17 May 2021
NBC Cancels the Golden Globes
By Katy Coakley
The Golden Globes are officially being called off. NBC announced in a statement last week that one of the most-talked about award shows will not be aired in 2022. They stated that the HFPA (The Hollywood Foreign Press Association) has done amazing work for “meaningful reform”, but specific changes have not been made enough. The main issue that has been discussed among many people is the lack of diversity for HFPA members and different categories like Best Actor and Best Actress. However, NBC hopes that the show can make a comeback in January 2023 and more inclusivity can be represented.
Back in February 2021, the HFPA came under fire for controversy with having no African-American members. This led more people to criticize why many of the films, with African-American actors, actresses, and filmmakers, have not won or been nominated for any Best Picture awards. Some of the films include Da 5 Bloods and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. When asked about the non stop controversy, one representative stated that they are working on building “cultural understanding” for movies and TV shows and want to help educate more people about problems that surround “race, representation, and orientation.”
Since then, Golden Globe winners have decided to join in to go against the HFPA. Tom Cruise, who won three Golden Globes for his roles in Jerry Maguire, Magnolia, and Born on the Fourth of July, returned his awards and many people were starting to praise him as some celebrities declared it as a way to end sexism, homophobia, and racism. Scarlett Johansson, who was nominated for five Golden Globes, slammed the HFPA and discussed how actors and actresses deserve better roles as they are “expected to participate in awards season by attending press conferences” and award ceremonies. Johansson additionally talked about her horrifying experiences with sexism as an actress in Hollywood and her Avengers co-star also defended NBC and thanked them for what they did.
23 April 2021
Cosmos: Possible Worlds Book Review
By Katy Coakley
Looking for an interesting science book to read? Then, this is the right book for you! Based on the National Geographic Channel’s popular series, Cosmos: Possible Words is the sequel to Carl Sagan’s bestselling book, Cosmos. This book is well-written by the talented author, Ann Druyan, who is Sagan’s widow, and takes us into the world of how science and civilization were combining together and introduces the readers into numerous topics that are great to discuss. From the phases of humanity to the Big Bang, there is so much that you will love from this book. The book is about 384 pages for the hardcover edition and was published on February 25th, 2020.
As the book opens to the scientific chapters, Ann Druyan shows us how she and her husband, Carl Sagan, met and when the two started to have a strong interest for each other, especially with science. They both studied Voyager Missions and the plans of exploration around space. She said that Carl had the vision of working on Voyager 1 using “epochal reconnaissance”, which was being used for the Solar System. That’s when they both started working on Cosmos back in 1980 with astronomer Steven Soter. The previous chapter also dives into their work with NASA and their plan for Voyager 2 as well as looks into Greek mythology.
This book consists of 13 chapters, but the best chapter to read, in my opinion, would be Chapter 6, which is called "The Man of a Trillion Worlds." The chapter focuses on Gerard Kupier, a Dutch astronomer. The chapter takes us into his world of his childhood and his wish of being an astronomer. He is also known for finding the Kuiper Belt, a circular disc that is in the Outer Solar System. Additionally, there are discussions of The Beta Lyrae System, Edwin Hubble’s discoveries, and theories of Einstein. However, all of the chapters are very compelling and have many details that are well explained. The book has many pictures as well of NASA’s specific laboratories and other famous scientists.
After reading Cosmos: Possible Worlds, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in scientific topics such as astronomy, biology, physics, or chemistry. Even space fans will love this book because it provides enough information about NASA’s work. I was able to finish the book in a week and I am really looking forward to reading more books like this one. The series is based on Ann Druyan and Carl Sagan’s work as well as their children's contributions. The television series is available on Disney+ and National Geographic and executive produced by Druyan, Brannon Braga, and Seth MacFarlane. Cosmos: Possible Worlds is a book that you will not want to put down!
12 April 2021
7 Best Things To Do In Wisconsin Dells
By Katy Coakley
As the school year comes to an end pretty soon, it will be time to plan some fun for this summer. However, there will still be safety precautions during the coronavirus pandemic, but that doesn’t mean we can't all have a nice and relaxing vacation. A highly recommended destination would be the Wisconsin Dells! With driving from Chicago to the Dells, it will only take about 3 hours to get there and there will be exciting and safe activities for everyone once they arrive! Let's take a peek at the 7 things you can do at Wisconsin Dells!
Downtown Dells: Looking for some serious shopping? Then, head on over to Downtown Dells to find something that catches your eye. There are so many unique stores that you will definitely want to check out. From Winnebago Boutique & Gift Shop to Aunt Jenny’s Got It All Shop, there will be items that you will want to purchase. Don’t forget about the dining! Restaurants are popular in Downtown Dells, but there are enough safety protocols to make sure that your visit is enjoyable. Make sure you visit El Taco Loco for some mouthwatering tacos or Cheesecake Heaven for some sweet cheesecake and delicious sandwiches!
Tommy Bartlet Exploratory: This is the right place to get your science on! With more than 175 activities for families to do, you can’t decide what to do first. While here, you are able to experience an authentic and historical Russian Space Station MIR core module. Another entertaining adventure can be the Mercury Space Capsule, where you can get a closer look at the history of space exploration. Other experiences include magic, scientific wonders, and simulator excitements. You will not want to miss this!
BigFoot Zipline Tours: If you are interested in going something fast, then ziplining is on your to do list for the Dells! This amusing experience is about 2 hours long and allows guests to see through the gigantic treetops and the white oak forest, which surrounds Sasquatch Lake. This is highly recommended for teens and their families to love and has been named the “#1 attraction in Wisconsin Dells on TripAdvisor.com.” Reservations are recommended online before you visit!
Knuckleheads: Arcades and indoor attractions are a huge part of Wisconsin Dells and Knuckleheads is one of those places to visit! Offering more than 100 arcade games to play with to earn prizes, you can also find bowling, go-karts, ropes course, and an indoor amusement park. Food to order can include pizza, nachos, and so many other choices. It’s also great for birthday parties and other gatherings as well!
Kalahari Resort: Kalahari Resort is an awesome place to stay during your vacation! This authentic African themed resort is the home to Wisconsin’s largest indoor waterpark and has a tremendous indoor theme park with rock climbing and go-kart racing. Many features include entertainment houses to rent, five bedroom suites, Spa Kalahari and Salon, and a fitness center. Make sure to head to some of their famous restaurants and buy some traditional African souvenirs! Additionally, a movie theater and golf course is a part of this cool resort.
Outdoor Waterparks: Speaking of cool, there is no better place to cool off than at Wisconsin’s waterparks, the best places to take a dip in the pool or ride some extreme water slides! At Chula Vista Resort, you will find Adventure Lagoon and the Red Rock Racer slides to try out. You can head on over to Mt. Olympus for Poseidon’s Rage with huge waves or Lost City of Atlantis that has six stories of water. Reservations need to be made due to a specific number of guests, but you may want to check the websites to see more information.
Glockenspiel: Take your family and friends to see the largest Glockenspiel that has a large musical reenactment of the Pied Piper of Hamelin. According to a few websites, “the legend goes that the Pied Piper rid the town of Hamelin of its rats and mice by charming them away with his flute playing.” You are also allowed to listen to traditional German music and stories while you are there and the best part about this is that it is all for free!
23 March 2021
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier TV Review
By Katy Coakley
Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes are back for new adventures! The Falcon and the Winter Soldier has just premiered on Disney+ and the reviews are looking really outstanding! The miniseries has already received a 94% on Rotten Tomatoes. The show first begins with the events after Avengers: Endgame (like WandaVision) and Captain America has just retired and is giving his famous shield to Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie), also known as The Falcon, for a better role in helping America and his people. However, he is struggling to fit in as “the new Captain America.” Meanwhile, Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), also known as Winter Soldier, is in therapy trying to deal with past issues, but the two team up to test their abilities and patience to save the world!
Back in 2019, San Diego Comic-Con discussed their upcoming plans for the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) and fans were really curious about what was going to happen to Sam and Bucky. Both Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan made appearances at the comic book convention to talk about the upcoming series and gave fans a surprising teaser. The show premiered on March 19th, 2021, and will run for six episodes until April 23rd, 2021. The show does have good messages that include being there for the ones that you care about. An example can be Sam helping out his nephews and being there for his sister. As you watch the episodes, you will notice many easter eggs that can lead to some major upcoming events in the universe.
This is truly one fun ride that you don’t want to miss! Being a huge comic book and Marvel fan, I was so happy to know that they were going to finish up the story of these two characters. The best part about this show is that there is a ton of action and heroism. Bucky and Sam are two characters with interesting stories, but they both have good humor to make you laugh as well. A cool fact about the series is that Sharon Carter, a S.H.I.E.L.D agent and the niece of Peggy Carter, will be making a return. Awesome casting includes Daniel Brühl, Miki Ishikawa, Don Cheadle, Danny Ramirez, and so many others! If you are looking for something to watch, head over to Disney+ and watch this miniseries!
8 March 2021
Highlights From The 2021 Golden Globes
By Katy Coakley
Hollywood’s biggest night was back! The 78th Annual Golden Globes were held on February 28th, 2021, and became the first bi-coast ceremony with Tina Fey co-hosting from the Rainbow Room in New York City and Amy Poehler co-hosting from the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California due to the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). The show lasted for about 3 hours, but many celebrities showed up either on stage or on Zoom. The HFPA even honored first responders by allowing them to be in the audience.
For the television category, Netflix’s The Crown won the most Golden Globes including honors for Gillian Anderson, Josh O'Connor, and Emma Corrin. The show also won Best TV Drama Series. Schitt’s Creek was awarded for Best Musical or Comedy Series and actress Catherine O’Hara won Best Actress in a Comedy Series. Netflix also scored another win for The Queen’s Gambit and Anya Taylor-Joy was declared the winner for Best Actress in a Miniseries. Actor Jason Sudeikis won his first Golden Globe for his work in the Apple TV+ series, Ted Lasso.
For the film category, the late Chadwick Boseman won his first Golden Globe for his final film role in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. His widow accepted his award and gave an emotional speech in his honor. Disney’s Soul won two awards for Best Score and Best Animated Feature Film. Aaron Sorkin, most known for his work on The West Wing, won his third Golden Globe for his film, The Trial of the Chicago 7. Director Chloé Zhao made history by becoming the first Asian woman and the second woman to win in the directing category for her film, Nomadland. Actress Andra Day won Best Actress in a Motion Picture Drama for her portrayal of Billie Holiday.
One issue was the lack of diversity in the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. The Cecil B. DeMille Award was given to Jane Fonda and the Carol Burnett Award was given to Norman Lear. Presenters of the show included Gal Gadot, Sterling K. Brown, Sandra Oh, Bryce Dallas Howard, and Margot Robbie. The Golden Globe Ambassadors for this year was awarded to Jackson Lee and Satchel Lee, the son and daughter of director Spike Lee. The ceremony had about 6.9 million viewers.
22 February 2021
Barb & Star Go to Vista Del Mar Movie Review
By Bella Gamboa
Writers and co-stars Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo have done it again! Barb & Star is a feel good comedy that will warm your heart and make you laugh. This film will take you down memory lane through references to stores such as Jennifer Convertibles as well as styles and trends that you forgot you knew. The off the wall comedy is full of vibrant colors, stunning views, and fun times that will make you want to go on vacation! This movie is produced by Will Ferrell and features talented stars such as Wendi McLendon-Covey (Bridesmaids), Phyllis Smith (The Offce), Andy Garcia (The Godfather), Reba (Reba), and so many more! Jamie Dornan (Fifty Shades of Grey) debuts his comedic abilities as an actor in this film while playing the love interest of Star. Whether the jokes land or not, you will not regret watching this movie.
SPOILER ALERT!
Best friends, Barb (Annie Mumolo) and Star (Kristen Wiig), are two middle-aged women from small town Soft Rock, Nebraska who are unapologetically themselves. Once fired from “the hottest place in town”, the lovable jokesters question their sheltered way of living. Barb and Star jump out of their comfort zone and go on their first vacation to Vista Del Mar, Florida. While on this vacation, they slip into the crossfire of a supervillain's (also played by Kristen Wiig) evil plan. The supervillain, Sharon Gordon Fisherman, was a victim of bullying and hate as a child. She suffered from a skin condition that turned her white and made her allergic to the sun which led to other children isolating and teasing her. In high school she was exposed to the sun through a cruel practical joke played on her by girls from her school, which triggered her allergic reaction. She vowed to take revenge on Vista Del Mar and almost did before the fun lovin’ pals came to town. Barb and Star save the day using their wits, jokes, friendship, and, of course, culottes. This vacation gone wrong exhibits the power of kindness and the importance of being yourself no matter what others think.
