THE BIG FIVE!

It’s that time again guys. It’s that time when I, Charles Adamu, lover of TV shows, get to reveal to you all who amongst the world of sitcoms will make it onto my “big five” list. Today, ladies and gentlemen, I will be confessing to myself as well as everyone else, the TV sitcoms that I consider the best of the best. But before I start yapping, let’s remind ourselves of those featured in my first article that revealed what I like to call the “close five”, because, let’s face it, if these guys I am about to reveal now didn’t exist, then those guys I revealed last time would probably be featured in this article. Anyway, let’s get into this rundown. We had New Girl in tenth place, One Day at a Time in ninth, Modern Family in eighth, Black-ish in seventh, and so close to featuring in the big five list, The Office, in sixth place.  Deep breaths, Charles… deep breaths… this revelation is not the end of the world. Okay! Let’s get into it, let's stop beating around the comedy and begin this tragedy. Here I go!

5. Brooklyn 99

“Cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool” - this might sound like a broken record but that’s just Jake Peralta trying to convince himself that something absurd that he most likely did, is just fine. Ladies and gentlemen, in fifth place, a round of applause for Brooklyn 99. I had a similar experience trying to watch this show as I did The Office. For some reason, I just found it hard to tap into the sense of humour; but once I did… it hit hard! Having won two Creative Arts Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series in the Musical or Comedy genre, Brooklyn 99 spans eight hilarious and emotional seasons which will keep you glued to your screens. The show follows the exploits of the lead character Jake Peralta and his diverse, lovable colleagues as they police the NYPD’s 99th precinct. At the start of the show, the 99th precinct is taken over by a new Captain named Raymond Holt, which includes Jake Peralta who was always so used to doing whatever he wanted whenever he wanted. The other employees included Amy Santiago who, after being irritated by the childish character of Jake Peralta, begins to see him in a different light as the seasons progress; Detective Rosa Diaz, a tough, overachieving, and competitive partner who, mind you, also starred in One Day at a Time, as well as Modern Family; Detective Charles Boyle, Jake’s best friend; Detective Sergeant Terry Jeffords, who was recently taken off the field after the birth of his twin girls; and Gina Linetti, the queen of sarcasm and confidence. Together, they navigate the day-to-day life of being part of the police force as well as trying to have a life outside work. Brooklyn 99 does a good job of tackling a lot of sensitive issues while retaining an amazing sense of humour through all eight seasons. If you have yet to watch Brooklyn 99, then I really don’t know what you’re waiting for. It’s on Netflix and I don’t think it is a Netflix original, so I advise you to watch it now before it gets taken off. (Boo Netflix!)

4. The Big Bang Theory

“Knock knock knock, Penny”, “Knock knock knock, Penny”, “Knock knock knock, Penny”. Ladies and Gentlemen, in fourth place, is no other than the legendary The Big Bang Theory. The Big Bang Theory is hands down one of the greatest sitcoms of all time. The show originally centered around four nerds: Sheldon Cooper, Leonard Hofstadter, Rajesh Koothrappali, and Howard Wolowitz as well as a beautiful aspiring actress, Penny, who moves in next door to roommates (and best friends) Sheldon and Leonard. I’d like to start by saying that the person who played the character Sheldon Cooper is one hell of an actor. Jim Parsons, you are an amazing actor.  The character, Sheldon Cooper, somewhat sweet, incredibly smart, but incredibly unaware of social cues. Having entered college at 11, graduated college at age 14, attained his first Ph.D. at 16, and worked as a Senior theoretical physicist at The California Institute of Technology (Caltech), he was on his way to uncovering and proving String Theory. The show's sense of humour is amazing, because many jokes are so relatable. This show nailed it in so many ways but most memorable for me is Sheldon’s proposal. Look, I have watched a ton of sitcoms and they have all had their peak of romance moments but that of The Big Bang Theory is just something that remains with you forever. Whoever wrote that scene, my hat off to you. The show is such a good one that I felt like they just had to give viewers even more in the form of the spinoff show, Young Sheldon. Young Sheldon didn’t happen to make my list, but trust me, it was close. And so, if you were to find yourself craving more after watching The Big Bang Theory, then hop on Young Sheldon and I assure you that you’ll love it as well.

3. Seinfeld

This will surely not come as a surprise to anyone reading this article. Seinfeld is seen by a lot of folks as the GOAT of sitcoms. Unfortunately, I do not share that same opinion, but Seinfeld is definitely one of the greatest-s. What might come as a surprise, though, is the fact that as old as this show is, I just watched it this year. Jerry Seinfeld’s ability to use real-life situations and instances to create comical scenes is just top-notch. In fact, after watching the show, he immediately became one of my favourite comedians, because his comedy is just so relatable. The show featured four main characters: Jerry Seinfeld as himself, Elaine, George, and Kramer. And all four characters were hilarious. Seinfeld was comedy in its purest form. From Jerry who was also a stand-up comic in his show, to Elaine who got irritated by the littlest of things, all the way to Kramer who lived across from Jerry who was, in my opinion, the strongest character in the show, down to George who was just outright ridiculous. You have to watch Seinfeld. It’s like a rule of life. My favourite scene would have to be Elaine breaking up with her boyfriend because he wrote down a message for her on paper and he didn’t include an exclamation mark at the end of the message. Apparently, Elaine felt that the content of the message required an exclamation mark, and since he didn’t put one, she couldn’t be in a relationship with a guy who couldn’t decipher exclamation-worthy messages. This is how ridiculous the show is! You’ve just got to watch Seinfeld guys!

2. Friends

“So no one told you life was going to be this way. Your job’s a joke, you’re broke, your love life’s DOA….” — just me humming the intro song of Friends. 

“Oh My God”

“Pivot… pivot!”

“Seven… seven… seven…”

“I know!”

“How you doing?”

“We were on a break!”

If you wake up any Friends lover and you make any of these statements… you’d definitely leave a smile on their face, even if it’s snowing and it is 5 a.m. Friends is like an international anthem when it comes to sitcoms. Friends is everything a sitcom should be. Friends is the second on my big five list! Friends was one of the first few sitcoms I ever watched, and it’s so amazing that I still watch it to date. I have now completed the show four times and am on my way to completing it a fifth time. Go ahead and say it: “Charles, you are obsessed.” When it comes to jokes, especially jokes in relation to how it was acted out, Friends is king. I watched a couple of videos where they showed some parts of the script and how plain some jokes seemed on paper, but they were transformed into some of the most ridiculous Friends scenes. The actors and actresses suited their roles perfectly. It was like these guys were engineered for their roles. The show features five main characters: Ross Geller, a palaeontologist/professor, who had a high school crush on a lady who also plays a lead role in the show; His sister, Monica Geller, a cook/caterer who is so organized and uptight to some extent; Rachel Green, who almost got married at the beginning of the show but left the altar; Mr. “How you doing?”, Joey Tribianni, a sweet innocent soul who is also a certified playboy; Pheobe Buffay, who I think is loved by all who lay eyes on that show; and my favourite character, Chandler Bing, who was King of Sarcasm and “brilliant” jokes. Together, like in most sitcoms, they navigate the ups and downs of life and love. I still recall watching the reunion and going, “Damn, what a show this was!”

