At Tech Square, the amount of food choices may seem overwhelming. However, the Tech food hub has a few clear front-runners that make for incredibly satisfying dining experiences. Here are the best restaurants located in Tech Square.  

When walking from the 5th Street Bridge, a strong contender is just on your right: Tin Drum. With its unique drink menu and specialized food choices, there is rarely a time when the restaurant isn’t full of hungry students. One of the menu’s highlights is the Tonkotsu Ramen, a dish with “tonkotsu broth, hard boiled soy egg, bean sprout, green onion, garlic oil, crispy onion, chili oil.” Customers can pick between soba and ramen noodles as well as their protein of choice. Additionally, there are add-ons customers can use and differing levels of spice. 

Another outstanding dish is the Chinatown Lo Mein Noodle, made with “soba wheat noodle, cabbage, carrot, scallion, crispy rice noodle, [and] chopped green onion.” The customization options are similar to those offered with the Tonkotsu Ramen. One feature of Tin Drum that sets it apart from its competitors is the selection of boba. From Build Your Own to Matcha Strawberry Milk Tea, Tin Drum offers a wide variety of boba drinks for students to enjoy. 

If Tin Drum is not quite to your taste, head on down 5th Street to Boho Taco. Offering a variety of Latin dishes, this restaurant specializes in flavorful entrées and efficient service. One of Boho Taco’s best dishes is the Carne Asada Taco, which comes with seasoned steak, onion and cilantro on a flour or corn tortilla. 

Another great entrée is the Fajita Bowl, packed with rice, beans, fajita veggies and the customer’s meat of choice. Boho Taco also offers a full bar as well as Churros, a traditional Mexican dessert with a crispy outside dough made of Bavarian cream and dipped in chocolate sauce.

Some customers might not be fond of Boho Taco’s menu items and prefer a more customizable experience. If that’s the case, look no further than Moe’s Southwest Grill. Located across the street from Tin Drum, the chain restaurant advertises its use of fresh ingredients. Another selling point is the free chips and salsa included with the purchase of a meal. Fan-favorite dishes include the Homewrecker, featuring “fresh guacamole, choice of protein, rice, beans, shredded cheese, shredded romaine, pico de gallo, and sour cream.” 

Another best-seller is the Stack, which is baked with “Moe’s famous queso” and offers customers a “choice of protein, beans, shredded cheese, pico de gallo, stacked between two crunchy corn shells wrapped in a grilled tortilla.” Like the Homewrecker, the Stack is fully customizable. There’s also a Homewrecker Bowl for those who enjoy burrito bowls instead of an actual burrito. 

Typically, college towns have an established pizza and wings restaurant where students gather to watch sports or have a night out. For Tech students, that place is Ray’s New York Pizza, which supplies an incredible selection of food options. From Mediterranean-inspired dishes to the typical American boneless wings dish, Ray’s menu is the most expansive of all the restaurants on this list. One of the best entrées is the Fettuccini Alfredo, which includes sundried tomato, mushroom, creamy alfredo sauce and chicken. The portion size is large, which and suits the pizza joint’s price. 

Ray’s is well-regarded for their pizza — and for good reason: There are many choices of specialty pizzas, like the Basilico, which features basil, roma tomato, mozzarella and Greek-infused olive oil. Ray’s also offers customizable pizza options from their menu. 

If none of these restaurants are what you’re looking for, try Gyro Bros, a Mediterranean restaurant that prides itself on its authentic gyros. While their menu might be small, the flavor packs a punch with dynamic spices and sauces. The signature homemade tzatziki sauce accompanies each gyro dish and gives a little kick to the already delicious entrées. Some highlights include the Gyro Plate, a plate of shaved beef and lamb with tomato, onion and lettuce paired with a side of Greek fries that make for a savory meal. Additionally, many customers enjoy Gyro Bros’ Greek Salad: an assortment of olives, onions, cucumbers, tomatoes and feta cheese over romaine and iceberg lettuce paired with a slice of pita bread.  

Ultimately, the decision on where to enjoy a meal in Tech Square is up to you, but you can’t go wrong with any of these delicious options.

The post Tech Square Restaurant Guide appeared first on Technique.

At Tech Square, the amount of food choices may seem overwhelming. However, the Tech food hub has a few clear front-runners that make for incredibly satisfying dining experiences. Here are the best restaurants located in Tech Square.  

