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Articles by Ilana Slavit
How Toxic Sex Education Fueled My Erotophobia
Written by Ilana Slavit. Art by Cameron Tyme Edison. TW: sexual violence From age eleven to eighteen, I had a pathological fear of men over forty. Ever since I was a child, my brain processed potential threats vividly and somatically. When I learned about stranger danger, I had nightmares of being kidnapped for years. I’d lay in bed awake for hours, imagining every creak or thump was a villain out to get me. So when I first learned about sex, I assumed that all men wanted to violate my body.
Is hyper pop the future of music?
SOPHIE. Dorian Electra. Shygirl. These are some of the new voices of hyper pop, a genre hinted at throughout pop music since the 2010s. PC Music, the label of London-based DJ A. G. Cook, recently introduced hyper pop into the mainstream with critically divisive singles. While the majority of hyper pop musicians don’t belong to the label, the label has influenced other musicians to take on some of PC music’s sonic and thematic elements.
Review: ‘Unbelievable’ is a must watch look into the world of sexual assault investigation
This article references sexual assault and violence that may be uncomfortable for some readers. “Based on True Events No One Believed.” This is the tagline for “Unbelievable,” a recently released Netflix miniseries that tells the adjacent stories of a teenage girl assaulted in Washington and the detectives hunting her serial rapist in Colorado.
Review: ‘The Farewell’ uses humor to talk about death and cultural difference
“The Farewell,” is a family comedy about death, cultural differences and generational gaps. Rising star Awkwafina (“Ocean’s 8”) stars as Billi, a flailing post-graduate living in New York City, who flies back to Beijing with her parents to say goodbye to her dying Nai Nai (paternal grandmother in Mandarin). But there’s one catch: No one can tell Nai Nai that she is dying. In Chinese culture, as well as many others, it is quite common for relatives to not tell a family member of their decline.
Review: ‘Rocketman’ energizes the musical biopic and Elton John’s legacy
Taron Egerton is Elton John. Sunkissed in the velvet glow of the stage, voice ricocheting off the gyrating crowd, one could almost forget that Egerton isn’t Rocketman himself. With an electrifying musical structure and inventive cinematography, the Elton John biopic “Rocketman” captures the rockstar at his most nuanced and personal. Taron Egerton, known mainly for the Kingsman movies, delivers a career-defining performance as Elton John.
Review: Tonal dissonance in ‘Long Shot’ fails a charming romance
This review contains spoilers. “Long Shot” is a romantic comedy starring Charlize Theron and Seth Rogen. Yes, you heard that right. The unlikely duo play Secretary of State Charlotte Field (Theron) and her speech writer Fred Flarsky (Rogen), who fall in love with each other. Surprisingly, the chemistry between the two leads carries the movie.
Review: ‘High Life’ is an exercise in artistic shock value
Trigger Warning: Sensitive material relating to sexual violence “High Life” marks Robert Pattinson’s 2019 comeback. First glimpsed as a sweaty pre-pubescent in “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” and popularized as a sexy but sullen vampire in The Twilight Saga, Pattinson emerged as a serious actor in “Good Time” (2017). 2019 includes two highly anticipated Pattinson releases, “High Life” and “The Lighthouse,” and a possible rebranding of Pattinson as more than just a sex symbol.
Review: Elisabeth Moss is destructively spellbinding in ‘Her Smell’
Alex Ross Perry is obsessed with Elisabeth Moss. “Her Smell,” his most recent feature, is wrought with closeups of Moss covered in glitter and peeling mascara as she cries and grovels into the camera. Who wouldn’t love it?
Review: “Transit” is a political thriller and melancholic callback to 1940s noir
From shape-shifting aliens in “Captain Marvel” to magic horse-blobs in “Now Apocalypse,” 2019 has been a year of extreme science fiction magic. “Transit,” a subtle dystopian inspired by 1940s noir, proves that the intersection between reality and the unknown can be much more terrifying than any special effect.
Recent horror movie success reflects the Trump era
Donald Trump was elected in 2016. His presidency has been met with controversy, from his offensive rhetoric to his racially charged immigration and economic policies that have negatively affected underprivileged communities. A slew of critically acclaimed horror films have been released in the years since, such as “Get Out” (20177), “Hereditary” (2018), “Mandy” (2018), “Climax” (2019) and “Us” (2019). Not only are these films delightfully terrifying and visually innovative, but socially relevant.