1. How I Met Your Mother

I bet you all were wondering, what in the world is the sitcom that I have decided to put ahead of shows like Friends, Seinfeld, and The Big Bang Theory? Drumroll please, and a standing ovation, as I introduce you all to the first on my Big Five list……. How I Met Your Mother. How I Met Your Mother is the first sitcom I ever watched. You might say that I perhaps introduced some bias in this list, given that it’s the first sitcom I ever watched, but I don’t think that’s the case. How I Met Your Mother, in my opinion, is one of the best written shows I’ve ever laid my eyes on. How I Met Your Mother is not just a comedy, How I Met Your Mother is not just a good watch, How I Met Your Mother is not just a way to have good laughs and pass the time, How I Met Your Mother is a beautiful, emotional, and well-written story, in which the lead character, Ted Moseby, spends 9 seasons telling his two kids a story of how he met their mother. 9 seasons! Weren’t those kids tired?! The show does an amazing job of showing the viewers the struggles of love and life. It centres around five main characters: Ted Moseby - the guy who was a low-key playboy but high-key spent the 9 seasons looking for true love. Ted Moseby was an important character to me because at times it felt like I was watching myself on TV. I had never related to a character on TV like I did Ted Moseby. He was the storyteller/narrator for most of the show, telling his kids in almost all honesty, all the trials, tribulations, good, bad, and ugly times he had gone through before he met their mother; Barney Stinson - the guy who to a lot of viewers, made the show what it was. Barney Stinson, just like Joey Tribianni of Friends, was the certified playboy of the show, but he was not just talented at flirting. Rather, he had developed a skill just to get the ladies. Barney, who was always in a suit for most of the series, and who always wanted his friend Ted Moseby to put on a suit, was himself a highlight of the show. Marshall Eriksen and Lily Aldrin - the high school sweethearts were an important part of the show, as they show us that love is not just pure bliss. Lily and Marshall spent most of the show as a couple but that never caused their characters to be diminished. Individually, they were both strong characters in the show and were just as ridiculous as the rest. Robin Scherbatsky - The star lady of the show. We see how it’s not always straightforward when men and women always hang out as friends. Emotions start to arise, hearts start to get broken, and best friends start to doubt themselves — Robin Scherbatsky being at the core of it all. 

How I Met Your Mother is such an amazing show that it’s been more than 5 years now and I still cannot get myself to complete the show. I still have three episodes left and I just can’t get myself you watch those last three. How I Met Your Mother is a story to hear, a story to watch, and a story you’d want to tell after you’re done watching it. So what are you waiting for?!

I did it guys! I finally revealed my top 5 sitcoms of all time. Before I conclude this article, I’d like to share with you the list of shows that were considered that didn’t make the top 10: 

Girls, Atypical, The Ranch, Pretty Smart, Two and a Half Men, Grown-ish, Mixed-ish, Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Superstore, Dead To Me, Kim’s Convenience, Mom, Bob Heart’s Abishola, and Young Sheldon. 

Anyway, it was awesome sharing with you all my love for TV shows, especially in the genre of sitcoms. I hope you try some of the ones I’ve listed here out. My name is Charles Adamu, and I hope to share with you my top TV shows in some other genre soon.

Jules (2023) Film Review

Jules (2023) Film Review

By Nadeem Myireh

Director: Marc Turtletaub
Featuring: Ben Kingsley, Harriet Sansom Harris, Jane Curtin, and Jade Quon

Pros: Comedic, Touching, Good Performances, and Impressive Prosthetics
Cons: Shallow, Short Runtime, Bland Soundtrack

Marc Turtletaub’s “Jules”, starring Ben Kingsley, Harriet Sansom Harris, Jane Curtin, and Jade Quon as the eponymous Jules, may have premiered two months ago but the Evans Theatre has been kind enough to place it on my radar and I, as a casual filmgoer, was obliged to see it.

Marc Turtletaub’s “Jules” takes a classic film trope – UFOs and extraterrestrials and combines it with the introspection of a subdued character study film, a genre I have lovingly grown to call “slice-of-life drama”. On paper, the premise holds a lot of potential. But the film isn’t nearly as weird as a close encounter with the third kind ought to be and relies on one or two instances of true sci-fi creativity to keep the extraterrestrial visitor engaging. Ben Kingsley stars as Milton Robinson, an aging, isolated man struggling with the early stages of dementia, and he plays the character quite well. Kingsley plays Milton as defensive, but he lets just enough emotion through that you begin to hear the uncertainty in each word. Even though the film does offer a, at times, touching look into how the elderly are left behind by a generation too busy with work and school, its short runtime – at only eighty-seven minutes, doesn’t give the viewer long enough with any character, even the titular Jules, to form a connection to them by the time the film ends. Unfortunately, this and the fairly surface level dialogue leave very little room for the film to have as emotional of an ending as it could have. The casting of Ben Kingsley, Harriet Sansom Harris, and Jane Curtin works incredibly well, creating a familiar and jovial dynamic between the three as if these strangers have actually been long time friends. And Jade Quon’s silent but approachable portrayal of Jules gives each of the actors their chance to show an open, sensitive side to each of their characters.

With all that being said, the film shines its brightest when it takes the time to let its cast share the screen, as they are the method the film tries to use to get its theme out - that theme being disconnection. At first that may sound like a bit of a stretch, but the entire film is about disconnection on various levels. The disconnection Kingsley’s Milton feels from those closest to him, afraid that his daughter and son are fed up with him, and unable to truly open up to those nearest. As well as the disconnection between himself and the alien, Jules, whom he seems to understand the least out of the elderly trio.

Although “Jules” presents the audience with a handful of interesting premises, it doesn’t give itself the time nor the clarity needed to actually go anywhere with them. Which, after much deliberation, leaves me with little choice but to give the film a four-out-of-ten.

PLACES TO VISIT IN BRANDON

Although Brandon may seem small and quiet compared to a city like Toronto, there are still several activities to do here. Here’s a list of some fun places to visit here in Brandon. 

The Daly House Museum

Located at 122 18th St, Brandon MB R7A 5A4, The Daly House Museum is a small Victorian house that was once the residence of the Dalys and the Coldwells, two prominent families in Brandon, and is currently the sole pre-1900 building on 18th Street, a municipal heritage site and a magnificent example of Italianate architecture. As soon as you enter this museum, the 19th century is brought to life with its antique decor and exhibits, such as Mutter Brother's Grocery shop.

T-Birds Food Fun Games

This is an arcade and bowling alley that can be found at 2140 Currie Blvd, Brandon MB R7B 4E7. T-birds is a great place to hang out with friends and family. It has an arcade, a bowling alley, and a restaurant. There is never a dull moment at T-birds. The staff is very friendly, the food is delicious, and you can play for as long as possible!

Riverbank Discovery Center 

Located at: 545 Conservation Dr, Brandon MB R7A 7L8

There are several activities at the Riverbank Discovery Center. During the summer I went kayaking. It was very relaxing. It is the perfect way to clear your mind, especially if you are feeling stressed and overwhelmed. The park is extremely beautiful and is great for picnics. Sometimes they’ll even host concerts!

Landmark Cinemas

Located at: Unit 100 - 1570 18th St, Brandon MB R7A 5C5

This cinema is a great place to watch movies with friends and family! Nun 2 is now showing. If you aren’t busy with school, try to watch a movie.

Check out these places before you are too busy with school. There are more places that didn’t make the list, but I will definitely try to cover it next time, See you later! 

Fictional Band Brought to Life: A Review of the Daisy Jones and The Six Show

Fictional Band Brought to Life: A Review of the Daisy Jones and The Six Show 

By: Mallory Johnson 

Author Taylor Jenkins Reid’s bestselling novel Daisy Jones and The Six was just adapted into a television show of the same name by Prime Video, and I loved it! The story follows a fictional band in the 1970s, (modeled after Fleetwood Mac), their rise to fame, and the eventual breakup of the band. The show follows Riley Keough (American Honey, It Comes at Night), Sam Claflin (The Hunger Games franchise, Adrift), Camilla Morrone (Death Wish, Never Goin Back), Suki Waterhouse (The Broken Hearts Gallery, Seance), Will Harrison (Madam Secretary), Josh Whitehouse (Valley Girl, Alleycats), Sebastian Chacon (Emergency, Pose), and more. Before I go any further, SPOILER ALERT. Also, major trigger warnings for addiction (to drugs and alcohol), drug use, an overdose, and cheating. Minor trigger warnings for child abandonment, toxic relationships, sexual violence (implied, off-screen), pedophilia, death, loss, grief, an abortion (off screen, discussed and implied), and sexual content. 

I am a huge fan of the book this show is based on, so I went into the show with very high expectations - and the show very much exceeded them! I have read the book twice and unfortunately don’t remember much of it. My favourite part of the book getting adapted is that they made the music that the band made in the book! There are some song lyrics at the back of the book and the creators of the show changed quite a lot, but it makes sense since Taylor Jenkins Reid is an author, not a songwriter. The music is phenomenal and addicting to listen to. 