When walking from the 5th Street Bridge, a strong contender is just on your right: Tin Drum. With its unique drink menu and specialized food choices, there is rarely a time when the restaurant isn’t full of hungry students. One of the menu’s highlights is the Tonkotsu Ramen, a dish with “tonkotsu broth, hard boiled soy egg, bean sprout, green onion, garlic oil, crispy onion, chili oil.” Customers can pick between soba and ramen noodles as well as their protein of choice. Additionally, there are add-ons customers can use and differing levels of spice. 

Another outstanding dish is the Chinatown Lo Mein Noodle, made with “soba wheat noodle, cabbage, carrot, scallion, crispy rice noodle, [and] chopped green onion.” The customization options are similar to those offered with the Tonkotsu Ramen. One feature of Tin Drum that sets it apart from its competitors is the selection of boba. From Build Your Own to Matcha Strawberry Milk Tea, Tin Drum offers a wide variety of boba drinks for students to enjoy. 

If Tin Drum is not quite to your taste, head on down 5th Street to Boho Taco. Offering a variety of Latin dishes, this restaurant specializes in flavorful entrées and efficient service. One of Boho Taco’s best dishes is the Carne Asada Taco, which comes with seasoned steak, onion and cilantro on a flour or corn tortilla. 

Another great entrée is the Fajita Bowl, packed with rice, beans, fajita veggies and the customer’s meat of choice. Boho Taco also offers a full bar as well as Churros, a traditional Mexican dessert with a crispy outside dough made of Bavarian cream and dipped in chocolate sauce.

Some customers might not be fond of Boho Taco’s menu items and prefer a more customizable experience. If that’s the case, look no further than Moe’s Southwest Grill. Located across the street from Tin Drum, the chain restaurant advertises its use of fresh ingredients. Another selling point is the free chips and salsa included with the purchase of a meal. Fan-favorite dishes include the Homewrecker, featuring “fresh guacamole, choice of protein, rice, beans, shredded cheese, shredded romaine, pico de gallo, and sour cream.” 

Another best-seller is the Stack, which is baked with “Moe’s famous queso” and offers customers a “choice of protein, beans, shredded cheese, pico de gallo, stacked between two crunchy corn shells wrapped in a grilled tortilla.” Like the Homewrecker, the Stack is fully customizable. There’s also a Homewrecker Bowl for those who enjoy burrito bowls instead of an actual burrito. 

Typically, college towns have an established pizza and wings restaurant where students gather to watch sports or have a night out. For Tech students, that place is Ray’s New York Pizza, which supplies an incredible selection of food options. From Mediterranean-inspired dishes to the typical American boneless wings dish, Ray’s menu is the most expansive of all the restaurants on this list. One of the best entrées is the Fettuccini Alfredo, which includes sundried tomato, mushroom, creamy alfredo sauce and chicken. The portion size is large, which and suits the pizza joint’s price. 

Ray’s is well-regarded for their pizza — and for good reason: There are many choices of specialty pizzas, like the Basilico, which features basil, roma tomato, mozzarella and Greek-infused olive oil. Ray’s also offers customizable pizza options from their menu. 

If none of these restaurants are what you’re looking for, try Gyro Bros, a Mediterranean restaurant that prides itself on its authentic gyros. While their menu might be small, the flavor packs a punch with dynamic spices and sauces. The signature homemade tzatziki sauce accompanies each gyro dish and gives a little kick to the already delicious entrées. Some highlights include the Gyro Plate, a plate of shaved beef and lamb with tomato, onion and lettuce paired with a side of Greek fries that make for a savory meal. Additionally, many customers enjoy Gyro Bros’ Greek Salad: an assortment of olives, onions, cucumbers, tomatoes and feta cheese over romaine and iceberg lettuce paired with a slice of pita bread.  

Ultimately, the decision on where to enjoy a meal in Tech Square is up to you, but you can’t go wrong with any of these delicious options.

The post Tech Square Restaurant Guide appeared first on Technique.

At Tech Square, the amount of food choices may seem overwhelming. However, the Tech food hub has a few clear front-runners that make for incredibly satisfying dining experiences. Here are the best restaurants located in Tech Square.  

When walking from the 5th Street Bridge, a strong contender is just on your right: Tin Drum. With its unique drink menu and specialized food choices, there is rarely a time when the restaurant isn’t full of hungry students. One of the menu’s highlights is the Tonkotsu Ramen, a dish with “tonkotsu broth, hard boiled soy egg, bean sprout, green onion, garlic oil, crispy onion, chili oil.” Customers can pick between soba and ramen noodles as well as their protein of choice. Additionally, there are add-ons customers can use and differing levels of spice. 

