Category Archives: Movies/TV/Theaters

Movies/TV/Theaters

The curse of reboots

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By: Hermekay Dehaney

Image made with ChatGPT

We live in a time when Hollywood is fueled by trying to replicate nostalgic content to relive popular and beloved films and shows with reboots and sequels. While some Hollywood directors and producers hit the mark with shows and movies such as ‘Cobra Kai’ and ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming,’  which are high-grossing reboots, the majority fade away, either getting canceled after one season or becoming box office flops. 

There is a popular quote that says, “You either die a hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain,” I think that quote indirectly applies to movies/shows as well.  A key factor in good shows is that they know when to end effectively, which leaves a lasting impression on critics and viewers at home. For example, shows like ‘Breaking Bad’, and ‘The Good Place’ are often praised for ending their show successfully. When shows continue past their prime, it leads to low viewer rates and creative decline, a perfect example is the show, ‘Riverdale.’ There are obvious exceptions to this rule, shows like ‘Modern Family,’ ‘The Office,’ and ‘Friends’ are often regarded as some of the best TV shows that have run for more than 9 seasons. 

Reboots might seem safe on paper. When executives try to reboot popular shows and movies that nobody asked for, it feels like a quick money grab from executives and actors who starred in the original. They believed that since people enjoyed the original and a beloved original actor is returning to star in it, viewers will enjoy the reboot, which is not true. It only works if the execution is right. If it doesn’t have the creative magic and storyline that the original show captures, it’s bound to fail. 

Examples include  ‘Gossip Girl (2021), which is a reboot of the original ‘Gossip Girl’ that was first released in 2007; ‘Fuller House’, a reboot of ‘Full House’;  ‘That 90’s Show’, a reboot of ‘That 70’s Show’; and ‘Gilmore Girl: A Year In The Life’, which is a reboot of ‘Gilmore Girls’. All of them were betting on brand recognition to be successful, but ultimately flopped, some canceled after only 1 season. 

I’ve noticed that when reboots don’t evolve with their original audience, the reboot falls flat. I remember in 2019, Disney+ announced a ‘Lizzie McGuire’ reboot, but it was later shelved before it was filmed due to creative differences between the executives and Hilary Duff, who plays the main character. Hilary Duff wanted it to be a more “mature” show because the original audience of the show has grown up, which means their tastes have evolved. She also wanted her character who would’ve been in her 30s to be in a more realistic real-life adult situation. Disney+ disagreed and wanted it to be more of a family-friendly show approach. This disagreement ultimately led to a cancellation of production. I think it was the right choice because if they had let Disney+ win,  the show would’ve been added to the list of canceled reboots after 1 season due to it failing to connect with the original audience for being too juvenile. 

Rebooting cartoons to live-action also always fails. Animated shows have different rules compared to live action, cartoons operate on a totally different scale, and their visuals and tone are totally different. What might look good in 2D sometimes looks awkward In live action. These projects struggle to have the features that only animation can capture.

Reboots are just a lack of creativity, they fail to understand what audiences want. It’s not always just the familiar face and nostalgia that pulls viewers in, it’s the creative vision that involves mixing something old with something new without trying to completely change the storyline from the original. Viewers want a new perspective but a similar style. So, if Hollywood wants to keep on revisiting classics, they need to start creating something worth watching.

Movies/TV/Theaters

‘To the Bone’

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By: Chloe Rocha

*Warning: This article contains details related to eating disorders

‘To the Bone’ is a movie that was directed by Marti Noxon, and it stars Lily Collins as Ellen who later goes by Eli, Keanu Reeves as Dr. William Beckham, Alex Sharp as Luke, and many other brilliant actors.

This film follows the life of Ellen, who is a 20-year-old woman, while struggling with severe anorexia. Anorexia is a form of an eating disorder which causes the person who is suffering from it to obsess about their weight and what they eat. Ellen undergoes treatment at a recovery home that isn’t like the typical treatment place.

This film was able to portray the raw realities of eating disorders and the tolls it takes on the person and also the loved ones all around them. It was inspired by Marti Noxon’s own personal experience with an eating disorder.