Sam Claflin as Billy Dunne and Riley Keough as Daisy Jones truly steal the show in every single scene. They have phenomenal chemistry that I loved, which is necessary for their roles. Sam is an iconic actor who is most well-known from his performances in many book-to-movie adaptations like The Hunger Games and Me Before You. He played a very complex and hard to love character very well, making you feel bad for him, be angry at him, and love him at the same time. Riley is the granddaughter of the icon Elvis, which is very cool. Shockingly, though, this was her first time singing! Both her and Sam, the two fronts of the band, were the only ones who had no musical experience prior to the show. The band members went through extensive band camp and rehearsals to ensure they were prepared, and you can tell for sure. One aspect that I loved about the show was that they further humanized a lot of characters, giving side characters more screen time, allowing them to be more fleshed out and human. For example, the character Simone gets her own love story in the show that I am pretty sure she didn’t have in the book. There are many scenes that are hard to watch in the show, but the tough subject matter is handled very well. 

I was shocked in the first and last episodes when they used direct quotes from the book. I watched the first episode with a friend and was saying something and interrupted myself when I realized they were leading up to my favourite quote from the book! I was saying that an actor looked familiar and then said, “OH I know EXACTLY what she’s about to say!!” and then sure enough, she said it! 

Overall, the show was very well done. The characters felt real, and the costuming was fantastic. The show only has one season with 10 episodes as of now, and I am torn if I want a second season yet or not. They told the full story of the book in season one, and I’m not sure what they would do in season two. The soundtrack was amazing, and I loved how they featured Fleetwood Mac music too. I give the show a perfect 10/10 and cannot wait to see what’s coming next! I look forward to re-reading the book and re-watching the show after this summer! 

From Video Game to Small Screen: A Review of The Last of Us

From Video Game to Small Screen: A Review of The Last of Us  

By: Mallory Johnson 

The first season of the critically acclaimed new HBO Max/Crave show The Last of Us recently wrapped up, and I am a huge fan! The hit show is based on a video game of the same name. It took some convincing for me to start watching the show, and once I started the first episode, I quickly became obsessed. The show stars Pedro Pascal (Narcos, The Mandalorian), Bella Ramsey (Catherine Called Birdy, Game of Thrones), Anna Torv (Fringe, Mindhunter), Merle Dandridge (Station 19, Truth Be Told), and more. The show follows Pedro’s character Joel, and Bella’s character Ellie who are on a journey through a post-zombie-like-apocalypse United States. I was hesitant to watch the show as I am not a fan of zombie media. I don’t watch The Walking Dead, but the monsters/”the infected'' in The Last of Us are different (in my opinion, they are less scary and realistic looking). Before I go any further, here is a MAJOR SPOILER ALERT. Also, trigger warnings for: blood and gore, death, war (prominent theme), loss, grief, suicide (shown and discussed), murder, disease (prominent theme), gun violence, pandemic discussion, the apocalypse, a few animal deaths (for hunting purposes; no family pets are killed), an attempt at sexual violence (shown and hard to watch), discussion of cannibalism, abduction, fire/arson, abandonment, violence, a cult, drug use and dealing, addiction, torture, body horror, police brutality, fascism, PTSD, flashing lights, swearing, childbirth (shown), a plane crash, and a car crash. 

The performances done by main characters Pedro Pascal as Joel and Bella Ramsey as Ellie are phenomenal and highlights of the show. Some scenes and the major themes of the show are very difficult; the show is not a light and fluffy comedy, so major props to Bella and Pedro. I have not played the game that the show is based on, but I have seen on TikTok and YouTube that the show is VERY accurate to the game and even uses exact lines of dialogue in the show which is amazing. I have started watching people play through the game on YouTube and it is very cool to see for myself how well they adapted the game. 

The first episode, with a whopping one hour and twenty-minute runtime, provides necessary context about how the world ended up in the zombie-like apocalypse. The conversations eerily mirror conversations regarding COVID-19, which is very unsettling. We also get necessary background into Joel’s life, as the end of the world was beginning. SPOILER ALERT AHEAD: We see as Joel tragically loses his only daughter, Sarah, after she was shot, even though she was innocent and was perfectly fine. It’s heartbreaking, as Joel desperately yells for help and cradles Sarah. Her tragic death is commentary on how the real threat was the government and soldiers, not the Infected. After this, we are taken twenty years later to 2023, where the main action of the show takes place. What is haunting about the disease present in this show is that there is no cure or vaccine. However, Ellie is immune (and had already been bitten) so she is safe. 

Easily one of the best, most heartfelt, and easily the most heartbreaking episodes out of all nine in the first season is episode three. We see the love story of two adult men named Bill and Frank. Bill is a smart survivalist who is totally content living alone if it means he is safe. He has set Home Alone style traps and cameras all around to prevent getting infected. One day, a healthy, unarmed man named Frank falls into one of his traps and asks for a meal. Long story short, Frank ends up staying for more than just a meal and they live a long and safe life together until they poetically end their lives on their own terms together. The end of the episode is devastating, but the tough subject matter was handled very well. 

In my opinion, after episode three, the tone of the show had a major shift. It felt a lot darker and more brutal, but it was still enjoyable. Something I noticed about this show is that they love to introduce new characters, have viewers get attached to them, and then kill them off before the episode even ends. Another one of my favorite episodes is number seven, which provides viewers with more context and background for Ellie, and yet another heartbreaking LGBTQ+ love story. In this episode, which is set three months before Ellie met Joel, she is seen spending time with her best friend Riley after sneaking out. They go to a deserted mall, which Ellie has never been to, and they have the time of their lives. Unfortunately, they get attacked by an Infected and both get bitten. They decide to ride it out together and “poetically lose our minds together” as Riley says - except Ellie is immune, so she is fine…however, Riley is not. This episode had some beautiful, tender love between Ellie and Riley who shared a kiss together after Ellie was crushing hard. 

Episode eight is easily the most brutal and hardest to watch episode of the whole season. It combines some of my least favorite horror tropes: cults, cannibalism, sexual violence, and religion. It reminded me of the horror show Midnight Mass at the beginning of the episode. Ellie nearly gets sexually assaulted, but she defends herself and murders her attacker. She is understandably traumatized and finds Joel outside; and becomes his unofficial daughter when he comforts her, which is one of my favorite moments in the show. I loved that some actors in the show also voiced characters in the game, and that it was filmed in Alberta! 

Overall, I really loved this show and cannot wait for season two. I am very glad that my sister convinced me to watch it; I had no idea what I was missing! Now that the first season is done, I need a new show to watch on Sunday nights. I am giving The Last of Us a whopping 10/10 and wish I had more episodes to watch! 

Origin of April Fools Day

Origin of April Fools Day 

by Ronnie Neiman

When did April Fools Start? Why did it Start? When did it become a prank-based Holiday? These are all questions I have regarding April Fools.

The holiday is celebrated on April 1 each year and has been celebrated for several centuries by different cultures, though its exact origins remain a mystery. While its exact history is shrouded in mystery, the embrace of April Fools’ Day jokes by the media and major brands has ensured the unofficial holiday’s long life. Some historians speculate that April Fools’ Day dates back to 1582, when France switched from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar, as called for by the Council of Trent in 1563. In the Julian Calendar, as in the Hindu calendar, the new year began with the spring equinox around April 1. People who were slow to get the news or failed to recognize that the start of the new year had moved to January 1 and continued to celebrate it during the last week of March through April 1 became the butt of jokes and hoaxes and were called “April fools.”

April Fools’ Day spread throughout Britain during the 18th century. In Scotland, the tradition became a two-day event, starting with “hunting the gowk,” in which people were sent on phony errands (gowk is a word for cuckoo bird, a symbol for fool) and followed by Tailie Day, which involved pranks played on people’s derrieres, such as pinning fake tails or “kick me” signs on them. There’s also speculation that April Fools’ Day was tied to the vernal equinox, or first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, when Mother Nature fooled people with changing, unpredictable weather.

In modern times, people have gone to great lengths to create elaborate April Fools’ Day hoaxes. Newspapers, radio and TV stations and websites have participated in the April first tradition of reporting outrageous fictional claims that have fooled their audiences. 

In 1957, the BBC reported that Swiss farmers were experiencing a record spaghetti crop and showed footage of people harvesting noodles from trees. In 1985, Sports Illustrated writer George Plimpton tricked many readers when he ran a made-up article about a rookie pitcher named Sidd Finch who could throw a fastball over 168 miles per hour.

In 1992, National Public Radio ran a spot with former President Richard Nixon saying he was running for president again… only it was an actor, not Nixon, and the segment was all an April Fools’ Day prank that caught the country by surprise.