A five- star goofy comedy! The SNL stars have brought their talents to cinema once more! From the opening scene with Reyn Doi lip-singing “Guilty” by Barbra Streisand, this movie will have you smiling and singing along. The film’s aesthetics are entirely colorful and visually pleasing. This movie is perfect for anyone; there is nothing explicit, however there are quite a few mature references so be aware before watching with children/teens. This is a very loose and “silly- funny” comedy, I would describe it as a summer-Jimmy Buffett themed Elf. I highly recommend this movie to anyone who wants a breath of fresh air as far as comedies go.
8 February 2021
WandaVision TV Review
By Katy Coakley
A new Marvel miniseries has just arrived! WandaVision is a Disney+ miniseries that is based off of the Marvel Comics characters, Wanda Maximoff, also known as Scarlet Witch, and Vision. While this popular series does take place in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the main focus is on the events after Avengers: Endgame. The production of the show was announced at San Diego Comic-Con. Wanda (Elizabeth Olsen) and Vision (Paul Bettany) are starting their new life together as a couple in the suburban town of Westview, but they are trying to conceal who they really are in their neighborhood. They especially don’t want anyone to know about their powers, either.
WandaVision just premiered in January 2021 and will consist of 9 episodes. The new episodes will premiere until March 5th, 2021. The miniseries has been influenced by many TV shows from the '60s-'80s, including The Dick Van Dyke Show, Bewitched, The Brady Bunch, and Family Ties. An interesting fact about the show is that Paul Bettany thought that he was going to be fired when Marvel brought him the ideas for WandaVision due to the ideas that his character would be killed. During an interview, Bettany talked about walking into the office of Kevin Feige believing that he was going to be fired, but Feige actually pitched the idea to Bettany, which he agreed on. Another fact is that the whole cast went through a “sitcom bootcamp.” They all went for two weeks in order to get the feelings of the sitcoms from different decades. Teyonah Parris, who plays Monica, stated it was to understand “the tone and the structure for each different decade.” The final fact was that the show was actually filmed in front of a live studio audience. Even the cast members participated in the audience as well.
This is one of the best projects that I have seen from Marvel. After I watch the episodes, I start watching videos on Youtube about the main events and things that I might have missed. If you haven’t seen any of the Marvel movies that were released in 2019, I would definitely recommend watching those before you watch WandaVision. I feel like Wanda and Vision are starting to become one of my favorite comic book couples. It was also revealed that all of the characters will be wearing their original costumes from the comic books that were made by Stan Lee. While WandaVision might be a miniseries, it’s still something that you will watch over and over again!
1 February 2021
Historical Inaccuracies in Bridgerton
By Lydia Williams
Even if you aren’t a period drama fanatic like I am, chances are you have heard of the Netflix original series, Bridgerton. Adapted from the young adult novel The Duke and I, Bridgerton is set in 1813 Regency-era England. Movies set in the past suck viewers into a fantasy-like setting where it is hard to remember the strict set of rules that guided each time period. Bridgerton gets many details right about Regency living, such as the fashion and social season living, but there are a few historical inaccuracies I caught while watching.
Corsets- In the opening scene, we see Mrs. Featherington forcing her daughter into a tight corset in order to catch the eyes of men. As great of an opening characterization as this is, it is not historically accurate. The type of corset used in this scene did not gain popularity until the Victorian age, around 30 years after the show is set. The undergarments of the time were called stays and were more similar to a tube shape only used to support a women’s chest as a bra would. There would be no need to tighten lace stays, as they were not designed to give shape to the body.
The Prince Regent- Over the course of his reign, King George suffered mentally and became mad. This was accurately portrayed in Bridgerton, but what they failed to mention was that his son took over his reign in place of a regent, a person that takes over the rule of a country when the monarch is unable to. The Prince Regent gave the era its name “The Regency”. Bridgerton is set in 1813 and Prince George took over as regent in 1811.
The Presentation of the Ladies- The first episode’s focus on the presentation of the young ladies to the Queen was a very real event that happened every spring; however, the fashion was not quite accurate. The girls are seen wearing typical Regency empire waist dresses in the palace where in reality, the would have worn the dresses of the previous era. Queen Charlotte was not a fan of the empire waist and insisted the ladies be presented in Georgian style dresses.
Overall, Bridgerton did an amazing job of staying true to the time period and I was thoroughly impressed. I highly recommend this period drama to anyone who enjoys romance or beautiful costumes!
23 December 2020
'Tis the Season for Some Grinch Movies
By Julia Gamboa
Which Grinch movies have you seen? During the Christmas season, there are many versions of the Grinch for people to watch on live television or streaming services. The original Grinch movie is titled How the Grinch Stole Christmas. It was released in 1966 and it is considered a short film. The length of this movie is twenty-six minutes, and it is a good animated comedy for families to enjoy. The second Grinch movie is also titled How the Grinch Stole Christmas. It was released in 2000 and it is not animated. It is a family comedy that is one hour and forty-four minutes long. The third Grinch movie is titled The Grinch. It was released in 2018 and is an animated film. This movie is the latest movie and is fitted towards children and families in the present-day. This is mainly because of the music, colors, and the attitudes of the actors. This movie is one hour and thirty-two minutes long.
My favorite Grinch movie out of the three movies is How the Grinch Stole Christmas released in 2000. This is my favorite because of the actors. The Grinch is played by Jim Carrey and he does an amazing job in the movie. He tumbles, has strong facial expressions, leaps, gets stuck in chimneys, flies through the air, and more. He is a great actor and is featured in many top-rated movies. All of these movies have the same story line, but I believe this movie displays it the best. For example, at the beginning of the movie it clearly shows us how he was picked on as a child for being green and having hair all over his body. This leads him to grow up very bitter and not liking the Christmas season. I believe the other movies do not display his background story as well. That is just one of many examples of how this movie is the best. Many children have only seen the new Grinch that was released in 2018, but I believe that many should be exposed to the old movies that they would most likely enjoy as well. I would give this movie an 8/10 rating because it is older so the graphics of the movie are not as good, but the acting and presentation of the story line are what make it a great movie! I would definitely recommend kids or adults who have not seen this movie to watch it this Christmas!
23 December 2020
The Black Flamingo Book Review
By Rose Haughey
The Black Flamingo is a novel written by Dean Atta. The book is around 400 pages and written entirely in verse, including poems written by the main character. It is Atta’s first novel and his second published work. The Black Flamingo came out August 2019 and has become very popular since then. It's been the recipient of the Stonewall Book Award, and for good reason.
The Black Flamingo is a story based on the author's own experiences, and it deals with major themes of intersectionality and discovering individuality. The protagonist, Micheal, is a mixed, gay man living in London in modern day. And as he goes through major and minor life events, it is seen how each of these things causes challenges, and how he overcomes these while staying true to himself. The book follows Michael from childhood, all the way to university. In university, Micheal joins a group that performs drag on campus, and finally feels like he has a place to belong. He makes new friends, creates relationships, and processes his own past.
This book is absolutely phenomenal. Even if it wasn’t such a quick read, it's impossible to put down. Starting the book during Michael’s adolescence makes it easy to connect to his character, and root for him as the book progresses. Throughout the novel we see all of Micheal's highs and lows, and Dean Atta does a terrific job of using a small amount of words and imagery to portray strong emotion. This book was a real tearjerker, especially in the end. Diversifying our bookshelves is a never ending task, because there are so many perspectives we’ve never been in. And this book is a wonderful choice to broaden your reading horizon. But don’t only read it for that. Read it for the relatability, the real and intricate characters, the warm feeling you get when you watch these characters come into who they were meant to be. I cannot describe the feeling of warmth and security you get when Michael prevails against all odds. He faces racism and homophobia, which is a story many of us are familiar with. The poems that are showcased, being written by the main character of the book, are riveting, thought provoking, and gorgeously composed. I have never been sucked into a story faster. And even though it goes quickly, the world and motivations of the characters are beautifully developed. I recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of poetry, anyone who wants to learn more about the diverse and colorful world around them, and people who are new to the genre and need a fast, yet compelling read.
22 December 2020
28 Days: A Novel of Resistance in the Warsaw Ghetto Book Review
By Katy Coakley
History will never be forgotten. 28 Days is a novel that was written by author David Saifer. It was first published on March 14th, 2014, and consists of 416 pages. The novel takes place during 1942, which is during the horrors of the Holocaust. The novel tells the story of a Polish Jewish girl named Mira, who is trying to find ways to smuggle food for her family into the Warsaw Ghetto. The Warsaw Ghetto was the largest of the Nazi ghettos during World War II and was made by the German authorities to segregate Jews in Poland. Other ghettos were mostly spread out throughout Poland and other parts of Europe. Mira is also trying to escape from the szmalcowniks, also known as the hyenas, who are trying to round up people into the ghetto.
As the story opens, Mira talks about how the Nazis are trying to look for her as she is trying to find food. She talks about how she has to conceal her true identity and make up a new name, so she won't be caught. She describes herself as “Dana the Pole”, but the Nazis had many enemies they were trying to look for such as Jews, Poles, Gypsies, and others. In 1939, the Nazis had ordered every Jew to wear the Star of David and to be sent to one of the ghettos. One day, Mira is trying to sneak out of the ghetto to go to a Polish market to get apples for her family, but she does face a German soldier, who is trying to find out if she is a Jew. However, Mira does meet a man, whom she calls Stefan, who stands up for her against the Germans and protects her from Nazism. She does talk about her feelings for Stefan, but she currently has a boyfriend named Daniel. He gave her a rose to remind him of her. This made Mira wonder if Stefan was a Pole, a Jew, or a German because she couldn’t believe that he would defend her from discrimination.
Mira faces antisemitism and prejudice by the German soldiers in the novel, and she talks about her family and their experiences in the ghetto. Back then, the Nazis and other hate groups were rounding up about 400,000 Jews to be forced into damaged and cold houses to have more space for Germans. They were also forced into slave labor as well. Mira lives with her mother and her sister, Hannah, in a small area in the ghetto. When they first arrived in their new area, her mother couldn’t hold back the tears and started to cry. Hannah talks about being educated in the underground, so the hyenas won’t find her because most education was illegal during the Nazi evasion. Mira is forced to take care of her family by trying to help make her family breakfast and listen to their stories or problems.
One of the most interesting chapters talks about how Mira was able to sneak into the Britannia Hotel. Mira had never seen anything like this before despite all of what she went through. From heavy red velvet curtains to dimly lit bar areas, this was something that really caught Mira’s eye. She also discovers American music for the first time and learns about Fred Astaire and other famous stars. As she was listening and learning about what she was seeing, this made her want to escape Poland and move to New York. She also had a big passion for Broadway and she wants to go with Daniel and her family. Mira has always wanted to see something beautiful in her life. The later chapters begin to discuss how Mira meets a man named Amos and how they and the other Jews plan to escape the ghetto.
I personally thought that this novel was very interesting and detailed, but intense and heartbreaking due to the fact that the novel revolves around the Holocaust. Author David Safier talks about how his family’s personal history with the Holocaust inspired him to write 28 Days. He talks at the end of the book about how his paternal grandfather was killed in the Buchenwald concentration camp and how his grandmother was killed in the Łódź ghetto. Safier’s father left Vienna, Austria to immigrate to Palestine in 1938 and fight for Israel's independence.
28 Days is available to buy online and can be found at the school’s library.
8 November 2020
Fall TV Review: The Mandalorian
The Mandalorian is back! The second season of the hit Star Wars series has just been released on Disney+, and the reviews are pretty amazing! This Sci-Fi drama series was created by Jon Favreau and was first released in November 2019. The show begins five years after the events of the previous Star Wars movies: Return of the Jedi and the fall of the First Galactic Empire. Pedro Pascal plays Din Djarin aka The Mandalorian, who is born to follow the traditions of the warriors and bounty hunters. However, he is given a mysterious job in the Galaxy. He’s also forced to help protect the adorable Baby Yoda aka The Child from the evil and dangerous Moff Gideon (Better Call Saul’s Giancarlo Esposito).