Ellen had been to many other treatment facilities before arriving to the one that she is at during the film. The recovery home had a different approach at trying to help the patients.

Rather than solely focusing on weight gain, like a typical treatment facility for eating disorders would, the one run by Dr. William Beckham, was designed for a more personal approach to battling their illness.

It focused a lot on self advocacy and healing at their own pace. At the house, it wasn’t just a place filled with patients, all of the people who were there, were there for very similar reasons. This created a strong bond between them all. They were more than just a group of patients there, they were all a family.

I think that the fact that Marti Noxon made this movie based on her own experiences with an eating disorder was what made the film such an accurate representation of what it can be like. One example I have is when Ellen’s sister said “I don’t get it, just eat”, those words are what many people who struggle with eating disorders constantly hear. They are told to just eat, and the people telling them this usually don’t understand how challenging it can be.

Doing one simple task of just eating, can feel like a chore sometimes and especially to those who already struggle eating. I found this movie very hard to watch at times, but I think that it is one that people need to see. It shows the harsh realities of eating disorders and it lets people learn what it can be like.

If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, please consider contacting: https://emilyprogram.com/

Movies/TV/Theaters

‘Prison Break’ review

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By: Sasha Deans

*Warning: This review contains minor spoilers

I think ‘Prison Break’ is a great series that is definitely meant for people who enjoy more serious and intense shows. It’s not at all a fun and games type of show like something you’d see on Disney. Instead, it’s very realistic and maybe even scary realistic at times. There are also a lot of very sad and heartbreaking scenes that make you think about what really happens in high-security prisons.

The show does a good job of portraying the range of criminals in prison. Of course, the two brothers, Michael and Lincoln, have a unique story. But aside from them, you see inmates who have committed serious crimes like rape, murder, assassinations, and high-level theft. However, there are also people in there for lesser crimes, like carjackers. This variety makes the show very interesting because you get to learn each criminal’s backstory and why they ended up in prison.

One of the things I really love about Prison Break is how it shows the harsh reality of the American prison system. It makes you wonder what’s really going on in our government that we may not even know about. The show subtly reveals the dark side of the system, and it really opened my eyes to what could be happening behind closed doors.

Another huge theme in the show is the relationships between the characters. One of my favorites is the friendship between Michael and Sucre. They started off as cellmates in Season 1 but ended up becoming lifelong best friends who would do anything for each other. Their bond is really heartwarming to watch, especially considering the dark environment they’re in.

But the most powerful theme in the show is definitely family love. Michael spent most of his life resenting his brother Lincoln, but the moment Lincoln was sentenced to death, Michael did not hesitate to risk his entire life, career, and freedom to break his brother out of prison. It’s a perfect example of family over everything. You also see a similar bond between Lincoln and his son, LJ, who would do anything for each other.

I also really enjoyed the love stories in the show, like Sucre and Maricruz. Sucre literally escaped prison just to be with Maricruz and their daughter. Another powerful love story is Michael and Sara’s. Michael had to make extremely dangerous and life-threatening decisions just to protect Sara, showing how strong their love was.

The acting in Prison Break is absolutely amazing. It feels very realistic, and the suspense is heart-stopping. The show has a lot of action—like gunfights, car chases, aircraft escapes, bombs, and more. So, if you love high-action, intense shows, this is definitely one you need to watch.

Final Verdict:

I would give Prison Break a 5/5. It has everything—action, suspense, drama, romance, and shocking plot twists. It’s definitely not a lighthearted show, but if you enjoy a deep, serious, and realistic series, this is absolutely worth watching. It will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. Highly recommended!

You can watch on Netflix!

Movies/TV/Theaters

Analysis and review of the movie ‘Aftersun’ by Charlotte Wells

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By: Chloe Rocha

*Warning: This review includes spoilers

The movie ‘Aftersun’ is written and directed by Charlotte Wells and Charlotte stated that this movie is loosely based on her personal experience of a holiday with her father.