In 1996, Taco Bell, the fast-food restaurant chain, duped people when it announced it had agreed to purchase Philadelphia’s Liberty Bell and intended to rename it the Taco Liberty Bell. In 1998, after Burger King advertised a “Left-Handed Whopper,” scores of clueless customers requested the fake sandwich. Google notoriously hosts an annual April Fools’ Day prank that has included everything from “telepathic search” to the ability to play Pac Man on Google Maps.

For the average trickster, there is always the classic April Fools’ Day prank of covering the toilet with plastic wrap or switching out sugar 

and salt. 

Scream 6 Actually Blew Me Away: A Movie Review

Scream 6 Actually Blew Me Away: A Movie Review 

By: Mallory Johnson

The newest installment in the iconic slasher franchise Scream 6 came out recently, and I finally got to experience a Scream movie in a theatre! I went in excited with very high expectations, as I am a huge fan of the movies. I watched them last year in my dorm as a way of making my way through some horror classics. I love how funny and self-aware the films are and Scream 6 does not disappoint. The movie stars legacy character Courteney Cox (Friends, 3000 Miles to Graceland), Melissa Barrera (In the Heights, Bed Rest), new scream queen icon Jenna Ortega (X, Wednesday), Jasmin Savoy Brown (Yellowjackets, Laggies), and more. The film follows Ghostface murders in the new setting of New York City. Before I go any further, a MAJOR SPOILER ALERT for Scream 6 and just in case, the whole franchise. Read with caution! Also, trigger warnings for gruesome murders, blood, gore, jump scares, death, grief, loss, stalking, gaslighting, near sexual assault, PTSD, psychosis, slutshaming, sexual content (heard, not seen), and gun violence. 

I am so glad that I loved this movie so much! After experiencing the Scream franchise initially in my dorm room, it was a blast going out to a movie theatre on a Saturday morning with my best friend Mandy and watching a classic slasher film. The kills in this installment were some of the most brutal ones of the whole franchise, which was a comment I had seen and heard in some advanced reviews. I loved how it was clear about the time jump after movie number 5, with us joining Tara and Sam a year later. The film explores mental health issues, with Sam on medications and in therapy. It is honest and realistic that recurring, surviving characters would be very traumatized after nearly dying and seeing others murdered. 

The tension and build up in this movie are phenomenal; I was on the edge of my seat multiple times. The return of the believed-to-be-killed-off Kirby Reed was fun, and I was morbidly fascinated by the shrine scenes. I whispered to Mandy, “it’s so morbid but so cool…it’s like a museum!” The film follows the same Scream formula, with the story opening on a brutal first kill that was twisty and unexpected to me. We then jump to our “Core Four” and follow them through the brutality for the second act, until we see the shocking Ghostface reveal in the end. I personally am a big fan of predictable slashers like the Scream movies because I find comfort in knowing what I am in for regarding horror. I watched the unpredictable movies Midsommar and Skinamarink and was terrified the whole time because of the anticipation of something terrifying happening. With Scream, the jump scares and tension are enough to make me jump and be on the edge of my seat. While I predicted one of the killers, I was still shocked at the whole reveal and was pleased! There is a scene (featured in the trailer) where characters are in a NYC Subway, on Halloween. The train is filled to the brim with people dressed in horror-relevant costumes and picking out all the easter eggs was a lot of fun! 

Overall, I was very pleased with this movie. I was disappointed that Neve Campbell, who played the iconic Final Girl Sidney Prescott, was not going to be in it. I felt like her absence worked for this movie though. Neve Campbell deserves fair pay for her work, as she was a staple in the movies. I give Scream 6 a 10/10 and am crossing my fingers for a seventh addition to the franchise! 

St. Patricks Day Traditions; New and Old

St. Patricks Day Traditions; New and Old 

by Ronnie Neiman

In looking through older articles of the Quill concerning St. Patricks Day, a few things are commonplace. Wear green, be loud and proud Irish and partake in Alcohol (safely). For myself the holidays traditions are a bit different this year. As I am part Irish on side of the family, I always update myself on Irish politics and news. On the other side of my family, my great-grandmothers birthday is on St.Patricks day. However, sadly she had passed away during the previous summer. I’ll be raising a glass to her memory this St. Patricks Day. 

On a lighter note, there are some fun traditions to take part in regardless of being Irish or not. 

Wear some green! Grab some body paint and go wild. Then, as a means to both celebrate the warming weather whilst simultaneously acknowledging that this is in fact Manitoba and the bar for warmer weather is pretty low, do a mad dash in all your green-nudist-mildly-inebriated glory. I’d recommend some sort of undergarments of course, less out of concern for the individual partaking in this particular event as they will be having more pressing problems shortly, but rather to spare the eyes of those unfortunate enough to witness this newfound all-natural tradition. 

And who says you have to stop at body paint? Toss some glitter in there, green streamers to attach to your nipples, a cape, a hat, maybe even a mask to cover up your face so your parents don’t end up realizing that studying isn’t the only thing you’re doing at university. 

Decorate for the holiday! While advice for amassing your own pot of gold to hide away is sadly beyond reach (unless chocolate gold coins count), in the spirit of this gold encased holiday lets talk about taking advantage of holiday themed treats. 

Each holiday retailers are frantic to get consumers to spend hard earned cash or digital funds on seasonal themed goods. For instance, Valentine’s Day had chocolate ranging up and down the aisle in cute little hearts, affection is bought after all, then the next day they place all of it on sale. Within days of that Easter takes over the scene with the occasional nod to the in between holidays like St. Patty’s Day. 

So take advantage of this weakness in the system. Wait a day after the holiday- don’t fall for those fake day before sales, wait for those desperate clear-out sales that’ll give you the most bang for your buck. Think, if you wait a mere day after the fact it’s like boxing day for every minor seasonal money grab. 

Expensive stuffed toys? Fancy and financially straining treats!?!? Seize the means of production and make it yourself! Grab a pre-made brownie mix and add extra chocolate, search the ground for dropped treats. Pinch those pennies till they’ve made like coal and turned to diamonds. 

All the leprechaun does is run around one day of the year and chill at the end of the rainbow with his pot of gold- and you too can have this means of financial fulfillment. Hoard up that money in a stray cooking pot or classic money jar and watch the money grow until you’re set up to flee into the wilds and live at the end of rainbows. 

Spoiler Alert: The Rom Com Turned Tragedy, A Movie Review

Spoiler Alert: The Rom Com Turned Tragedy, A Movie Review  

By: Mallory Johnson

I recently watched the movie Spoiler Alert, which is based on a heartbreaking true story. The film came out in 2022, and stars Jim Parsons (The Big Bang Theory, Home), Ben Aldridge (Knock at the Cabin, Fleabag), and more. The heartfelt story follows two men who meet and fall in love…and then years later their relationship takes a tragic turn when one of them is diagnosed with cancer. Before I go any further, (a very fitting) SPOILER ALERT. Also, trigger warnings for: cancer, death, loss, drug use, sexual content, and homophobia. 

In the first half of the movie, I was happily enjoying a comforting gay romantic comedy. However, when the climax of the story hit, I was shocked at the tonal and emotional shift. The story is devastating and comforting, with brilliant performances from Jim Parsons as Michael Ausiello and Ben Aldridge as Kit Cowan. The story pulls you in with wonderful romance and character building, only to break your heart in the best way possible. You can tell that the real Michael Ausiello was involved in telling the story in film when you look at his Instagram account: he is constantly posting about the actors, his own personal life, and the movie. He wrote the book that the movie is based on, so he was very much aware of what was getting put into the film. 

There are many small aspects of the movie that are heartwarming-then-heartbreaking, like Michael laying underneath the Christmas Tree the first time, and then it gets turned into a tradition. These moments are very tender, intimate, and soft, which is one of the reasons it later packs such an emotional punch. Jim Parsons really shines in this movie, and I am so glad he can move on from roles like Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory. Jim Parsons is not Sheldon Cooper; the character Michael Ausiello proves that. Both lead characters Kit and Michael are very vulnerable throughout the story, allowing the characters to feel very real and fleshed out. There is one scene in the movie with Kit blowing bubbles, with Michael filming him. If you stick out the credits, there is a mid-credits scene that broke my heart: a video of the real Kit blowing bubbles, with the real Michael filming him. They recreated this video so accurately it blew my mind. I appreciate how Spoiler Alert was not advertised as a “gay movie!!!” like the film Bros was, because it made their love and identity feel more realistic. 