Review: ‘Us’ is more social commentary than horror film
This article contains spoilers. “Us,” Jordan Peele’s heavily anticipated sophomore feature, is a mind-bending twist on the evil twin concept that is more thrilling than terrifying. Ripe with Peele’s sardonic humor to ease the tension, the majority of the jump scares and truly horrifying moments are revealed in the film’s trailer. Similar to Peele’s debut, “Get Out,” “Us” is more social commentary than horror film.
Review: ‘Captain Marvel’ is entertaining yet forgettable
“Captain Marvel” is Marvel’s first female superhero movie. With so much anticipation, it was impossible for the film to live up to the hype. While entertaining, the lack of emotion ultimately makes “Captain Marvel” forgettable. The film stars Brie Larson as Captain Marvel and is an origin story of how Marvel came to discover her identity. Marvel originally believes that she is a Kree warrior — an ancient alien race at war with the Skrulls.
DisOrient festival promotes social justice through independent Asian-American film
The Asian-American Film Festival of Oregon, DisOrient, arrives at the University of Oregon on March 14 and continues through March 17. The festival showcases Asian-American documentary, fiction and short films “by us, for us and about us.” In its 14th year, the festival strives to raise awareness of social justice issues through the power of cinema. Asian-Americans are one of the least represented demographics in the film industry.
Oscars 2019 Review: A mixed bag of progress
At a little over three hours and thirty minutes, this year’s Oscars delivered a lackluster ceremony and a confounding Best Picture winner. This was not surprising. Award presenters from Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and Maya Rudolph to Helen Mirren and Jason Momoa tried to liven the ceremony with witty dialogue, but the lack of a host was glaringly apparent. The Oscars made intersectional progress, with a variety of hosts from Michelle Yeoh to Amandla Stenberg.
'How It's Reported: A Podcast': Bias in the Oscars with Ilana Slavit
"What I definitely would like readers to get out of this article is: critically think about the movies that they're watching, the award nominations they're watching, even the film reviews they're reading. Don't take everything I say as the word on film." Lights. Camera. Bias? Each year, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences chooses what many regard as the best in film and acting talent. But some say the biases of the Academy Awards are causing it to skip over more deserving recipients.
The Oscar Problem: How One Biased Organization Picks the Best Movies
The Academy Awards is one of the most revered and anticipated film awards ceremonies in the United States. Members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science choose the nominees and winners, which are viewed as the best films and talent of the year. But its winners and nominations seldom reflect the broad range of cinema the world has to offer. The #oscarssowhite campaign brought the lack of diversity and intersectionality in the Academy Awards to the public consciousness in 2015.
Review: Ariana Grande’s ‘7 Rings’ is the anthem of Trump era excess
Ariana Grande’s “7 Rings,” is inspired by an excursion with her six best friends, during which she bought them Tiffany & Co. engagement rings after her breakup with fiance Pete Davidson.
Black History Month: Rising female black rappers
Black Power. Queerness. Femininity. Intersectionality. A new wave of female rappers and hip-hop artists are entering the mainstream, bringing social justice awareness with them. From Janelle Monae’s empowering visual album “Dirty Computer” to Princess Nokia’s tribute to New York and the complexities of the people living there in “1992.” Rap is on an exciting new path.
Review: ‘Glass’ is a lackluster conclusion to the ‘Unbreakable’ trilogy
“Glass” is M. Night Shyamalan's newest film that connects prior entries “Unbreakable” and “Split” together through super-hero lore. It’s entertaining with fantastic fight scenes and multiple twists, yet the film struggles to connect all the plot points and characters, as well as maintain our attention throughout lackluster dialogue scenes. Bruce Willis returns as the “unbreakable” David Dunn with otherworldly strength, along with Samuel L.
Review: ‘Surviving R Kelly’ exposes the monster behind the artist
In 2002, R. Kelly was indicted on 21 counts of child pornography. That same year, “Ignition (Remix)” topped the charts and became a party classic. In 2018, Kelly finally received public condemnation for his well known history of abuse against young women through the #MeToo movement and the consequenting #MuteRKelly campaign. What took us so long? Lifetime’s newest docu-miniseries, ‘‘Surviving R.
Review: ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’ is a well-meaning disappointment
“If Beale Street Could Talk” had the makings of a cinematic masterpiece. Based on the revered novel by Langston Hughes and directed by Barry Jenkins, who won the 2016 Best Picture award for “Moonlight,” a lot of hype has surrounded this film during awards season; alas, the film did not live up to the anticipation. The film stars Kiki Layne and Stephan James (who is phenomenal in Amazon’s “Homecoming” series), along with an outstanding Regina King in an award earning performance as James’ mother.