Another outstanding dish is the Chinatown Lo Mein Noodle, made with “soba wheat noodle, cabbage, carrot, scallion, crispy rice noodle, [and] chopped green onion.” The customization options are similar to those offered with the Tonkotsu Ramen. One feature of Tin Drum that sets it apart from its competitors is the selection of boba. From Build Your Own to Matcha Strawberry Milk Tea, Tin Drum offers a wide variety of boba drinks for students to enjoy. 

If Tin Drum is not quite to your taste, head on down 5th Street to Boho Taco. Offering a variety of Latin dishes, this restaurant specializes in flavorful entrées and efficient service. One of Boho Taco’s best dishes is the Carne Asada Taco, which comes with seasoned steak, onion and cilantro on a flour or corn tortilla. 

Another great entrée is the Fajita Bowl, packed with rice, beans, fajita veggies and the customer’s meat of choice. Boho Taco also offers a full bar as well as Churros, a traditional Mexican dessert with a crispy outside dough made of Bavarian cream and dipped in chocolate sauce.

Some customers might not be fond of Boho Taco’s menu items and prefer a more customizable experience. If that’s the case, look no further than Moe’s Southwest Grill. Located across the street from Tin Drum, the chain restaurant advertises its use of fresh ingredients. Another selling point is the free chips and salsa included with the purchase of a meal. Fan-favorite dishes include the Homewrecker, featuring “fresh guacamole, choice of protein, rice, beans, shredded cheese, shredded romaine, pico de gallo, and sour cream.” 

Another best-seller is the Stack, which is baked with “Moe’s famous queso” and offers customers a “choice of protein, beans, shredded cheese, pico de gallo, stacked between two crunchy corn shells wrapped in a grilled tortilla.” Like the Homewrecker, the Stack is fully customizable. There’s also a Homewrecker Bowl for those who enjoy burrito bowls instead of an actual burrito. 

Typically, college towns have an established pizza and wings restaurant where students gather to watch sports or have a night out. For Tech students, that place is Ray’s New York Pizza, which supplies an incredible selection of food options. From Mediterranean-inspired dishes to the typical American boneless wings dish, Ray’s menu is the most expansive of all the restaurants on this list. One of the best entrées is the Fettuccini Alfredo, which includes sundried tomato, mushroom, creamy alfredo sauce and chicken. The portion size is large, which and suits the pizza joint’s price. 

Ray’s is well-regarded for their pizza — and for good reason: There are many choices of specialty pizzas, like the Basilico, which features basil, roma tomato, mozzarella and Greek-infused olive oil. Ray’s also offers customizable pizza options from their menu. 

If none of these restaurants are what you’re looking for, try Gyro Bros, a Mediterranean restaurant that prides itself on its authentic gyros. While their menu might be small, the flavor packs a punch with dynamic spices and sauces. The signature homemade tzatziki sauce accompanies each gyro dish and gives a little kick to the already delicious entrées. Some highlights include the Gyro Plate, a plate of shaved beef and lamb with tomato, onion and lettuce paired with a side of Greek fries that make for a savory meal. Additionally, many customers enjoy Gyro Bros’ Greek Salad: an assortment of olives, onions, cucumbers, tomatoes and feta cheese over romaine and iceberg lettuce paired with a slice of pita bread.  

Ultimately, the decision on where to enjoy a meal in Tech Square is up to you, but you can’t go wrong with any of these delicious options.

The post Tech Square Restaurant Guide appeared first on Technique.

At Tech Square, the amount of food choices may seem overwhelming. However, the Tech food hub has a few clear front-runners that make for incredibly satisfying dining experiences. Here are the best restaurants located in Tech Square.  

When walking from the 5th Street Bridge, a strong contender is just on your right: Tin Drum. With its unique drink menu and specialized food choices, there is rarely a time when the restaurant isn’t full of hungry students. One of the menu’s highlights is the Tonkotsu Ramen, a dish with “tonkotsu broth, hard boiled soy egg, bean sprout, green onion, garlic oil, crispy onion, chili oil.” Customers can pick between soba and ramen noodles as well as their protein of choice. Additionally, there are add-ons customers can use and differing levels of spice. 

Another outstanding dish is the Chinatown Lo Mein Noodle, made with “soba wheat noodle, cabbage, carrot, scallion, crispy rice noodle, [and] chopped green onion.” The customization options are similar to those offered with the Tonkotsu Ramen. One feature of Tin Drum that sets it apart from its competitors is the selection of boba. From Build Your Own to Matcha Strawberry Milk Tea, Tin Drum offers a wide variety of boba drinks for students to enjoy. 

