He plays an important part in the film, yet he is only seen in the film for about five minutes. 

Overall, “Civil War” is a thrilling experience from start to finish that will keep audiences on the edge of their seats until the credits roll. If you are a fan of A24, the cast, the director or you are just into war movies in general go, buy a ticket for this film. You will not be disappointed. “Civil War” earns an A-.

Commentary writer Linden Lansberry can be reached at linden.lansberry988@topper.wku.edu.

If you would like to submit a reaction to a piece, Letter to the Editor or other submission, please send it to commentary editor Price Wilborn at herald.opinion@wku.edu or edwin.wilborn835@topper.wku.edu.

Best Original Score

• “American Fiction” – Laura Karpman
• “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” – John Williams
• “Killers of the Flower Moon” – Robbie Robertson (posthumous)
• “Oppenheimer” – Ludwig Göransson
• “Poor Things” – Jerskin Fendrix

Who I want to win: Ludwig Göransson, “Oppenheimer”

Why I want it to win: The score is some of the best I’ve ever listened to in a Christopher Nolan film, especially the scene leading up to Trinity, which is suspenseful enough to induce anxiety. It sounds like something straight out of a horror film. This score is easily the best of the five nominees because not only was it memorable and added depth. It’s a score that will stick with you for a long time.

Best Sound

• “The Creator” – Ian Voight, Erik Aadahl, Ethan Van der Ryn, Tom Ozanich and Dean Zupancic
• “Maestro” – Steven A. Marrow, Richard King, Jason Ruder, Tom Ozanich and Dean Zupancic
• “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One” – Chris Munro, James H. Mather, Chris Burdon and Mark Taylor
• “Oppenheimer” – Willie Burton, Richard King, Gary A. Rizzo and Kevin O’Connell
• “The Zone of Interest” – Tarn Willers and Johnnie Burn

Who I want to win: Chris Munro, James H. Mather, Chris Burdon and Mark Taylor, “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One”

Why I want it to win: It’s the first time the series got recognized by the Academy and the sound mixing made the film intense and exciting to watch. During the action sequences, the unforgettable score by Lorne Balfe is in the background which makes the scenes more intense particularly in the climax involving a train as well as the famous scene of Ethan Hunt literally driving a motorcycle off a cliff which he trained quite extensively for that scene.

Best Supporting Actress

• Emily Blunt – “Oppenheimer” as Kitty Oppenheimer
• Danielle Brooks – “The Color Purple” as Sofia
• America Ferrera – “Barbie” as Gloria
• Jodie Foster – “Nyad” as Bonnie Stoll
• Da’Vine Joy Randolph – “The Holdovers” as Mary Lamb

Who I want to win: Da’Vine Joy Randolph, “The Holdovers”

Why I want her to win: Her performance as Mary Lamb, a mother trying to move on from the death of her son, who was killed serving in Vietnam, was excellent. I really felt like I was watching someone trying to move on. In her touching acceptance speech at the British Academy Film Awards, Randolph said about her character, “she shows us all what is possible when you look beyond your differences and how healing the simple act of empathy can be.”

Best Supporting Actor

• Sterling K. Brown – “American Fiction” as Clifford “Cliff” Ellison
• Robert De Niro – “Killers of the Flower Moon” as William King Hale
• Robert Downey Jr. – “Oppenheimer” as Lewis Strauss
• Ryan Gosling – “Barbie” as Ken
• Mark Ruffalo – “Poor Things” as Duncan Wedderburn

Who I want to win: Robert Downey Jr., “Oppenheimer”

Why I want him to win: Robert Downey Jr. has been dominating other major awards, and rightfully so. His performance as Lewis Strauss is unlike anything I’ve seen from him. Seeing him go from Tony Stark/Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe to this far more serious role based on a real person shows his dynamic range as an actor. Lewis Strauss was an incredibly complex person being widely admired and receiving  a Presidential Medal of Freedom award from President Dwight Eisenhower but had a personal vendetta against Oppenheimer and was responsible for the hearings that revoked Oppenheimer’s clearance, resulting in his fall from grace.

