Film Reviews

Scream

By David Vicari

There is such little care in titling sequels these days that they can’t even lazily stick a number on the end, hence the new Scream movie, which is titled simply Scream, but it is actually the fifth Scream. Anyway, I found Scream (2022) to be the best Scream movie since Scream 2 (1997), which is my personal favorite in this slasher series.

The new Scream is bloody, scary, funny, subversive, and meta as hell. It opens like the original Scream (1996), with a teenage girl home alone receiving a sinister phone call. The caller quizzes her on horror movies, and if she gets the questions wrong, it’s curtains for her. As usual, the call is from someone disguised in a Ghostface mask and using an electronic voice changer. This time, however, the victim, Tara (Jenna Ortega), survives, resulting in her troubled and estranged sister Sam (Melissa Barrera) re-entering her life.

Soon, classic characters from the original films return. First, former deputy Dewey Riley (David Arquette) is asked by Sam to help with the case. Then, news woman Gail Weathers (Courteney Cox) begins investigating, and lastly, “original final girl” Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) shows up after the bodies start piling up.

Scream 5 plays out like a reboot or, as characters in the actual movie say, “a requel.” Yes, the characters we know and love turn up to pass the torch to a new, younger cast of characters. Of course, the new movie replicates set pieces from the first film, but the filmmakers add some wicked twists, and that is what really makes this one work. That, and the emotional drama at its core is good, even if it does slow the middle of the movie down a bit.

In all the Scream movies, it feels kind of forced when characters go through the rules of horror movies, but there are some hilarious riffs on the lameness of reboots here. There is a funny jab at the recent Star Wars sequels, specifically The Last Jedi. Hell, there is even a sly reference to Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood.

This is the first Scream not directed by Wes Craven, who sadly passed away in 2015. The directors, Matt BettinelliOlpin and Tyler Gillett (Ready or Not), and writers, James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick, are respectful of Craven’s legacy.

The Tragedy of Macbeth

By Fritz Esker

Drector Joel Coen has a wildly varied filmography (Miller’s Crossing, Fargo, The Big Lebowski, No Country for Old Men) and he’s made another dramatic gear shift with The Tragedy of Macbeth.

Based on Shakespeare’s classic play, The Tragedy of Macbeth tells the story of Scottish lord Macbeth (Denzel Washington), whose ambition leads him to murder the king (Brendan Gleeson). Macbeth’s wife (Frances McDormand) enthusiastically encourages the murder plot.

If you’ve ever read the play or seen it performed on stage, chances are you know going in if you will find this worthwhile. My biggest criticism is one I would also level at the play. Macbeth is one of Shakespeare’s least sympathetic tragic leads. He is a greedy murderer, and it’s hard to care much about what happens to him or his wife at the end of the play.

However, much of the dialogue remains strong (the “tomorrow, tomorrow, and tomorrow” speech is still chilling). Washington and McDormand, as expected, do fine work in the lead roles. And Coen’s use of black and white photography, combined with a sparse staging, gives the film a visually striking look. The characters may leave you cold, but the images will stick in your mind for a while.

The 355

By Fritz Esker

There could be a great female spy movie franchise waiting to happen, but Simon Kinberg’s new thriller The 355 sadly isn’t the start of one.

Jessica Chastain plays an American secret agent who must team up with other female international operatives (Diane Kruger, Lupita Nyong’o, Fan Bingbing), as well as an endangered therapist (Penelope Cruz), to stop a decryption drive from falling into the wrong hands. If the bad guys get it, they can use it to do things like crash airplanes, destroy power grids, etc. (sort of like the MacGuffin from the far superior 1992 film Sneakers).

Action movies depend on having strong villains. Even if the audience knows the hero/heroine will likely win, they have to feel as if the villain is too strong/smart to defeat. But The 355’s baddies are bland, dull non-entities. It never feels as if the heroines are up against impossible odds. The staging of the action scenes is also largely forgettable and the outcomes seem like a formality. Of the cast, Kruger acquits herself the best as the German operative.

Tucks Razes the Bar Tucks Razes the Bar Tucks has been seldomly known to follow all of the norms when it comes to carnival as it celebrates its 53rd year gracing the city of New Orleans with its irreverence. Founded in 1969, the Krewe of Tucks has its roots in New Orleans starting at Loyola by students who decided to create their own Carnival krewe after unsuccessfully trying to become white flambeaux carriers. This year the Krewe rolls celebrating the most unique Royals in Tucks (and possibly carnival) history. King Chris Beary, his daughters, Queens Caroline and Claire Beary, and Princess Mary Catherine Beary. The King and his Royal Court are excited to roll down the route and bring back the missing carnival joy to our city!

King William Christopher (“Chris”) Beary

In over 30 years with Tucks Chris is elated about reigning as King Tucks LIII. Chris captains several signature floats in Tucks, including, the infamous Funky Tucks, Funky Fox, Love Child and Funky Uncle Lounge. Chris has a unique and uplifting spirit wishing to bring culture, music and funk to the people! In his endeavors outside of Tucks he has practiced law for over 25 years while co-founding non-profits across the city directly impacting our community. Chris loves New Orleans and its culture and is excited to celebrate his reign with his Daughters Caroline (22), Claire (20), & Mary Catherine (18) this year. King Tucks LIII wishes everyone a wonderful Mardi Gras and looks forward to seeing all his family and friends during his reign! Queens Caroline & Claire Beary Princess Mary Catherine Beary

Caroline is a senior English major, and member of Tri-delta sorority at Wake Forest University. Claire is a Sophomore marketing major at the University of Tennessee and M.C. is a senior at McGhee High School with aspirations of attending Sewanee or the University of Colorado-Boulder. All 3 monarchs have major interests in moving back to New Orleans once college is finished, pursuing a variety of passions. From Marketing, law to music, all 3 Beary girls have not fallen too far from the “Funk Tree” that Chris planted many years ago. In one way, shape or form, the Tucks Royals all represent a unique part of Tucks and our endless passion to bring culture, people and community together. May all of us have a wonderful reign and a safe carnival for all this year!