By: Liv. Kleiber & Salome Meyer
Tag Archives: movies
‘When They See Us’ review
By: KiMiya Eason and Ci’Niyah Taylor
‘The Hate U Give’ movie review
By: KiMiya Eason & Ci’Niyah Taylor
The tale and tour of Annabelle
By: Jooney Freddieson & Aalovely Lor
In paranormal history, there are many haunted objects around the world, but Annabelle the doll is the most captivating worldwide. Her legend included real-life investigations, movies, and as of recently, public appearances.
Behind the movies of Annabelle lie a backstory rooted deeply into Ed and Lorraine Warren’s paranormal research.
Ed and Lorraine have investigated over 10,000 cases of paranormal activities and originally presented their findings in Catholic schools. Ed was a self-taught demonologist and Lorraine was a medium. Together, they founded the New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR) in 1952.
Annabelle, originally an innocent Raggedy Ann doll, was gifted to a nursing student named Donna, by her mother in the 70s. Donna and her roommate started to mess with the doll, leaving it in different positions and even making it a tradition to scare each other.
However, their fun came to an end when they began noticing strange occurrences around her living area: the doll would change positions, move to different rooms, and leave notes behind, none of which Donna or her roommate had any knowledge of causing.
Donna and her roommate concluded that it was just their vivid imagination and dismissed the occurrences but questions started to arise when the doll’s movement became more pronounced—like shifting its arm entirely or relocating more often.
Donna, believing that she was targeted by demonic forces, flew to a renowned medium. They soon discovered that the doll was inhabited by the spirit of a young girl. Donna allowed the young girl to stay and even started to treat the doll like an actual child, often buying the doll clothes, toys, jewelry, and candy.
The haunting soon turned malevolent after attacking multiple times through paralyzations and scratches appearing over the chest.
After realizing the spirit was more than just an innocent child, Donna contacted Ed and Lorraine Warren—the paranormal investigators.
The Warren’s determined that the doll was in fact taken over by a demonic entity and its goal wasn’t to haunt people but to possess a human host.
They took Annabelle to their Occult Museum in Monroe, Connecticut, preventing further harm. She was placed in a glass case with warnings not to touch, and it quickly became one of the most dangerous items in their museum.
The story of Annabelle gained popularity after its feature in ‘The Conjuring’, leading it to have its own spin-off series that begins with ‘Annabelle’.
The movie versions featured a porcelain doll, but the real Annabelle is a soft stitched Raggedy Ann. Despite the difference in visuals, the legacy remains the same.
After Lorraine’s death, the museum closed, and Annabelle remained inside. But as of 2025, Annabelle has begun going on tour as part of the traveling exhibit called “Devil’s On The Run Tour”, visiting various cities throughout the U.S.
The tour began in May and is scheduled to be on tour throughout the summer, allowing horror movie enthusiasts to meet the real Annabelle.
According to NESPR, the Annabelle tour was created in response to those with questions and in hope of funding the museum.
The tour brought concern to religious figures saying they shouldn’t treat the doll like a “novelty”, stating that it was disrespectful to provoke the doll after knowing the risks. But organizers of the tour have claimed that all participants were careful and all events were handled with caution.
This tour brought attention to social media, especially Tik Tok and Instagram. Many videos and post made about the tour gained millions of views, with people sharing everything from selfies to behind the scenes.
For more information, please visit:
Review on the movie ‘MA’
By: Sasha Deans
‘Ma’, directed by Tate Taylor and starring Octavia Spencer, is a psychological thriller that blends teenage rebellion with creeping dread in a small-town setting. At first glance, the movie seems like a typical teen drama: new girl in town trying to fit in, high school parties, and awkward crushes. But it quickly takes a sharp left turn into something much darker and more disturbing.
The story follows Maggie, a seemingly sweet and well-behaved girl who’s just moved to a small town with her single mom. She’s adjusting to a new school, new friends, and the usual teenage awkwardness. Maggie is introduced to a group of classmates who are more outgoing and party-oriented. At first, she turns down an invite to hang out, choosing to stick with her mom instead. But when her plans fall through, she decides to give it a shot and go out with them just once.
That one night quickly snowballs into something much bigger when the group crosses paths with Sue Ann, a middle-aged woman who at first seems like any other local. They meet her outside a liquor store and, after some hesitation, she agrees to buy them alcohol. What starts off as a random favor turns into an open invitation to party at her house, in the basement, to be exact. She gives them rules: stay in the basement, don’t go upstairs, and one person stays sober. At first, the teens think they’ve hit the jackpot. A cool adult who’s not only letting them drink but giving them a place to do it safely? What could go wrong?
Well, a lot, as it turns out.
