‘Rise’ review: A slam dunk of a biopic

Rise could easily be a standard sports underdog movie, where, with training and sheer willpower, athletes overcome all odds and win a championship or something similar. It could also stumble upon oversimplification, like many biopics do, by trying to fit…

Rise Series Finale Review: “Opening Night” Was Final Curtain Call

Unfortunately for Rise, “Opening Night” was not only the season one finale, but also the show’s final curtain call after it was revealed last week that NBC would officially be canceling the show. It is sad to see another great…

Rise 1×09 Review: “Totally Hosed” Forces Lou to Make Tough Choices

The drama is definitely heightened in “Totally Hosed,” as the pressure to deliver an acceptable performance comes crashing down on top of the Stanton High theater troupe. After being presented with the offer to redo the performance and become the…

Rise 1×08 Review: “The Petition” Might Be The Beginning Of The End

Over the course of Rise’s freshman season, Coach Strickland has been trying to put an end to the theater troupe’s performance of Spring Awakening. In “The Petition,” the entire town has jumped on the bandwagon to help shut down the…

Rise 1×07 Review: Tensions Run High in “This Will God Willing Get Better”

It’s tech week on Rise and tensions run high between everyone as they deal with drama both on and off the stage.  Things definitely don’t go too well during tech week. No one is on the same page, from Tracey…

Rise 1×06 Review: Allegiance is Questioned in “Bring Me Stanton”

Everyone is beginning to lose their way on Rise. In “Bring Me Stanton,” everyone within the Stanton High troupe is being put to the test. For Robbie, it’s his battle between football and the performance. You can also throw balancing…

Rise 1×05 Review: “We’ve All Got Our Junk” Was All About Strong Women

From the beginning of the episode all the way through to the end, Rise packed a punch in “We All Got Our Junk.” The freshman series’ fifth episode was emotional, strong, tough, and exhilarating to watch. Not only did the…