If Tin Drum is not quite to your taste, head on down 5th Street to Boho Taco. Offering a variety of Latin dishes, this restaurant specializes in flavorful entrées and efficient service. One of Boho Taco’s best dishes is the Carne Asada Taco, which comes with seasoned steak, onion and cilantro on a flour or corn tortilla. 

Another great entrée is the Fajita Bowl, packed with rice, beans, fajita veggies and the customer’s meat of choice. Boho Taco also offers a full bar as well as Churros, a traditional Mexican dessert with a crispy outside dough made of Bavarian cream and dipped in chocolate sauce.

Some customers might not be fond of Boho Taco’s menu items and prefer a more customizable experience. If that’s the case, look no further than Moe’s Southwest Grill. Located across the street from Tin Drum, the chain restaurant advertises its use of fresh ingredients. Another selling point is the free chips and salsa included with the purchase of a meal. Fan-favorite dishes include the Homewrecker, featuring “fresh guacamole, choice of protein, rice, beans, shredded cheese, shredded romaine, pico de gallo, and sour cream.” 

Another best-seller is the Stack, which is baked with “Moe’s famous queso” and offers customers a “choice of protein, beans, shredded cheese, pico de gallo, stacked between two crunchy corn shells wrapped in a grilled tortilla.” Like the Homewrecker, the Stack is fully customizable. There’s also a Homewrecker Bowl for those who enjoy burrito bowls instead of an actual burrito. 

Typically, college towns have an established pizza and wings restaurant where students gather to watch sports or have a night out. For Tech students, that place is Ray’s New York Pizza, which supplies an incredible selection of food options. From Mediterranean-inspired dishes to the typical American boneless wings dish, Ray’s menu is the most expansive of all the restaurants on this list. One of the best entrées is the Fettuccini Alfredo, which includes sundried tomato, mushroom, creamy alfredo sauce and chicken. The portion size is large, which and suits the pizza joint’s price. 

Ray’s is well-regarded for their pizza — and for good reason: There are many choices of specialty pizzas, like the Basilico, which features basil, roma tomato, mozzarella and Greek-infused olive oil. Ray’s also offers customizable pizza options from their menu. 

If none of these restaurants are what you’re looking for, try Gyro Bros, a Mediterranean restaurant that prides itself on its authentic gyros. While their menu might be small, the flavor packs a punch with dynamic spices and sauces. The signature homemade tzatziki sauce accompanies each gyro dish and gives a little kick to the already delicious entrées. Some highlights include the Gyro Plate, a plate of shaved beef and lamb with tomato, onion and lettuce paired with a side of Greek fries that make for a savory meal. Additionally, many customers enjoy Gyro Bros’ Greek Salad: an assortment of olives, onions, cucumbers, tomatoes and feta cheese over romaine and iceberg lettuce paired with a slice of pita bread.  

Ultimately, the decision on where to enjoy a meal in Tech Square is up to you, but you can’t go wrong with any of these delicious options.

The post Tech Square Restaurant Guide appeared first on Technique.

At Tech Square, the amount of food choices may seem overwhelming. However, the Tech food hub has a few clear front-runners that make for incredibly satisfying dining experiences. Here are the best restaurants located in Tech Square.  

When walking from the 5th Street Bridge, a strong contender is just on your right: Tin Drum. With its unique drink menu and specialized food choices, there is rarely a time when the restaurant isn’t full of hungry students. One of the menu’s highlights is the Tonkotsu Ramen, a dish with “tonkotsu broth, hard boiled soy egg, bean sprout, green onion, garlic oil, crispy onion, chili oil.” Customers can pick between soba and ramen noodles as well as their protein of choice. Additionally, there are add-ons customers can use and differing levels of spice. 

Another outstanding dish is the Chinatown Lo Mein Noodle, made with “soba wheat noodle, cabbage, carrot, scallion, crispy rice noodle, [and] chopped green onion.” The customization options are similar to those offered with the Tonkotsu Ramen. One feature of Tin Drum that sets it apart from its competitors is the selection of boba. From Build Your Own to Matcha Strawberry Milk Tea, Tin Drum offers a wide variety of boba drinks for students to enjoy. 

If Tin Drum is not quite to your taste, head on down 5th Street to Boho Taco. Offering a variety of Latin dishes, this restaurant specializes in flavorful entrées and efficient service. One of Boho Taco’s best dishes is the Carne Asada Taco, which comes with seasoned steak, onion and cilantro on a flour or corn tortilla. 