Best Original Screenplay

• “Anatomy of a Fall” – Justine Triet and Arthur Harari
• “The Holdovers” – David Hemingson
• “Maestro” – Bradley Cooper and Josh Singer
• “May December” – Screenplay by Samy Burch; Story by Samy Burch and Alex Mechanik
• “Past Lives” – Celine Song

What I want to win: David Hemingson, “The Holdovers”

Why I want it to win: From start to finish, “The Holdovers” had an engaging story that balanced emotional drama with witty humor, which is pretty difficult to do in certain films. It’s a slow film, but not in a way that drags the pacing of its 133 minutes. It also captures the 1970s really well from the overall look of the film to the costumes to even the studio logos at the beginning of the film. It opens with 70s themed Universal, Focus Features, and Miramax logos as well as a vintage Rated R sign from the MPAA. Not only does it look like the 70s but it feels like it was made in the 70s with updated technology.

Best Adapted Screenplay

• “American Fiction” – Cord Jefferson; based on the novel “Erasure” by Percival Everett
• “Barbie” – Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach; based on characters created by Ruth Handler
• “Oppenheimer” – Christopher Nolan; based on the biography “American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer” by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin
• “Poor Things” – Tony McNamara; based on the novel by Alasdair Gray
• “The Zone of Interest” – Jonathan Glazer; based on the novel by Martin Amis

What I want to win: Christopher Nolan, “Oppenheimer”

Why I want it to win: Christopher Nolan wrote “Oppenheimer” from the first person point of view including stage directions. Rather than “Oppenheimer walks to the room.” it was written as something like “I pick up a glass.” Nolan wrote “Oppenheimer” that way to really show us into Oppenheimer’s mind. This is the first time Nolan has done this and this is very unusual for a typical screenplay. Nolan also wrote it from two different perspectives; Oppenheimer’s in color and Lewis Strauss’ in black and white. This helps make “Oppenheimer” a unique and powerful narrative. Unlike Nolan’s previous film “Tenet,” which was disappointing due to its confusing narrative, “Oppenheimer” never confused me and it got better upon rewatch because of its engaging dialogue and carefully crafted character study.

Best Actress

• Annette Bening – “Nyad” as Diana Nyad
• Lily Gladstone – “Killers of the Flower Moon” as Mollie Burkhart
• Sandra Hüller – “Anatomy of a Fall” as Sandra Voyter
• Carey Mulligan – “Maestro” as Felicia Montealegre
• Emma Stone – “Poor Things” as Bella Baxter

Who I want to win: Lily Gladstone, “Killers of the Flower Moon”

Why I want her to win: As much as I loved Emma Stone’s wild performance as Bella Baxter in “Poor Things,” Gladstone was the heart and soul of “Flower Moon”. Her performance as Mollie Burkhart was very subtle through the emotions she was going through and I really sympathized with her character in the midst of unspeakable events she and her family face. I’ve never seen Gladstone in anything until this point and she really knocked it out of the park especially acting with two of Scorsese’s longest collaborators DiCaprio and De Niro. Gladstone also learned how to speak the Osage language in preparation for her role.

Best Actor

• Bradley Cooper – “Maestro” as Leonard Bernstein
• Colman Domingo – “Rustin” as Bayard Rustin
• Paul Giamatti – “The Holdovers” as Paul Hunham
• Cillian Murphy – “Oppenheimer” as J. Robert Oppenheimer
• Jeffrey Wright – “American Fiction” as Thelonious “Monk” Ellison

Who I want to win: Paul Giamatti, “The Holdovers” or Cillian Murphy, “Oppenheimer”

Why either should win: Cillian Murphy gave the performance of his career as J. Robert Oppenheimer, and I truly believed Murphy was Oppenheimer through his dialogue and his body language. The two best scenes with Oppenheimer are when he is giving a speech shortly after the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and he has terrifying visions. The sound drowns out and while Oppenheimer is trying to keep it cool, he can’t help but feel incredibly guilty about building the bomb. The other is right before the Trinity Test he goes up to the tower to see the bomb alone and without dialogue simply has the face of “What have I done?” 

