Emily Henry never fails to exceed reader’s expectations, and her recent release, “Happy Place,” is no exception. I haven’t had the pleasure of reading all of Henry’s books, but “Happy Place” is the perfect follow-up to her three most recent romance titles, all of which I have read: “People We Meet On Vacation,” “Beach Read,” and “Book Lovers.” “Happy Place,” published on April 25, will find a new spot in all readers’ hearts.
Anna Ford, Assistant Culture Editor
• May 13, 2023
In a bittersweet and satisfying conclusion to the beloved trilogy, “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” (“Vol. 3”) follows the events of "Thor: Love and Thunder" as Peter Quill (Chris Pratt)—a.k.a “Star-Lord”—and the rest of the team race to save Rocket's (Bradley Cooper) life and come to terms with their ever-shifting group dynamics.
Ari Aster’s third theatrical release, “Beau Is Afraid,” is undoubtedly his most daunting from a viewer’s perspective. It is a three-hour display of Murphy’s Law, where everything that can go wrong does go wrong. While Aster’s first two films “Hereditary” (2018) and “Midsommar” (2019) were certainly horror films, “Beau Is Afraid” is equal parts comedy, drama and horror. With each unfolding of events, the number of possible interpretations of the story grows as the lines blur between reality, dreams, nightmares and hallucinations.
What was once regarded as a cringe teen summer show is now a national hit. “Outer Banks” returns for its long-awaited third season, chock full of potential. Audiences left off with the Pogues once again taking the hit, while the Camerons got away with the treasure. Will the Pogues be able to right last season’s wrongs? Or is something entirely new in store for them?
A romantic drama set along the English coast, the stylistic setting and poignant performances found in “My Policeman” leave audiences with a beautiful message about finding love and coming to terms with our innermost identity.
The Seahawk book club welcomes fall with a pick fitting the season. This month’s selection is “Unlikely Animals” by Annie Hartnett, a one-of-a-kind read.
The Seahawk’s September book club pick “Beautiful World, Where Are You” is the perfect existential read to curl up with this fall. If you enjoy realistic fiction centered around interpersonal relationships, this novel is for you. Exploring themes of friendship, romance and humanity, “Beautiful World, Where Are You” offers an intimate look into what makes us tick.
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.
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.
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.