Another great entrée is the Fajita Bowl, packed with rice, beans, fajita veggies and the customer’s meat of choice. Boho Taco also offers a full bar as well as Churros, a traditional Mexican dessert with a crispy outside dough made of Bavarian cream and dipped in chocolate sauce.

Some customers might not be fond of Boho Taco’s menu items and prefer a more customizable experience. If that’s the case, look no further than Moe’s Southwest Grill. Located across the street from Tin Drum, the chain restaurant advertises its use of fresh ingredients. Another selling point is the free chips and salsa included with the purchase of a meal. Fan-favorite dishes include the Homewrecker, featuring “fresh guacamole, choice of protein, rice, beans, shredded cheese, shredded romaine, pico de gallo, and sour cream.” 

Another best-seller is the Stack, which is baked with “Moe’s famous queso” and offers customers a “choice of protein, beans, shredded cheese, pico de gallo, stacked between two crunchy corn shells wrapped in a grilled tortilla.” Like the Homewrecker, the Stack is fully customizable. There’s also a Homewrecker Bowl for those who enjoy burrito bowls instead of an actual burrito. 

Typically, college towns have an established pizza and wings restaurant where students gather to watch sports or have a night out. For Tech students, that place is Ray’s New York Pizza, which supplies an incredible selection of food options. From Mediterranean-inspired dishes to the typical American boneless wings dish, Ray’s menu is the most expansive of all the restaurants on this list. One of the best entrées is the Fettuccini Alfredo, which includes sundried tomato, mushroom, creamy alfredo sauce and chicken. The portion size is large, which and suits the pizza joint’s price. 

Ray’s is well-regarded for their pizza — and for good reason: There are many choices of specialty pizzas, like the Basilico, which features basil, roma tomato, mozzarella and Greek-infused olive oil. Ray’s also offers customizable pizza options from their menu. 

If none of these restaurants are what you’re looking for, try Gyro Bros, a Mediterranean restaurant that prides itself on its authentic gyros. While their menu might be small, the flavor packs a punch with dynamic spices and sauces. The signature homemade tzatziki sauce accompanies each gyro dish and gives a little kick to the already delicious entrées. Some highlights include the Gyro Plate, a plate of shaved beef and lamb with tomato, onion and lettuce paired with a side of Greek fries that make for a savory meal. Additionally, many customers enjoy Gyro Bros’ Greek Salad: an assortment of olives, onions, cucumbers, tomatoes and feta cheese over romaine and iceberg lettuce paired with a slice of pita bread.  

Ultimately, the decision on where to enjoy a meal in Tech Square is up to you, but you can’t go wrong with any of these delicious options.

The post Tech Square Restaurant Guide appeared first on Technique.

Years after her original journey to restore the heart of Tafiti, Moana returns to embark on an adventure going further than ever before. She finds herself with no choice but to follow the call of her ancestors and unite the people of Oceania. However, this requires Moana to take the risk of leaving her people behind forever due to the dangerous path ahead. Dwayne Johnson and Auli’i Cravalho reprise their respective roles as Maui and Moana, accompanied by a range of new characters that bring their own unique flair to the story. 

One new character is Moana’s little sister Simea, who is a heartwarming addition to the cast and serves as a motivation for the heroine to make it back to the island. Other new faces range from members of Moana’s crew across the sea to a few new villains. A new antagonist, Matanagi, provides an interesting dynamic with Moana as well as a great musical number. 

However, the loss of musical director Lin-Manuel Miranda is clearly felt throughout each of the sequel’s songs. It seems as though the new team is trying their best to emulate Miranda’s classic style, but falls short. This is not to say that the songs were wholly unenjoyable, though. The clear highlight of the soundtrack is “Beyond,” the film’s “I Want” song, in which Moana sings about the new journey she faces. Auli’i Cravalho shines through her vocal performance, conveying her desire to go further in life while hesitating to leave the past behind. One of the film’s biggest disappointments was The Rock’s vocal performance on Maui’s song, “Can I Get a Chee Hoo?” The song feels like the poor man’s “You’re Welcome” and fails to deliver the same energetic, fast-paced rap that Lin-Manuel Miranda is known for. 

Although its plot is simple, the film suffers from leaving major plot points unresolved. For example, Moana experiences a great character change near the final act that affects her both physically and mentally. However, the film never attempts to explain the significance of this change regarding Moana’s new role in the story. Additionally, the fate of a newly introduced character is left entirely up to the viewer’s interpretation. 