Any fan of Star Wars will absolutely love this series. The show has been nominated for a few Emmy awards and has eight episodes per season. George Lucas started to write more than 50 scripts for the show back in 2012, but Bob Iger announced that the series would be developed in 2017. Jon Favreau has also written and directed numerous episodes and the show is filmed in California. However, it was reported back in September 2020, that Pedro Pascal stormed off the set while filming the second season because he was upset that his character wasn’t able to show his face. This caused fans to become worried about whether or not he would quit the show, but on October 20th, 2020, it was reported that Pascal would not be leaving the show.
I have been a fan of Star Wars and love Baby Yoda. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge has frequently been promoting the show with inspired food and drinks from the show and other Star Wars movies. Merchandise includes Baby Yoda stuffed animals and action figures. If you are a Sci-Fi or Fantasy fan, a Star Wars fan or a Disney fan, you will love this series because it’s entertaining and a fun show to watch during these difficult times. Both seasons are very good and I can’t wait for the third season to come. Be sure to watch The Mandalorian on Fridays on Disney+.
28 September 2020
Moments from the 2020 Emmys
By Katy Coakley
Television’s biggest night was looking quite different this year. The 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards were held on September 20th, 2020, and were broadcasted in the United States and around the world. Since the Emmys are usually held at the Microsoft Theater in Downtown Los Angeles, the ongoing coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has kept famous stars in their homes. However, there was still a way to make the show come alive! The event was hosted by Jimmy Kimmel and numerous awards were given out to actors, actresses, writers, directors, and more. Let’s look at some of the main and important moments that happened at this year’s Emmys!
The real winner of the night went to one of the most talked-about shows on TV, Schitt’s Creek. The popular show went on to take every award in the comedy categories, including awards for the main cast: Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hara, Dan Levy, and Annie Murphy. For the drama category, HBO’s Succession took home two awards, one for actor Jeremy Strong and the other for outstanding drama series. HBO had more success with the limited series Watchmen winning awards for actress Regina King and actor Yahya Abdul-Mateen II.
Host Jimmy Kimmel opened the ceremony with past audiences from previous shows and called his monologue "pandemmys." The show then cut to Kimmel just standing by himself on stage and looking around at cardboard celebrities. Later, Ozark actor Jason Bateman pretended to be frozen while talking to Kimmel. He then moved on to talk to nominees on the screen from their houses, hotels, and other locations. Actress Jennifer Aniston helped Jimmy present the first award by trying to sanitize the envelope, set it on fire, and then extinguish it. Tyler Perry won the Governor’s Award and was honored for his strong work in philanthropy. He first opened his speech with the discussion of his grandmother, charity work, organizations, nd civil rights. He also talked about diversity among many different groups.
Essential and frontline workers including doctors and nurses were given the chance of telling their stories of trying to help people during the pandemic and how the coronavirus has affected the United States and many countries for the past six months. They were also given the opportunity to present an award to a winner. The night also paid tributes to Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Chadwick Boseman, Carl Reiner, Regis Philbin, and others. There was some controversy with Jimmy Kimmel during the show. After John Oliver won his Emmy for Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Kimmel made a joke about Oliver by trying to report him to ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement). In the past, Oliver has been both candid and comical about his immigration status and became a U.S citizen on December 13th, 2019. Several critics and viewers found Jimmy’s joke offensive and hurtful towards John.
Actress Zendaya made history at the awards ceremony when she became the youngest performer to win an Emmy for actress in a drama series. Uzo Aduba also won an Emmy for supporting actress in a limited series or movie for Mrs. America. Many viewers loved watching the winners and their family and friends’ reactions to the wins. There were other celebrities who encouraged viewers to vote on election day. Additional winners of the show included Saturday Night Live for variety sketch series and RuPaul’s Drag Race for reality TV or competition shows. The Netflix series Unorthodox won an Emmy for writing and received many astounding reviews. Late-night hosts also made appearances including David Letterman, who presented an award that night, Stephen Colbert, Trevor Noah, and Samantha Bee. Here’s to next year’s Emmys!
11 August 2020
Born a Crime Book Review
By Katy Coakley
Take an absorbing biography, add comedy with some intense moments, and you get Born a Crime. Written by The Daily Show host, Trevor Noah, this memoir was published on November 15th, 2016, and has over 1 million copies sold. This time he steps away from the desk to tell his story. The book describes Trevor, as a young boy, living in South Africa with his mother during apartheid. Apartheid is defined as a “policy that governed relations between South Africa’s white minority and nonwhite majority and sanctioned racial segregation and political and economic discrimination against nonwhites.”
The book first opens with Trevor discussing his childhood and how he was thrown out of a car by his mother. She throws him out because she thought that the driver was going to kill them. Noah then narrates the times he attended different types of churches, including black and white churches. He represents his mom as a very “religious” woman and also introduces his readers to his views of Christianity, Sunday school, and the times he and his mother still managed to attend main events, such as school, work, and church, even when there were riots and violence in the streets of Johannesburg and other locations of South Africa.
There are also stories about how Trevor’s parents met. His mother, Patricia, is a black woman from South Africa and is of Xhosa descent, and his father, Robert, is a white man from Switzerland. Patricia originally wanted to have a child, but Robert didn’t. However, he reconsidered and that’s when Trevor was born. Unfortunately, during the 1980s, their relationship was considered to be illegal and different ethnic groups were not allowed to be with one another. Noah recalls a time when he and his parents wanted to go to the zoo together as a family. He decided to stay with his mother and his father would meet up with them later. Robert would walk far away from them so he wouldn’t get caught. However, Trevor noticed Robert, started to dash right to him, and shouted “Daddy” three times. This caused the family to be separated.
While the memoir does focus on extreme descriptions of Noah’s experiences with racism and discrimination, he includes comedy moments with his mom. He has had moments where he was a troublemaker. From putting a fire extinguisher in a piano to starting a fire, Trevor was sent to the principal’s office quite a bit, but he adds humor with it. Noah’s mother’s family plays an important role. He, his mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, cousins and other relatives all lived in one tiny and compact house. His father has a major part as well. Trevor talks about trying to find his father, and Patricia encouraged him to find Robert after apartheid.
Born a Crime additionally focuses on Noah’s past relationships with different friends and love interests. He discovers Valentine’s Day for the first time at his school and learns how to ask a girl out. However, he does have some abnormal interactions. Trevor also prepares for the matric dance at his school, but he runs into some misunderstandings. Trevor talks about his friendships with kids from his different schools and describes how he oddly met a neighbor named Hitler.
As the book continues, Noah talks about the horrifying and excruciating experiences of his detestable and ferocious stepfather, Abel. At first, he seemed like a kind person towards Trevor. He would listen to his problems, but things started to take a turn. After Abel married Patricia, he kept drinking constantly and was barely sober. Abel started abusing Patricia and was trying to find ways to demolish her and her family’s life. The worst of them all was when Abel tragically shoots Patricia. Trevor describes the awful moments encountered at the hospital and how he tries to help save his mother.
I personally thought this memoir was captivating and astonishing. The book is very detailed and personal about Trevor’s life. Ever since he replaced Jon Stewart on The Daily Show, I decided to read the book and I’ve been a fan ever since. I enjoy watching the show and I think that Trevor Noah is hysterical as a comedian. The book is also written for younger readers as well and was named one of the New York Times bestsellers. In an interview, Trevor told Here & Now’s Jeremy Hobson about making his book appropriate for younger readers. He stated: “All I changed in the book was just how I described certain concepts, but I didn't try to talk down to younger readers because I didn't like being talked down to when I was young.” Born a Crime is going to be adapted into a film with actress Lupita Nyong’o starring as Patricia. Although this book is modified into a version for younger people, this book can still be mature for some readers due to some heavy themes and descriptions.
13 July 2020
Comic-Con Updates
By Katy Coakley
Comic-Con can usually make many Star Wars or Avengers fans thrilled. However, this year is going to look really different. Back in April 2020, it was announced that, for the first time in 50 years, San Diego Comic-Con will be canceled due to the Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). The comic book convention is usually held for “135,000 attendees” each year, and large crowds are another reason for the cancellation. On the website, it also stated that people who were originally planning to attend on July 22-26 2020 are allowed to refund their badges or save them until July 2021.
However, there is some positive news. In June 2020, San Diego spread the word that there will be a virtual Comic-Con for fans to enjoy called, Comic-Con@Home. The most enjoyable part about this experience is that it is free for everyone. SDCC spokesperson David Glanzer stated: “For the first time in our 50-year history, we are happy to welcome virtually anyone from around the globe.” Comic-Con@Home will be held on the same dates as the canceled Comic-Con dates. Exhibitors will hold online exhibitions and free presentations and panels have just released a schedule. Some of the TV shows and movies that will be promoted include The Simpsons, Marvel’s 616, Family Guy, and Bob’s Burgers. Funko Pops are going to be sold. Back to the Future exclusives include a Marty McFly pop vinyl and X-Men Nightcrawler and Wolverine. More Stan Lee Funkos are also available to buy.
Wizard World Comic-Con has been running since 1972. While there has not been much news about whether this one will happen or be canceled, virtual panels are being held online for movies and TV shows such as Vikings and Sons of Anarchy. However, you would need to purchase the tickets on the Wizard World website. Virtual one on ones with certain celebrities are open and autographs can be bought and shipped to your houses. Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen’s autographs are available from ACE Comic-Con. The send-in service is being sold around early July. Podcasts can be found from their YouTube channel as well as discussions with different guests.
For more information about the Comic-Cons, please visit these websites:
27 April 2020
Best Movies to Watch During Self-Isolation
By Katy Coakley
Birds of Prey: And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn: Want to watch something with action and comedy? Well, Birds of Prey is for you! The movie begins with a heartbroken Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie) breaking up with the Joker and trying to find a better life for herself. However, Harley begins to work for a creepy and threatening villain named Black Mask (Ewan McGregor) and his team. Later, he tries to kidnap a young girl named Cassandra Cain (Ella Jay Basco) and this leaves Harley to try her best to protect her and get an important diamond. So, she joins a group of antiheroes named Black Canary (Jurnee Smollett-Bell), Renee Montoya (Rosie Perez), and Huntress (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) to help take him down. While this film is R-Rated, it is still a lot of fun, especially for fans of DC movies.
Knives Out: This whodunnit film will leave you on the edge of your seat. The film tells the story of a novelist named Harlen Thrombey (Christopher Plummer), who invites his dysfunctional family to his mysterious house to celebrate his 85th birthday. However, Harlen is found dead the next day and this leaves a detective named Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) to solve the crime. The best part about this movie is the gigantic all-star cast including Chris Evans, Jamie Lee Curtis, Ana de Armas, Don Johnson, Toni Collette, and many others! The film has also been nominated for an Academy Award and 3 Golden Globe Awards. Knives Out is astounding and a must-see!
Green Book: From director Peter Farrelly, Green Book tells the story of a New York City bouncer named Tony Vallelonga (Viggo Mortensen) who takes the job of driving an African-American pianist named Dr. Don Shirley (Mahershala Ali). The two men travel throughout the Midwest and the Deep South for Shirley’s concert tours. They deal with difficult situations along the way as they travel around the country. However, they do try to help each other out and learn how to fix problems along the way. This movie won 3 Academy Awards including Best Supporting Actor, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Picture. Green Book teaches the audience an important lesson about acceptance.
Spider-Man: Far from Home: Feeling like you want to watch a fun Marvel movie? Then, this movie is for you! Spider-Man: Far From Home begins after the events in Avengers: Endgame and Peter Parker (Tom Holland) is returning to his high school in New York. He gets the opportunity to go on a school trip to Europe with his friends. However, Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) and the crew of S.H.I.E.L.D are trying to fight the dangerous Mysterio (Jake Gyllenhaal) and this leaves Peter to become Spiderman and save the world for everyone! If you have not seen Endgame yet, I would recommend watching that before you watch this movie. This movie has received many positive reviews and several famous actors make appearances as well!
Skyfall: Directed by Sam Mendes, Skyfall finds James Bond (Daniel Craig) trying to take down the evil Silva (Javier Bardem) from revealing the identities of undercover agents. Many weapons start to come in from Silva, and Bond must get extra help from the other famous characters Moneypenny (Naomie Harris), Q (Ben Whishaw), and M (Judi Dench). This movie is very similar to the older and original Bond films. From fancy suits and ties to crazy car chases, this one is quite memorable. Skyfall delivers a lot of action that is awesome for a movie night!