Paul Giamatti as Paul Hunham may seem like a cynical teacher at Barton Academy but as he develops a bond with one of his students, Angus (Dominic Sessa) and Mary (Da’Vine Joy Randolph) he becomes much more sympathetic and complex especially during a scene where he explains to Angus that he was expelled from Harvard for hitting a classmate after being falsely accused of plagiarism. Paul Giamatti is cynical, heartwarming, sincere, and hilarious in the role which is very hard for an actor to nail all of those emotions and Giamatti made it seem effortless. Not a single minute was wasted when Giamatti was on screen and I really got behind the character of Paul Hunham through Giamatti’s performance.

Best Director

• Justine Triet – “Anatomy of a Fall
• Martin Scorsese – “Killers of the Flower Moon”
• Christopher Nolan – “Oppenheimer”
• Yorgos Lanthimos – “Poor Things”
• Jonathan Glazer – “The Zone of Interest”

Who I want to win: Christopher Nolan, “Oppenheimer”

Why he should win: Christopher Nolan has forever impacted the film industry in so many different ways and it’s frustrating to see that he’s never won an Academy Award despite previous nominations before. Nolan’s directing brilliantly explores Oppenheimer’s conflicted personal and professional life in a non-linear way and I learned so much more about Oppenheimer than I ever would’ve known in a History class. In the words of Lizzo, it’s “About Damn Time” for him to finally take home his Oscar that has long evaded him. When Christopher Nolan delivers, he delivers with explosive style.

Best Picture

• “American Fiction” – Ben LeClair, Nikos Karamigios, Cord Jefferson and Jermaine Johnson, producers
• “Anatomy of a Fall” – Marie-Ange Luciani and David Thion, producers
• “Barbie” – David Heyman, Margot Robbie, Tom Ackerley and Robbie Brenner, producers
• “The Holdovers” – Mark Johnson, producer
• “Killers of the Flower Moon” – Dan Friedkin, Bradley Thomas, Martin Scorsese and Daniel Lupi, producers
• “Maestro” – Bradley Cooper, Steven Spielberg, Fred Berner, Amy Durning and Kristie Macosko Krieger, producers
• “Oppenheimer” – Emma Thomas, Charles Roven and Christopher Nolan, producers
• “Past Lives” – David Hinojosa, Christine Vachon, and Pamela Koffler, producers
• “Poor Things” – Ed Guiney, Andrew Lowe, Yorgos Lanthimos and Emma Stone, producers
• “The Zone of Interest” – James Wilson, producer

What I want to win: “Oppenheimer”

Why it should win: A lot of films that came out this summer bombed such as “The Flash,” “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” and “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One,” most of them due to bloated budgets. “Oppenheimer” was not that case. It was a $100 million, 3 hour rated-R biographical drama that ended up surpassing expectations and went on to gross almost $1 billion (you can partially thank “Barbie,” also a Best Picture nominee.) Though “Oppenheimer” may not be Nolan’s best work, almost every aspect of this film from the script and direction from Nolan to the incredible performances by the cast to the editing to the story helped make this film tower over the nominees.

Overall, I am happy with the nominees and I’m glad to see that “Mission: Impossible” finally got recognized after its previous installments were overlooked. If I had to go over any snubs here’s what they would be:

• Leonardo DiCaprio for Best Actor for “Killers of the Flower Moon.”
• “The Iron Claw” for Best Picture, Director, Actor for Zac Efron, Supporting Actor for Jeremy Allen White, and Original Screenplay
• Eric Roth and Martin Scorsese for Best Adapted Screenplay for “Killers of the Flower Moon.”
• “Past Lives” for Best Director, Best Actor for Teo Yoo and Best Actress for Greta Lee.
• Charles Melton for Best Supporting Actor for “May December.”
• “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” for Best Picture, Visual Effects, Sound and Editing.
• Swap out Mark Ruffalo with Willem Dafoe for Best Supporting Actor for “Poor Things.”
• “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” for Best Original Song for “Can’t Catch Me Now” by Olivia Rodrigo.

I wish all those who were nominated the best of luck and I’m intrigued to see who ends up winning.

Commentary writer Linden Lansberry can be reached at linden.lansberry988@topper.wku.edu. 