Upcoming films in 2019
With the weather growing colder and outdoor activities looking more unappealing, what better way to spend your free time than at the movie theater? The past year was a fantastic one for cinema, from increasing intersectionality in box office hits such as “Black Panther” and “Crazy Rich Asians” to innovative horror including “Hereditary” and “Mandy.” Prolific years never exist in a vacuum, so look forward to some of this year’s buzz-worthy films with the Emerald’s 2019 film guide! M.
Review: ‘Vice’ is an acerbic political satire for the Trump era
“Vice” is a wicked smart, fast-paced, acerbic rollercoaster of a satire, focusing on former Vice President Dick Cheney. Widely disliked and intensely secretive, Cheney is not the first subject to come to mind for a campy political parody. But as director Adam McKay made the 2008 economic crisis a hysterical riot with “The Big Short,” he was prepared to step into another political realm with the former VP.
Top 5 films of 2018
With cold weather in our midst, what better thing to do than catch up on movie-watching this holiday season? From social justice films revolving around Oakland (“Black Panther,” “Blindspotting” “Sorry to Bother You”) to innovative horror flicks (“Hereditary,” “Annihilation” “Mandy”), 2018 has been an exciting year for cinema. Take a look at the Emerald’s top five films of 2018.
2018’s top underrated films
Winter is the season of “best of” lists, with 2018 coming to a close and award season looming just around the corner. Many independent and lower budget films released earlier in the year get left out of the conversation as December fills up with big budgets and high profile stars competing for their chance at an Academy Award.
Review: “Border” is a fantastical, pessimistic fairy tale with uneven results
This review contains spoilers. “Border,” a Swedish hybrid of fantasy and thriller, is one of the first standouts in the race for the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar. Winning the Cannes Film Festival’s Un Certain Regard competition and receiving heavy award buzz, “Border” is filmmaker Ali Abbasi’s interpretation of John Ajvide Lindqvist’s short story of the same name. It is also one of the most polarising films released this year.
How to spend time with your family over Thanksgiving break
Family is sacred. So when your aunts and uncles come storming through the front door, clearly it’s time to be thankful. An underlying current of obligation permeates through the drunken grandmothers, your uncle’s political ramblings and that odd hobby your cousin recently picked up. Whatever type of family you’re dealing with this holiday season, the Emerald is offering a few ways to cherish your time with them — or cope, depending on the situation.
Review: ‘Suspiria’ paints an apocalyptic picture of current politics
Luca Guadagnino’s “Supiria” is not for everyone. With six chapters and an epilogue, the film is overlong, non-linear and allegorical. (Elena Ringo / Creative Commons) The art house horror film is back with a vengeance. “Suspiria” is the newest entry in 2018’s trend of artistic gore, from A24’s satanic “Hereditary” to the neo-noir slasher “Mandy.” “Suspiria,” is a drastic cinematic shift for director Luca Guadagnino, best known for “Call Me By Your Name” and other subtle character studies.
Jonah Hill’s directorial debut ‘Mid90s’ lacks emotional heft
“Mid90s” is an ode to lost innocence and the skating scene of mid-’90s Los Angeles, ultimately paying homage to Jonah Hill’s childhood as an avid skater in Santa Monica. (Gage Skidmore / Creative Commons) Directorial debuts often delve into the filmmaker’s humble beginnings. “Mid90s” is no different. “Mid90s” is an ode to lost innocence and the skating scene of mid-’90s Los Angeles, ultimately paying homage to Jonah Hill’s childhood as an avid skater in Santa Monica.
Jonah Hill’s directorial debut ‘Mid90s’ lacks emotional heft
Directorial debuts often delve into the filmmaker’s humble beginnings. “Mid90s” is no different. “Mid90s” is an ode to lost innocence and the skating scene of mid-’90s Los Angeles, ultimately paying homage to Jonah Hill’s childhood as an avid skater in Santa Monica.
Review: A timely story elevates into modern greatness in ‘A Star is Born’
“A Star is Born,” Bradley Cooper’s directorial debut, is a grandiose feat of dazzling cinematography and emotional acting, yet intimately personal in the depiction of a tragic love story. This is the fourth remake of “A Star is Born.” While the first two iterations in 1937 and 1954 tell the story of two lovesick actors, the later version in 1976 transformed the leads into star crossed singers. Clearly, audiences never tire of tragic romance.
Modern horror films that empower the LGBTQIA+ community
Nicolas Winding Refn's "The Neon Demon" focuses on the gaudy cinematography to criticize the media’s depiction of women as objects. (BagoGames / Creative Commons) An impactful horror film showcases society’s greatest fears and makes them real.
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