Darkest Hour: Academy Award winner Gary Oldman stars as the famous and historical figure Winston Churchill. The film shows his role as the British Prime Minister and how he helps the UK during World War II. However, he is frequently questioning himself about whether to surrender to the Germans. While the movie has received mixed reviews, it teaches an important message about courage.
Mary Poppins Returns: This magical film is the sequel to the classic Mary Poppins. It stars Emily Blunt as the lovable nanny and the famous siblings Michael (Ben Whishaw) and Jane (Emily Mortimer) are all grown up. Mary Poppins turns up to help take care of Michael’s children and they also go on fun adventures with lamplighter Jack (Lin-Manuel Miranda). Mary Poppins Returns additionally delivers some memorable songs and well as some new ones! If you feel like you need a good Disney movie to watch, then this one's for you!
Star Trek Into Darkness: Based on the popular TV series and the sequel to Star Trek, Star Trek Into Darkness takes us on an awesome and epic journey. Captain James T.Kirk (Chris Pine) causes problems by breaking rules to save Spock (Zachary Quinto). Nevertheless, when an evil villain named Khan (Benedict Cumberbatch) plans to attack Earth, Kirk and the crew, including Bones (Karl Urban), Uhura (Zoe Saldana), Sulu (John Cho), and Scotty (Simon Pegg), must stop him. Strek Trek has been praised by many audiences for both films and TV shows, but this movie, directed by J.J Abrams, has amazing visual effects and impressive moments that will make you want to rewatch all of the Star Trek entertainment. If you watch this movie, be sure to check out Star Trek Beyond.
Raiders of the Lost Ark: Feeling like you need a classic to watch? Well, Raiders of the Lost
Ark is for you! Director Steven Spielberg gives us the story of Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) trying to find the Ark of the Covenant that was taken by the Nazis. From the iconic music to the dangerous snakes, the film has received a 95% on Rotten Tomatoes and an 8.4/10 on IMDb. While Spielberg has made some of the best films of all time, this movie will surely be best for a movie night!
The Grand Budapest Hotel: Directed by Academy Award nominee Wes Anderson, this film takes place in Eastern Europe and tells the story of Monsieur Gustave H. (Ralph Fiennes) and how he manages to run the hotel. Things take a turn when he gets accused of murder. Led by an all-star cast with Bill Murray, Jeff Goldblum, Owen Wilson, Tilda Swinton, Saoirse Ronan, and many others, this film features many different genres, from comedy to drama and action. It also won 4 Academy Awards, including Makeup and Hairstyling. While the film does have mature themes, it also gives an important message about loyalty.
19 April 2020
"Spring is here but joy is done"
by Lydia Williams
Spring is here but joy is done
Snow is gone but flowers are none
no one breathes spring air
lonely is the newborn hare
schoolchildren wail in windows
streets are empty as the wind blows
Nerves of mothers so high strung be
Winter is dead but so are we.
24 March 2020
Best 4 Shows To Watch At Home
By Katy Coakley
Better Call Saul: If you need a show that has both drama and comedy in it, then Better Call Saul is for you! The show is the spin-off to the popular TV drama series, Breaking Bad. It tells the story of a small-time lawyer, named Jimmy McGill (Bob Odenkirk) and how the events in his life help him to become his Breaking Bad character, Saul Goodman. He also deals with a difficult relationship with his brother, Chuck (Michael McKean), but maintains a stronger relationship with his partner, Kim Wexler (Rhea Seehorn). However, Jimmy does get in trouble with certain situations. Better Call Saul will give you much to think about, but there will be moments that truly shock you.
The Loudest Voice: Based on the novel, The Loudest Voice in the Room, this Showtime miniseries stars Russell Crowe as the infamous Roger Ailes, the man who built Fox News. The series shows how he made the network, gained success, and made a lot of money. On the other hand, Roger starts to become demanding and hurtful to those around him, like the Vice President of Fox, Bill Shine (Josh Stamberg), public relations executive, Brian Lewis (Seth MacFarlane), Roger’s wife, Beth (Sienna Miller), and a young employee named Laurie Luhn (Annabelle Wallis). He then gets accused of sexual harassment by former Fox host, Gretchen Carlson (Naomi Watts), which will change his career for good.
Seinfeld: This hilarious show will always be memorable to many TV audiences. Aired between 1989 and 1998, Seinfeld takes us on the journey of comedian, rry Seinfeld, and his three best friends, Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), George (Jason Alexander), and Kramer (Micheal Richards) as they go through situations and events while living in New York City. This show is very rewatchable, with iconic moments from The Junior Mint to The Puffy Shirt. Seinfeld is the recipient of 10 Emmy Awards and is considered one of the greatest TV shows of all time.
The Crown: Netflix’s The Crown tells the intense and powerful story of her majesty, Queen Elizabeth II (Claire Foy, then Olivia Colman). The series begins with her marrying Prince Philip (Matt Smith, then Tobias Menzies). However, her father, King George VI (Jared Harris), suddenly passes away, and this leaves Elizabeth to become the Queen at only 27 years old. The show takes us further into the problems that she faces including from her uncle, David (Alex Jennings), and her sister, Princess Margaret (Vanessa Kirby, then Helena Bonham Carter). This show is historic and detailed about the characters’ lives and how they are portrayed. It has also won 3 Golden Globe Awards and 2 Emmy Awards. The Crown is one of Netflix’s best shows.
12 March 2020
ODE TO BLANKETS
By Mrs. Scianna’s 7th Period Freshmen
Blankets are as soft as puppies.
Blankets are as warm as the sun.
They make you feel safe and protected.
They make you feel safe when wrapped up.
Blankets are as cuddly as a bear.
Blankets are multipurpose.
They are Vegan … just like our friend, Teagan.
They give you warm hugs.
BAM! Oh no! An intruder!
No worries, just hide under the blanket!
They hug you when you’re cold.
They are there to keep you warm.
You can hug them when you’re lonely.
Blankets are as lovable as a dog.
Weighted, heated, mink, cotton, sherpa, and wool
Make you feel like you are laying on a cloud.
The weight keeps you down,
making you sleep forever.
Blankets will always be there for you.
As warm as hot chocolate on a winter’s day.
Blankets are as soft as a sheep’s wool,
They keep you warm when you are cool.
Blankets are as cuddly as a bear.
Blankets are as decorative as Christmas.
The warmth they give me on a cold winter day,
The colorful pattern made from crochet.
Blankets hug me tight.
You will never be alone when a blanket is with you.
Blankets can be colorful
They can decorate any couch.
Love is a blanket
That keeps us warm.
5 March 2020
The Field Guide to the North American Teenager Book Review
By Rose Haughey
Looking for a light, fun, and relatable contemporary story? Definitely consider picking up The Field Guide to the North American Teenager! The novel, written by Ben Philippe and published in January of 2019, is loosely based on the author's own life and experiences. The author himself is from Haiti, grew up in Canada, and now lives in New York. The book comes to around 380 pages, and the cover is one of my favorites.
The story follows Norris Kaplan, a black French Canadian with immigrant parents from Haiti. When his mom gets a job as a professor in Austin, Texas, and his father's new wife won’t let Norris live with them, he is shipped off to America for the first time, and is not happy about it. Arriving in the extreme heat of Texas, Norris expects to make no friends, and counts down the days until he gets to go home for spring break to see his best friend Eric.
Norris makes his life a lot harder by making trouble with the cheerleaders. His first assumptions of them are that they were all Brainless "Madisons," and he tells them as much. Norris continues to categorize each person he meets: Jocks, Loners, and even the Manic Pixie Dream Girl. Norris is content to stay separate from these typical American teenagers, but when he accidentally starts to make friends, he finds himself in a world of trouble.
Norris meets Liam, a loner he quickly dismissed as odd after their first encounter. But this tall, American boy is persistent in asking Norris to teach him how to play hockey. Norris, bored and missing Canada, eventually agrees. The reluctant friendship that follows is one that Norris is slow to identify, but it ultimately changes his life and decisions throughout the book. Through Liam, Norris not only builds a strong relationship and learns that not everyone is how they appear and that everyone has their own backstory you don’t know about, but he also gets a new hockey team. Which comes with its very own Jock from school, that Norris is less than thrilled to have to spend more time with.
Norris meets Madison, a cheerleader with that actual name, at his after school job. Although neither of them admit it, they build a friendship over their mutual agreement. Norris helps Maddie by doing extra work at the barbecue and Maddie helps him by getting him a date with Aarti. The two spend most of the book hanging out and delivering the restaurant's famous key lime pies. All the while, Maddie shows Norris that not everyone at school is so two dimensional. And that he should judge people on their actions, not his first impressions of them based on bad American television from the 90s.
All of this comes together at prom. Norris seems to have everything he could want. He’s finally figured out the meaning of friendship when it all comes crashing down on him. When all his deepest, cruelest thoughts from the beginning of the year come to light about people he had called his friends, it is up to Norris to try and make sure they don’t hate him forever. But can he really convince them all that he has changed?
The Field Guide to the North American Teenager is a quick, fast-paced read. Complete with fun chapter titles and plenty of out loud laughs. Each character introduced ends up playing a vital role, and comes with their own personal and intriguing backstory. Even though the book is a standalone, they all feel very developed and well done. Philippe also turns a very prevalent trope on its head in this book, and although for spoiler reasons that won’t be elaborated on, it's fun to see a new twist in the YA world. This book tells it like it is and is unapologetic, just like our main character, well, until the end. Seeing the world, and the country we live in, through Norris’ eyes is sure to be an entertaining ride to all who read the novel.
So next time you’re in the mood for a funny story full of high school drama, make sure to get your hands on The Field Guide to the North American Teenager. Then you can answer this question for yourself: Would you forgive Norris?
27 February 2020
To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You Movie Review
By Meg Riordan
A lot of people have opinions on this movie deciding whether this was a good movie or not. P.S. I Still Love You is a sequel to To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before. In this movie, it just goes more in depth about how Lara Jean deals with situations that come her way. She wrote a letter to John Ambrose in the first movie and he ends up coming back looking for Lara Jean and telling her he has always been in love with her. In the movie, Lara Jean is currently dating Peter Kavinsky, who was her dream boy in the first movie. Lara Jean is in a happy relationship with Peter Kavinsky and then John Ambrose comes in and she gets confused about who she likes. John Ambrose was one of the first people Lara Jean wrote a letter to. He got the letter and wrote one back to Lara Jean. Lara Jean and John Ambrose end up working together at a nursing home and the nursing home has this party, where they end up kissing each other. Laura Jean thinks she's a horrible person, but overall it made her realize that the boy that she wanted all along was Peter Kavinsky.
I would say this movie was okay, but I definitely think the first movie was better. I think they could have focused on Lara Jean and Peter Kavinsky’s relationship more instead of focusing mostly on John Ambrose and Lara Jean’s relationship. I would say for a sequel of a movie, this is definitely one of the better ones that I've seen. One thing that I do not like in particular about this was how Lara Jean's older sister, Margot, was barely in this movie and I think it would have been really nice to see more of her. Also, Lara Jean's next-door neighbor, Josh, who was a big part of the first movie, wasn't in this one, and I think it would have been nice to just see how John Ambrose and Josh connected. I would definitely recommend this movie if you have seen the first one. I hope they come out with another one soon.
20 February 2020
Aurora Rising Book Review
By Rose Haughey
Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff are at it again with another amazing scifi trilogy. The two are most popularly known for the Illuminae Files, which concluded in 2018. Aurora Rising is the first of three books to be published, with the sequel, Aurora Burning, and the third untitled book hopefully coming soon. The bok follows the perspectives of seven different characters and comes to a whopping total of 473 pages.
Aurora Jie-Lin O’Malley went into cryo sleep in the year 2160. She was one of thousands aboard the Hadefeild, a ship taking her and other colonists to the new plant Octavia III, where her dad waits for her. However, nothing goes as planned. Because now the year is 2380 and Goldenboy Tyler Jones is aboard the crumbling Hadfeild, trying desperately to save the one passenger left alive. Aurora wakes in a strange bed in a space station thousands of light years away from home at a space academy for the next generation of space explorers and mission fighters. Tyler and Aurora reluctantly part ways and she is left in the care of the Terran (human) government as Tyler is sent on his first mission with a crew he's never met. Enter squad 312, five new characters all under Tyler's command, or at least they should be. Tyler may be the Alpha, but the team he was stuck with will never be under his control.
