Amanda Gopie ‘21 Wonder Woman 1984 came out on December 25, 2020. The movie starts off with younger Diana participating in the Amazon Games. Then it goes to Diana Prince/ Wonder Woman, played by Gal Galdot, who is coworkers with Barbara Minerva. Barbara Minerva is observing an artifact called the Dreamstone. While observing the artifact, she makes a wish to be like Diana. Later on at a party, Max Lord, played by Pedro Pascal, steals the artifact.
Once Lord Maxwell has the Dreamstone, he makes a wish to “become” the Dreamstone. The catch is that you can only make one wish using the Dreamstone. To undo the wishes made with the Dreamstone, you have to say “I renounce my wish.” Wonder Woman works to stop the chaos that was unleashed by Max Lord. Dr. Minerva doesn’t want to give up her wish and so she becomes the Cheetah and works with Max Lord to make his wish come true. Wonder Woman ‘84 is a fantastic movie if you can look past all the unconnected plots. There are so many parts of the movie that just do not give you enough information. Also, there were parts of the movie that didn’t make sense. When watching the movie, I was left wondering about certain parts afterward. Some parts that left me wondering were about Amthis, the god mentioned, the final clip at the end of the movie, the Lasso of Truth, among others. The movie goes over some stuff but doesn’t look back to tell us more. One example of this is when Diana was talking about the Dreamstone. The Dreamstone was created by the god of deception, Dolos. The Dreamstone is able to grant any wish you have, but it takes away your most valued possession. There is a scene where Diana talks about Dolos for a second, then he is never mentioned again. In the first movie, Wonder Woman, Ares was the villain in the movie. When they were explaining how he became who he is and what happened to him, it was explained thoroughly. In the new movie, it wasn’t explained well, and there was no backstory to who Dolos is and why he created the Dreamstone. Another thing that wasn’t explained well was the Lasso of Truth. The concept of the movie is based on truth vs. lies. Wonder Woman has to fight against the Dreamstone, which takes something from you while granting your wish. During the movie, you see that the Lasso of Truth has a new purpose which wasn’t mentioned in the first movie. The Lasso of Truth allows you to see the past memories of someone else. In one of the scenes, Diana uses the Lasso of Truth to show Steve Trevor, played by Chris Pines, the story of one of the greatest Amazon warriors named Asteria. When Diana tells the story of Asteria, I felt like there was more to the story than what was told. In the flashback, we see Asteria sacrificed herself to allow the other Amazons to escape from the enslavement of mankind. All the Amazons used their armor to make one strong armor to protect Asteria, while everyone else escaped to Themsycara. After hearing that story, Diana explains how she went back to where she was and only found her armor. They don’t tell us anything else, like whether she is alive or not. Also, it’s not like they formed a search party to find her. With this being said, Linda Carter made a special appearance at the end of the movie playing Asteria. In the end clip, we see that she saves a mother and her baby from a falling totem. Asteria saves them and then she just goes on her way. If you don’t know, most superhero movies have a clip at the end, to show a little teaser for the next movie. If the next movie is going to be about Asteria, I don’t think that it is going to be good. The next movie wouldn’t have to do with anything from the first two movies. and would have nothing to do with the movies before if they made it about Asteria. Wonder Woman 1984 is an enjoyable movie if you don’t think much of the story going on. If you are like me and you like a movie for the storyline, then you’re going to be left unsatisfied and confused because of all the unconnected plots. If you want to watch the movie you can watch it in theaters - if you can find one that is open - or on HBO Max. If you watch it on HBO Max, it’s only streaming until January 24, 2021.
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Gianna Veneziano '21 The fourth and final season of the legendary titan-fighting anime Attack on Titan has begun to premiere, and fans have never been more excited. The first episode of the final season premiered on December 6th, entitled “The Other Side of the Sea,” which featured both new and old characters, four years after the heartwarming ending of the third season. A new episode will be released every Sunday on Funimation and Crunchyroll. Although this fourth season will be bringing the dreaded closure of the anime to many long-time viewers, it has been rumored to be the saddest yet most thrilling season of them all.