If you would like to submit a reaction to a piece, Letter to the Editor or other submission, please send it to commentary editor Price Wilborn at herald.opinion@wku.edu or edwin.wilborn835@topper.wku.edu. 

“Madame Web” is S.J. Clarkson’s feature directorial debut starring Dakota Johnson (“Fifty Shades” Trilogy) as Sydney Sweeney (“Euphoria,” “Anyone But You”), Isabel Merced (“Sicario: Day of the Soldado,” “Instant Family”) and Celeste O’Connor (“Freaky,” “A Good Person”). Set in 2003, Cassie Webb (Dakota Johnson) tries to protect three women from Ezekiel Sims (Tahar Rahim) who wants them dead for dull reasons.

There are a few pros in this movie. There is a semi-entertaining fight scene in a diner that features Brittney Spears’ iconic song “Toxic” in a creative way. There is also a scene where Cassie looks at her dead mother’s belongings which was, until she says something, a pretty well-done scene on its own.

Several flaws haunt this dull and forgettable film. First, the script. It’s just as bad as “Morbius” especially given that it’s from the same writers. The dialogue comes off as wooden, bland and extremely stiff. The characters don’t have any sort of personality and the chemistry between them is sorely lacking.

I know Johnson, Sweeney and Merced are not bad actors, and while I haven’t seen Celeste O’Connor in anything, I’m sure she’s a good actress and has performed well in other projects. Johnson, Sweeney, Merced and O’Connor aren’t awful in this, but they aren’t good either. They all look like they would rather be somewhere else and it doesn’t help that the characters don’t spark much interest especially that they have personal problems in their lives. This could be potentially interesting and it would give the audience to care as well as making the premise far better.

Cassie comes off as unlikable which makes it really hard for audiences to get behind her. For example, after getting Julia, Anya and Mattie to safety, she goes off to research her past further while telling them to remain for three hours in the middle of nowhere. What do the girls do later on? Disobey Cassie and go into a diner and attract attention shortly before Ezekiel comes in and tries to kill them.

What is the villain’s motivation? Kill the three girls who will kill him in the future. Nothing interesting resonates in this character other than the costume, which admittedly is pretty cool. His motivation is so bad because nothing about him is threatening or menacing. He just exists because the movie needs a bad guy.

Emma Roberts is also in this movie, and while the film could’ve been better without her, removing her entirely wouldn’t be able to salvage this. She plays as Mary Parker, Ben’s pregnant sister-in-law. You can already tell where this is going. Emma, you deserve so much better given that your aunt is an Academy Award winner.

The girls in the costumes are false advertising. They get into the costumes in the future whose purpose is to set up films that will probably never happen.

Overall, while “Madame Web” may not be as bad as everyone says it is, it still suffers badly from a terrible script, boring characters, a forgettable premise and a horrible villain. It didn’t anger me, but it’s not a film I will go back to rewatch. If you’re wanting to go to the theaters, just go see “Dune: Part Two” or if you want to see a great superhero, wait for “Deadpool & Wolverine”. Just save your money and skip this film unless you’re curious about how bad this movie is. “Madame Web” earns a C-.

Commentary writer Linden Lansberry can be reached at linden.lansberry988@topper.wku.edu. 

If you would like to submit a reaction to a piece, Letter to the Editor or other submission, please send it to commentary editor Price Wilborn at herald.opinion@wku.edu or edwin.wilborn835@topper.wku.edu. 

While sugar is the classic name, it actually comes in various forms. In a way, it is a shape-shifting term for anything minutely sweet, so let’s take a look at some of its sweet avatars.

Table sugar: the pack leader, the queen bee.

This is the first image that pops into your head when you think about sugar. It is also known as sucrose, but it prefers table sugar as its nickname. It is the mascot for the team of sugars. However, it is important to note that while it is sweet on the outside, table sugar is pretty shallow. With a reputation for causing heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure, it’s a bad influence if you hang around in its company for too long. 

Aspartame: the troublemaker.

Aspartame does its job, but it is like the friend with a bad rep for causing trouble. Aspartame just wants to have fun, but it may not be in everyone’s best interest. While it acts as a sweetener, it throws subtle shade by having the potential to cause cancer. It is advisable to keep your distance. Maybe it’s the “friend” that’s really not your friend. 