The film’s development is very interesting in and of itself, being animated at Disney’s Vancouver studio. Originally, the film was intended to be a Disney+ TV series, which is fairly obvious given the strange pacing and introduction of underutilized side characters. The studio was notified of an intended theatrical release in February, leaving them only eight months to rework the story, songs and visuals before the deadline. This tight deadline was a major contributor to the stiff animation, an issue that is not overtly obvious but can be spotted when looking for it. 

Despite its shortcomings, the film is easily enjoyable and nostalgic for many audiences. There is a palpable respect for Polynesian and Oceanic culture, and it is clear that the team put a lot of thought into meaningful ways to incorporate these elements. Moana’s journey and character growth feel like natural continuations of the first film while breaking the mold for the Disney Princess archetype. 

The post Moana 2 is a fun but flawed sequel appeared first on Technique.

An animated film with a heart reminiscent of Pixar, “The Wild Robot” is just as amazing as its premise entails. From the studio that produced “How to Train Your Dragon” and the “Shrek” franchise, Dreamworks creates a film outside of its comfort zone with a more adult-oriented tone that can be enjoyed by all ages. Most of the film’s humor is less crude and more focused on the hilarities of nature and how unforgiving it can be. The robot-protagonist Roz encapsulates this through her journey in the wilderness, adjusting to the harsh climate and her animal neighbors. Roz’s acclimation into the naturalistic society is incredibly entertaining, and the ways she gains the animal’s trust is believable while remaining well-paced.

The plot itself centers around Roz having to raise a baby goose, Brightbill, after she causes an accident that leaves the goose the last living member of his family. Throughout the film, Roz struggles to feel emotion towards the goose and tries to act as a suitable mother through her guilt about Brightbill’s family. Their bond is the highlight of the film and contributes to how moving and impactful it ends up being. 

Roz forms meaningful relationships with all of the animals on the island during her stay as they begin to see her as one of their own, and she  proves they can trust her. Roz even begins to mimic the animal’s behavior and interpret it as her own mannerisms as the story progresses. This cast of characters is certainly unique and gives life to the film. 

The celebrity voice cast provides the film with the vocal delivery necessary to humanize the anthropomorphic characters. Lupita Nyong’o does a sensational job as Roz, the film’s titular character, and she is able to provide the emotional delivery necessary for powerful scenes while acting as a seemingly emotionless robot. Pedro Pascal as Fink the fox was an excellent casting decision as he easily emulates the sly nature of the animal being personified. Legendary voice actor Mark Hamil graces the film with a stellar performance acting as a beaver. Each celebrity does a great job embodying their characters without drawing attention to themselves. 

Obviously, animation quality greatly impacts an animated film. “The Wild Robot” has some of the most gorgeous rendered backgrounds and character designs in animated media since Dreamworks’ “Puss In Boots: The Last Wish.” While not as flashy or action-oriented as that film, “The Wild Robot” does not necessarily need any of those bells and whistles to convey its powerful message about the ways nature impacts those who spend time appreciating its wonder. Each frame of the film beautifully depicts the characters’ interactions with their environment and each other. 

With the increased prevalence of action and adventure animation, “The Wild Robot” acts as a nice refresher with a more emotionally-driven plot. The characters are put at the forefront of the story, and the setting is built around them. The audience learns about this new world with Roz rather than being directly told everything about it. As such, the story is free to take its time to flourish after thoroughly developing the characters to keep the audience engaged. While some emotional moments seem rushed toward the movie’s end due to pacing issues, they retain the emotional weight the director was trying to convey. 

Thanks to the fully fleshed relationships between the characters, the emotional moments in the film are incredibly impactful. Even though the main conflict is between a robot and her goose son, the universal relationship of mother and child remains believable. There is clear passion for this project conveyed in every scene through its detailed animation and exceptional line delivery. Fans of “The Iron Giant” will find similar themes and archetypes present, but this film is one of a kind and should have its own identity as a generational classic worthy of high critical acclaim.

The post “The Wild Robot” is an instant heartfelt classic appeared first on Technique.

From Oct. 4-6, the Atlanta Horror Film Festival featured a plethora of the best indie horror films released this year. Filmmakers submitted their creations to the festival for them to be viewed by audiences at Limelight Theater. Since 2006, the festival has been a pillar in the horror community, serving as a way to highlight independent filmmakers. 171 short and feature films were spread across the three days at different times. Many films shown were filmed internationally and displayed a variety of creative outlooks, pushing the boundaries of horror. This year served as the 18th annual festival, showing its importance in the community.

