Classics: A Review of Cobra Kai Season Five By Lauren Ennis

 "Just when you think things are going good everything falls apart" Johnny Lawrence warned his students in the first season of Cobra Kai.  Four seasons later Johnny, Daniel, and their students will learn just how valid this lesson was as the series enters its darkest chapter yet. In the wake of the shocking season four finale Daniel, Johnny, and company struggle to move forward even as the machinations of Terry Silver conjure the demons of the past. Even as it offers the highest stakes yet the season continues to offer the knockout combination of humor, nostalgia, emotion, and action that has made the series a hit. Join Johnny and Daniel for their most badass adventure yet in season five of Cobra Kai.

The dream team

The story picks up where season four left off with each of the characters reeling in the wake of the devastating finale. Johnny and Robby attempt to rebuild their relationship while pursuing Miguel after he fled to Mexico in search of his father. Meanwhile, Daniel, Sam, and the students of Miyagi-Do come to terms with their loss at the All Valley Karate Tournament. Even as our heroes face their own struggles, however, a larger threat looms in the form of Terry Silver who has expanded Cobra Kai across the valley after successfully framing John Kreese for attempted murder. With familiar foes, unlikely alliances, and twists that are sure to keep you on your toes, season five kicks Cobra Kai into its highest gear yet.

In its fifth outing Cobra Kai delivers an absolute knock out. The story takes our heroes on their darkest adventure yet as each of them are forced to face adversaries within and without. Golden boy Daniel and his teen queen daughter, Sam, embark upon particularly fascinating journeys. While Daniel has always been the show's voice of reason, he finds himself entering a downward spiral when confronted with the manipulations of his old nemesis, Terry Silver. Similarly, confident Sam is overcome with indecision and uncertainty when she is faced with her deteriorating relationship with Miguel and the closure of Miyagi-Do. Villain John Kreese encounters a similar experience as he is forced to finally confront the demons of his past while in prison. Even as it takes several characters into decidedly gritty territory, this season also sees Johnny and Robby undergo transformations for the better as they use their past mistakes and traumas as motivation to meet new challenges. With the rise of Terry Silver and his new partner in crime, sensei Kim, the series ups its ante once again delivering some of the most high kicking drama and action to ever grace the small screen. For viewing that always packs a punch enter the dojo with Cobra Kai.

The series continues its winning streak thanks to the brilliant work of its cast. Mary Mouse showcases a darker side of Sam as she struggles to find balance after her loss to Tory. Tanner Buchanan infuses Robby with maturity along with his signature charisma in his portrayal of Robby's efforts to come to terms with his past. Xolo Mariduena expertly blends boyish charm, earnestness, and vulnerability in his depiction of Miguel's journey of self discovery. Peyton List proves to be this season's MVP amongst its younger cast members as she ventures beyond Tory's gruff exterior and explores her traumatic past and morally conflicted present. Martin Kove continues to prove why Johnn Kreese is Cobra Kai in his magnetic turn as the merciless sensei. Yuji Okumoto steals each scene in which he appears as Daniel's rival turned ally, Chozen. Sean Kanan offers a nuanced performance as the bad boy who made good Mike Barnes. Thomas Ian Griffith earns his place as the series' most formidable foe yet in a truly chilling turn as the sadistic Terry Silver. Even in the midst of an exemplary supporting cast the series belongs to Ralph Macchio and William Zabka as bitter rivals turned reluctant allies Daniel Larusso and Johnny Lawrence. The duo are at their most mesmerizing yet as Macchio offers a darker, edgier, take on Daniel as he struggles with Silver's manipulations, while Zabka treats viewers to a wiser, more mature, and ultimately heroic Johnny.