Stevia: the extroverted overachiever.

Sitting on the counters in most hotels and restaurants, Stevia is the one that everyone knows as it is a commonly used sugar alternative. It is also highly likely to be found floating in your favorite can of diet soda or sparkling water. On top of that, it delivers more bounce for the ounce as it is 200 to 400 times sweeter than regular table sugar. However, it is natural and helpful to diabetics through being a low-carb option. That’s very sweet of Stevia. 

Xylitol: the counselor.

Xylitol is like a breath of fresh air as it is found in most packs of sugar-free gum. It helps others to relieve their tension by allowing itself to be sacrificed. It is every parent’s favorite child as it is sweet like sugar but harmless. In fact, it claims to reduce cavities. Though, it is important to note that Xylitol does like to gas its buddies up, so being around Xylitol for too long can cause digestive side effects. Overall, it is definitely the buddy that will stick around. 

Monk fruit: the hipster

Monk fruit has been around for a long time, and it just dances to the beat of its own drum. It is not the first type of sugar to pop into your mind, but it is definitely unforgettable once you get to know it. Being slightly outside of the mainstream of typically well-known sugars, monk fruit establishes its foundation in the sugar industry with its sidekick mogrosides. These enhance the strength of the monk fruit sweetener.  To top it off, monk fruit is a natural and zero-calorie option. It is definitely worth getting to know. 

While all of these forms of sugar have their unique traits, it is important to remember that they do have different side effects. As with any food item, it is important to maintain balance in consumption. 

Now that all of the sugar avatars have been introduced, which one will you choose to befriend? Regardless of which one becomes your new bestie, I know it will be a very sweet friendship. 

Commentary writer Vidhi Parekh can be reached at vidhi.parekh134@topper.wku.edu. 

If you would like to submit a reaction to a piece, Letter to the Editor or other submission, please send it to commentary editor Price Wilborn at herald.opinion@wku.edu or edwin.wilborn835@topper.wku.edu.

However I was kind of skeptical going into it for 2 reasons. One reason is the screenwriter, Jason Fuchs (who is also one of the producers). Though I haven’t seen his previous works, they include “Ice Age: Continental Drift” “Pan” and “I Still See You” These weren’t well received by critics. Another concern I had was the budget, which is currently tagged at $200M. This is extremely expensive for a film that is based on an original story and not based on other movies or books. So I went in with some skepticisms, but I’m happy to say that it’s actually a fun time that was worth driving 3 hours to see.

“Argylle” is directed by Matthew Vaughn (“X-Men: First Class,” “Kingsman 1 and 2,” “The King’s Man”) and it follows an introverted author, Ellie Conway (Bryce Dallas Howard), who is famous for writing a series of novels about a fictional secret agent named Argylle. But things start to get really complicated when she is thrust into a world where the events of her books begin to mirror those of reality.

What I enjoyed about the film is that it was surprisingly funny. Most of the humor comes from Aidan, played by Sam Rockwell (“Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”), who is excellent in the role. During the fight sequences early on, Ellie envisions Aidan as the real Argylle, which is both hilarious and fun to watch. Also Ellie’s cat, Alfie, who has been the center of the posters and advertising for the film, is sure to bring in laughs from the audience.

Another thing that was surprising was the amount of twists. Without giving anything away, many of them are unexpected and I kept wanting to see where the movie would go next. Some of the twists don’t make sense at first, but later on it’s revealed what’s actually going on beneath the surface, which made the premise far more unpredictable.

The action sequences are really well choreographed and fit with Matthew Vaughn’s style. He is known for making over-the-top, highly stylized action sequences like those seen in the Kingsman films and “Kick-Ass” This streak continues in “Argylle” particularly in the sequence that involves oil skating during the climax.

There are some flashbacks used in the film and the way they are shown is really creative. For example they will be used in black and white with shades of color whether it’s gold, red, green, blue or some other color.