The festival showed a variety of films at different parts of the day, taking place from noon to midnight. Each day, a few features were shown with collections of short films playing throughout. At the end of the day, a meet-and-greet was held with the filmmakers allowing audiences to gain insight into the process behind special effect creation and address questions about plot details. This served as a look into the minds of these creators and their thought process behind their creations. 

One highlight of the festival was the film “Bakemono.” Set in Tokyo, Japan, “Bakemono” tells the story of a man who creates a monster and uses it as a tool to commit horrible crimes against his unsuspecting victims. From the mind of director Doug Roos, the story showed the differing points of view of the characters leading up to their inevitable deaths. Surprisingly, there were no special effects used in the making of the film. All of the effects were practical and looked great during action scenes with the monster. 

The short films were all incredibly entertaining despite being less than ten minutes long. Filmmakers were able to evoke the emotion of terror in such a short time using their creative direction and cinematography. Each collection of shorts focused on a different genre of horror from uninvited guests to comedy. There were also collections of short films made by local directors, strengthening the Atlanta film community by bringing these creators together and allowing them to view one another’s work. 

There were also films with queer representation like the feature “Straight on Till Morning.” This film centered around a sapphic couple being kidnapped by a twisted family while on a romantic getaway. Themes of fighting prejudice and being unafraid to die for one’s beliefs are at the heart of the film. Directed by Craig Ouellette, the film doubles as a social commentary and a horror flick with amazing acting led by a predominantly female cast. The special effects were beautifully done and an essential part of the viewing experience. 

Another highlight of the festival was the feature “Did I?”, centering around a young woman struggling to navigate her diagnosis with dissociative identity disorder. Plagued by hallucinations, the woman experiences memories created by her alternative persona and approaches the horrific realization that she is not in complete control of her actions. Directed by Sarah Tice, the cinematography of the film shines in her creative shots and masterful use of lighting and color. The film is designed to make the viewer as disoriented as the main character, and it accomplishes just that. 

As a whole, the event was made possible thanks to the volunteers and curators who worked painstakingly to ensure the festival would run smoothly. These individuals were incredibly welcoming and were visibly passionate about horror films. Their infectious enthusiasm for the event made it all the more enjoyable. Despite the nature of the films shown, there is no dead energy in this atmosphere. Every person who contributed, whether they are a filmmaker, a volunteer or someone who purchased tickets to the festival kept this event alive for Atlanta’s film community and horror film fans.

The post Atlanta Horror Film Festival celebrates indie filmmakers appeared first on Technique.

With the release of “Never Let Go,” spooky season is off to a great start. Directed by Alexandre Aja (“The Hills Have Eyes,” “Piranha”), many scares await throughout the film. The plot is simple, letting go of a rope tethered to the foundations of an ancient house will cause monsters to attack. However, the movie shines through the thoroughly developed bonds between a mother and her sons. 

Halle Berry gave an amazing performance as Mama, channeling her years of experience in the field of entertainment along with her own emotions toward motherhood. The most powerful scenes in the film stem from Halle Berry’s ability to portray a mother willing to do anything for her children. The children, Samuel and Nolan, played by Percy Daggs IV and Anthony B. Jenkins have phenomenal chemistry together and create some of the most impactful moments in the film. The two actors will absolutely go far in the entertainment industry being so young yet able to convey deep emotions perfectly on screen. 

Additionally, the cinematography was absolutely gorgeous. Abundant greenery and wildlife make the film pop and serve as a bonus to an already great film. The landscape draws you in and makes you invested in these characters. Filmed in Vancouver, Canada, the woodland landscape fits the film’s themes perfectly. Also, the costume design and effects deserve props for their realism and believability. 

Many scenes have special effects, but they are used in ways that refrain from making any setting or character look unnatural. Another honorable mention is the film’s score, an incredibly dynamic medley that balances the horror aspect with the wholesome family moments to make for an enjoyable listening experience. 

Characterization is accomplished in part by the setting. It almost feels like the house the characters reside in is a character of its own. The characters will speak to the house, and it serves as an integral part of this film. It symbolizes the strength of the family relationship that the characters struggle to maintain during the movie’s duration. These bonds are tested multiple times throughout the film, and the characters change in various ways due to this. Ultimately, the writing of these characters and their story is phenomenal. It definitely feels like writers Kevin Coughlin and Ryan Grassby created these characters and subsequently shaped the plot around them. 