Enter:
Scarlet Jones-Tyler’s twin sister and the Face of squad 312. The group's very own diplomat, she has been trained to speak multiple alien languages and to be able to deal with all conflicts that could arise in space, from being chased through the Fold by creepy faceless government agents to choosing fabulous outfits to help blend into the crowd.
Finian-The group’s Gearhead and one of two aliens apart from the squad. Fin’s role is to fix anything that's broken or damaged on the ship, but he spends most of his time making jokes to no appeal. Due to him contracting a rare alien flu when he was a child, he uses a metal exoskeleton to be able to move and walk, but it never stops him from getting the job done.
Cat-Top of her class Ace, the best pilot to come out of Aurora Academy. Covered in tattoos and topped with a faux hawk, Cat only takes orders from herself and her Alpha. The crew might not be up to her standards, but that doesn’t mean she won’t fight tooth and nail for them; that is, when they aren’t disrespecting Tyler.
Kal -The tank, the second alien of the group, and one not so lighthearted. A Slydrathi warrior, one of only a few hundred who joined the academy after the galactic war of his people and humans was ended only two years ago. Everyone is still a little weary of the purple eyed, six foot tall humanoid, especially when he takes an immediate interest in new girl Aurora.
Zila-The Brian of Squad 312. The cutest character you will ever read about who also has the repeated problem of shooting people multiple times with her disruptor pistol, including those on her team. Zila is always there for the group when they need an obscure percentage or knowledge on a certain person, date, or computer.
Aurora- The newest addition to the team. After she stows away on their ship and reveals a startling new ability, the team is torn on whether to turn her in or protect her, but as they travel to places they never would have dreamed on their own, they soon start to realize that Aurora is the missing puzzle piece that's been hidden for 200 years, and now that she’s saved, a lot more ancient evil is about to wake up.
As more and more information comes to light, the squad realizes they might not be able to trust the government or what they have been told. When nothing is as it seems, taking directions from a 230 year old who has never been to this part of space before can’t be that bad, right?
Aurora Rising is one of those books that leaves you with a smile during and after reading it. The writing style is wonderful and flows through each page. The characters and plot are all complex and leave plenty of room for improvement and development in the next two books. The world building is thought out and imaginative.
The team is constantly divided, torn between what they have always known and what they are learning each day. And without the reader knowing what the best decision is either, it is guaranteed to be an interesting read. Though it does seem to be a hit or miss with most, it is definitely worth it to read and find out for yourself. The book deals with heavy topics of trust and all different kinds of relationships, but it still manages to have many light and fun chapters where the characters almost seem like normal teenagers, despite the fact that they may have just started the next intergalactic war.
Aurora Rising is sure to be a fun and interesting read that will leave you wondering and theorizing the whole way through. And when you finish it, you’ll be sure to look up the release date of the sequel (May 5th, in case you were wondering).
29 January 2020
Sorcery of Thorns Book Review
By Rose Haughey
Published June 4th, 2019, Sorcery of Thorns is the second book to come from American author Margaret Rogerson. It was fast tobecome a New York Times bestseller, and for good reason. The young adult, fantasy novel is a stand-alone set in a fantastical world before the invention of modern day technology.
Sorcery of Thorns puts a unique and well deserved twist on typical YA characters. From the very first pages we are enveloped in an enchanting, thought out world that leaves little to the imagination. Elisabeth was raised in one of the five Great Libraries of Austermeer. Her life's goal was to become a librarian, and eventually a Warden. Both dangerous jobs, considering the Great Libraries hold much more than books. Evil sorcerers inhabit the land, and, using demonic magic, create grimoires. These creatures appear as books in nature, but each has their own personality and terrifying abilities. It is up the Wardens to protect the outside world from these monsters, and what a sorcerer would be able to do if they got their hands on one.
Elisabeth knows only one thing as she starts her journey. Sorcery, and magic in general, is evil, and it's her job to fight against it. It's what she thinks when she first meets Nathanial Thorn. Soon after meeting the young sorcerer, she is put in his care as they travel to the capital of Austermeet. There, Elisabeth is to be tried for letting out one of the most dangerous grimoirs, resulting in the murder of the director of the Library, a crime she did not commit. On the journey there, Elisabeth meets Nathanial's servant, a demon with snow white hair, glowing yellow eyes, and impeccable fashion sense. Together the three realize that there is a much greater conspiracy at play. Not only must they prove Elisabeth’s innocence, but they must also figure out who really sabotaged the Library, and who is sending Demons after Elisabeth to finish the job.
Throughout this journey, Elisabeth must relearn all she has been taught about the outside world. She is welcomed into the houses of sorcerers and meets grimoires who love to sing and strut on the bookshelves. Though it has been ingrained in her that all magic is evil, she continually finds herself in situations where it saves her life, of the lives of those she cares about. As she begins to let this new, sometimes terrifying thing, into her life, her judgment sways. Elisabeth finds herself to be too trusting of a character she used to think as evil, and he is determined to prove her first assumptions correct.
As Elisabeth faces a great evil generation in the making, it is up to her to choose who she will have by her side. And as the line between good and evil begins to blur before her, she might not be able to determine who wants to see her succeed until it's too late.
A book about trust and taking back control of one's life, Sorcery of Thorns explores the difficulty of how to put faith in something you never thought possible. In the end, it is up to the reader to decide who had truly good intentions, and on answering this question, you will learn more about yourself than the story’s characters.
14 January 2020
1917 Movie Review
By Katy Coakley
1917 is an intense and powerful World War I film that is definitely worth seeing. It takes place in northern France in the spring and tells the story of two British soldiers, Lance Cpl Schofield (George MacKay, Captain Fantastic) and Lance Cpl Blake (Dean-Charles Chapman, Game of Thrones), who are both given the task of delivering an important message to a battalion. If the message is delivered on time, then 1,600 lives will be saved, including Blake’s brother (Richard Madden, Game of Thrones, Rocketman). In order to deliver the news, Schofield and Blake must survive this epic journey, especially through difficult events.
The movie was filmed as one shot, and it makes you feel like you are a part of the film. In my opinion, I was so surprised by how they filmed this. Director Sam Mendes (Skyfall, Spectre) wrote the screenplay based on his grandfather, Alfred Mendes, and his stories of being a runner during World War I in the British Army. Sam dedicated the movie to him. While discussing the film and his grandfather in an interview with Variety, he stated: “It lodged with me as a child, this story or this fragment, and obviously I’ve enlarged it and changed it significantly.” He also stated that “the Germans consolidated their forces by pulling their forces back to the Hindenburg Line, a newly built and massively fortified defensive network.”
Other actors, like Benedict Cumberbatch (Doctor Strange, Sherlock), Colin Firth (Kingsman, The King’s Speech) and Mark Strong (Kingsman, Sherlock Holmes) do make brief appearances, and the film is similar to Saving Private Ryan, Dunkirk and They Shall Not Grow Old. I personally enjoyed seeing this film and I wouldn’t mind seeing it again. I would give the movie five out of five stars. The film has gotten many positive reviews from critics and received an 89% on Rotten Tomatoes. I saw this in Dolby Cinema, which includes a very large screen and shows a better picture. However, since this is a war film, some viewers may not like a lot of the shocking and loud noises. The film does contain strong violence and some disturbing images, but I think that teens and up will learn more about World War I and the positive message of bravery. The movie did win two Golden Globes for Best Director and Best Picture (Drama). 1917 is a heroic win!
8 January 2020
Four Dead Queens Book Review
By Rose Haughey
Four Dead Queens, by Astrid Scholte, gives a glimpse at what it is like to be sucked into a world of science fiction after living a (mainly) ordinary life. The book was first published in February 2019 and already it has made a name for itself in the book reading community. It is the first of many to come from the new author. As the name implies, Four Dead Queens is a mystery novel that will leave you at the edge of your seat. The world building is unique, quite a shake up from the typical book setting. And all of the characters have rich and meaningful personalities that makes it hard to predict who “dun it.”
Quadara is made up of four different quadrants, each ruled by one queen. The quadrants are separated by great walls, all except for Archia, the citizens of which live on their own island. Each quadrant works towards different goals and has different priorities. Archia, for example, is based around farming. They are the quadrants' main source of freshly grown fruits and vegetables. Unlike Archia, most of what is created in other quadrants is not allowed outside the walls.
Eonia focuses mainly on technology. On making things as efficient as they can be. Even if it means teaching their children at young ages not to express emotion. The technology created there is not allowed in any other quadrant unless granted so by a Queen. However, many devices do find their way through underground trading.
The quadrant Ludia is all about art and music, caring more about having fun and feeling free than anything else.
And Toria, where we find our main character, is full of harbours, each person set on exploration and fishing. Between these four quadrants rests The Concord, the capital of Quadara, where people from any quadrant can visit and where the queens live. Separate from their people to remain impartial. What seemed like a perfect society when made by the first Queens of Quadara begins to cause many troubles for the characters in the book.
For seventeen year old Keralie, the only future she saw for herself was one away from her family fishing business, one of crime. At a young age she began her work for an auction house that specializes in illegally selling things from different quadrants to the people of Toria. Keralie became a well known pickpocket in the auction community. The runner of the auction house, Mackiel, her closest friend for years, encourages her behavior and has taught her everything she knows. She does not think she would be able to survive without him, or that she would want to. One day, in The Concord, he challenges her to steal from a messenger from Eonia, as Eonian tech sells for much money. Keralie is successful, but the item is not auctioned off as she imagined.
To figure out why, she uses the device and sees the death of all four Queens of Quadara. Not only that, but the messenger from whom she has stolen has found her. Her trust in Mackiel weakened, Keralie allies herself with the messenger, Varin, to go to the capital and figure out what is going on. Their trip is derailed by Quadrant rules and their lack of efficient teamwork. But soon they are at the capital, caught in the midst of an investigation, just not the one they expected. With evidence not adding up, Keralie and Varin take it upon themselves to do what law enforcement cannot and find the killer before it is too late.
With a plot twist that leaves the reader stunned and wanting more at the end, Four Dead Queens goes through all the stages of grief with the reader and brings to light the trouble people are faced with when dealing with forgiveness. Each of the characters must forgive the wrongs done to them, on purpose and on accident. But most importantly, Keralie deals with forgiving herself over what she has done in the past and present. Overall, Four Dead Queens is an exciting mystery novel full of plot twists and turns that keep the reader guessing as well as meaningful relationships that make the events of the book all the more powerful. If you’re ever looking for a stand alone novel that will keep you on your toes, Four Dead Queens is a No-Brainer.
7 January 2020
Richard Jewell Movie Review
By Katy Coakley
Richard Jewell tells the compelling and heartbreaking true story of the titular character. The film takes place in 1996 and Richard (Paul Walter Hauser, I, Tonya) is living with his mom (Kathy Bates, American Horror Story) and wants to be a police officer. He begins to work at a law firm, but then becomes a security guard during the Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia. However, during a concert, Richard finds a backpack, underneath a bench, filled with pipe bombs. He transforms into a hero by saving many lives, but an FBI Agent named Tom Shaw (Jon Hamm, Mad Men) thinks that Richard is not the hero and is the suspect. Things start to become more difficult when a reporter, Kathy Scruggs (Olivia Wilde, House) starts getting more information from the FBI and begins writing negative stories about Richard for the paper. On the other hand, Richard does become friends with a lawyer, Watson Bryant (Sam Rockwell, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri), who comes in to help Richard clear his name.
Clint Eastwood (The Mule, Gran Torino) has made a remarkable film that will give the audience an important lesson in life. While the press and news keep harassing and bullying Richard and his family, the lesson is to stand up for yourself and find evidence. Many things that the press has written about are mostly not true because there is not much confirmation. Most of the reporters were writing fake news to get something important to them: money. Richard is a hero because he does care about the ones around him and tries to do what is best, even in a difficult situation. While the film has received positive reviews, it did have controversies. The main controversy was about Kathy Scruggs. Some have criticized the film for portraying her as weak, while others found it sexist towards women journalists, but Olivia Wilde defended her character and the film.