Bryce Dallas Howard was fine in the role of Ellie Conway, but it took me until about a third of the way into the film to really get into her character. During the introduction, Ellie wasn’t a very interesting character, but once that marker hits, she goes from not super interesting to I want to know what will happen next with her character.

However, even with its surprises there comes its fair share of flaws. For those who are fans of Dua Lipa or John Cena, I’m sorry to disappoint you, but they have a severe lack of screen time. They’re both in the film for maybe 10 minutes, which is a shame because they’re in all of the advertising and posters, and I really wanted to see what they would’ve contributed. The reason for their reduced roles could’ve been that they were both in “Barbie,” but the difference is in “Barbie” they had cameos where here they’re supposed to have supporting roles. Lipa and Cena have sixth and eighth billing on the cast list, respectively, so it would’ve been nice if they had more screen time because they could’ve been potential scene stealers.

For a film that cost $200M it looks good overall, but I kept wondering to myself, aside from the cast, “where did all the money go?” The film doesn’t even look like it would cost $150M. Usually if a film costs that much, it’s Marvel, DC, Star Wars or other big franchise films. This is a similar issue I had with “Killers of the Flower Moon,” which also had the same budget. Unlike “Argylle,” “Flower Moon” takes place in 1920s Osage County and there was very little CGI involved in the film and the budget is one of the reasons it unfortunately bombed at the box office.

There are reports that “Argylle” is the first film in a planned trilogy, but with the budget being so high as well as mixed critical reviews, it could be unlikely that this will come to fruition. If the film does well financially and plans were to continue as a trilogy, I could only imagine where they could go next. Plus the film teases that there will be a sequel at the end.

Despite being a very well-paced film, it’s pretty long at 139 minutes and about 10 minutes could’ve been cut out of the film in order to further strengthen the runtime.

Overall, “Argylle” is a surprising film with multiple twists, good performances, and creative action sequences. Also, stick around for the mid-credits scene that is sure to get a reaction out of people. “Argylle” earns a B.

Commentary writer Linden Lansberry can be reached at linden.lansberry988@topper.wku.edu.

If you would like to submit a reaction to a piece, Letter to the Editor or other submission, please send it to commentary editor Price Wilborn at herald.opinion@wku.edu or edwin.wilborn835@topper.wku.edu.

Wellness Traveling

Yoga, meditation and mindful breathing are well-known as ways to improve mental health, but have you considered a trek through a forest as an equal alternative to this? There is a new trend on the rise called wellness traveling. It involves traveling in groups to a new place just for the mere multitude of benefits it has on the body. Let’s check them out!

Frequent travelers are less likely to experience bouts of depression and burnout. 

After grinding through the tedious homework, navigating the endless powerpoints and graciously writing essays, it is important to treat yourself to a well-deserved trip. After all, this light at the end of the tunnel is what motivates students to keep driving. The best part is that coming back from a trip puts us in a better place mentally to focus and do better in class. However, this expedition does not have to involve an expensive flight ticket to some place like Hawaii. Rather, it can be as simple as a trip to a nearby town or a new location in your city.

Get out of your comfort zone and work your brain. 

You can do something simple like explore different parts of a nearby city or plan a boating trip. Use your map and navigate your way around a new city. It’s a delightful way to expand your horizons and explore new places. Studies have shown that venturing to and traveling through an unfamiliar place can help the growth of neural connections in the brain. 

It can help you get better sleep. 

Going through the same monotonous routine everyday can become boring. Oftentimes, this begins to interfere with our quality of sleep. Through a quick trip outside the city, one can disrupt this schedule while still coming home to catch more z’s. On top of that, certain hotels support sleep tourism, which is the notion of incorporating sleep-inducing amenities like oil diffusers to enhance your quality of sleep during travels. After a long day of exploring the city, it is helpful to have access to tools that can facilitate your journey into dreamland for the night. 

“We travel not to escape life but for life not to escape us.” – Robyn Yong

Happy Traveling!

Commentary writer Vidhi Parekh can be reached at vidhi.parekh134@topper.wku.edu.

If you would like to submit a reaction to a piece, Letter to the Editor or other submission, please send it to commentary editor Price Wilborn at herald.opinion@wku.edu or edwin.wilborn835@topper.wku.edu.