After five seasons Cobra Kai continues to kick the competition. Through a script that pays loving homage to The Karate Kid franchise while offering fresh and innovative entertainment the series continues to be a champ amongst long time fans and new viewers alike. The returning cast continue to expand upon their characters while this season's newcomers pack punches of their own. With its signature blend of thrilling action, uproarious comedy, heartfelt emotion, and original storytelling Cobra Kai shows that it still has plenty of bite. For the best viewing around hit the mat with Cobra Kai.

Yes, sensei!

Classics: A Review of The Craft By Lauren Ennis

"Relax, its just magic", so goes the tagline of the 1996 cult (or is that occult?) classic The Craft. The film's four lead witches quickly learn, however, just how dark and less than relaxing magic can be. At once a classic warning to be careful what you wish for and a tale of modern girl power the film offers all of the requisite Halloween thrills and chills with a side of 90's nostalgia. This Halloween, curl up with some of that old black magic courtesy of The Craft.

The story begins with Sarah and her widowed father moving to Los Angeles. Her awkward adjustment at her new school is made all the more difficult after the class heartthrob spreads rumors about her when she rejects his sexual advances. Even though the rumors leave her ostracized, she soon draws the attention of class misfits and would be witches Nancy, Rochelle, and Bonnie. When Bonnie witnesses Sarah using telekinesis to balance a pencil the girls welcome Sarah as the fourth member of their witches' coven. What Sarah assumes is harmless fun quickly reveals itself to be something more when the curses that the girls' cast begin coming true. As the girls' magic strengthens, so too does their desire for vengeance and power. Before you can say abrakadabra the coven find themselves in a downward spiral into the depths of dark magic, and its up to Sarah to pull them all out before its too late.

The film aptly blends adolescent drama with supernatural thrills for a Halloween treat that satisfies throughout the year. The film avoids resorting to such clichés as black cats, old crones, and cauldrons and instead offers viewers a foursome that is equal parts formidable and relateable. Rochelle's battles with racist bullies and Bonnie's insecurity and trauma following a disfiguring car accident prove believable and heartfelt. Similarly, Sarah's efforts to overcome survivor's remorse and depression in the wake of her mother's death are nothing short of haunting. Perhaps most devastating is Nancy's hellish home life in which the film implies she suffers emotional, physical, and sexual abuse. The girls' efforts to use their powers to improve their lives speaks to the desire for something better in us all. Even their attempts to use magic to exact revenge on those who have wronged them appeals to our sense of schadenfreude. As the story continue, however, they find that they aren't satisfied with their powers and begin seeking revenge beyond merely righting the wrongs that were exacted on them. In this way the film provides a spooky twist on a classic tale of the corrupting influence of power. This element of the film is particularly resonant in the midst of today's social justice movement in which marginalized groups claim to be seeking justice even as they actively crusade for revenge. Much like the film's witches these 'social justice warriors' cling to their perceived victim status rather than working to improve their lot in life and use this status to wield influence over others. As a result, The Craft is in some ways even more relevant now than it was upon its release nearly thirty years ago. For a devilishly good time join the coven with The Craft.

The film casts a spell thanks to the work of its cast. Christine Taylor is a villain that viewers will love to hate as Rochelle's racist bully, Laura. Skeet Ulrich aptly maneuvers between goofy charm and sinister chauvinism as school heartthrob Chris. Rachel True conveys intelligence and resilience as Rochelle. Neve Campbell perfectly captures Bonnie's vulnerability and yearning to belong. Robin Tunney infuses Sarah with a strength, wisdom, and compassion that will have viewers rooting for her until the film's final twist. Even in the midst of a bewitching ensemble cast Faizura Balk dominates the film as victim turned villain Nancy. In Balk's hands Nancy is more than just another wicked witch and instead is a charismatic, relatable, and complex character certain to tempt viewers to the dark side.

At once an otherworldly cautionary tale and an apt portrait of modern adolescence The Craft makes for wickedly enjoyable viewing. Through its mix of supernatural thrills and teen angst the film relates a spooky tale that will cast a spell throughout the year. The film's performances remain bewitching nearly thirty years after its release. This Halloween, break out your broomstick and take to the skies with Sarah, Nancy, Rochelle, and Bonnie in The Craft.