I did see this film over winter break and I enjoyed watching it on the big screen. I would recommend the film to people who love biographies or true events and would give it 4 out of 5 stars. The film might be intense for some viewers because of its mature themes. The film is also an indie and while most think that this will be a film for adults, teens will learn a lot from Clint Eastwood’s portrayal of Richard and what he did. It can also relate to real life. Just because someone writes or says something, does not mean it is one hundred percent accurate. Award Season has also been talking about this. Kathy Bates has already received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. Richard Jewell will truly shock and surprise you.
16 December 2019
Frozen II Movie Review
By Lauren McLaughlin
Disney’s phenomenon, Frozen, has once again hit the big screen! It’s refreshing to see the characters we know and love rocking new styles and going on more magical adventures in this epic sequel. In the fictional kingdom of Arendelle, Queen Elsa has been distracted by a voice only she can hear. She wants to search for the source but is afraid she’ll wreck the happy life she’s built with her sister, Princess Anna. Things start to spiral out of control when Elsa accidentally unleashes the vengeful spirit of The Enchanted Forest. The Enchanted Forest is a mysterious secluded place very far away from Arendelle. Not only is it shrouded in a dense fog but in magic and family secrets as well. What started with curiousity about a strange voice soon becomes a daring adventure to save Arendelle.
Although nothing can top the original, Frozen II sure came close. With a suspenseful plot that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats, powerful themes of family and love, and a sprinkle of good-humored comedy to lighten the mood, there was never a dull moment during the movie. I also couldn’t pry my eyes away from the stunning graphics and animation. Everything, from the backdrop of the mountainous Arendellian kingdom right down to the patterns on Elsa’s dress, was marvelous. What I was seeing before me looked tangible, especially the scenes of Elsa using her ice powers. Frozen II did not disappoint it’s audience in the music department, either. After all, it wouldn’t be Frozen without Elsa belting a power ballad. Anna, Kristoff, Olaf, and even Elsa and Anna’s mother all have new songs that will be stuck in your head for days. Frozen II was definitely worth the six year wait. Some things never change, especially how the Frozen series is chillingly spectacular!
26 November 2019
AMC Stubs Membership: Worth It?
By Katy Coakley
Feel like you have been missing out on a lot of movies? Well, don’t worry because AMC is here for you! The AMC Stubs Membership is an easy and fun way to see movies. Plus, it is a good gift for any movie fan. If you join this A-List membership, you will have access to see up to 3 movies every week. Also, AMC will send you discounts for free snacks, notify you about the different showtimes and exclusive movies, and much more!
A-List has some cool things you should know about. It allows you to see movies in Dolby Cinema, IMAX, RealD, and 3D. There are also free size upgrades on popcorn and fountain drinks. This means you can refill your popcorn and drink as many times as you want! The best part is that you don’t have to wait in a long line to get your snacks and tickets. AMC offers separate lines for guests and A-List members. The A-List line is faster to get your snacks before the movie begins. You can see any movie more than once!
When you download the AMC Movie Theaters app, you will be able to create an account. After you create your account, you are all set to start seeing movies. Just pick a movie to see, choose a theater, click on a showtime, pick a seat, and then you're done! It is an easy way to get movie tickets. When you go to the theater, be sure to open the app and click on your ticket to show at the box office. Also, don’t forget to show your ID or license to get into the theater because it is important to show identification!
In my opinion, I really love the A-List membership because this has allowed me to see so many movies. I would recommend using this over any holiday breaks or days off of school. However, I did have some problems with the membership. Sometimes when I went to the theater, it takes a long time for the app to open. On the other hand, I think that this membership is something that movie fans will enjoy!
For more information about AMC A-List and the other movie memberships, please visit:
17 November 2019
Mr. Jones Movie Review: Would Recommend, 7/10
By Juliana Gisler
In the 1930s, the world’s economy was in turmoil. Yet in the Soviet Union, the communist experiment appeared to be working. To the rest of the world, and even to its own people, the country seemed to be thriving. Stalin’s new empire was expensive, yet it had no financial backing. How could this be? This is the question journalist Gareth Jones tirelessly investigates in Agnieszka Holland’s historical drama, Mr. Jones.
Having just been brought to fame for interviewing Hitler in 1933, Gareth Jones (James Norton) turns his attention to the USSR. Noticing the disparity between the Soviet economy and their industry, Jones goes to Moscow in an attempt to find and interview Stalin. His inquiries lead him instead to uncover the devastating situation in Ukraine, organized by the Soviet government. The film then follows Jones as he roams the freezing wheat farms and his reporting during, and in the aftermath of, his investigation.
Being one of the first mainstream films about the Ukrainian genocide, known as the Holodomor, Mr. Jones has much responsibility. It must be simultaneously an intriguing film, a faithful account of the real Gareth Jones’ life, and an educational tool. For the most part, it succeeds. It is entertaining and captivating in the way it tells its story. For an audience who may not be aware of the genocide, the presentation of the Holodomor is haunting and informative in its depictions of the suffering. Screenwriter Andrea Chalupa took fourteen years to make the film and it draws from many primary sources including Jones’ real investigation, her grandfather’s memoirs, and songs of protest. The Soviet government’s systematic attempt to suppress and destroy any information about the Holodomor has in part succeeded, which makes the movie all the more important. The casualties of the starvation is an example of their suppression, as its true number is impossible to discern, with most estimates being around 4 million Ukrainians murdered. Overall, the film is a compelling and relevant tale which through its frantic energy is a call to action, or at least to pay attention.
Gareth Jones is driven by what Chalupa calls naïve idealism, something she represented in his and Ada’s youthful casting. Norton’s scenes carry with it an energy, a sense of insistence, that demands the audience’s attention. His performance brings humanity during the most brutal moments. Jones’ slow realizations and shock feel genuine. The focus of the film gives few chances for real character development for the rest of the cast. Many characters seem irrelevant to the plot or are introduced only to disappear until the end of the film. Leading actress Vanessa Kirby, who plays Ada Brooks, lacks the emotion required to give some of the film's later scenes punch, and the relationship between Gareth and her character feels awkward and underdeveloped.
The entire film is framed, or rather accompanied, by shots of Jones’ contemporary George Orwell sitting at his desk writing and narrating his novel Animal Farm. An understandable comparison is brought between the stories, though one wonders why our time is being spent on this to such an extent, especially since the possibility Orwell and Jones ever met is tenuous at best. Orwell’s conversational scenes play better, as they demonstrate the slow disillusionment with the communist regime and the world’s refusal to believe the truth.
Jones is constantly on the move. This urgency is reflected in its camera work and editing, taking the perspective of soviet spies, drugged partiers, or an isolated Jones. At times, the film’s shots tend to be a few seconds too long and its pace a little too slow. Trimming the movie down slightly would have made it more concise and impactful. In moments of transition, we repeatedly see the train carrying Jones around the USSR power on: a symbol of the Soviet’s Five Year Plan and its murder, the modern machine being fueled by burning coal. Once in Ukraine, the world is darker. The black and white of the snow and trees make any colorful vibrancy seem scarce and precious. The emptiness notably contrasts from the warm scenes of Moscow or back home in London.
Jones’ search for the truth feels, unfortunately, contemporary. The film is an attentive introduction to anyone learning about the Holodomor. It is an interesting and relevant tale of freedom of the press which examines the consequences of never questioning what you’re told. Mr. Jones is a reminder that in every era there are those that work to hide the truth and those who struggle to reveal it.
4 November 2019
Joker Movie Review
By Lydia Williams
The groundbreaking, highest-grossing R-rated film, Joker, is being talked about everywhere you go; and for good reason. This film, starring Joaquin Phoenix as the Joker, tells the story of how the Joker came to be and the role we have in creating the Joker.
This is no typical action hero movie; there are little fights, no training montage, and a complete lack of a heroic character. That’s right, Batman never makes an appearance in Joker. This forces the audience to make their own opinions on the moral character of the Joker, rather than having someone tell us he is bad. We follow Arthur Fleck as he struggles to manage life in a decaying town, poverty, his mother, and his crippling mental illness. As things continue to go downhill, we can see Arthur's descent into the Joker. He seems to be hanging onto a thread of sanity before he is fired, his social worker gets cut, and he can no longer get his medication. His anger and resentment for the world that doesn’t seem to care builds up until he can’t contain it. This build-up of insanity makes the viewer wonder how much it would take for them to snap and creates an interesting sympathy for the Joker; we know what he is doing is wrong but we can’t seem to blame him.
The brilliance of the movie lies in Joaquin Phoenix’s performance and the cinematography. Joaquin delivers a performance up there with Heath Ledger! The viewer can tell that he embodied the character, not only by doing copious amounts of research into the effects of mental illness but also by losing 52 pounds for the role. This may seem unnecessary, but in an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Phoenix said it was to show the possible effect of his medication and a result of him living in poverty. He also stated that he felt a control over his body that he didn’t have with his previous weight. The director, Todd Phillips, surprised us all with his beautiful visuals. Who would have thought the director behind The Hangover could create a stunningly grotesque Gotham city that captured viewers?
Personally, Joker was one of the best theater experiences I have ever had. So much so that on the car ride home, I bought the movie poster on Amazon while listening to the soundtrack. I usually don’t like movies, much less seeing them in theaters, because I tend to feel trapped and bored towards the one hour mark. However, I was completely enraptured during the entire movie. The whole movie felt so real and incredibly respectful to people with mental illnesses. Somehow the scattered pieces of my mind all fit together in those two hours. This movie will go down as one of DC’c best.
1 November 2019
ACE Comic-Con 2019 Review
By Katy Coakley
It is time to get your pop culture on! ACE was better than ever! ACE Comic Con is a convention center event that focuses on pop culture. It was a three-day event and there was so much to do. Many superheroes, villains, movies, TV shows, and more were promoted. You are allowed to dress up as your favorite character and there is even a costume contest you can join. Also, there were a bunch of celebrities to meet. This year, some of Marvel’s superheroes came to Chicago including Brie Larson (Captain Marvel), Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Tessa Thompson (Thor: Ragnarok), and Tom Holland (Spiderman). Kit Harington (Game of Thrones) and Taron Egerton (Kingsman, Rocketman) also made an appearance! There were opportunities to take a photo or get an autograph with any of these celebrities.
ACE Comic Con was so much fun! I had such an amazing time and I would definitely go back. There were so many artists painting and panels to see. I got the chance to meet Taron Egerton and took a photo with him. He was very friendly and he was the highlight of my day. So many people were dressed in some of Elton John’s famous outfits from Rocketman. Exhibitors were selling so many cool items to buy. From Game of Thrones stickers and shirts to Avengers pop vinyls, you will be surprised with what they have to offer. There was a Star Trek chair to sit in and a Stranger Things living room to take a fun picture! However, I did have a problem while waiting in line for Tom Holland and Jake Gyllenhaal’s panel. There is a line you have to be in to get into the panel. Many people decided to run towards the entrance and started to push and shove others. Those people were not standing in line and I found this unfair to the people who were waiting.
On the other hand, I was glad that I was able to get into the panel and get a seat. I loved seeing the panel and Tom and Jake were so thrilled to see everyone and talk about their movie, Spiderman: Far From Home. There were many fan questions about whether Tom will appear on Lip Sync Battle again, but he said that he doesn’t think so because it was a lot of work to do. After the panel was done, I felt that this was one of the most epic comic cons I had ever been to. If you want to do something fun, then ACE is right for you!
14 October 2019
Judy Movie Review
By Katy Coakley
Judy takes you on the interesting and heartbreaking journey of one of Hollywood's most famous actresses and singers, Judy Garland (Renée Zellweger). The movie begins thirty years after The Wizard of Oz opened in theaters. Judy is in a horrible situation and is trying to find ways to support her family. She decides to head to London to perform for many sold-out shows. She enjoys singing for her audience, but she deals with mental health and family problems.
Judy is a movie that shines and gives audiences something spectacular, which are all of the beautiful songs that are sung by Garland. There are many references to her famous film, The Wizard of Oz and the film gives you an experience of what it was like on set. Her costumes are stunning and the setting is amazing. Even though she had a difficult life, the movie shows that she was a caring and loving mother to her children.
I enjoyed this movie and I would recommend it to anyone who is a fan of Judy Garland, biographies, or musicals. I would give this movie four out of five stars because of Renée Zellweger’s breathtaking performance. I would consider her for another Oscar nomination. Judy hits all the right notes.
