Despite the recent drama stirred among the cast of “Don’t Worry Darling”, Olivia Wilde’s newest feature remained an anticipated release. With the director of “Booksmart” and a star-studded cast behind it, it seemed to guarantee excellence. However, the final product is not quite the powerhouse thriller that moviegoers anticipated. The film’s disjointed writing falls apart by the conclusion, failing to capitalize on its own potential.

As Olivia Wilde prepares for her sophomore feature film directorial debut with “Don’t Worry Darling,” she aspires to match, or even surpass, the extremely positive audience reaction from her first feature, “Booksmart.” However, despite Wilde’s artistic credibility, the discourse following the film’s premiere at the Venice Film Festival, both public and critical, primarily concerns the drama between the main cast and director rather than the content of the film. Although there is no specific person to blame for the complete mess that was this film’s premiere, the different scandals all lead back to one common factor: Olivia Wilde herself. Although she could be to blame for the spectacle, one can't help but wonder if it would all be as big of a deal if the director was a man.

Whether in theaters or on streaming platforms, this summer had a lot to offer when it comes to great entertainment. After spending summer break away, The Seahawk decided to take a look at some of the films and TV we were unable to cover. Staff writers Anna Ford, Bradley Earnshaw, Eriq Dixon and Lanie Padgett have compiled a list of the best of the summer, each with a summary and spoiler-free review.

As students settle back into life on campus, so does UNCW’s new Chancellor, Dr. Aswani Volety. On July 1, 2022, Dr. Volety returned to UNCW to serve as the university’s seventh Chancellor. Volety, who previously served in the role of Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and Executive Director of the Center for Marine Science, brings with him decades worth of education and research experience, particularly in the field of marine science.

Welcome to another year with The Seahawk! Our book club returns to lessen the stress of a new semester with a compelling September read. Our selection for this month is “Beautiful World, Where Are You” by beloved Irish author Sally Rooney.

Seabreeze: A Literary Diaspora celebrated the release of its second issue on Feb. 23, with its first issue published the previous year. With two issues and a full staff, Seabreeze joins the ranks of UNCW’s creative magazines. The publication was founded in 2019 by graduating student Lauran Jones. A literary arts enthusiast who was looking to increase diversity in the arts on campus, Jones leaves a legacy in Seabreeze.

The Seahawk’s April book club pick “The Overstory” is a read that will leave you looking at the natural world in wonder. If you are interested in works that transcend the traditional story format, “The Overstory” is for you. A masterful, branching work of fiction, this environmentalist narrative breaks the mold by giving trees the spotlight.

"Along For The Ride” is a heartfelt adaptation of Dessen’s novel that pulls at our heartstrings to tell a passionate coming-of-age story about spiritual independence. Wilmington and its sibling towns help bring the film’s setting to life while capturing lighthearted teen culture. The film is one of the better YA films in recent memory and one that paints a vivid picture of North Carolina.

“The Northman” is a masterful film for Eggers that showcases his capabilities with a greater budget than his previous works. Despite going from A24’s niche distribution to major studio backing from Focus Features, Eggers maintains the artistic flourishes that made his first two films worthy of acclaim. This film is an unforgettable experience that will stay with viewers for some time after watching.

UNCW’s chapter of the Plastic Ocean Project organization, a nonprofit local to Wilmington, is one of the largest clubs on campus. Its eco-friendly focus attracts like-minded students in the pursuit of personal and public involvement with key environmental issues. UNCW POP balances camaraderie and fun in meetings with activism through organized events, contributing to UNCW’s reputation as a sustainable campus. With this school year drawing to a close, the club’s leadership is under transition for the 2022-2023 year. Emily Willis will serve as the new president of UNCW POP.

Celebrities are successful people due to their talents, but that shouldn’t exempt them from legal penalties or a lack of healthy coping methods. Not many of us can account for what the entertainment industry is like on the inside, but we can see how much it factors into a person’s image. This year’s Oscars only remind us of why putting celebrities on a pedestal does no more good than bad. In acting this way, we are disregarding the fact that celebrities are normal people, just like us. We can still admire and appreciate their talent, but we should never forget that they’re humans, with personal struggles, who have the capacity to act in both good and bad manners. Smith’s assault on Rock is as much a cautionary event as it is a controversial one.

On April 7, the Cultural Arts Building opened its Senior Art Exhibition, featuring the work of 23 graduating seniors majoring in Studio Art. The exhibit is a capstone requirement for seniors in the major. The exhibition is located in the Art Gallery and in the upstairs Mezzanine Gallery of the Cultural Arts Building. It is now open to the public Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. until May 14.