Attack on Titan has been a staple to every anime fan’s favorites since 2013, as the thrilling story about an isolated society hiding within enormous walls to fend off human-eating titans never disappoints. The story started off as a tale of pure survival inside of the walls, but has evolved into an epic rebellion against humanity itself. Season four will be featuring brand new characters, titans, and settings. The aged-up characters will be bringing an entirely new feeling to the anime, giving it a fresh sense of maturity. Yuki Kaji, the voice of Eren Jaeger, the main character, did a livestream on YouTube where he spoke briefly about the new season, including the fact that he had cried while reading the script. “Eren is always in my heart. I got the script for the final season, and I would even cry while rehearsing at home,” Kaji had explained, struck by a sense of sadness over the dark new season. On a brighter note, the opening theme of season four has had a positive reception. Previously, the band Linked Horizon composed the openings for Attack on Titan. The new opening, entitled “Boku no Sensou” by Shinsei Kamattechan, is an exciting and different theme that many fans have been dancing to, including myself. However, the visuals of the opening theme did worry some fans. One YouTuber commented, “This op literally has ‘your favorite character is going to die’ written all over it.” New episodes of Attack on Titan premiere every Sunday on Funimation and Crunchyroll. Don’t miss out - you definitely wouldn’t want to miss Eren Jaeger with a man bun. Amanda Gopie '21 On November 10, 2020, Microsoft released the Xbox Series X. It’s hard to get the new Xbox because of high demand, but luckily I was able to get one for my family. The Xbox Series X is similar to their previous system, the Xbox One X. Some differences between the two Xboxes are the design of the actual system, the upgrades within the system, and the new features of the controller.
The Xbox Series X design is different from the design of the Xbox One X because it sits horizontally, while the Xbox Series X sits vertically. The dimensions of the Xbox One X are 11.81 inches wide, 9.45 inches deep, and 2.36 inches high. According to Samit Sarkar, “If you were looking at the Xbox Series X from the top or bottom, you’d see a perfect square: The unit measures 5.94 inches wide, 5.94 inches deep, and 11.85 inches high.” In comparison to the Xbox Series X, Xbox One X has a larger width and depth. Another difference between the two systems is performance of the system. The Xbox Series X has a processor of 12 teraflops meanwhile the Xbox One X has a processor of only six teraflops. The frame rate for the new system has doubled compared to the previous system. The storage for both systems is one terabyte. Another new feature is the new design of the controllers. The controller that comes with the Xbox Series X has a d-pad, a share button, and triggered grips. The controller that comes with Xbox One X had the basics with the addition of a textured grip and button mapping. The specialized controllers for the Xbox One X had the choice of having triggered grips, rubberized diamond grip, or both. This is saying that the two systems are quite similar, but the newer Xbox has a few new features the other does not have. However, the controllers are compatible with each other's systems. Even though both systems have their differences, they are both great systems. If you are deciding which system you should get, it depends on what you need and what you want. If you want all the new bells and whistles that were added to the new generation, you should buy the Xbox Series X. If you want something cheaper but has some of the same features, you should buy the Xbox One X. Sophia Cain '21 Midnight at the Magnolia is a romance movie that’s about a man named Jackson Russo who is played by Evan Williams and a girl named Maggie Quinn who is played by Natalie Hall. Based in Chicago, the movie portrayed them as childhood friends who went on to host a radio show together called The Windy City Wake-Up.