Overall, I very much loved this movie, and strongly believe it may be a new favorite of mine. I am a fan of emotional stories and am also a sucker for a good romance, so this film delivered the best of both worlds. I give it a strong 10/10 and highly recommend watching it if you want a good cry.

Knock at the Cabin: A Twisty Movie Review

Knock at the Cabin: A Twisty Movie Review  

By: Mallory Johnson 

The acclaimed director M. Night Shyamalan’s newest movie, Knock at the Cabin, came out recently. I saw it on Valentine’s Day with friends and enjoyed it. The film stars Jonathan Groff (Glee, Hamilton), Ben Aldridge (Spoiler Alert, Fleabag), Dave Bautista (The Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, Blade Runner 2049), Rupert Grint (the Harry Potter franchise, Servant), Nikki Amuka-Bird (The Outfit, Jupiter Ascending), Abby Quinn (Landline, Radium Girls), and Kristin Cui in her first movie role. The story follows a family who are on vacation, staying in an isolated cabin, who get a mysterious knock at their door. They are told by four strangers with weapons that they must make an impossible choice: they must sacrifice one member of their family, or the world will brutally end. Before I go any further, SPOILER ALERT. Also, trigger warnings for: murder (the gore happens off screen, but it still happens), blood, the apocalypse, fire, plane crashes, illness, family death, homophobia, homophobic violence, bugs, home invasion, violence, gun violence, restraint, kidnapping, audio gore, jump scares, suicide, PTSD, and natural disasters. The film is based on the book called The Cabin at the End of the World by Paul Tremblay. 

The acting from Jonathan Groff, Ben Aldridge, and Kristin Cui was amazing and some of the best performances in the movie. However, Dave Bautista stole the show more than once and I cannot wait to see him in more serious roles once he is no longer committed to Marvel. Throughout the film I had no idea who to believe, whether the fictional world was ending or if they were just pretending to force the family to make an awful choice. Ben Aldridge’s character was reasonable in his anger, fear, confusion, and ultimate sadness at the end. 

Now, I am going to put in place another MAJOR SPOILER ALERT here because I will be discussing exactly how the movie ends, so please do not read on if you don’t want spoilers.

I enjoyed the movie, but I was a little disappointed about the ending. Considering M. Night Shyamalan is the mind behind iconic twisty movies like The Sixth Sense. I was shocked that there was no big twist at the end. Right as the credits rolled, I said to my friends, “Well, I guess the real twist is that there was no twist…” I expected the twist to be that the world was not actually ending, but the family would only find out after they made the horrible decision to do the sacrifice. I was sad when the sacrifice was made, and then when the surviving husband went to the diner with his daughter and watched the news, learning that the sacrifice worked. It was such a heartbreaking yet happy ending. I was so positive that I was catching the strangers in the act when I noticed that the newscasts were pre-recorded, but I was wrong. I felt like I could see the exact moment Jonathan Groff’s character started believing the strangers, “falling under their trap.” It was nice to see Jonathan in a more serious role, as I know him from the early season of Glee and as the King in Hamilton. I loved how he sang (for a very short scene) in the car with his family, and how that song was brought back in the ending. In one of the flashback scenes, when the two husbands pointed at each other and said “always together” I could tell where the movie was going. It was a tad predictable with the lack of a big twist, but I sometimes don’t mind a predictable movie. I am a huge fan of the Scream movie franchise, after all. 

I loved how the story jumped into the plot right at the start and didn’t waste any time establishing what is going on. Dave Bautista’s character, Leonard, wasted no time being creepy when he sat down to catch grasshoppers with the young girl, named Wen, played by Kristin Cui. It creeped me out because I was thinking “what does an adult like him want with a girl as young as her.” Turns out it was harmless, but still. I also incorrectly thought there was a homophobic motive based on Leonard’s reaction to Wen’s two dads. 

Overall, I enjoyed the movie and am glad that I saw it in theatres. I loved the tender family moments/their backstory scenes that were placed in between the present tense at the cabin. I loved how casual the queer representation was in the movie and the marketing. It’s not a “queer horror/thriller movie” it’s simply a horror/thriller movie that happens to have two gay men at the forefront. I give Knock at the Cabin a strong 8/10 and am excited to watch more spooky movies that are similar. 

Lightyear Goes to Infinity and Beyond

Lightyear Goes to Infinity and Beyond 

By: Mallory Johnson

I recently watched the Disney Pixar movie Lightyear, which came out in 2022. Basically, you do not need to have seen any Toy Story movie before watching Lightyear; it is the movie that Andy watched in the 1990s and loved so much he bought a Buzz Lightyear toy. The film stars Chris Evans (Avengers: Endgame, Captain America: Civil War), Keke Palmer (Nope, Hustlers), Peter Sohn (The Good Dinosaur, Monsters University), Taika Waititi (Jojo Rabbit, Our Flag Means Death), and more. The movie follows Buzz, a space ranger, who is stuck on a strange planet with this crew. Buzz and his crew encounter villainous robots who are determined to steal his only source of fuel. Before I go any further, SPOILER ALERT. Also, trigger warnings for death, bugs, jump scares, and flashing lights. Lightyear is available to stream on Disney+. 

The best way to describe this movie is: Top Gun: Maverick (and the original) meets the Star Wars movies, with a small dash of Toy Story. It is a very fun movie that is perfect for fans of the Top Gun and Star Wars movies! I am a huge fan of Top Gun (the second movie was one of my favorite movies of 2022, and I had a Top Gun-related Halloween costume in 2022!) so this was right up my alley. 

The movie has typical Pixar movie tropes: it breaks your heart but puts it back together before the credits roll. There is a heartbreaking scene near the beginning, and I predicted a small scene at the end yet was still sad when it happened. The voice acting in the film is very well done, I kept trying to guess what each character’s celeb voice was! Buzz is Chris Evans, which I told the friend I was watching with “that voice sounds familiar.” She asked me to guess other character’s voices and I did not recognize them! 

I loved how there was very natural and normalized lesbian representation in this movie. It is wonderful that young children get to watch this movie about a space ranger on missions that happens to have a lesbian best friend. There is not a big coming out scene, and there is zero homophobia. Buzz tells his friend that he’d love to meet “her” after she lets him know she is seeing someone. The casualness of the scene is refreshing. 

Overall, I had a great time watching this movie, and I am so glad I finally checked it out. I give it a strong 10/10 and highly recommend checking it out if you enjoy Top Gun, Star Wars, or both, and just want a fun Disney Pixar movie to watch. 

The Impact of a Teen Climate Activist and the Internet

The Impact of a Teen Climate Activist and the Internet  

By: Mallory Johnson 

At the tail end of 2022, social media personality, businessman, and former professional kickboxer Andrew Tate posted a now infamous tweet addressed to 19-year-old climate activist Greta Thunberg. The tweet bragged about his 33 cars, and how they have very high carbon emissions. This tweet caused a chain reaction that led to Andrew and his brother being charged with sex trafficking in Romania. Let’s start at the beginning. 

On December 27th, Andrew Tate tweeted, along with a photo of him with a car of his: 

“Hello Greta Thunberg

I have 33 cars. 

My Bugatti has a w16 8.0L quad turbo. 

My TWO Ferrari 812 competizione have 6.5L v12s.

This is just the start. 

Please provide your email address so I can send a complete list of my car collection and their respective enormous emissions.” 

Greta Thunberg quoted Andrew’s tweet in a joking manner, saying,

“Yes, please do enlighten me. Email me at smalldickenergy@getalife.com” to which Andrew replied, “How dare you?” Greta’s tweet quickly became one of the most liked tweets on Twitter, with millions of likes. According to sportskeeda.com, this was “ten times the likes of Tate’s post.” 

Shortly after this, Andrew Tate posted a two-minute rant video that was the beginning of the end for him and his brother. In the video, he is ranting about Greta Thunberg and climate activism. He orders pizza, with the pizza chain’s name and logo clearly visible. As he is being passed the pizza box, he says, “let’s make sure this box is never recycled!” The thing is, he got pizza from a chain that is exclusive to Romania. The Romanian authorities have been waiting for confirmation that the brothers are in Romania so that they can arrest them for sex trafficking. Once the rant was posted, the authorities received their confirmation and arrested the brothers. Shortly after this, Greta tweeted “This is why you always recycle pizza boxes.” I saw screenshots of Andrew’s website on Twitter, and it was horrifying. He brags about his career and how he abuses women. Recently, news broke that all of Andrew’s 33 cars were being seized. In conclusion, do not mess with Greta Thunberg!

