WRITTEN BY AIDEN ORANTES
Recently, on March 24th, 2023, Fall Out Boy released their most hyped album to date, So Much (for) Stardust. It clocks in at 44 minutes and 14 seconds, with 13 songs, and is currently rated a 81/100 on Metacritic, which is a music website where fans can send in their own opinions on albums and songs. It was also rated a ⅘ by Kerrang!, which is a music newspaper. The album starts off with “Love from the Other Side”, “Heartbreak Feels So Good”, “Hold me Like A Grudge”, “Fake Out”, “Heaven, Iowa”, and “So Good Right Now”, Each song has its own different feel, but you can tell that they still mesh together. The instrumentation of each song is wonderful, with some songs starting off with violins, while other songs start with drums, or guitars. Bass is mainly used for "Hold me Like a Grudge", but you can still hear the drums in the background. "Fake Out" starts with guitars, but the entire song is very peaceful, with the drums being used as a backing instrument, with acoustic guitar being the main instrument. "Heaven, Iowa" makes use of some different instruments, but it's mainly Patrick Stump’s voice, until later in the song, with drums backing his vocals. "So Good Right Now" sounds like a very 2010s pop song, since it is supposed to emulate some of Fall Out Boys earlier albums. The latter half of the album, which has the songs "The Pink Seashell (feat. Ethan Hawke)", "I am My Own Muse", "Flu Game", "Baby Annihilation", "The Kintsugi Kid (Ten Years)", "What A Time to be Alive", and "So Much For Stardust". "The Pink Seashell (feat. Ethan Hawke)", and "Baby Annihilation" are just nothing but talking, so they won't really be included. As for the other songs, starting with "I am My Own Muse", it starts with violins, but the trumpets and drums connect into the song, as well as Patrick Stumps vocals weaving the instruments together. "Flu Game" has very beautiful vocals, and starts off with the bass, as well as the drums, although the chorus is a bit repetitive. "The Kintsugi Kid (Ten Years)" almost didn't make it onto the album, but Patrick Stump described it as "..this will probably be a B-side. Everybody was kind of feeling that. And then when it was finished, it just felt so great. We collectively looked around like, “We need to do this song, right?”" With "What a Time to Be Alive", it's once again very pop-influenced, as well as having a lot of synthetic vocals in the song. Lastly, "So Much (for) Stardust" sounds like it would be in the credits of a movie, and Patrick Stump's voice compliments the electric guitar and drums used in the background. It's also filled with a bit of synthetic sounds, but you can't really hear it, and the lyrics call back to the first song on the album. Overall, this new Fall Out Boy album is one of their best yet, with a mix of tunes, and yet returning to the same point as one of their earlier albums. WRITTEN BY KAITLYN BOCH
Rated by Author: 4/5 The Help is a fictional story written by Kathryn Stockett, which later became a 2011 movie directed by Tate Taylor. The story takes place when racism was apparent in 1960’s Jackson, Mississippi. The film introduces two black maids, Aibileen Clarke and Minny, and a southern white woman named Skeeter Phelan who came back from college, and all three participate in the publishing of a book called The Help. Aibileen works for Skeeter’s best friend, Elizabeth Leefolt, to look after her children while Minny works for Missus Walters, the mother of Hilly Holbrook, an influential woman in the town. In danger of losing her job, Minny secretly works for a housewife, Celia Foote, who is not blatantly prejudiced against her and is married to Miss Hilly’s ex-boyfriend. In the town’s weekly club, Miss Hilly proposes a separate bathroom for their black workers as they may, “carry different kinds of diseases than we do” in which Miss Skeeter is the only who questions this idea. Later, Miss Skeeter is given a writing position in their town’s newspaper and looks forward to the idea of writing about the lives of the black maids. When she is familiar with Aibileen, she encourages the idea of voicing her experience, however Aibileen doesn’t agree as she doesn't want to be harmed once she is found out. Following the publishing of The Help, the audience are witness to the darker aspects of each one of the three characters' lives. In the end, all three left their previous situations to move on for one that will treat them better. The movie, The Help, is a cinematic story that reflects the unjust treatment of women of color experienced during the 1960s. The narrative captures the suffering from the lower class. It leaves a message for the audience to find the strength to live while also to love. In many