Maggie has had a crush on Jack since they were kids, to which Jack has always been oblivious. Both their fathers own the Magnolia in Chicago, a struggling jazz bar and lounge. They have an annual potluck dinner the day after Christmas at Magnolia, where they get both families together to spend time together. Throughout the movie they receive a great opportunity that will benefit both of their careers - which is great, but they need their significant other to meet their parents. This all goes downhill when they both endure break ups. At this point in the film, Jack thinks of an idea: they should pretend to date and convince everyone that they are together. So they say that they will do the show and tell all of their fans and everyone that they are together if they do it at the parents’ business. Predictably, they start to fall in love along the way. I felt like this was a good movie if you are looking for a cheesy romance. I thought it was good, but I have also seen so many movies that feel the same: girl likes guy, guy doesn't know it, guy falls for girl, they get together. But personally, it's hard to believe that love exists when you come from a divorced family. It's also hard to believe that love exists when they are both perfect in physical appearance. Love shouldn't be portrayed as perfect when love isn't perfect. Love isn't perfect at all. Love is messy, but the best love stories are ones that come from nothing. The stories shouldn't be portrayed as “just a glance and boom you're in love.” It should show really emotional love that doesn't always work. If you don't put effort into it, you can’t get love out of thin air. It takes time. Since 2020 has begun, there have been many albums that have been released by artists. Many people have different opinions. Most people feel that these albums provide an escape from reality. Because of COVID-19, people have been struggling with things going on outside of school. So they turn to music as an escape from all the bad things happening in the world right now.
Others are listening to music to support the artist. Some people have a connection with the artist’s music so they lean towards it for comfort. The album that I’m currently obsessed with is Positions by Ariana Grande. I like this album because it shows her growth as a person, and because each song is completely different from her other albums. My top three songs from this album would be “safety net,” “west side,” and “pov.” I like these songs because they all have different vibes and meanings, and these songs are just so good. My least favorite songs from this album are “34+35,” “shut up,” and “just like magic.” These songs are not bad, however they just aren’t her best songs that she’s written. Another album that has been released this year is Fine Line by Harry Styles. Many girls in FH love this album simply because it’s Harry Styles and his music is really good. Olivia Mola, Class of 2023, claims that her favorite song off the album is “Fine Line,” and her least favorite is “Adore You.” Another FH student, Samantha Morris, also class of 2023, says, “My favorite song is ‘Golden’ because it makes me feel like the main character. But I love it because it shows people that it’s OKto be themselves and how great it feels. My least favorite is ‘Cherry’ because it sounds a bit toxic. The person he sings about is clearly trying to move on but he can’t accept it.” My favorite songs from this album are “Watermelon Sugar” and “Falling.” I like these songs because they’re both so different and unique, and that’s what makes them so good. The album “Circles” by Mac Miller is also a really good album. Ever since his death in September of 2018, his music has affected so many people. This album is hip hop/R&B. My favorite songs from this album are “Circles” and “Surf.” I really like these songs because they show Mac Miller’s style of music, and the meaning behind them is very interesting. All of these albums have helped people cope with the stress of the pandemic and many other things going on in the world in a good way. “My job is to make sure the law works for you as well as against you, and to make you a human being in the eyes of the jury. Your job is to help me.”
One of the most influential lines in the book Monster, written by Walter Dean Myers, tells you exactly what you are in for with this story: a tense setting of a 16-year-old black male being tried for murder in court. False accusations. Racial Profiling. The thin line between innocence and guiltiness. And the concept of privilege in the judicial system. It’s all a story only the narrator, Steve Harmon, could tell. Who decides who is guilty and who isn’t? Who even defines what guilt is? These are prominent questions that are addressed as the story progresses. Steve Harmon came to court making it a point to let everyone know that he may have made a bad choice here and there, but that doesn’t instantly label him as a monster. In the world we live in now with excessive use of social media platforms, it is so much easier to make a mistake and have everyone know about it and at speeds like never before. Harmon’s story took place around the late 1980’s and technology was not that advanced yet, so it was harder to have concrete evidence other than an eyewitness report. Even though Harmon’s experiences that were written in the novel took place almost 40 years ago, many things in the judicial system and how the media views people of color still haven’t changed. The jury judged Steve Harmon off of his appearance and automatically wrote their narrative of him: a thug who lived in Harlem that had no future other than being in jail. To them, he had it coming, and he deserved it. The Jury did not even give him a chance to prove himself innocent: all of the excessive questioning that they put Harmon through almost convinced him that he was, in fact, the person they painted him out to be. This novel is one that remains unforgettable for me. Many people still do not understand the privilege they hold just because of the color of their skin or the way they present themselves to others; This is why this book is an excellent read for all audiences regardless of age, gender or ethnicity. It is eye-opening to truly see the light of how unfair these systems can be. Reading Monster not only makes you question your own morals, but it also helps you walk into someone else’s shoes, even if it is only for a little while. For some though, these prejudices held against them are apart of their everyday struggles and it is not something that they can just read about or walk away from. What really matters in the end, is recognizing the privilege you have to see the world in the way you do. Nobody is perfect, no matter how hard they could try. Don’t you think we’re all a little monster-like? Kristen Kupper '21 Ariana Grande released her sixth studio album "positions" on October 30, 2020. It instantly rose to the top charts.