Amazing SciFi Shows That Are Still Great To Binge Watch

Amazing SciFi Shows That Are Still Great To Binge Watch

By Ronnie Kayla Neiman

Science Fiction is an amazing genre. It is often called “sci-fi,” and it is a genre of fiction where the content is imaginative but based on some degree of scientific realism. It relies heavily on scientific facts, theories, and principles as support for its settings, characters, themes, and plot-lines, which is what makes it different from fantasy.

There are a number of SciFi shows that range from a few episodes snd up to numerous seasons. Science fiction seems to bring out such an intense fanbase, no matter the success of the show on networks. A good example of that is Firefly which lasted only 14 episodes but was so popular with fans that it received its own movie years later. Star Trek also has a number of series, each had its own range of success with the fanbase. The original series lasted only three seasons but is very popular and celebrated sixty years after it first aired.

Image Credit: wall.alphacoders.com 

1.Stargate SG1

A show that followed a low--budget film from 1994 simply titled; Stargate which starred Kurt Russel, and James Spader. A movie where a ring-like object nearly two stories tall was found in Egypt and allowed an air force team accompanied by an archeologist to another planet inhabited by humans lorded over by an alien species that looked human on the outside. The show changed the casting but kept the original premise of other-worldly travel through a wormhole, saving humans and other species from a race of aliens that portrayed themselves as gods. The series follows a team, called SG1, the primary team for the Stargate program as they travel to other worlds, make allies and fight their enemies. 

The team remains largely the same for the entire ten seasons of the show, though lead Richard Dean Anderson left at the end of season eight, but continued to make guest appearances for the rest of the series and one of the movies that followed. 

The series lasted ten seasons and had two movies and two spin-off series.

Image Credit: Creative Commons 

2.Stargate Atlantis

Stargate Atlantis is the first spin-off series related to Stargate SG1. This show was originally supposed to follow right after the end of Stargate SG1 as a series but the other show continued and Atlantis aired simultaneously with the last few seasons of SG1.

This show followed the primary team of Atlantis but also focused on the running of the City of Atlantis, which was a technologically advanced city designed to sit on the surface of a massive body of water with the ability to sink under the surface and would also function as a massive spaceship.

This series only lasted five seasons and sadly had no movie to follow, though a third series, Stargate Universe followed the year after the cancellation of Atlantis. It was much less successful than SG1 and Atlantis.

Image Credit: art.alphacoders.com 

3.Battlestar Galatica (2003)

A show that was remade from its original series that aired in 1978. The show was remade shortly after the horrible events of 9/11 and this show focused on a lot of political, economical, and human rights issues of a group of people trying their hardest to keep their species alive while been chased by the enemy that destroyed their colonies. Battlestar Galactica is a three-hour miniseries starring Edward James Olmos and Mary McDonnell with an ensemble cast.

The series follows immediately after the destruction of the Twelve Colonies of Kobol by the Cylons, a race of mechanical beings that developed the ability to have human-like Cylons. The survivors of humanity search for their original home; Earth while being chased by the Cylons and dealing with numerous issues that plague the fleet. 

The pilot was a two-part mini-series followed by four more seasons and two prequel movies titled Razor and The Plan. This series is placed on a lot of most-watched lists because of the issues the show dealt with which include abortion, domestic terrorism, and election stealing. It received large amounts of awards for its special effects, storytelling, and acting.

Image Credit: wallpaperaccess.com 

4.Star Trek: The Next Generation

This series was the spin-off to the original Star Trek series, though it was over twenty years after the Original Series aired. As with the original Star Trek, TNG was still very much about exploration, "boldly going where no one has gone before". Similarly, the plots captured the adventures of the crew of a starship, named the USS Enterprise-D.

There were 178 episodes produced over a total of seven seasons, making it the longest-running Star Trek series to date, and the adventures of the crew continued onto the big screen in four movies.

Image Credit: wallpaper-house.com 

5.Star Trek: Voyager

This series of star trek was aired when Star Trek Deep Space Nine was half-way through their own series, though finished years after that series had finished. Voyager was the third spin-off to the Original Series. Star Trek: Voyager (VOY) focuses on the 24th-century adventures of Captain Kathryn Janeway and her crew aboard the U.S.S. Voyager. The crew of Voyager combines forces with the crew of a destroyed Maquis ship in order to find their way home. Stranded over seventy thousand light-years from Earth, the crew tries to make the journey home while also adhering to the doctrine of exploration that Starfleet prides itself on. 

Due to its great distance from Federation space, the Delta Quadrant is unexplored by Starfleet, and Voyager is truly going where no human has gone before. Voyager is fast and powerful and has the ability to land on a planet’s surface. It is one of the most technologically advanced vessels in Starfleet, utilizing computer circuitry that incorporates bio-neural circuitry. 

Voyager aired 172 episodes over seven seasons from 1995 until 2001. While it didn't run for as many episodes as TNG did, Voyager was able to discover numerous new alien species and was better balanced with its gender ratio, with a female lead and several strong supporting female characters. 

Image Credit: wall.alphacoders.com 

6.Warehouse 13

A unique series in that its genre is considered Science Fiction but it is also described as a dramatic comedy and supernatural. The series follows U.S. Secret Service Agents Myka Bering and Pete Lattimer when they are assigned to the secretive Warehouse 13 for supernatural artifacts.  As they go about their assignments to retrieve missing artifacts and investigate reports of new ones, they come to understand the importance of what they are doing.

Somewhat of a short-lived series with six seasons, but only 12 episodes in season 1, 13 in both seasons 2 and 3, season 4 was its longest season with twenty episodes and just six episodes in its fifth and final season. 

 These are only six possibilities of different Science Fiction shows to watch. There is always more to find, more to watch, and many more to love As Warehouse 13 is described; "Welcome to Endless Wonder."

My Policeman: A Movie Review

My Policeman: A Movie Review 

By: Mallory Johnson

The movie adaptation of the novel of the same name by British author Bethan Roberts recently came out; the film initially had a very limited theatrical release (only in the United States and United Kingdom) and then came out worldwide on Prime Video. I watched it the day it came out, and I loved it. It stars musician-turned-actor Harry Styles (Don’t Worry Darling, Eternals), Emma Corrin (The Crown, Pennyworth), David Dawson (Luther, Peaky Blinders), Gina McKee (Notting Hill, Atonement), Linus Roache (Mandy, The Chronicles of Riddick), and Rupert Everett (My Best Friend's Wedding, The Happy Prince). Before I go any further, SPOILER ALERT. Also, trigger warnings for homophobia (internalized and externalized), outing, discussions of death, nudity and sexual content, and brief scenes of homophobic violence. The movie is a drama mostly set in the 1950s, and it follows a forbidden love. The story is based on a book that I read, and it translates very well to the screen. 

The movie is very different from Harry’s last movie (yet they’re set in the same decade for the most part). Harry was very passionate about My Policeman - he read the book and memorized the whole script before his audition! You can tell how passionate he is about this film because his acting was a lot better. The story's tones are also totally opposite; Don’t Worry Darling is an upbeat thriller (bordering on horror) and My Policeman is an emotional drama about lost time. I loved the casting in the movie, David Dawson and Emma Corrin nailed it and make unlikable characters loveable. The film deals with heavy subject matter, and I truly believe that it was handled well; the director said that there was an entire queer cast so that is great. I also loved how it was set and filmed in Brighton, UK, it was cool reading scenes and then seeing them being brought to life! 

Overall, I really loved this movie and am so grateful to see Harry acting in his element. The flash forwards and the flashbacks were timed great, and I am glad that the flashbacks were given priority. I give it a strong 10/10 and am so glad I can watch it over and over again!