aspects of the film, it may lack the real severity of the cruel treatment of people of color during that time, or not noting enough of it. Historically, the 1960s was an era of many union protests and movements for equality for African Americans. Many high-paid black people were less likely to face discrimination upfront, but lower classes were verbally and physically harassed. In another instance, the story shows another societal issue of the "white savior" trope, meaning a white person comes to help non-white people. This would insinuate that white people are socially superior, and the people of color are victims once again without their own strength. Despite that, it is a well performed film that shows the resentment of African Americans towards their White counterparts. From one viewpoint, the fictional piece has a pattern that is overused and isn't able to bring out many truths that reality really offered, but in another it is an introduction to analyze and understand what may have happened in the 1960s. The performance in the film was well acted and the dialogue does bring life when watching it. Overall, I believe The Help is ⅘ stars for depicting a situation of how in one area of life can face segregation and suffering while also being able make each character unique. WRITTEN BY NATHANIEL TKACH
Attack on Titan is one of the most popular anime series of all time. It has captivated viewers with its intense action sequences, gripping storyline, and complex characters. The story revolves around a world in which humanity lives in fear of giant humanoid creatures known as Titans. These creatures have nearly wiped out the human race and the few remaining survivors are living in a walled city for protection. The main characters in the story are Eren, Mikasa, and Armin. They are part of the Scout Regiment, an elite military force tasked with tackling the Titans and reclaiming the world for humanity. The series follows the trio as they battle the Titans, uncover secrets about the origins of the creatures, and find out the truth behind their own pasts. Along the way, they face danger and tragedy, all while trying to save their own lives and the lives of their friends and family. The animation and art style of Attack on Titan are highly praised. The characters and designs are detailed, and the action sequences are fluid and dynamic. The show is also notable for its intense atmosphere, which has shocked and captivated viewers since its first episode. The success of the series has spawned multiple spin-offs, live-action films, and even an upcoming video game. It is no wonder why Attack on TItan has become one of the most popular anime series of all time. It is an intense and compelling story that will stay with viewers for years to come. Attack On Titan season 4 part 3 is the conclusion of the series, and does not disappoint. After the shocking revelations in part 2, the stakes are higher than ever as the Scout Regiment attempts to save humanity from the looming threat of the Titans. The action is more intense than ever before and the characters are pushed to their limits. Fans of the series will also enjoy seeing some familiar faces make their return as well as some new surprise characters. This part of the series is sure to be an exciting and satisfying conclusion to the story. WRITTEN BY AIDEN ORANTES
Rated by Author: 4.5/5 It's a wonderful day, and you are a terrible goose. At least, you can play as a horrible goose, but you're not an actual goose. You go around each location in the town, from the Garden, to the Pub, and many more locations in between. You steal from different townspeople, bother children, and even perform at the Pub! Of course, I'm talking about a game that you can get on a lot of devices, like the Nintendo Switch, Playstation 4, and other devices! The main goal is to cause as much chaos as possible, and get banned from mostly every place you visit. It's a short game, but otherwise very fun and enjoyable! The graphics are simple, getting the point across, but also look incredibly charming. The soundtrack simply adds to the detail, heightening when you're getting chased, and slow when you're just waddling around the streets. WRITTEN BY MELINA DE LA CRUZ Origami was initially known as orikata. The term origami comes from the Japanese words oru (to fold) and kami (paper). It is hard to come up with an exact day or timeline for the invention of origami but it is said to have started somewhere around 105 A.D in China. Many say that origami was invented by the Japanese about a thousand years ago but others say that its roots come in China. Europe could have also had a part in establishing origami because it could be tied back to folding cloth or leather napkins.
