The Student News Site of Monta Vista High School

El Estoque

The Student News Site of Monta Vista High School

El Estoque

The Student News Site of Monta Vista High School

El Estoque

Participants of the 2022 ALA Girls State convention in Missouri pose for a selfie. | Courtesy of Apple TV

“Girls State” falls victim to the female empowerment cliches it criticizes

Isabelle Kok April 15, 2024

This review contains spoilers for the documentary film “Girls State.” Retelling the narrative of an annual mock government convention of 600 teenage girls in Missouri, the documentary “Girls State”...

Kid, played by Patel, stands amongst a crowd in Yatana. Photo courtesy of Monkeypaw Productions

‘Monkey Man’ provides a visceral, modern take on Hindu mythology

As actor Dev Patel stood in front of the audience at the film festival “South by Southwest,” crying tears of joy amidst a two-minute standing ovation, audiences around the world quickly realized that...

Love Lies Bleeding brilliantly potrays complex themes of pain, identity, and love. Photo | Anna Kooris / A24

‘Love Lies Bleeding’ oozes with carnal tension and heart

Jillian Ju and Giljoon Lee March 27, 2024

“Love Lies Bleeding,” A24’s latest romantic thriller, is no stranger to love, lies or bleeding, and all three soar to new heights under director Rose Glass’s camera. Released on March 8, the movie...

“Kung Fu Panda 4” leaves audience bored and bamboo-zled

“Kung Fu Panda 4” leaves audience bored and bamboo-zled

Jillian Ju and Benjamin Zhang March 13, 2024

Light spoilers for “Kung Fu Panda 4” ahead  After seven long years of waiting, “Kung Fu Panda 4” made its debut on Friday, March 8. Expectations for the film were sky-high, especially considering...

Chani, played by Zendaya, embraces Paul, played by Timothée Chalamet. Photo by Warner Bros. Pictures

“Dune: Part Two” raises the bar for the sci-fi genre

Sagnik Nag Chowdhury March 1, 2024

After the sci-fi film “Dune” — a movie adaptation based on the “Dune” novel franchise — released in 2021 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, many were unsure if a sequel was ever going to be produced...

“Argylle” features numerous superstars and celebrities, but none fulfill expectations

“Argylle” laughably fails its own mission

Jillian Ju and Benjamin Zhang February 6, 2024

Spoilers for “Argylle” ahead  Headlined by a star-studded ensemble of names like Dua Lipa, John Cena and Samuel L. Jackson, Matthew Vaughn’s comedy action film “Argylle” promised to be a...

Mean Girls attempts to resemble its predecessor stylistically while reflecting modern trends.

“Mean Girls” arrives too early for its time

Jami Lim January 18, 2024

Released in theaters on Friday, Jan. 12, “Mean Girls” reminisces on a nostalgic era of glitzy teen rom-coms two decades after the release of its 2004 cult-classic progenitor, “Mean Girls.” With...

The featured poster of “The Marvels”, showcases the leading trio. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. Used with permission.

‘The Marvels’ is a failed attempt to propel the Marvel Cinematic Universe forward

Sagnik Nag Chowdhury and Manas Kottakota November 12, 2023

In the midst of a Marvel crisis surrounding the uncertainty of the franchise’s longevity and ability to achieve success at the box office, Marvel Studios released “The Marvels” on Friday, Nov. 10....

The Ghosted movie poster features Ana de Armas (playing Sadie Rhodes) on top of Chris Evans (playing Cole Turner) as an explosion takes place behind them.

‘Ghosted’ is yet another generic action film

Aashi Venkat April 26, 2023
Though the movie has potential, it ultimately disappoints with its writing and production
General Nanisca gets ready to charge in the battlefield. Picture used with permission from TriStar Pictures

‘The Woman King’ delivers both action and heart in a solid Hollywood Blockbuster

Sagnik Nag Chowdhury, Staff Writer September 19, 2022

As a group of men drink whiskey around a campfire, they hear a rustling in the grassy fields and are met by several armed women, led by General Nanisca, played by Viola Davis. “The Woman King,” which...

The Batman investigates a crime scene and searches for clues. Photo | Warner Bros.

‘The Batman’ is a nuanced take on a classic character

Nameek Chowdhury March 11, 2022

As the bat-signal looms over a Halloween night, “The Batman” plunges audiences into Gotham City’s underbelly. Directed by Matt Reeves and starring Robert Pattinson and Zoë Kravitz, the film released...

Paul Atreides trains to eventually take his fathers place. Photo courtesy of Legendary and Warner Bros.

‘Dune’ attempts too much at once

Nameek Chowdhury November 3, 2021

More of a fantasy-based hero’s journey than a science fiction piece, Oscar-winning director Denis Villeneuve tackles the first half of Frank Herbert’s novel “Dune” into a film adaptation which...

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