This film follows the life of Sophie and Calum, through the view of a home video lens. It captures the themes of memory, time, love, and loss in a beautiful way that may be overlooked by some viewers. There are very small details throughout the movie that when watching the first time, you may not seem to recognize because you don’t understand the full picture.

Calum and Sophie were on a family vacation at a Turkish resort, and Calum was trying to provide Sophie, who was his daughter, the best experience she could have, despite his struggling to make ends meet. Not only was he struggling financially, but he was also struggling mentally. He tries to put up a front to give Sophie the experience she deserves, but deep down he struggled severely with depression.

As the film goes on, it becomes more apparent that this vacation may be the last one they experience together. This is hinted through the fact that despite his financial struggles, he kept on buying things for Sophie to remember him by. For example he purchased a rug for 850 pounds, and the rug is later seen in the movie when it shows up in Sophie’s adult life.

When she was younger she never fully understood her father’s struggle with mental health, she only viewed him as a distant dad. But when she is older, she is tries to recall what really went on during that vacation.

Through old films that she made while documenting their vacation, she truly sees how much he was struggling, and while she couldn’t understand it when she was younger, now she does. But there were pieces of the story that were missing for both her and the audience, which allows viewers to infer what really happened.

The ending of the movie was very heartbreaking because it shows adult Sophie watching her father disappear into a strobe lit void, and he essentially lost himself as well. I interpreted this scene as a metaphor for loss, suggesting that Calum is no longer present in Sophie’s life, and that may be due to his passing.

While this movie has a very slow pacing, I think it was so the audience would be able to capture and truly understand the characters and their emotions. At the beginning, I didn’tunderstand the movie, but I quickly realized and recognized the underlying themes throughout the film.

I think this movie was beautifully made and perfectly depicts the realities of depression and how it can interfere with the lives of your loved ones as well.

You can watch ‘Aftersun’ on Netflix.

Movies/TV/Theaters

Memorable Oscar moments from over the years

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By: Hermekay Dehaney

Photo by Mirko Fabian from Pexels.com

Over the years, the Oscar ceremony has delivered everything from heartfelt wins to shocking surprises, giving the audience a lot to talk about afterward. In honor of the annual Oscar awards taking place on March 2, here is a look back at some of the most memorable Oscar moments from over the years — the good, the bad, and one of the most unforgettable. 

The Good: 

‘Parasite’ groundbreaking win (2020)

‘Parasite’ was the first non-English language film to win Best Picture. Created by Bong Joon-ho, the South Korean film won Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best International Feature Film. This win marked a turning point for the Academy because it showed that there is a potential shift to embrace international films rather than just sticking to Hollywood movies. 

Leonardo DiCaprio wins first Oscar (2016) 

Leonardo DiCaprio is arguably one of the most well known actors in the world. He has acted since the late 1980s, best known for movies such as ‘Titanic,’ ‘The Great Gatsby,’ and ‘The Wolf of Wall Street.’ Even after so many famous movies, and 7 Oscar nominations, Leonardo DiCaprio finally won his first Oscar for his role in ‘The Revenant,’ in 2016. He was received with a well-deserved standing ovation from the audience. He took time out of his speech to raise awareness of climate change, he said, “Climate change is real, it is happening right now, it is the most urgent threat facing our entire species, and we need to work collectively together and stop procrastinating.”

Halle Berry’s Historic Win (2002)  

Halle became the first Black woman to win Best Actress for her role in, ‘Monster’s Ball.’ In her heartfelt acceptance speech, she says, “This moment is so much bigger than me. This moment is for Dorothy Dandridge, Lena Horne, and Diahann Carroll. It’s for the women who stand beside me: Jada Pinkett, Angela Bassett, and Vivica Fox. And it’s for every nameless, faceless woman of color that now has a chance because this door tonight has been opened.” Her speech remains one of the most powerful moments in Oscar history. 