Although origami is an inexpensive craft today, when it was first practiced, it was only for the elite of Japanese society. Origami was used in formal ceremonies such as wedding receptions for Japanese couples. Paper butterflies on sake bottles were used to symbolize sincerity and purity. When paper became more affordable, common people began making origami as gifts or creating cards and envelopes for friends and family. It later also became an educational tool for the study of mathematics. Akira Yoshizawa who is well known as the Grand Master of origami, completed over 50,000 different origami figures during his entire life from 1911 to 2005. The first ever book about origami was Sembazuru Orikata (Thousand Crane Folding) written by Akisato Rito and published in 1797. It is said in Japan that if a person folds 1,000 paper cranes they will be granted one special wish in their lifetime. Originally, origami did not allow any cutting or gluing but modern origami books now involve cutting or gluing to provide stability to the design. Another way origami has evolved is, it no longer exclusively needs origami paper and can now be performed with any form of scrap paper. Here Is Crane Folding That You Can Make At Home: http://www.origami-instructions.com/origami-crane.html WRITTEN BY MICHAEL MCKNIGHT A fork in chess is when you attack two pieces at once. To make an effective fork, the opponent should not have any counter play against the attack, meaning that the piece you’re attacking with cannot be taken by your opponent. This is a beautiful example of a fork where the knight attacks both the king and the queen. Because the king is in check (meaning the opponent is forced to move the king) they cannot move the queen to safety allowing you to take it and then go on to win the game. Forks can be accomplished with most pieces and can give a very sharp edge in your favor for the rest of the game. This is another great example of a fork. The bishop checks the king whilst simultaneously attacking the rook. After this move black is completely lost and checkmate is imminent. This is an example of a fork in which the king is not in check. The knight is attacking both rooks. After taking the rook with the knight the opponent would take the knight. Even though you're losing a piece, the opponent is losing a more valuable piece and you will be up (meaning ahead) in pieces allowing you to win the game.
WRITTEN BY JILL LUNA AND AIDEN ORANTES
Rated by Author: 4.8/5 On March 22, 2011, Panic! At The Disco's third album, Vices and Virtues, released to both critical acclaim and of course, criticism. It received a 62/100 on Metacritic, which is a website that rates music based on reviews by people. Let's start off with the first 5 songs on the album, which are called "The Ballad of Mona Lisa", "Let's Kill Tonight", "Hurricane", "Memories", and "Trade Mistakes". These first five songs all have a very pop-punk sound, which is what Panic! At The Disco was known for, and it mixes the beats from their previous two albums, while having new sounds included as well. Most of the songs are themed around love, as well as the fallout from said love. They use a variety of instruments, such as the violin, piano, drums, and guitars, with Brendon Urie's beautiful vocals. The second half of the album consists of “Ready to Go (Get Me Out Of My Mind),” “Always,” “The Calendar,” “Sarah Smiles,” and “Nearly Witches (Ever Since We Met…)”. These songs have a mix of traditional sounds. With instruments such as kick drums, electric guitars, harmonicas, bass, and acoustic guitar, it uses a mix of more modern, techno sounds. At first listen, the songs seem to be hopeful and about deep love for another, but after observing beneath the initial impressions of the songs, the deeper meanings can be interpreted in the lyrics. The lyrics in question describe a bittersweet type of love, where loving someone else may result in getting hurt with the absence of their presence, or how much they have impacted their life, for better or for worse. Even without paying attention to the lyrics, the music itself is just a great listen, since it ranges from more relaxed sounds, with "Always” and choir sections in “Nearly Witches,” to upbeat and fun with songs like “Ready to Go” and “Sarah Smiles”, making the listener want to get up a dance. The main writers for this album were Brendon Urie, John Feldmann, and Butch Walker, with one song being attributed to Pete Wentz, of Fall Out Boy. We rate this album a 4.8 out of 5, which would have been a 5 if it was the Deluxe version of this album, though this album is still solid. WRITTEN BY LEE BOCH