Meet Me at Midnight: A Review of Midnights by Taylor Swift

Meet Me at Midnight: A Review of Midnights by Taylor Swift 

Part 2

By: Mallory Johnson

Next comes the self-written shocker Vigilante Shit, where Taylor talks about how she is getting revenge against (unnamed in the song, but fans figured out that it was) Scooter Braun, who deeply wronged her in her master’s situation. She talks about exposing his cheating to his (now) ex-wife and exposing his white-collar crimes to the FBI. She also says that he was doing lines of cocaine and crossing all her lines! My favorite lyrics are, “while he was doing lines/and crossing all of mine,” “she looks so pretty/driving in your Benz….” and “picture me thick as thieves with your ex-wife.” Track nine is another one of my favorites, and it is the glittery Bejeweled, which has an equally glittery music video. It is basically a fun version of her Folklore track mirrorball. She says in the chorus, “best believe I’m still bejeweled/when I walk in the room, I can still make the whole place shimmer!” I love the “nice” effect in the chorus! My favorite lyrics are “did all of the extra credit then got graded on a curve/I think it’s time to teach some lessons” and “some guy said my aura’s moonstone just cause he was high” and “what’s a girl gotta do? A diamond’s gotta shine!” She brings the mood down with the pretty yet sad song Labyrinth. She sings about her worries as she is falling in love again. My favorite lyrics are the very first ones, “it only hurts this much right now/is what I was thinking the whole time.” Song eleven is another fun, petty song - and is called Karma. She sings vaguely about people who have wronged her, and in the chorus, discusses all the good things that she has - because she has not done anything wrong, karma is good to her. 

My favorite lyrics are “Karma is the guy on the screen/coming straight home to me!” This refers to her British actor boyfriend Joe Alwyn. She slows it down on the twelfth song Sweet Nothing, which was written with Joe Alwyn under the pseudonym William Bowery. The song is a very sweet love song about loving despite the noise. My favorite lyrics are “On the way home/I wrote a poem/you say, ‘what a mind’/this happens all the time.” The final song on the standard edition of the album is Mastermind, in which she sings about how she schemed and planned for her and Joe’s relationship to work. She says, “what if I told you none of it was accidental?” My favourite lyrics are “I laid the groundwork, and then saw a wide smirk/On your face, you knew the entire time.” The first song on the 3am edition is called The Great War, and it discusses hardships in a relationship. My favourite lyric is “there’s no morning glory/it’s war it wasn’t fair.” The next song is a heartbreaking song about grief called Bigger Than the Whole Sky. 

My favourite lyric is “every single thing I touch becomes sick with sadness.” Moving on, the next song called Paris is a fun poppy bop that I love. She describes pretending that her and her lover are in Paris instead of where they are. My favourite lyrics are, “Let the only flashing lights/ be the tower at midnight.” This refers to them not needing to worry about paparazzi camera flashes, only the Eiffel tower flashes. Next is High Infidelity, which is about cheating. My favourite lyrics are “do you really want to know where I was April 29th? /Do I really have to chart the constellations in his eyes?” Next, we have Glitch, which has fun alternative beats/effects which I love. My favourite lyrics are “five seconds later, I’m fastening myself to you with a stitch.” Next is another favourite of mine, the heartbreaking Would’ve Could’ve Should’ve, and is about the emotional abuse and grooming she experienced when she dated John Mayer when she was nineteen and he was thirty-two, told through religious trauma metaphors. The most heartbreaking (and my favourite lyric, possibly on the whole album) is “give me back my girlhood, it was mine first.” I also love the lyric right before that one which says, “living for the thrill of hitting you where it hurts.” The album closes with the slow ballad Dear Reader, in which Taylor gives the listeners advice, then turns around and tells us not to take it. My favourite lyric is, “no one sees when you lose/When you’re playing solitaire.” 

Overall, I genuinely really love this album - I love the production, to me it sounds a lot like the album Melodrama by Lorde, which makes sense because producer Jack Antonoff worked on both albums. The album feels like a warm hug, and I am so grateful for it. I (obviously) give it a strong 10/10 and cannot wait to see where Taylor takes us next! 

Meet Me at Midnight: A Review of Midnights by Taylor Swift

Meet Me at Midnight: A Review of Midnights by Taylor Swift 

Part 1

By: Mallory Johnson

Taylor Swift’s newest studio album came out on October 21st, and I have been playing it on repeat ever since! The album is called Midnights and is Taylor’s tenth album and she said that it is her first ever full-on concept album. Midnights is about thirteen sleepless nights throughout her life, and ranges from when she was young to more current-seeming romances. I listened to (what I thought was) the full album at midnight on October 20th, and then stayed up late because Taylor said she had a “super chaotic surprise” which turned out to be the Deluxe version of the album, titled the “Midnights: the 3am Edition” with seven more songs! There is also a bonus song (and two remixes) on the Target exclusive vinyl, so the whole album has 23 tracks, ten more than originally advertised. I want to say that in this article, I briefly mention eating disorders and emotional abuse, so if that is triggering to you, please read with care. 

The album opens with Lavender Haze, a song in which Taylor talks about how she loves her partner so much she is ignoring what the crowds are saying, and just wants to stay in their “lavender haze.” She squashes and critiques marriage rumors, saying “The only kinda girl they see/Is a one night or a wife.” I love the lyric “I’m damned if I do give a damn what people say.” She moves onto the song Maroon, which is appropriately track two, because the color maroon is a more mature version of red - which was track two on her 2012 album Red. In this song, she sings about lost love and colors. This song seems like a continuation of the story in her song Cornelia Street on Lover, because she discusses dancing barefoot in New York City. My favorite lyric on this song is “The rust that grew between telephones” For track three, she brings the mood down quite a bit while still remaining poppy with the self-deprecating Anti-Hero, which she described as a “tour through all of my insecurities.” She bravely describes her fears and insecurities, in the chorus saying, “It’s me, hi, I’m the problem, it’s me!” and “it must be exhausting always rooting for the anti-hero.” It is a heartbreaking song that must be relatable to many, with an equally sad music video. Song number four features Lana Del Rey (although you cannot really hear her at all) and is called Snow on the Beach. They are singing about how reciprocated feelings feel as impossible as snow on a beach. My favorite lyrics are: “my smile feels like I won a contest/and to hide that would be so dishonest.” Track five is known to always be a sad and vulnerable song, so it is not surprising that it is titled You’re on Your Own, Kid and basically charts Taylor’s career and experience growing up. She discusses wanting boys to notice her, discovering her love for writing in her room, and more. In the second half of the song, she talks about how hard she worked for people to like her - she heartbreakingly sings, “I hosted parties/and starved my body/like I’d be saved by a perfect kiss.” My favorite lines are in the bridge; “so make the friendship bracelets/take the moment and taste it/You’ve got no reason to be afraid.” On song six, she gives listeners whiplash and moves the story to the upbeat and distorted Midnight Rain, where she talks about being with a perfect, happy man but still missing the toxic, more wild relationships. She says that she “broke his heart cause he was nice.” My favorite lyric is “he wanted a bride/I was making my own name.” Track seven is one of my favorites and is called Question…? This song is about wanting answers regarding a relationship, and Taylor samples her own song Out of the Woods from 1989 at the beginning of the song and with backing vocals throughout the chorus. My favorite lyric is “Did you ever have someone kiss you in a crowded room?” I also love the cheering during the third chorus.

Continued in Part 2

Minimalist Halloween Costumes

Minimalist Halloween Costumes

By Ronnie Neiman

Halloween can be a fun holiday for all ages. Some people love to go all out with their decorations and costumes but some people just want something simply to participate in the holiday. There is immense creativity to be found in complex costumes and in simple costumes. All that matters is that you have some fun. 

This year why not try a different approach and find yourself a minimalist Halloween costume? A minimalist costume that will still make people laugh, scream, or give you a solid thumbs up. The idea of having an elaborate costume for yourself might just be a real-life Halloween nightmare!

This Halloween, skip the big box store and save money with one of our easy-to-make handmade costume ideas and silver screen-ready makeup looks you can throw together in minutes using items you already have on hand. From painting your face, to wearing a simple shirt of a specific color, there are just so many options. 

The classic black cat

Just wear some black styled makeup (winged eyeliner!)

Some black clothes

Some cat ears (cheap to buy or quick to make)

Even a tail! (made quickly with a black cloth or crafts)

Red Devil 

Dark and red styled makeup

Red or black colored horns (cheap to buy or make with crafts)

Red clothes

Sandy from Grease

Leather leggings

Red heels

Black bodysuit or tank top

A leather jacket 

Top Gun

Army styled clothes (green, brown, Camo a plus)

Sunglasses

Boots

Old style Robber

Striped or black shirt

Black pants

Black beanie or toque

Simple black mask over the eyes

A sim

Just a headband with a green plumbob attached

These are only a few ideas. I look forward to seeing everyone’s costumes come Halloween. 