The Bad:

‘Moonlight’/’LaLa La’ mix-up (2017)

The 2017 Oscar ceremony is remembered for the most infamous line in Academy Awards history. 2 ½ minutes into ‘LaLa Land’s’ Best Picture win, announced by Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty, ‘LaLa Land’ producer Jordan Horowitz informed the audience that, “There’s been a mistake. ‘Moonlight’, you guys won Best Picture. This is not a joke.” That shocking reveal overshadowed what should have been a celebratory win for ‘Moonlight.’ 

Adrien Brody’s Awkward Speech (2025)

Adrien Brody broke the record for the longest Oscar-winning acceptance speech, beating the record set in 1943 by Greer Garson. The speech was 5 minutes and 40 seconds of pure awkwardness. While walking on stage to accept his award, Adrien Brody spit out his gum and threw it to his wife, Georgina Chapman who then proceeded to catch it. Towards the end of his lengthy speech of thanking anyone he could think of, the Academy began to play music which is a signal that your time is up. Instead of taking that as a sign, he proceeded to say, “I’m wrapping up, please turn the music off. I’ve done this before. Thank you. It’s not my first rodeo, but I will be brief.” This is not his first time doing something like this. When he accepted his award for Best Actor for the ‘Pianist’ in 2003, his speech went over time and he responded to the music cutoff by saying, “One second, please. One second. Cut it out. I got one shot at this. I didn’t say more than five names, I don’t think.”

The Unforgettable: 

Will Smith slaps Chris Rock (2022)

Often referred to as “The Slap heard around the world,” due to the video becoming a viral sensation, not just in the United States, Will Smith slapping Chris Rock is still remembered to this day, which is why I placed it as the most unforgettable Oscar moment. This moment shocked audience members and people watching at home. It was caused by an uncomfortable moment when Will Smith walked onstage and slapped Chris Rock after Rock made a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith’s bald head. The incident immediately went viral and similar to the ‘Moonlight’ mix-up, this incident cast a shadow over Will Smith’s award win for Best Actor for the movie ‘King Richard’ which he won later that night. 

Whether good, bad, or unforgettable, these Oscar moments shape the legacy of The Academy and also remind us of the unpredictability of live television on one of Hollywood’s biggest nights.

Movies/TV/Theaters

Review of ‘Waves’ (2019)

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By: Sasha Deans

‘Waves’ (2019), directed by Trey Edward Shults, is an emotional drama that follows a suburban African American family as they navigate love, pressure, and the challenges of healing. The story slowly unravels from an ideal reality, exploring the highs and lows of relationships and how choices shape lives.

I believe the film features incredibly strong performances that portray emotion beautifully. Personally, this is some of the best acting I’ve ever seen—it feels so real.

One thing I appreciate is that the film doesn’t have a straightforward resolution or a purely happy ending, which makes it realistic and, at times, heartbreaking. But that also adds to its depth, showing that even when things don’t turn out perfectly, there is still meaning in the journey.

The soundtrack is another standout, featuring artists like Frank Ocean; Kid Cudi; and Tyler, The Creator. Songs like “Ghost” by Kid Cudi, “IFHY” by Tyler, The Creator, and “Godspeed” and “Seigfried” by Frank Ocean perfectly complement the film’s emotional depth.

I think ‘Waves’ will resonate most with teenagers who enjoy realistic stories, similar to ‘Euphoria’, as well as those who are into current pop artists. Teenage athletes, in particular, may connect with the film’s portrayal of high expectations and personal struggles. It realistically shows how the people around you matter more than you might realize.

Personally, I wish the film had a more uplifting ending. I love happy endings, so I had mixed feelings about its realism. I also felt the pacing was a bit slow, especially given its three-hour runtime, with many reflective scenes—though they were beautifully shot.

Final Verdict:

‘Waves’ is an eye-opening, well-crafted, and deeply moving film. Despite its slow pace and bittersweet ending, it’s a story worth experiencing. I highly recommend it and give it a 5/5.

You can watch ‘Waves’ on Amazon Prime!

Movies/TV/Theaters

‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ review

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By: Sasha Deans

The show is a coming-of-age story that follows Belly, who is no longer the awkward little girl she once was. Now that she has grown up, she begins to catch the attention of boys around her, including her longtime crush and family friend, Conrad. However, she soon finds herself in a complicated love triangle.