March 1st marks the beginning of Women's History Month, and also the birthday of Lupita Nyong’o. Lupita Amondi Nyong’o was born on March 1st, 1983, in Mexico City, Mexico. From taking a lead role in a production of Romeo and Juliet, she went to study at Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts to earn her degree in film. She then graduated from Yale School of Drama’s Acting program. When she returned to Kenya, she noticed and took a spot as a production assistant in the drama The Constant Gardener (2005), in which she met Ralph Fiennes, who advised her to “become an actor if it was something she could never imagine being anything else”.1 Upon becoming a filmmaker, she directed, edited and produced a Kenyan documentary covering people with albinism in a black society called In My Genes (2009).2 In the following year, she would partake in a Kenyan TV series that aimed to promote HIV/AIDS awareness in Nairobi called Shula. In her debut performance as an actress, Nyong’o won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in 12 Years a Slave (2013). She also later played other characters in The Winter’s Tale, Uncle Vanya, The Taming of the Shrew, and Elijah. When she featured in Eclipsed (Broadway play) she won a World Award for Outstanding Broadway and was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play. Furthermore in recent years, she joined the Marvel film Black Panther as Nakia (the love interest of the character Black Panther) and was “honored with induction into Hollywood’s Walk of Fame (2019)”. Now she co-starred in both comedy-horror films, Little Monsters (2019), Jordan Peele’s Us, and action/thriller film The 335 (2022). Her other projects include: a series based on the novel Americanah, Trevor Noah’s memoir adaptation Born a Crime, and a drama based on the Dahomey Amazons, The Woman King (2022). In Lupita Nyong’o next movie, there will be an upcoming horror /Sci-fi film A Quiet Place: Day One that is initially to be released March 8, 2024. WRITTEN BY NATALIA JACKSON
Rated by Author: 5/5 Good Girls Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson is a thrilling and addictive mystery novel that will keep readers guessing until the very end. The story follows Pippa Fitz-Amobi, a high school senior who becomes ambitiously determined to solve the cold case of a popular student who was found murdered five years prior to the time period that the novel takes place. Pippa believes that the police got it wrong and that the real killer is still out there. The author, Holly Jackson, does a great job of building the tension and keeping the reader guessing. Pippa is a likable and relatable protagonist who is determined to uncover the truth, even if it means putting herself in danger. The secondary characters are also very well-developed and add many layers of depth to the story. The book also addresses important themes such as the pressure of societal expectations and the dangers of cyberbullying. The pacing is spot-on, and the twists and turns will keep readers on the edge of their seats. In my opinion, Good Girls Guide to Murder is the perfect novel for mystery and thriller lovers. The author has done a fantastic job of crafting a compelling and suspenseful story that will have you intrigued from start to finish. WRITTEN BY AIDEN ORANTES
Rated by Author: 5/5 The Thing about Jellyfish, by Ali Benjamin, is a novel that talks about the effects of growing up, and having your best friend die before you’re able to reconcile. It follows the main character, Susie Swanson, as she reels from the death of her best friend, Franny Jackson, who drowned. Susie slowly begins researching jellyfish, and tries to find a way to prove that Franny’s death wasn’t by drowning. She believes it was by being stung by a jellyfish, because otherwise, it wouldn’t make sense. All the characters introduced in the novel each have their own rich lives. Even if we don’t get to delve too deep into them, we know some of their struggles and personalities. The highs and lows of Suzy and Franny’s friendship is depicted through the eyes of Suzy, as a first person narrator. From the first meeting, to becoming friends, and they eventually drift apart, as well as the initial events that spiral into Suzy deciding to research jellyfish takes place. In the end, The Thing about Jellyfish will leave you heartbroken, yet hopeful for the main character. |
AuthorSDana Barbee Categories
All
Archives
May 2023
|