Relax, it's only magic

Classics: A Review of Gattaca By Lauren Ennis

Is our fate predetermined? If so, is there any way to escape it? These are the questions that lie at the heart of 1997's futuristic dystopia Gattaca. Released on the cusp of the new millennium, the film offered an unnerving look into a future that now seems frighteningly near. At once a warning against the dangers of state control and eugenics and a tribute to the human spirit Gattaca is a drama that is truly out of this world. 

The story begins in the 'not too distant future' in which society is divided between genetically engineered designer babies known as 'valids' and naturally conceived 'invalids'. The valids make up society's elites and rule over the invalids, who are restricted to menial jobs with no hope for self-improvement. The film opens with valid astronaut Jerome preparing for his upcoming mission to space. The story then flashes back to reveal that the astronaut is actually an invalid named Vincent who is posing as Jerome in order to fulfill his life long dream of traveling to space. Vincent's parents chose to conceive him naturally, but soon regretted their decision after he was born with a heart defect and other mental and physical deficiencies. After years of living in the shadow of his younger, valid, brother he becomes determined to take his fate into his own hands. He then concocts a scheme in which he trades identities with valid Jerome, an Olympic swimmer who was recently paralyzed during a failed suicide attempt. After undergoing a grueling transformation, Vincent embarks upon a career at the Gattaca Aerospace Corporation under Jerome's name and is chosen to be part of the crew on an upcoming flight to Saturn. One week before the flight a murder occurs at Gattaca. Over the course of the ensuing investigation Vincent is forced into a race against time as he finds his identity, his career, and freedom under threat.

Blending intimate character study and political drama against a futuristic backdrop, Gattaca stands out from the spaceship and alien stereotypes that dominate modern science fiction. Rather than presenting viewers with a fantastic otherworldly experience the film instead offers a visceral glimpse into what might be a future that is nearer than we think. By presenting viewers with a dystopia that is so strikingly similar to our own world the film forces us to confront the same fundamental questions that its characters are faced with. The ethical questions surrounding genetic engineering particularly resonate given the advent of 'designer babies', the rise of artificial intelligence, and the ascendance of neuro-technology. Even during the era of the film's release, however, its exploration of the lure of eugenics offered a vital warning for the future should we fail to learn from the darkest chapters of our past. The film cleverly uses its eugenics based society to raise questions about meritocracy, self-determination, and the nature of freedom. Through its depiction of Vincent's unlikely rise and Jerome's devastating fall from grace the film acknowledges the ways in which our beginnings shape who we are, while reminding us that only we can ultimately determine who we become. In this way, the film defies the victim mindset that dominates current Western culture and offers an antidote to modern nihilistic malaise. The film's portrayal of a society that is blatantly under state control but too bitterly divided to realize it also offers a social critique that is eerily prescient in today's political climate. Step into the future with Vincent, Irene, and Jerome in Gattaca.

The film brilliantly transports viewers into the future thanks to the stellar work of its cast. Loren Dean aptly portrays the inner conflict of Vincent's valid, law abiding, brother Aton. Uma Thurman radiates cool charisma as Vincent's valid love interest, Irene. Jude Law turns in one of the best performances in his career as Jerome, a valid whose elite status fails to protect him from his own inner torment. Ethan Hawke is nothing short of inspiring in his heartfelt turn as ultimate underdog Vincent and reminds us all of what we can achieve if we only have the drive to pursue it. 

At once a warning for the future and a timeless glimpse into the human condition Gattaca is a film for the ages. Through its intelligent and emotionally raw script the film relates a tale that is at once unique to its futuristic setting and entirely universal. The film's uniformly superb performances bring each of its characters to vibrant, aching, life. Reach for the stars with Vincent in Gattaca.