I believe the show features strong performances. Lola Tung brings a lot of depth to the character of Belly, while Christopher Briney and Gavin Casalegno shine as the Fisher brothers, effectively portraying their contrasting personalities.

The cinematography is also stunning. The show’s coastal setting at Cousins Beach, combined with its warm color palette, enhances the nostalgic and summery feeling.

The soundtrack, featuring artists like Taylor Swift and Olivia Rodrigo, perfectly complements the emotional tone of the series. Songs like “Cruel Summer” and “August” from Taylor Swift brought so much to the whole entire vibe of the show’s scenery and they are also just so significant to the entire show. Like, “August” in the last scene as they are leaving in August and the “Cruel Summer” it really was with that intriguing love triangle. It also has so many fun songs like “Summer Nights” from ‘Grease’ at a party giving it a certain vibe of nostalgia. And there are also ones that just really tell the scenes story like “ARE WE STILL FRIENDS” by Tyler the Creator and it really is definitely asking are we still friends! That’s for sure.

However, the show does have some weaknesses. Some side characters, like Belly’s best friend Taylor, feel underdeveloped. Like, you kind of just see her really as a side character but I feel it only really represents her as a mean annoying best friend which wouldn’t exactly make sense since Belly is portrayed as a very kind, sweet, and shy girl. So, if they have been friends since childhood I don’t think that she is actually all that mean as the show shows her as the whole season one. Additionally, the pacing is quite slow at times, with unnecessary filler episodes that drag the storyline.

Final Verdict:

‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ Season One is a nostalgic, warm, and heartfelt coming-of-age drama that captures the magic of youth and romance realistically. With strong performances, beautiful cinematography, and good storytelling, it is an enjoyable watch.

Rating: 4/5

You can watch ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ on Netflix

Movies/TV/Theaters

‘Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire’

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By: Samson Belihu

*Warning: This review contains spoilers

First off, let’s start with those who don’t know let’s recap what’s happened so far: King Kong and Godzilla have fought before, and it was due to multiple misunderstandings. But when Mechagodzilla was created by humans to replicate Godzilla due to the power he carries, that’s when they put their differences aside and fight as one to destroy their enemy. At the end, they separate with Kong going to the Hollow Earth, which is a hidden ecosystem deep beneath earth’s surface, while on the other hand Godzilla stayed on the surface due to the potential threat of humans in his residential area in an ancient monument.

‘The New Empire’ starts off with Kong being chased by a pack of monsters, and he gets cornered, but that doesn’t matter due to the intelligence of Kong, who has set up a trap just in case of emergency. This trap kills almost all the monsters, while the rest fled back to where they came from. That’s when we’re told King’s species is a social one, meaning they like interacting with other kinds of his own, and he has been looking for his kind. There’s an issue though: he hasn’t been able to find anyone like him for a long time.

The humans detect the movement of Kong, and that’s when they decide to check up on things.

A moment later we meet a special girl named Jia who can see and understand Kong’s feelings but feels displaced because she’s at school and not where she’s being drawn to. The reason for this is because “She’s the last living member of the Iwi tribe” who are an advanced tribe that lives in Hollow Earth.

A bit later we see that Kong has left the underground to go to the humans to ask for help. He has an infected tooth that has to be taken out, and the job was perfect for the “Best doctor in town”, who helps him. That’s when Kong decides to leave the surface again, but before he leaves, they decide to follow him into Hollow Earth.

That’s when the humans find out that Hollow Earth goes even deeper where there are many strange things and creatures, and there potentially could be others like Kong.

Will Kong find others like him to keep him company? Will Jia ever find where she belongs? You will need to watch ‘Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire’ if you want to know the answers to these questions. I think it is worth the time and would give this movie a 9/10.

You can watch ‘Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire’ on Netflix, Max and other streaming platforms.