4 October 2019
The Orville TV Review
By Katy Coakley
This TV review is...out of this world! The Orville is an exciting and hilarious sci-fi show. It first aired on September 10th, 2017, and has just been renewed for a third season! The series begins with the story of Planetary Union Officer, Ed Mercer (Seth MacFarlane, who wrote and created the show). After his awful divorce, he finally gets a chance to command his own ship. He hires some other crew members to help him on board, including his best friend, Lt.Gordon Malloy (Scott Grimes), Dr.Claire Finn (Penny Johnson Jerald), an alien, Bortus (Peter Macon), and a robot named Isaac (Mark Jackson). However, Ed receives some news that his ex-wife, Kelly (Adrianne Palicki), will be joining the crew, and he is not too thrilled with this. The Orville will show the adventures, situations, and fun moments that Ed and the crew will experience.
Sci-fi and fantasy fans will love this show. It will remind you of Star Trek a lot and will keep you on the edge of your seat! From mysterious planets to aliens and robots, this show will give you a lot to think about such as working together and getting along. For example, Ed tries to support his crew when they need help. He also tries to encourage them to keep going and not give up. He attempts to make peace with different planets, even when they are hostile. Another example would be Claire trying to be a good mother to her sons and a helpful doctor to her patients.
I recommend this show to anyone who loves adventures or sci-fi. I give this show four out of five stars because of the cool characters and fun episodes! I have been a huge fan of the show, and I got the chance to meet Mark Jackson at this year’s Comic-Con. Be sure to check out The Orville on FOX, and season 3 will be exclusive on Hulu.
1 October 2019
5 Halloween Movies: Ranked from Least to Most Scary
By Lydia Williams
5. The Nightmare Before Christmas
This is a classic family Halloween film. It’s filled with catchy songs and lots of spooky imagery. In this film, the King of Halloween Town, Jack Skellington, gets bored of his repetitive life and visits Christmas Town. Jack gets so inspired by his visit that he decides to make a Christmas of his own (with a Halloween twist, of course). This fun, wacky film is perfect for putting on when decorating your house!
4. Coraline
Based on the book by Neil Gaiman, Coraline is similar to The Nightmare Before Christmas in style but different in tone. This film has a darker, more serious vibe to it. Coraline moves into a new house with her parents, who don’t seem to care about anything she has to say. She finds a little door in her living room that works as a portal to another world! In this world, everything is the same, and she has everything she’s ever wanted! But something is off with her other mother with buttons for eyes…
3. Beetlejuice
This fast-paced Tim Burton film is perfect for those who don’t like horror but need something a little more substantial than a kid’s movie. The young couple Barbara and Adam Maitland die in a car crash and are cursed to haunt their house while (the living) Lydia Deetz, her father, and his insufferable girlfriend move in. The Maitlands, wanting to “live” in peace, and Lydia, wanting to move back to her old house, summon the sinister demon Beetlejuice to scare the adults away. This movie is full of crude humor and bright imagery that is great for movie night!
2. The Conjuring
Now into the real horror! This gloomy, supernatural horror film focuses on Roger and Carolyn Perron and their five daughters, who move into a new house with a horrifying backstory. They get terrorized day and night by the spirits living there. They reach their breaking point and hire paranormal exorcists, but even they might not be up for the challenge.
1. Saw
This movie is for horror enthusiasts. Contrary to popular belief, the first Saw movie is not just a torture film. The first film is more of a psychological thriller, following two men trapped in a room by a serial “killer” who never lays a hand on his victims. Watch these two men flashback on the sins that got them there. This film is truly gruesome and very disturbing!
24 September 2019
Downton Abbey Movie Review
By Katy Coakley
You are cordially invited to...read this review! Based on the popular British TV series, Downton Abbey is back with a new movie. The story picks up two years after the series ended. However, the Crawley family is receiving some exciting news: Lord and Lady Grantham (Hugh Bonneville and Elizabeth McGovern) get a letter from the butlers that King George V and Queen Mary are coming to Downton for a visit. So, the family, including Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) and Lady Edith (Laura Carmichael), have to work really hard to make sure everything is perfect before their guests arrive.
Downton Abbey will give fans what they want to see. From elegant gowns to hard working servants, this movie shows you what it is like to live like a royal. It also delivers important messages about helping and protecting the ones you love and care about. For example, Anna (Joanne Froggatt) and Bates (Brendan Coyle) try their best to help everyone downstairs. The Dowager, also known as Violet Crawley (Maggie Smith), does her best to keep the tradition of the Abbey alive for generations to come.
I absolutely loved the movie and would recommend it to anyone who loves the TV show or history. I have been a long-time fan of Downton Abbey and would give this movie five out of five stars because of the great plot and beautiful production design. If you are looking for something to do, pour yourself some tea and head to the theaters to see Downton Abbey!
25 April 2019
Book Review: Turtles All the Way Down
By Rose Haughey
The book Turtles All The Way Down, by John Green, gives a unique perspective on mental illness in teens and how it can affect everyday life. Since the book's publication in October, 2017, nearly 130,000 copies have been sold. In the book, Green writes about a girl named Aza who deals with anxiety and OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder). Many authors have written about mental illness, and, for people who actually struggle with such things, it can be painful or annoying to see it written poorly, or for the character to “get better” by the end. What makes this book so special is that John Green is writing from his own personal experiences. He too shares the intrusive thoughts of his character, and it makes the book all the more real and impactful to read. It is important for mental illness to be written about properly because it may be the only education readers ever receive on the subject. It is also important for readers to see their own illnesses being correctly portrayed in books.
Turtles All The Way Down follows the story of a teenager named Aza. Aza’s anxiety and OCD interrupt her daily life in a manner rarely shown in literature. It is shown how it affects her relationship with her mother and close friends, who do not really understand what is going on inside her head. Her friend, Daisy, becomes interested in a missing local billionaire, or at least the large cash price that comes with finding him. Soon she convinces Aza to help her by getting Aza to reunite with her childhood friend, the billionaire's son, Davis. After reuniting, the two work on rebuilding their relationship, but Aza’s mental illness stops her from getting too close. Her intrusive thoughts, which are ever present throughout the book, force her to distance herself and do harmful things to her own body, such as drinking hand sanitizer to feel clean. Aza slowly gets worse until Daisy calls out her behavior. This ends with Aza in the hospital under the supervision of her psychiatrist. After taking a break from school, and her friends, Aza works to better herself and her relationship with her mother and Daisy. She attempts to patch up her relationship with Davis as well. The book ends in an unexpected, but much needed way. The ending is not a fabricated “happily ever after.” It is a real ending that makes the reader take a moment to think about their own life, and what they should expect from it.
John Green's representation of mental illness is one that should put this book on everyone's "To Read List." His use of his own experiences in a way to connect to younger readers who deal with the same issues is a courageous act. Writing about your own life can be difficult, especially what can be seen as the hardest part about your life, the most painful. Green persevered through the difficulties to write something he thought needed to be written and read. The book is an eye-opener for anyone who thought they knew what it was like to live with anxiety or OCD. Not only does the book follow an exciting mystery plot, but it also shows the reader, in a realistic way, how Aza’s illness gets in the way more than it benefits her. The book gives readers a glimpse into the life of someone with mental illness in a way that is hard to ignore. Too many times has mental illness been portrayed as an annoying, but small, part of a character's life, only showing itself at convenient times. Turtles All the Way Down is an impactful book that will mean many different things to people, but it will stay with anyone who reads it forever.
22 February 2019
Book Review: The Raven Cycle Series
By Rose Haughey
The Raven Cycle is a series of four books, all currently published. Written by Maggie Stiefvater, they take you through the experiences of five teenagers all living incredibly different lives, despite the fact that they spend every day with each other. Gansey, Ronan, Adam, and Noah all attend Aglionby, a prestigious all-boys school.
Gansey comes from a rich family. Both of his parents are politicians, but he feels pulled towards the unexplained, specifically Glendower. Glendower is an old Welsh king that Gansey suspects is alive but asleep and in hiding. It has become his life's purpose to wake the king. As a result of his ambition and wealth, he is able to travel the world to wherever his research takes him. In his junior year, when the book series begins, it has taken him to Henrietta, Virginia. It is here where he meets the other characters of the book and recruits them for the search.
Ronan becomes friends with Gansey when he first moves to Henrietta. He too comes from wealth. His father was involved in a risky business that he kept secret from all but his oldest son, Ronan's older brother. After his father is murdered, he and both of his brothers are forced to leave their mother and home behind. It is then that he moves in with Gansey. Ronan assists in the search for Glendower, but more as a hobby. Unbeknownst to Gansey, Ronan has his own magical secret that will eventually lead to many broad steps forward in the search.
Adam had a very different upbringing than his friends. He did not come from wealth and had to work multiple jobs while on scholarship to go to Aglionby. However, he does not let social status get in the way of his aspirations. Adam suffered abuse from his father that ended in lasting consequences that affect him throughout the series. The search for Glendower becomes more real for Adam when he makes a deal at the end of the first book. Now he has magical secrets of his own and, like almost every other character, has no idea what to do with them.
Noah is like no other boy in the group. He too lives with Gansey and Ronan and comes from a wealthy family. The boys know little about Noah's past. He keeps to himself most times, only opening up to one person. Noah alone holds the secrets of what they are after, but as time goes on it becomes harder for him to be himself. Over the course of the series, we begin to learn more about his life before the boys, and as we do we learn more about the sacrifices that have to be made to find the king.
The gang meets their fifth member shortly after the first book begins. Their first interaction is not as smooth as some participants expected, but soon a true friendship blossoms. Blue lives in a crowded household with her mother, her mother's friends, her aunts, and her cousin. All of them happen to be psychic, except Blue. Blue acts as an amplifier for anything supernatural, which will later help tremendously in the supernatural search she will eventually join. For all of her life she has been told that when she kisses the love of her life, he will die. This theme is present throughout the whole book series, but is not the main focus. Blue is forced to rethink what she thought she knew about the boys who attended Aglionby and makes deep connections with each boy in the group. She is especially close to Noah, who feels most like himself in her presence.
The books deal with each of their lives in an intricate way. Through trying to find Glendower, they all find themselves. By the end of the series, each character has gone through a tremendous amount of hardships and changes. Watching them grow within a year into new people who have a better understanding of what they want out of life is one of the best things about reading the series.
The first book in the series, The Raven Boys, is centered around the group and how they bond with each other. It introduces the reader to the characters' lives and what they want to get out of them. At this time the group is mainly focused on finding Glendower simply out of curiosity. Not all of the characters confess everything they know about the subject, and that comes to light in later books. All of them fight inner demons that they do not share in the beginning. Blue knows a secret about one of the boys and is determined to keep it. She doesn't know what she can do to stop the undeniable future but works hard to find a way. Ronan fights with his brother and disappears in the night. It is not until book two that we are let in on who he truly is. Noah is not who anyone thinks he is. When he is finally ready to open up to what happened to him before he entered the group, it changes all of their lives. As each of these characters fight with their inner demons, life seems to be speeding by them. Before they know it, they are in far deeper than they ever could have imagined. As more keys to unlocking the secret of Glendower show themselves, more obstacles stand in the kids' way.
The second entry, The Dream Thieves, mainly focuses on Ronan. It highlights the secrets he had kept through the first book and the secrets his father had kept all his life. He is finally honest with the group about his supernatural abilities and is able to then expand on them and grow as a person. He meets a new character named Kavinsky. Kavinsky is revealed to have the same abilities as Ronan but knows much more about them. Ronan is distanced from the group as he joins Kavinsky to learn more about what he is: Greywaren. Ronan is able to grow and feel more connected to himself and his dad in the process. All the positives aside, Kavinsky ultimately proves to be a rather risky friend and teacher. He becomes more and more dangerous as he gains power. Ronan is pushed to the extreme, with Adam by his side, to stop Kavinsky from hurting a large group of people. Yet again, Ronan is left on his own to figure out how to develop his gift. But now that the group knows more about him they are able to encourage him, especially Adam, who is able to use his own gifts to assist Ronan and keep him safe. In this book we are also introduced to Mr. Gray, a mysterious hitman who brings his own heap of problems to Henrietta but ultimately becomes part of the family.
