The Seahawk

REVIEW: Cucalorus finishes up with ‘After Blue,’ a French throwback to ‘80s sci-fi fantasy films

Boyce Rucker, Intern • November 16, 2021

The premise of the film is intriguing and feels new, but the narrative is incoherent and lacks depth. As previously mentioned, aesthetics, world-building and production design are the film’s strong points. But for these elements to be effective, the film needs a deeper narrative to be able to convey these ideas and lend itself to a deeper meaning. The characters are not well-developed either, it seems like they are objects meant to simply advance the film, rather than fleshed out characters we can root for and relate to. Roxy could be an interesting character, but there is no easy way for us to connect with her character, or recognize any development for her beyond sexual desires.

REVIEW: Cucalorus presents a graphic display of Romanian scandal in ‘Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn’

Boyce Rucker, Intern • November 15, 2021

“Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn” strays from what we would expect from Western cinema to deliver a social critique of human apathy. Its themes and aesthetics are effective and present a larger universal theme about the disconnect in human empathy. After watching it, there is no mystery to why it was selected as the Romanian entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 94th Academy Awards.

REVIEW: ‘Hellbender’ is a mystifying film about turning your back on heaven

Grace Hall, Contributing Writer • November 15, 2021

The overarching narrative of family, the relationship between mother and daughter, the cycle of nature and life and the power of death, fear and otherness leave lots to think about among viewers. The Adams’ family’s relationship dynamic plays out within the movie, making it all the more memorable.

REVIEW: Cucalorus documentary ‘Theirs is the Kingdom’ paints an Asheville community in divine image

Brenna Flanagan, Editor-in-Chief • November 14, 2021

In justifying the mural, the film and its subjects examine who gets to benefit from art and who gets to be represented in art. It questions the often-elitist notion of art as luxury and instead suggests that art is crucial for misunderstood or underrepresented communities. It is necessary that they feel seen, and in a world that often chooses to look away from those standing on street corners, art can represent people as humans worthy of being admired. The audience takes home a much deeper lesson on the intersection between art, religion and humanity.

REVIEW: ‘The Oxy Kingpins’ mainlines a shot of reality to Cucalorus 2021

Niko Giammanco, Contributing Writer • November 13, 2021

Like a “sit-down” between Big Pharma and “The Godfather,” “The Oxy Kingpins,” a documentary directed by Brendan Fitzgerald (also known for Gaycation) and Nick August-Perna (also known for The Swell Season), delivers an in-your-face take on the hypocrisy of capitalism and its ability to skirt justice for the sake of money, causing the intentional pain of millions of addicted Americans, with no hint of remorse insight.

REVIEW: ‘We’re All In This Together’ is a remarkable dysfunctional family film

Stephen Lambros, Contributing Writer • November 13, 2021

“We’re All In This Together” signals a promising future for star and filmmaker Boland. With this captivating film, Boland can surely harness her vision for characters and story to move forward in the industry as an actress and a director. All in all, “We’re All In This Together” tells a chaotic, humorous, and earnest tale of the mending of familial bonds and the unyielding devotion coming along beside it.

REVIEW: ‘Wuhan Wuhan’ explores a new perspective of the COVID-19 pandemic

Stephen Lambros, Contributing Writer • November 13, 2021

All in all, “Wuhan Wuhan” is a heartfelt and deeply human time capsule that deserves to be seen by many people. The film effectively shows that while the coronavirus affected people on a global scale, the human race is more than capable of overcoming it.

REVIEW: Cucalorus kicks off with enticing curiosity in ‘A Sexplanation’

Boyce Rucker, Intern • November 12, 2021

Sexuality is one of the largest taboos across America. It’s a catalyst for the youth’s curiosity and a component for countless ongoing debates, such as birth control and advertising. Furthermore, a more personable issue lies in society’s suppression and weaponization of sex and sexuality. Filmmaker Alex Liu’s feature-length documentary “A Sexplanation” explores the flaws in America’s sex education and offers subjective, yet convincing, thoughts on sexual behavior.

27th Cucalorus Festival kicks off in downtown Wilmington

Grace Hall, Contributing Writer • November 9, 2021

Though this festival is a continuation of an annual tradition, it never fails to introduce some of the up-and-coming names in the film and music industry, bringing light to topics needing representation in media. Whether you are a film geek, a fan of good music, or simply a festival-goer interested in modern media, Cuculorus welcomes all.

REVIEW: Serial killer Dexter Morgan makes a bold and bloody return in ‘Dexter: New Blood’

Boyce Rucker, Intern • November 8, 2021

“Dexter: New Blood” delivers a stunning reintroduction to Dexter Morgan that’s promising to old fans and accessible to new ones. Showtime’s revival series shows promise in being a nostalgic trip that lives up to its predecessor.

REVIEW: ‘Spencer’ is a more striking artistic fable than a Princess Diana biopic

Abigail Celoria, Contributing Writer • November 7, 2021

“Spencer” is not quite narrative in the traditional sense. Sequences without consequence to the plot make up the majority of its end, opting instead to swath the Princess in a fantastic, symbolic air. While this is not necessarily something to dislike, it does not fit as neatly into the genre as some viewers may have expected. This film is likely to be polarizing amongst both general audiences and fans of Diana, who go in anticipating a biopic but come out with an entirely different experience.

REVIEW: An exploration of humanity through the eyes of ‘Eternals’ shakes up the Marvel formula

Boyce Rucker, Intern • November 6, 2021

“Eternals” is not the best film to come out of the MCU, but it’s an invitation to an ever-expanding future for the cinematic universe. Director Chloé Zhao presents a reflective film that elevates the scope of the MCU. Despite its shortcomings, Zhao’s creative freedom demonstrates the range of themes and new ideas that Marvel Studios may allow directors to produce in the future.