There are many unexpected twists in the film, keeping viewers questioning different aspects of the story during and after its conclusion. This is not to say that the film’s plot is confusing; it just means there are many open-ended aspects that the film leaves the viewer to close. It almost feels like the runtime coming just shy of the two-hour mark is not enough time to fully flesh out some extra ideas or tie up loose ends. Nonetheless, every scene in the film is carefully crafted to bring the viewer closer to solving the evil mystery the on-screen family is facing.

Fans of the “A Quiet Place” franchise would enjoy this film for the similar emphasis on family and the plot of surviving a real-world monster. Some aspects of the film are reminiscent of Jordan Peele’s “Get Out,” due to the monster the family faces. “Never Let Go” takes inspiration from modern horror classics while reinventing established formulas, paving its own way forward. 

As a psychological horror, the film has lots of opportunity to play with the human psyche in ways which appear overtly terrifying to the audience and the characters. Overall, this was a surprisingly good film with incredible performances and cinematography that will leave viewers clamoring for more.

The post “Never Let Go” inaugurates spooky season appeared first on Technique.

“The Umbrella Academy” returns for its final season with the characters losing their powers and beginning normal lives. Fans were excited to see how the story would come to a satisfying conclusion, but many aspects of the final season seem to have reverted to the first season’s struggle to find its footing. 

The show is an adaption of the comic series by Gerard Way where 40 superpowered children were miraculously born on Oct. 1, 1989. Billionaire Sir Reginald Hargreeves managed to adopt seven of them and created the Umbrella Academy. After a rough falling-out and several decades apart, the seven are reunited after Hargreeves’ death to prevent the apocalypse, and the work to prevent the end of the world over the course of the show.

In the newest installment, the humorous charm of previous seasons is almost entirely absent, and new characters are not given enough time to develop, while plot points are quickly brushed off. Characters that had begun to grow in recent seasons seemed to revert back to their season one mentalities.

The most disappointing aspect of the season is the lack of familial connections between the Hargreeves siblings. This was always a highlight of the show considering the strained relationships between the characters due to shared trauma. At times, it seems like the writers forget the Hargreeves are supposed to be a family that love each other despite their differences. 

There are not many moments between the siblings this season that reinforce the bonds that made the show so special. Most of the season’s plot focuses on tying up loose ends or fleshing out new characters. This was an odd choice considering the season’s shortened runtime compared to the first three seasons.  

Something that has not changed is the actors’ performances themselves. The show’s acting is brilliant, with each actor truly embodying their role. Aidan Gallagher’s performance as Five is as charismatic and witty as ever. However, the actors can only do so much with the underwritten scripts they’ve been given. 

Robert Sheehan’s Klaus undergoes a significant character arc before reverting to his original season one state. Tom Hopper’s Luther suffers a drastic personality shift and starts working at a nightclub instead of being the calm, collected leader he once was. Sometimes it seems as though the writers forgot certain aspects of the characters’ personalities entirely. 

Characters like Luther and Klaus only shined for a few scenes before new characters stole their limited screen time. David Castañeda’s Diego is reduced to a gag character, lacking his cool, mysterious exterior he had in the first three seasons. Elliot Page’s Viktor displays the most growth and receives a proper focus compared to the rest of the cast. However, this development is strained and could have been expanded with more episodes.

Viktor has a scene in which he uses his powers against his abusive father, Reginald Hargreeves. However, Page’s acting mostly consists of overacting that feels disingenuous rather than emotional. The scene itself feels empty and lacks the depth previous seasons had during powerful moments. In fact, many seemingly emotional moments between the Hargreeves fall flat in regards to humor and emotional weight. 

Many fans are outraged over a certain relationship between two characters that had never had any romantic tension in the previous three seasons. This relationship only emerges in the second to last episode of the season and is given no time to develop. Additionally, one of the characters was already in a relationship previously. This was jarringly unrealistic for both of the characters and took up an episode of runtime that could have been dedicated to the siblings’ relationships. 

Ultimately, the underwhelming ending of the show leaves the Hargreeves siblings making a difficult decision for the sake of the timeline. Unfortunately, the message of this conclusion is 

harmful, as the abused Hargreeves siblings are implied to be the source of all their problems and are forced to make unfair sacrifices in order to save the world. 

The previous three seasons were dedicated to the message of overcoming and recovering from familial abuse, leaving the characters with a way to face their challenges together as a 

family. Perhaps it was due to the limited runtime, but the show abandoned this message entirely and concluded on an off-putting note.

The post “The Umbrella Academy” misses the mark appeared first on Technique.