Grande had abandoned her traditional upbeat style for a more laid back R&B. It was a bold switch for her, but one that ended up being successful. This change in genre shows listeners that Ariana is capable of creating music with more variation in style. My first listen to "positions" was a blur to me. I honestly could not tell the difference between each of the songs. The only two songs that stood out to me were “positions” and "pov". It took multiple listens for me to actually be able to differentiate between each of the songs on this album. The themes discussed within Positions are much different than her previous albums. Although, they are similar to her previous album thank u, next. Sweetener was all about the joys and happiness in her life at the moment, as she was just engaged to Pete Davidson (hence the song named Pete Davidson. Thank u, Next was more focused on the grief she was experiencing at that time. Positions has a very upbeat audio, but the lyrics have a very dark meaning behind them. For example, in the song “just like magic”, Ariana is singing about things that she wants to do, but at the very end she sings about writing “love letters to heaven” which is a reference to everything that she has lost within these past few years. The audio then dims out and leaves the listeners to let what she has sung sink in. When she had sung this, it left me speechless. To conclude, "positions" is one of Ariana’s best albums. She has become more aware of the grief in her life at the moment and is not afraid to show it. She is also transitioning into a new song style that is really going to benefit her in the long run. AnnaMaria Petalas '21 Enola Holmes was originally planned to be released in theaters by Warner Bros. The rights to show the film were sold to Netflix due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was released on Netflix on September 23rd, 2020 rated PG-13. The main character, Enola Holmes, is played by the 16 year old youth actress, Millie Bobby Brown. She first starred in the show Stranger Things on Netflix where she became very popular.
Based on the young adult novel series by Nancy Springer, Enola Holmes finds Sherlock's younger sister stirring up trouble, solving mysteries and carving out her own place in wealthy Victorian England. Despite having a famous sibling, she's very much her own person in the way she goes about playing detective. Enola Holmes has scored a 91% on the Tomatometer and a 71% in the Audience Score on Rotten Tomatoes. That’s a 7/10 and 3.72 stars out of 5. Many critics are saying things like “A welcome and refreshing take on the Sherlock Holmes story, Helena Bonham Carter is a true highlight.” and “Millie Bobby Brown is a delight. She gets to be joyful and she is just radiant, effervescent, and has incredible comic timing.” Many people, including me, have enjoyed watching this movie while laughing and crying throughout it. Personally I enjoyed watching this film very much. It kept me constantly entertained, which was surprising since two hours is a relatively long film. It was funny, heartwarming, sad, and shocking at moments which I love since we are experiencing a little bit of each emotion while watching it. I think this movie could be entertaining for any age to watch from 13 and up since it isn’t too youthful or too mature. Jacklyn Khorsandi '21 Will & Grace is an American sitcom television series created by Max Mutchnick and David Kohan. When Mutchnick and Kohan were creating the show, they wanted something unique that would also be successful. They came up with Will & Grace, which is an American comedy series having LGBTQ+ community representation. In the 1990's it was looked down upon to come out as gay. However, Mutchnick wanted to change that perception. The show takes place in New York with four lifelong friends.
