Film

Carol Ford portrays Aunt Nancy in “Aunt Nancy and Old Man Trouble,” a short film by Raleigh Van Natta. (Photo courtesy Raleigh Van Natta)

Local filmmakers given spotlight at Winter Film Series

The series is an offering of short films intended to spark discussion about film in the local community

Carol Ford portrays Aunt Nancy in “Aunt Nancy and Old Man Trouble,” a short film by Raleigh Van Natta. (Photo courtesy Raleigh Van Natta)
Promotional photo courtesy Toho Studios
From left, Yuki Yamada portrays Shiro Mizushima, Hidetaka Yoshioka portrays Kenji Noda, Kuranosuke Sasaki portrays Yoji Akitsu and Ryunosuke Kamiki portrays Koichi Shikishima in “Godzilla Minus One.”

On the Screen: New ‘Godzilla’ surprises as one of the year’s best movies

The film shines not because of a giant computer-generated monster, but instead because of its emotional narrative grounded in humanity, history and politics

Promotional photo courtesy Toho Studios
From left, Yuki Yamada portrays Shiro Mizushima, Hidetaka Yoshioka portrays Kenji Noda, Kuranosuke Sasaki portrays Yoji Akitsu and Ryunosuke Kamiki portrays Koichi Shikishima in “Godzilla Minus One.”
Marvel Studios

On the Screen: ‘Marvels’ messy but very fun

Where the film shines is in the stellar performances of its three leads

Marvel Studios
Promotional photo courtesy Paramount Pictures
Lily Gladstone portrays Mollie Kyle and Leonardo DiCaprio portrays Ernest Burkhart in “Killers of the Flower Moon.”

On the Screen: ‘Flower Moon’ a grueling historical spotlight

Throughout “Killers,” Scorsese depicts failings of society and personal relationships

Promotional photo courtesy Paramount Pictures
Lily Gladstone portrays Mollie Kyle and Leonardo DiCaprio portrays Ernest Burkhart in “Killers of the Flower Moon.”
Promotional image courtesy Taylor Swift Productions
Taylor Swift performs songs from her album “Lover” in “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour.”

On the Screen: An emotional spectacle

Taylor Swift’s ‘Eras Tour’ brings intensity of stage to screen

Promotional image courtesy Taylor Swift Productions
Taylor Swift performs songs from her album “Lover” in “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour.”
Madeleine Yuna Voyles portrays Alphie in “The Creator.” (Photo courtesy 20th Century Studios)

On the Screen: ‘Creator’ a visual delight, thematically light

The film shows off a thought-provoking and vividly realized original setting, even if it fails to capitalize on its own ideas

Madeleine Yuna Voyles portrays Alphie in “The Creator.” (Photo courtesy 20th Century Studios)
Kenneth Branagh portrays Hercule Poirot in “A Haunting in Venice.” (Photo courtesy 20th Century Studios)

On the Screen: Murder most haunting

Hercule Poirot takes on supernatural in latest Agatha Christie adaptation

Kenneth Branagh portrays Hercule Poirot in “A Haunting in Venice.” (Photo courtesy 20th Century Studios)
Taylor Zakhar Perez portrays Alex Claremont-Diaz and Nicholas Galitzine portrays Prince Henry in “Red, White and Royal Blue.” (Photo courtesy Amazon Studios)

On the Screen: A romance for idealists

‘Red, White and Royal Blue’ a surprisingly biting romcom

Taylor Zakhar Perez portrays Alex Claremont-Diaz and Nicholas Galitzine portrays Prince Henry in “Red, White and Royal Blue.” (Photo courtesy Amazon Studios)
Xolo Maridueña portrays Jaime Reyes, Blue Beetle in “Blue Beetle.” (Photo courtesy WarnerMedia)

On the Screen: ‘Blue Beetle’ is fun, but offers little new

A new superhero film needs to be great to earn attention

Xolo Maridueña portrays Jaime Reyes, Blue Beetle in “Blue Beetle.” (Photo courtesy WarnerMedia)
The Orca Theater is seen on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Discounted tickets at local theaters Sunday for National Cinema Day