Movies/TV/Theaters

MOVIE REVIEW: ‘SEVEN’

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By: Charlotte Bistodeau

The movie ‘Seven’ (sometimes seen as ‘Se7en’), is a 1995 R-rated, crime/horror film directed by David Fincher (who also directed 1999’s ‘Fight Club’, 2011’s ‘The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo’, and 2023’s ‘The Killer’) and written by Andrew Kevin Walker (who also wrote 1999’s ‘Sleepy Hollow’, 2010’s ‘Wolfman’, and 2023’s ‘The Killer’).

The film follows two police detectives, William Somerset and David Mills, as they hunt down the serial killer who kills their victims based on the seven deadly sins. It’s hard to give any more information on the story of the movie because you pretty much know about as much as the two detectives at the beginning and learn along with them. This makes the movie interesting. Instead of knowing things that the main characters don’t, you know only what they know, making you invested in each scene.

I would say that there aren’t a lot of horror aspects except a few dead body’s. Instead, there is a sense of dread making you feel like something bad could happen at any moment throughout the film. The ending of the movie though, is perfect. There couldn’t be a better ending to it.

I enjoyed the main characters thoroughly. Many horror movies throughout the 1980’s and 90’s have an incredibly stupid amount of main characters. Many times you end up being annoyed with these stupid characters and even end up rooting for the killer (or being extremely disappointed in the killer for not having killed them by now). But ‘Se7en’ is not that movie. William Somerset is incredibly smart, to the point that he’s able to figure out by the first two murders that they were done by the same person. Even David Mills, who is not as smart as Somerset, still has a personality that is able to put two and two together. These things make you root for them. It also helps that the actors of William Somerset (Morgan Freeman) and David Mills (Brad Pitt) do a great job at playing their characters.

The background music is something else. You don’t notice it. Or at least I didn’t. It wasn’t bad, in fact it was great, it was just that you get so invested into the story that the background music doesn’t stand out. It adds feeling without making it noticeable.

You can buy the DVD for about 25$ on Amazon or you can watch it on HBO or YouTube Premium.

I’ve watched a lot of horror movies from the 1980’s-90’s and this one is definitely my favorite. Even compared to horror movies today, it’s still my favorite. So, I would have to rate it a 10/10. If you really like psychological horror or crime horror, I would definitely recommend this movie to watch.

Getting To Know/History, Movies/TV/Theaters

How ‘Sesame Street’ changed education

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By: Kara Fini

In 1969 ‘Sesame Street’ was aired on television. It was the first time that there was an educational show for all children and its impact showed.

Before ‘Sesame Street’ was created most children were exposed to cruel shows meant for adults. A study done by the University of Michigan showed that the average American child had seen 16,000 deaths on TV before they turned 18.

Although there were children shows on TV like ‘Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood’, they were meant for middle class children and gave an advantage to middle class children who knew more before they started school. The founder, Joan Ganz Cooney, observed that and wanted there to be a show where children of every class would be able to start school on a more even playing field.

When ‘Sesame Street’ first aired, it was an almost immediate success. Children who watched the show were seen to have higher knowledge in math, reading and writing before they started kindergarten. The impact was so big in some parts of the US that districts had to change their elementary school curriculums because too many kids had already learned what they were trying to teach them. It wasn’t only educational learning, but social and emotional skills too.

‘Sesame Street’ gained some backlash for its diverse cast and hard topics that it covered. It took a very long time for it to be aired on TV, but ‘Sesame Street’ never backed down from this backlash. They wanted to have a television show that all kids would be able to see someone like them in. They introduced more puppets that came from different backgrounds and continued to cover heavy topics like childhood poverty, natural disasters, death and racism.

‘Sesame Street’ paved the way for tons more educational shows and showed us how you can turn a harmful thing like television into something beneficial.

If you want to hear a more detailed explanation on how ‘Sesame Street’ changed education, a history day project made by Maeve Callahan-Schreiber is available on YouTube from the YouTube channel ‘The Better Angels Society’ with the title “Sunny Days: A Turning Point In Children’s Television”. Maeve is currently a 9th grader at Como Park Senior High School, and represented SPPS at the National History Day in June getting second for Junior Individual Documentary.