The main characters are Will, a meticulous corporate lawyer who later came out, and Grace, a neurotic interior decorator. They share a New York apartment after Grace leaves her fiancé at the altar. Will and Grace, along with their pals Karen, an outspoken socialite, and Jack, a free-spirited actor who also came out, face the highs and lows of life in Manhattan together. From dating and divorce to cutting cultural commentary, nothing's off-limits. Will Truman, played by Eric McCormick, Grace Adler, played by Debra Messing, Karen Walker, played by Megan Mullaly, and Jack McFarland, played by Sean Hayese. When Kohan and Mutchnick pitched their idea, they were scared and hesitant that the public would not approve it, and they would get canceled. Little did they know the show would become a great hit. The show was broadcast on NBC from September 21, 1998, to May 18, 2006, for a total of eight seasons, and returned to NBC on September 28, 2017, and ended on April 23, 2020. Will and Grace became a way for many people to come out, to find themselves, and be happy with who they are. Many viewers and fans of the show were able to come out to their families and felt accepted. With their smart, energetic, relevant, but doesn't take itself seriously, makes it even more appealing. They also manage to tackle serious issues through humor but try to make a point of how serious it is. Celebrities starred in the show, such as Jennifer Lopez, Ellen DeGeneres, Madonna, Gene Wilder, Demi Lovato, and so many more. Will & Grace earned 18 Primetime Emmy Awards and 83 nominations. Each main actor received an Emmy Award throughout the series. In 2014 the Writers Guild of America placed the sitcom at number 94 in their list of the 101 best-written TV series of all time. Will and Grace is one of the best shows that you and your family can watch late at night. From the catching theme song to the comedy, scripts, plot, and acting, it is out of this world. So if you're looking for a new TV series, this is the show for you. Gianna Veneziano '20 Nectar is the mature, melancholy masterpiece of singer-songwriter George Miller, more commonly known as Joji. This highly-anticipated sophomore album was released on September 25, 2020, only two years after his freshman album, Ballads 1. Joji is known for his R&B ballads, which always include spine-chilling vocals and minimal yet relaxing instrumentals.
Nectar doesn’t disappoint, as fans have had nothing but positive comments towards the YouTube comedian turned singer-songwriter. One YouTube commenter stated, “I used to respect him as a raunchy comedian. Now I respect him as an amazing musician.” “Ew” is the opening track of the album, and fan reaction to it has been everything but “ew.” This track is a slow, soothing ballad with simple yet touching instrumentals, complimented nicely by high vocals and strong emotion. It’s the perfect song to open the album, as it perfectly sets the bittersweet mood. The lyrics “Ooh, teach me to love just to let me go” ring in the listener’s ears as they curl up in bed late at night, with a warm mug of hot chocolate in hand, watching as the rain outside patters against the foggy window- at least, that’s what it feels like the listener’s doing when they hear this song, and this album in general. “MODUS'' is a slightly more upbeat track that makes you feel like you can fly, considering the layers of Joji’s voice resemble a choir floating on a cloud. This track is a classic of Joji’s that fans adore, and can now finally see on an album. Radio-friendly tracks like “Tick Tock,” “Daylight,” and “Gimme Love,” are the much more upbeat tracks of the album that have a catchy beat and beautifully executed vocals. These three tracks are about love, but not exactly the brighter side of it. “Gimme Love '' is an especially popular track, which is understandable as almost anyone can enjoy the melancholy lyrics sung with a catchy beat. One YouTube commenter described the song as an “emotional part of a Pixar movie.” Another comment replied with, “I could totally picture an old couple totally perfect for each other dying to it in an opening sequence, honestly.” The gloomy, unrequited love vibe of these songs make the listener feel like they’re driving around the neighborhood on a cold night, windows creaked open and radio just loud enough to hear. “Upgrade” is a special song, as it was written by Joji when he was only 16. This song is much shorter than the others, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t as great. It mainly focuses on Joji’s diverse vocals with simple, minimal instrumentals- like the strum of a guitar. It’s a beautifully short song with goosebump-inducing vocals that’ll make you wish the song was longer. Lyrics like “Won’t you upgrade? I know it hurts / You deserve it, I know your worth” induce sympathy in the listener, as if they themselves were feeling the emotions that 16-year-old Joji was feeling when he wrote this song. In contrast, “Run” showcases Joji’s professionalism with ballads. This lead single is about a girl losing her love for him. The sad lyrics are portrayed beautifully through the heart-wrenching pitch of Joji’s singing, and the ending guitar solo compliments the echoes of both the sound of his voice and the impact of his words. Some slower songs on the album include “Sanctuary,” “NITROUS,” “Mr. Hollywood,” and “777.” These tracks feature minimal but precisely-placed instrumentals, allowing the breathtaking but slow vocals and lyrics of Joji to take the spotlight. Several other rappers and singers have been featured on Nectar, such as Omar Apollo on “High Hopes,” Lil Yachty on “Pretty Boy,” Rei Brown on “Normal People,” and Yves Tumor on “Reanimator.” Each of these songs have a unique feeling to it, as the chill chorus of “Pretty Boy” resembles Joji’s lighthearted music from years ago, with slightly silly lyrics like “Handsome young man, never pull up on time / Lookin’ in the mirror, lookin’ good should be a crime, crime.” “Reanimator” has very simple lyrics, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that the instrumentals are incredible. The song has a strangely unique feeling to it that makes the listener feel like they’re somehow floating in space. One YouTube commenter accurately stated, “This sounds like something that would be in an 80s themed movie.” Another commenter stated, “Ok, this gives off late night drives to the airport vibes.” “Afterthought” is a vocal-focused song that is perhaps one of the most poetic pieces on Nectar. Lyrics like “When life gets too complicated, please stand with me after dark / I’ll stay in the limelight, like a beautiful afterthought” stir new emotions in the listener that may have never been discovered before. Fans of Joji agree on the poetic-geniusness of “Afterthought,” as one YouTube comment stated, “This is the type of song played in the background of a drama movie. So thankful to Joji for this absolute beauty.” The last two songs of Nectar sum up the album beautifully. “Like You Do” starts off with a gloomy beat and low voice- the perfect complements. The sad lyrics are gorgeously written, and work perfectly with the slow vocals. The pre-chorus “If you ever go, all the songs that we like / Will sound like bittersweet lullabies,” sends shivers down the listener’s spine. It’s a song you’d listen to in your cheap, airport headphones while watching the plane take off from your window seat at 2 A.M. The conclusion of the album, “Your Man,” has simple lyrics about love, as the focus is on the beat of the song, which is fast and heart-clenching. One YouTube commenter says “This feels like the movie just ended and the credits started playing.” It’s the perfect song to end the album with, as it leaves you with a satisfied feeling of euphoria. Nectar is undoubtedly a musical masterpiece that far surpasses its predecessor Ballads 1. The album features both spine-chilling songs that’ll put you on the verge of tears and joyful songs that’ll make you want to sing in your car alone at night. Each song is unique and has its own message to it. Oftentimes, it’s a message the listener can relate to, such as falling out of love or simply not feeling good enough. Commenters of the lyric videos of Nectar on YouTube have been nothing but positive towards the sophomore album. One fan summed the album up quite nicely by stating “My only reaction is to cry while I’m smiling and saying: ‘He did it again.’” Another fan described the album by saying, “I love how all of his songs sound like dreams.” Perhaps the most accurate comment of them all is from a fan on YouTube who says, “His music gives me a feeling of ambivalence. I’m not sure if I’m either happy while listening to this or sad.” The lyrical excellence and euphoric voice of Joji has only just begun. I have no doubt that his music will continue to grow better over the years, as it already has been doing. Nectar is just the beginning of Joji’s reign. |