The third book in the series, Blue Lily, Lily Blue, changes all of the characters' lives for good. The introduction of new characters alters what the reader previously thought as true throughout the first two books. As more about Glendower is revealed, the gang begins to question every move they make. As they deal with the supernatural problems they now have to face, they also face Colin and Piper Greenmantle, a couple who will stop at nothing to add to their impressive collection of supernatural artifacts. They are after Mr. Gray and Ronan, which forces each party to do acts they would not have done otherwise. The group feels as though they have finally cracked the case of the sleeping king when they accidentally find something else. A new character, Gwenllian, is full of her own secrets but also knows some of Blue’s. She is the first person Blue is able to connect with, and we finally begin to learn the secret of Blue’s ability. They also find Artemus, a man who has been missing for seventeen years. Neither of them turn out to be much help in the beginning but ultimately share important details about the search and themselves that are crucial for the events of the next book.
The final entry, The Raven King, flips everything you thought you knew on its head. Not only does it bring in new pieces to the puzzle, including new characters and many revealed secrets, but it also concludes the series in a way that will have you thinking about it for weeks. Every question asked from the beginning of book one is brought to light and thoughtfully explained. Evil forces take hold of a once magical and sacred place. As life as the gang knows it begins to unravel, drastic steps must be taken. No matter how much they are forced apart, the team sticks together, making sacrifices until the very end. Every limit is pushed for both the characters and the readers. Each chapter brings a new plot twist. Each character deals with both the destruction of life as they know it and personal family matters. Not only does the group learn about the magic that runs through all of them, but the secret to Glendower is also exposed. The amount of thought and delicate explanation put into writing this book makes me confident to say that this is one of the best book series I’ve ever read.
The journey that is The Raven Cycle is one that will stick with the reader far after they have finished the series. It focuses on matters all too real, while coating them in just enough make-believe. Each character goes through many triumphs and many failures. While watching them progress, the reader is able to really get into and enjoy the story. The details and descriptions of people and places transport the reader into the vast land of their imagination. The Raven Cycle is full of many exciting and intriguing stories about many characters. However, the most interesting thing to read about is how the characters are able to process what is happening within their own lives and how they eventually deal with it in a positive way. Overall, the book series is one that will touch many people's lives. Because you do not read The Raven Cycle: you experience it.
16 January 2019
Book Review: Three Dark Crowns Series
By Rose Haughey
The Three Dark Crowns Series, by Kendare Blake, tests the traditional views and behavioral patterns of family. The first book, Three Dark Crowns, was published in 2016. The next two books came quickly after. One Dark Throne was published in 2017, and Two Dark Reigns was published in 2018. The fourth and final book is expected to be released some time in 2019.
The setting of the series is an island named Fennbirn. The island is protected and kept a secret from the mainland, so very rarely does anyone come or leave. The three main characters are triplets, all with royal heritage. The series' main focus is on who will eventually take the title of Queen. The girls are raised together until the age of six, when they are separated into different homes in different cities. They will not have access to one another for any reason until their sixteenth birthday. Once that day has come, all three girls use the unique abilities they have honed over time. The last girl left alive is then pronounced Queen until she has her own triplets and the cycle continues.
Mirabella is the oldest of the triplets. She was born an elemental, which gives her power over certain elements. She is the strongest of all the sisters (and any Queen for generations, for that matter). While most elementals only have control over one element, she has power over multiple and has been expected to win since a child. The church of the island has helped raise her, showing the people of the island that the Goddess is in Mirabella's favor.
The second oldest is Arsinoe. She was sent to be raised by the naturalists. They have power over the earth and animals. Most naturalists are given familiars, animals that they have strong connections to and are their companions for life. Sadly, Arsinoe showed no ability for most of her childhood and teen years. Without being able to master her craft, she was not expected to do well in the fight against her sisters. While her two sisters grew up in nice houses with nice clothes, Arsinoe grew up in a small house with a nice family. She did not dress or act traditionally, and that is part of the reason why the majority of the islanders are not rooting for her. One member of the family she lives with is her age. The girl's name is Jules and becomes Arsinoe's closest friend. Jules is a powerful naturalist with a cougar as a familiar. She often uses her strong gifts to help Arsinoe, who is defenseless on her own.
Katharine is the youngest of the three. She was sent to live with the poisoners. The poisoners are immune to any sort of poisonous plant or herb, but they also have healing capabilities. They are able to make medicine and antidotes very easily, although the healing element has long been forgotten. Katharine also did not show any signs of an ability throughout her life. Unlike Arsinoe, she was not raised in a kind home. She lives in the capital of Fennbirn, because the last queen was a poisoner. The woman in charge of taking care of her is named Natalie. Natalie has a sister, who also lives with her and Katharine, who is named Genevieve. As a result of Katharine not being immune to poisons, she is forced to undergo lots of physical and mental trauma. She is poisoned every day until her body can withstand the effects of the toxin long enough to fool a crowd of people.
Due to the different struggles each girl faced growing up, they all have strong feelings on the barbaric way of choosing who will be Queen. Not one of their opinions is the same. Mirabella is the oldest and the only one who has any memories of her sisters before they were separated. These memories cloud her mind, and she is not able to fight her younger sisters. She instead tries to talk to her sisters while they are fighting. She has grown up with a stable sense of family in her life, and a taste for luxury. She wants to be Queen, but her feelings hold her back.
Arsinoe was raised to love a simple life filled with simple people. She knows she will not win the battle between her sisters and does not want to be Queen. She is more open minded about the family she could have with her sisters, along with the familial bond she has made with Jules.
Katharine was raised without a loving family. She had Natalie, who did love her, but not enough to let Katharine live as a normal child and accept the fact that she did not have an immunity to poisons. Katharine has worked hard to get everything she has and believes she deserves to be Queen. It would be impossible for Mirabella or Arsinoe to get through to her as she has no idea what family is supposed to mean and does not think she can find it in her sisters. Katharine puts everything she has into defeating her sisters, even when they try to reason with her. They know that the home she grew up in has changed her and that she is not the girl they once knew.
The series looks at multiple aspects of family and what they mean to different people. Each girl was raised differently, and it shows through how they are able to interact with each other. The book is well written with many interesting details, holidays, cities, foods, and lifestyles that must have taken lots of consideration when creating. Each character has their own ideas, passions, and motivations that are fascinating to discover as you keep reading.
The author is able to convey a sense of development and maturation within the girls and other characters. At such a young age they are put out into the world with destinies already decided for them, and to see them take such drastic steps in denying those destinies tells the reader how important the cause is to them. The author does a phenomenal job creating characters that everyone can bond with in some way. As a reader, you are able to see bits of yourself within the books, understand deeper meanings within the story line, and look at the characters with a new light to better understand them and their actions.
Three Dark Crowns shows us all the different meanings of family. It shows how strong bonds can lead to compassion and easier understanding of others, and how weak bonds can lead to emotional blindness. It also shows us how new families are created and the beneficial results of standing up for one another.
13 January 2019
Switched at Birth Review
By Meagan Riordan
Switched at Birth is an exciting and thrilling drama on Netflix, originally from ABC Family. It’s about two girls who were accidentally switched at birth and reconnect with their original birth parents. The story follows these girls adjusting to their new lives and getting to know their birth families. One of the girls, Daphne Vasquez, lost her hearing as a child due to a case of meningitis. She grew up with a single mother in East River Side, a poor neighborhood. Since Daphne is deaf, all of her family learned how to sign and communicate with her. Daphne knows how to read lips very well, so it makes it easier for people to talk to her if they don't know sign language.
The other girl, Bay Kennish, grew up in a wealthy family with two parents and a brother, Toby. Bay and Toby went to a private school named Buckner, which is not Bay’s scene. Bay ends up going to a Carlton School of the Deaf so she can learn to sign and become more familiar with the language. These two girls grew up with very different lives, but are able to find themselves and their histories. The story of Daphne and Bay has so much mystery that it’s difficult to stop after just one episode.
I have watched a lot of Netflix TV shows, and this one caught my eye and taught me some sign language. If you're looking for a show that has a lot of drama with a little comedy, I definitely recommend Switched at Birth.
11 December 2018
Fall & Winter TV Must-Watch List
By Reyna Galvez
Manifest is a mysterious TV show that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The story follows passengers who went missing from Flight 828. This flight was only three hours to the passengers, but to the rest of the world it was five years. Therefore, they were all presumed dead during the time of their so-called five year flight. Since the passengers were all presumed dead, you find them struggling to bounce back into their normal, everyday lives. They all try to solve the mystery of what event caused them to disappear for five years. Watch the first ten episodes on NBC.com before it returns on January 7th.
Riverdale continues to follow Archie Andrews, Veronica Lodge, Betty Cooper, and Jughead Jones in their third season. As the summer ends, Archie continues to fight his trial in court for a crime he didn’t commit. Veronica rebels against her dad as she stands with Archie in his trial. Betty and Jughead come across the new mystery of the Gargoyle King from the game of Griffins and Gargoyles. The new season of Riverdale will keep you wondering what will happen next. Will Archie win his trial in court? Does Griffins and Gargoyles have anything to do with the past of Riverdale? Stream the newest episodes of Riverdale on the CW to find out.
Charmed follows sisters Maggie, Macy, and Mel, who find out a secret that will change their lives forever. After the death of their mother, it comes to their attention that they are witches known as the "Charmed Ones." In the process of learning to control their powers, they have their mentor, Harry, to guide them. With their new powers, they fight many different supernatural creatures. The only problem is how their being witches will affect their everyday lives. What sacrifices will they have to make in order to keep their powers and make sure their family and friends are safe? Stream episodes of Charmed for free on the CW to find out.
From the creators of Riverdale comes the thrilling story of the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. The story follows Sabrina Spellman in the town of Greendale, who, on her sixteenth birthday, will have to choose between the witch world and the human world. Which world will she choose? Watch the entire first season of this chilling story on Netflix.
In season four, we continue to follow Supergirl as she fights to protect National City and beyond. To everyone, she is Kara Danvers, who works for Catco Worldwide Media, but in secret she works for the DEO as Supergirl. In this season, we find that some of the people of National City aren’t happy that aliens are allowed on Earth. Viewers learn about a group known as the "Children of Liberty," who fight in any way to get what they want. How will Supergirl handle the situation of humans going against aliens? Watch the latest episodes of Supergirl on the CW.
Song Review: "Thank U, Next"
By Meagan Riordan
Ariana Grande's newest single, “Thank U, Next,” is out, and she is better than ever. She just released the song on November 30th, 2018, and it has already received over 100 million views. It broke Youtube’s record for the most views in 24 hours. The upcoming album will be Ariana's fifth studio album. There is no date for when the next songs are going to be released, but she has said it will be by the end of 2018.
This song has several references to the movies Legally Blonde, Bring It On, 13 Going on 30, and Mean Girls. Ariana’s video includes Jonathan Bennett, who was in the original Mean Girls playing Aaron Samuels. It also includes most of the members from the popular TV show Victorious. Victoria Justice was the one member from the cast to not be included in the music video.
In my opinion, the song is a good ending for those of you who have been following her music and her public relationships. I like that the music video incorporates several references to really iconic movies. Her music relates her personal stories, and this song is about the boys she has dated and the ones she is starting over from. "Thank U, Next" is Ariana's first break-up song to be released.
Movie Review: Crazy Rich Asians (2018) By Reyna Galvez
Crazy Rich Asians (2018) is a heartfelt romantic comedy that will make you laugh, cry, and look at your relationships with a new perspective. In a situation like Rachel Chu (Constance Wu) and Nick Young’s (Henry Golding), you would think Nick’s mother would approve of their happy and loving relationship together. Yet, the only thing that seems to matter to her is Rachel’s background and her wealth. Although Rachel tries her hardest to prove herself, Nick’s mother continues to disapprove. While meeting Nick’s family, Rachel has her best friend, Peik Lin Goh (Awkwafina), and her mother (Tan Kheng Hua) by her side as she continues to try to prove she is good enough.
This film finds a way to entertain anyone who watches it. You have Rachel’s best friend, who will always lighten the mood. You also have the loving, heartfelt moments between Rachel and Nick or Rachel and her mom. In addition to the funny and heartfelt moments, you also have the moments of understanding. Although it seems as though Nick’s mother doesn’t approve of Rachel, no one understands why. Nevertheless, Rachel ultimately develops an understanding of Nick’s mother, and vice versa. All around, this aspect of the film teaches you to not quickly judge a person based on their background or past and to get to know them for who they are.
In light of the many more raving reviews, if you are looking for a funny and heartfelt film, Crazy Rich Asians is a great option.