All tickets discounted to $4 at Kenai Cinema and Orca Theater on Aug. 27

The Orca Theater is seen on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
April O'Neil, Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello and Raphael gather around a cell phone in "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem." (Photo courtesy Paramount)

On the Screen: ‘Turtles’ reboot a fun and fresh take on familiar story

The Turtles don’t exactly have a sterling reputation on the silver screen

April O'Neil, Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello and Raphael gather around a cell phone in "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem." (Photo courtesy Paramount)
Promotional material for both “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer.” (Photos courtesy WarnerMedia and Universal Pictues)

On the Screen: ‘Barbie’ and ‘Oppenheimer’ together spark excitement at the cinema

The double feature, despite or perhaps because of how silly it is, totally worked

Promotional material for both “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer.” (Photos courtesy WarnerMedia and Universal Pictues)
Robin Williams as Walter Finch and Al Pacino as Will Dormer in “Insomnia.” (Photo courtesy WarnerMedia)

On the Screen: Nolan disappoints in 2002’s ‘Insomnia’

In preparation of Nolan’s latest cinematic feat, “Oppenheimer,” some friends and I have been rewatching past films

Robin Williams as Walter Finch and Al Pacino as Will Dormer in “Insomnia.” (Photo courtesy WarnerMedia)
Riz Ahmed’s Ballister Boldheart and Chloë Grace Moretz’s Nimona peer through the window of a subway car at a contingent of knights waiting to arrest them in “Nimona.” (Photo courtesy Annapurna Pictures)

On the Screen: ‘Nimona’ challenges rigid systems, celebrates individuality

In a futuristic fantasy setting, two unlikely allies are forced together — a heroic knight framed for murder and a shape-shifting child looking for revenge… Continue reading

Riz Ahmed’s Ballister Boldheart and Chloë Grace Moretz’s Nimona peer through the window of a subway car at a contingent of knights waiting to arrest them in “Nimona.” (Photo courtesy Annapurna Pictures)
Matt Damon appears as Sonny Vaccaro in "Air." (Photo courtesy Amazon Studios)

Shoes are the star in riveting ‘Air’

I don’t know much about basketball. I know less about Nike, and, to me, Jordan is mostly just the guy from “Space Jam.”

Matt Damon appears as Sonny Vaccaro in "Air." (Photo courtesy Amazon Studios)
The Kenai Cinema on Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai Cinema announces discounted summer movie program

On Wednesdays and Thursdays, an animated children’s film and a “Harry Potter” film will be played at 10 a.m.

The Kenai Cinema on Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Miles Morales, played by Shameik Moore, finds himself opposed by a legion of Spider-People in “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.” (Promotional image courtesy Sony Pictures)

On the Screen: ‘Across the Spider-Verse’ is somehow again groundbreaking

It’s unlike anything else in theaters. It shouldn’t be missed.

Miles Morales, played by Shameik Moore, finds himself opposed by a legion of Spider-People in “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.” (Promotional image courtesy Sony Pictures)
Photo courtesy Walt Disney Studios
Halle Bailey portrays Ariel, alongside Flounder, voiced by Jacob Tremblay, in “The Little Mermaid.”

‘Little Mermaid’ sings (mostly) the same tunes in remake

“The Little Mermaid” is in many ways indistinguishable from the version that debuted in 1989

Photo courtesy Walt Disney Studios
Halle Bailey portrays Ariel, alongside Flounder, voiced by Jacob Tremblay, in “The Little Mermaid.”
The Orca Theater is seen on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Orca kicks off kids summer movie series this month

This is the seventh year of “Kids Summer Fun”

The Orca Theater is seen on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Promotional image for "Nourishing the Kenai." (Photo courtesy Kenai Local Food Connection)

Local food doc to debut next week

Kenai Local Food Connection will next week host the first public screening of a new documentary, “Nourishing the Kenai.” The free showing will be held… Continue reading

Promotional image for "Nourishing the Kenai." (Photo courtesy Kenai Local Food Connection)