The Seahawk

REVIEW: ‘Tokyo Vice’ is an immersive, stylish and clever neon noir vision of 90s Japan

Boyce Rucker, Staff Writer • April 9, 2022

HBO Max’s “Tokyo Vice” takes us into late 1990s Japan, where the Yakuza presence affects the way policemen investigate crime and an American reporter’s efforts to write the truth. The series is based on the 2009 memoir of the same name by journalist Jake Adelstein, the first non-Japanese reporter for one of Japan’s largest newspapers, the Yomiuri Shimbun. Serving as the pilot’s director and executive producer, filmmaker Michael Mann makes a return to television after a long absence. A master of crime drama, Mann implants his distinctive procedural style and noir elements into the series. Based on its first three episodes, “Tokyo Vice'' is one of the most stylish and clever crime shows to grace streaming this year.

REVIEW: UNCW’s ‘The Moors’ mixes 19th century Brontë class and comedy with Hitchcock’s horror and suspense

Kiley Woods, Photography Editor • April 8, 2022

Set on the dreary, haunting moors of England, this story features a twisting roller-coaster ride of events and secrets that cannot help but pull the audience in, only to keep them in the dark. Early uncertainty in the show is reminiscent of Hitchcock's mysteries such as Rebecca, with all the beauty, class and attitude of society women in Brontë’s classic novel Jane Eyre.

Was it worth it? Revisiting March’s film, TV and music

Eriq Dixon, Emma Geiszler, and Boyce Rucker • April 7, 2022

After a week of being in April, The Seahawk decided to take a look at a few of the films, TV shows and albums we did not cover during March. Staff writers Eriq Dixon, Emma Geiszler and Boyce Rucker reflect on some gems from the past month, determining in these mini reviews whether the experience was worth it.

BOOK CLUB: Revere ‘The Overstory’ with The Seahawk

Abigail Celoria, Culture Editor • April 4, 2022

The Seahawk book club returns with another exciting pick for April! This month’s selection is “The Overstory,” Richard Powers’ compelling 2019 Pulitzer Prize winner. Published in 2018, “The...

BOOK CLUB: ‘Black Cake’ mixes together multiple themes for the perfect familial tale

Abigail Celoria, Culture Editor • April 2, 2022

The Seahawk’s March book club pick “Black Cake” is a treat from start to finish. If you are looking for a novel that explores identity and complex family ties, “Black Cake” is for you. Folding a mother’s tragic past into the present lives of her children, this novel brilliantly discusses how our origins, known to us or not, shape our lives.

REVIEW: ‘Moon Knight’ is a strangely compelling addition to the MCU

Boyce Rucker, Staff Writer • April 1, 2022

Disney+’s Marvel shows have so far proven to be strong additions to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While the movies give us the epic narratives factoring into a larger story arc, the shows give more personable stories. Ones like “Hawkeye,” “WandaVision” and “Loki” give us introspective looks into central characters that the films can’t always allot within a two-hour runtime. “Moon Knight,” the latest series, stands out for being the first Disney+ series to adapt a new hero to headline their own show. Its first episode out of six shows promise in the series being a mind-bending and exhilarating thrill-ride unlike anything Marvel’s done before.

UNCW creative writing students pay homage to North Carolina with poetry reading

Olivia Vizethann, Staff Writer • March 31, 2022

The Cameron Art Museum is home to many beautiful exhibits and interactive events all year round. This weekend, they will be a host to not only new visual artists, but poets as well. On April 1, a handful of UNCW creative writing students, both in the BFA and MFA programs, will be a part of a live exhibit, showcasing their talents in poetry and paying homage to the theme “State of the Art.”

Highlights from the 18th North Carolina Black Film Festival

Eriq Dixon, Staff Writer • March 30, 2022

On the weekend of March 25-27, the Black Arts Alliance (BAA) held the 18th annual North Carolina Black Film Festival (NCBFF). From student shorts to feature length movies, the NCBFF hosts a wide variety of films from artists around the world. Recent years have brought challenges for the festival, to say the least. With Hurricane Florence in 2018 and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, this year saw the festival’s in-person return with a great turnout.

The Seahawk’s predictions for the 2022 Oscars

Boyce Rucker and Eriq Dixon • March 26, 2022

The Seahawk’s staff writers Eriq Dixon and Boyce Rucker share their own predictions for the 2022 Oscars. Being impassioned film-watchers, their dialogue promotes the deservance of respective films, performances, screenplays and their cultural significance. They focus here on the “Big Five” award categories, including Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Screenplay (Original or Adapted) and Best Director, in making their predictions.

REVIEW: Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas can’t save ‘Deep Water’ from sinking

Boyce Rucker, Staff Writer • March 20, 2022

“Deep Water” is an underwhelming and unfulfilling thriller that offers no suspense or closure. It’s hard to invest in when its characters and story fall flat. The film drowns in mediocrity as it fails to capitalize on the opportunities to make it strong, particularly in Affleck and de Armas.

8 shows and movies to watch after ‘Euphoria’

Boyce Rucker, Staff Writer • March 16, 2022

Going through “Euphoria” withdrawal? Not to worry, there are plenty of other options to hold us over until the show returns. Whether we watch “Euphoria” for its adolescent themes, striking visuals,...

REVIEW: ‘Turning Red’ has a lot of heart but falls short of Pixar greatness

Eriq Dixon, Staff Writer • March 13, 2022

"Turning Red" may not be Pixar’s most amazing film despite what it does offer. It’s childishly entertaining, easy on the eyes and features memorable characters that are sure to win the hearts of many. However, because the story fails to make any real attempt at a subtle approach to its theme, it loses emotional impact. It’s truly unfortunate that “Turning Red” is only a good movie when it could have been a great one.