The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim – A Spirited Return to Helm’s Deep
Every so often, we’re drawn back to Middle-earth, where we expect grandeur, a sweeping score, and existential lessons about honor,…
Author: Ben Hardy
Hello, I'm Ben Hardy, a dedicated journalist for Willamette Weekly in Portland, Oregon. I hold a Bachelor's degree in Journalism from the University of Southern California and a Master's degree from Stanford University, where I specialized in multimedia storytelling and data journalism. At 28, I'm passionate about uncovering stories that matter to our community, from investigative pieces to features on Portland's unique culture. In my free time, I love exploring the city, attending local music events, and enjoying a good book at a cozy coffee shop. Thank you for reading my work and engaging with the stories that shape our vibrant community.
Oregon’s Unprecedented Wildfire Crisis: A Comprehensive Overview
Oregon is currently grappling with its most severe wildfire season on record. As of mid-August 2024, more than 1.4 million…
A Minecraft Movie (2025): The Epic Blockbuster Gamers and Movie Buffs Have Been Waiting For
When the legendary game Minecraft broke onto screens over a decade ago, few could have predicted it would spawn not…
Gladiator II Review: Vengeance, Spectacle, and Power Play in Ancient Rome
When Ridley Scott announced that he was returning to the Colosseum for Gladiator II, one couldn’t help but raise an…
“Speak No Evil” Movie Review: A Darkly Twisted Masterpiece or Just an Exercise in Misery?
There’s a certain art to films that make you uncomfortable, the kind that doesn’t rely on jump scares or gory…
“Transformers One”: A Surprising Nostalgic Ride or Just Another CGI-Packed Catastrophe?
Transformers fans, get ready to roll out—again! After the chaotic ride that has been the live-action Transformers franchise, Paramount is…
Paddington in Peru (2025): The Adventure Returns to the Heart of the Amazon
Paddington Bear is back, folks! After a stellar performance in two films that became instant family classics, the marmalade-loving bear…
The Wild Robot Movie Review: A Heartfelt Mechanized Adventure with a Touch of Satire
It seems Hollywood is determined to humanize everything, and this time they’ve outdone themselves by humanizing a robot stranded in…
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024) Review: A Sequel That Should’ve Stayed Buried, But… Keaton Saves the Day
Tim Burton is back at it with Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, a sequel no one really asked for, but hey, here we…
“Girls Will Be Girls (2024)” Movie Review: A Mesmerizing Mother-Daughter Duel Set in the Himalayan Heights
If there’s one thing cinema has repeatedly shown us, it’s that nothing quite sparks cinematic magic like the complex dynamics…