A Critique of the True Crime Genre

A Critique of the True Crime Genre 

By: Mallory Johnson

Picture credit: Google 

The true crime genre is very popular, especially in podcast or documentary format. The most recent addition to the genre, the fictionalized Netflix drama show about Jeffrey Dahmer, appropriately titled Dahmer, has raised debates regarding if the show went too far. I personally have not watched the show (yet), but I have heard a lot about it. Some people believe that the show is re-traumatizing victim’s families and survivors, which is a fair critique in my opinion. Some viewers believe that it is representing horrors that happened in history, which need to be shown to raise awareness of what happened. 

Regarding the genre, sometimes the media sensationalizes victims and turns the horrors simply into entertainment instead of raising awareness. In a way, it fictionalizes true events and makes them feel false. Some true crime media is not there on behalf of the victim’s family and loved ones, they just want to make what happened a spectacle. Some media is insensitive, and the Scream horror movie franchise provided social commentary on this and made it look extreme and wrong. Some media is there only to unnecessarily scare people, using fear mongering tactics to make vulnerable people paranoid (although this paranoia may be lifesaving). I feel like this is most common in true crime podcasts, and it has become trendy to casually listen to horrifying events on your daily drives as if the content you are consuming is not horrific violence. 

Movies like the Ted Bundy drama titled Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile which stars the attractive Zac Efron results in some of the viewers romanticizing serial killers. During his reign, people found Ted Bundy attractive and charming, which is morbid to think about. However, in horror movies, attractive actors are chosen to be the villains which exacerbates this. 

In conclusion, the true crime genre sensationalizes violence and tragically makes it more of a form of entertainment instead of a way to raise awareness for horrific violence.

Bodies Bodies Bodies is a Perfect Gen-Z Spook

Bodies Bodies Bodies is a Perfect Gen-Z Spook 

By: Mallory Johnson

Picture Credit: iMDb

I saw the A24 comedy slasher Bodies Bodies Bodies in theatres over the summer and I loved it! It follows a group of rich 20-somethings who have a party at a mansion to ride out an incoming hurricane in a fun way. They decide to play the game “bodies bodies bodies” which involves a player being a secret murderer and “killing” the other players in the pitch dark by tapping their shoulder, and then the other players trying to figure out who the killer was. The boozy night is all fun and games until real bodies start showing up. The film stars Pete Davidson (SNL, The King of Staten Island), Amandla Stenberg (The Hunger Games, The Hate U Give), Maria Bakalova (Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, The Bubble), Rachel Sennott (Shiva Baby, Call Your Mother), Chase Sui Wonders (On the Rocks, Out of the Blue), Myha’la Herrold (Industry, Modern Love), and Lee Pace (Captain Marvel, The Good Shepherd). Before I go any further, SPOILER ALERT. Also, trigger warnings for: addiction, drug use, a relapse, discussions of an overdose, a mention of body dysmorphia, paranoia and anxiety, death, blood and gore, murder, suicide, discussions of gaslighting, toxic relationships and toxic friendships, alcohol (heavy drinking throughout), violence, cheating, jump scares, vomiting, mental illness, flashing lights, brief ableist language, sexual content, and gun violence. 

I loved that this movie had wonderful LGBTQ2S+ representation - two of the lead women are dating and they are not met with homophobia, which is refreshing. I believe that this movie was made by someone in generation-Z (people born after 1997, according to Google) with other gen-Z people as its intended audience. The humor is very gen-Z focused and hilarious. The film is filled with classic horror tropes that set the scene for a spooky thrill. The storm takes away their power, forcing them to be guided using their phone flashlights for the whole night, they are stuck without reception so they cannot call for help, and their car battery runs out so they cannot escape. These tropes combined with the wicked storm, unreliable characters, and the fact that you do not know whodunnit until the end makes it very eerie. 

I loved the game they played in the movie, as I grew up playing it (although I called it “Mafia,” and no dead bodies showed up). I had so much fun with all the characters being unreliable, it enhanced all the unexpected twists and turns. Also, I really liked that Pete Davidson’s character is not the nicest and not very funny; it shows off his acting props and breaks him free of the comedy typecast he has set himself up for. I loved how they made a TikTok video in the movie because it is always funny when TikTok is in a movie, and I know the song! The film is a classic slasher and whodunnit while also being very original, fun, and campy. 

Bodies Bodies Bodies is more than just a drunken slasher - it is also full of social commentary. Because the mansion loses power, the partiers are forced to use their phone flashlights as their literal “guiding lights’' - I find it interesting and original that the majority of the film is lit with glow-sticks and phone flashlights. The film shows us the lengths we may go to when we lose our biggest crutch: cell service. In an interview with NYLON magazine, the director Halina Reijn said that she wanted to make this movie because she is so addicted to her phone that she is revolted by it and wanted to make something that commented on how that is so normalized in today’s world. 

Overall, I loved this movie and was very pleasantly surprised at how great it was! It originally premiered at the South by Southwest Film Festival, then had a limited theatrical release, and is now available digitally. I give it a strong 10/10 and cannot wait to watch more movies like it! 

Scream: A New Set of Favorite Scary Movies - A Review of the Scream Franchise

Scream: A New Set of Favorite Scary Movies - A Review of the Scream Franchise 

By: Mallory Johnson

I recently watched all five of the Scream movies, and I really enjoyed them. If you are unfamiliar with the movies, they are classic slasher horror films that all follow the same formulaic plot while also being very meta and self-aware. They basically follow a killer in a “Ghostface” mask who terrorizes naive victims in the town of Woodsboro who dare to pick up the phone and answer the innocent sounding question: “what’s your favorite scary movie?” The same plot gets repeated every time, but they add new characters and drama that makes them feel original each time. Before I go any further, SPOILER ALERT for all five movies. Also, trigger warnings for: murder, blood and gore, stabbing, parental murder, sexual violence, stalking, gaslighting, drug and alcohol use/abuse, torture and restrains, hanging, cheating, abduction, jump scares, self-harm, violence, sexual content, a car crash, gun violence, eye mutilation, flashing lights, and discussions of racism. 

The movies are such classic slashers, and they keep to their roots throughout the franchise. The killer reveals always come as a surprise to me; I never once predicted who it was before the reveal. The movies kept me guessing and the jump scares progressively got better as the movies became newer and newer. The first movie came out in 1996, and the fifth one came out this year! The sixth installment in the franchise comes out next year, but Neve Campbell who plays the amazing final girl (and main character of all the movies) Sidney Prescott has said that she will not sign on for the film because she is not getting paid enough. I agree with her and am proud of her for standing her ground, but I am disappointed to see her leave! The movies expertly plant red herrings and little easter eggs that, looking back, make the killer’s look obvious. In every movie, one character always lays out the laws of the land. The rules of a horror movie, of a sequel, a trilogy, a “requel” and so on. It feels like the fictional characters are aware that they are in movies which is very interesting. They are satirizing the true crime and horror genres which is very funny. There is a lot of great character development with repeated (also known as legacy) characters over the course of the movies. While watching the first one, I was mad at how insensitive the journalist character Gale Weathers was being with regards to not really caring about the victims of the brutal murders. She just wanted the scoop, and I did not like how she made journalism look! But eventually, I changed my mind about her and grew to really like her. My favorite characters throughout all the movies are Dewey and Sidney. The movies are not just brutal murders; the humor and commentary on trust and the true crime genre separate these movies from other basic slashers. 

The two most recent Scream movies, that came out in 2011 and 2022, brilliantly modernized the story. With a new cast that is recognizable to generation Z audiences and iPhones instead of clunky landlines, the story was brought to a new generation in a great way. The jump scares are better and got me a few times for sure! 

Overall, I really loved these movies and highly recommend them even if you are not the biggest fan of horror. They were alright for me to watch alone - so they are not super scary or disturbing like Midsommar was. I give them all a 10/10 and give the franchise 10/10. They are very entertaining and are perfect for a spooky season movie marathon. I cannot wait to see the next installment in theatres next year!