One of the strongest parts of ‘Ma’ is Octavia Spencer’s performance. She’s known for playing warm, empathetic characters, so seeing her take on such a twisted and unpredictable role adds an extra layer of tension. She plays Ma with such complexity you can sense there’s pain and trauma behind her actions, but that doesn’t make her any less terrifying. She shifts between friendly and frightening so fast that you never really feel safe when she’s on screen.
Visually, the movie does a great job of creating contrast. The bright, energetic scenes of teens partying clash with the dark, confined space of Ma’s basement. The further the teens fall into Ma’s world, the more unsettling everything becomes. The film uses silence and music effectively to build suspense, and there are moments that genuinely make your skin crawl not from jump scares, but from the slow, psychological unraveling of the situation.
Personally, I found ‘Ma’ to be a unique take on the thriller genre. It’s not your typical horror movie, it’s more about mood and tension than blood and gore. It plays with your expectations, especially with how it sets up Ma as a kind, slightly awkward woman and then peels back the layers to reveal something much darker. It also makes you think about how people carry emotional scars and how dangerous it can be when those scars are left untreated.
I do agree it kinda has it’s more cheesy parts though the movie is slow and the gore/scary stuff doesn’t happen to the very very end which gets kind of annoying if your a frequent horror movie watcher.
If you’re looking for a thriller with a strong lead performance, unexpected turns, and a creepy atmosphere that sticks with you after the credits roll, ‘Ma’ is definitely worth watching. Just be warned you may never look at a friendly stranger the same way again. I rate it a 3/5
You can watch on Netflix!
Reasons why books are better than their movie adaptations
By: Fletcher Pike
If you’ve ever watched a movie adaptation of a book, like ‘The Hunger Games’ or ‘Divergent’, you might wonder about the differences or similarities between the book and its movie adaptation. In this article, I will list several reasons as to why books are better than their movie counterparts.
For one, reading a book allows your mind to create your own interpretation of the story. Your brain creates your own version of the characters using descriptive words within the book that seems to make it more personal and creative. However, most movies might not correlate to your personal interpretation of what you thought characters or places looked like. This can lead to some dissatisfaction as some things might not seem as familiar to you.
Another reason is that movie adaptations usually leave out details from the book. As reading a book can usually take longer than watching a movie, the movies might leave out some interesting details or information about the plot or characters. The average film is only about 2 hours long, but books can have hundreds or even thousands of pages of descriptive words and details that can take several hours to read.
Another reason is that books help build your vocabulary. When you read a book, your brain is actively progressing in grammar and spelling. Reading several books makes you an overall smarter person as you are continuing to build your reading level and vocabulary.
Some might think that movies are more interesting than books, but books allow you to immerse yourself further into your own interpretation of the story.
Overall, I think that books are much better than movies as they provide a creative outlet for the endless stories that books contain.
‘Snow White’ controversy
By: Teagan Mack
*Note: This article contains minor spoilers
Mirror Mirror on the wall, must Disney remake them all?
Disney’s new live-action ‘Snow White’ movie has been raising a lot of debate and controversy. While some are excited to see a new take on the classic, others have some concerns about the casting choice, changes in the storyline, and overall direction the film is taking. This movie, which stars Rachel Zegler as Snow White, has sparked a vast range of opinions from critics and fans. Here’s a closer look into the major issues surrounding the movie.
The casting of Rachel Zegler as Snow White has struck significant debate, mainly because of her being a Latina actress in a role traditionally associated with fair skin and black hair. In response to the backlash, Zegler has stood by the casting, expressing that the story of Snow White is not just about appearance, but about kindness and bravery. She also pointed out that people who look like her are rarely cast in such iconic roles. In a 2022 interview with Vanity Fair, she stated, “You don’t particularly see people who look like me or are me playing roles like that,” highlighting the importance of representation in fairy-tale stories. Instead of focusing on the negative criticism, Zegler focused her attention on the significance that this role portrays for audience members who identify with her background.
This new version’s depiction of the Seven Dwarfs has also sparked debates among audiences. Peter Dinklage who advocates for dwarfism rights disagrees with Disney’s choice to feature CGI dwarves in their remake by labeling it a “backwards story”. Dinklage disagrees with this decision, and believes they should use real actors with dwarfism to play the dwarfs. The selection of a Latina actress by Disney prompted his worries about the continued existence of old stereotypes. They planned to replace them with “magical creatures” and consult the dwarfism community to prevent negative stereotypes. This decision has prompted further discussion. Some worry about losing the dwarfs’ charm and humor, while others believe it’s important to address how disabilities are represented today.
Another significant change involves Snow White’s character development. In the original animated version, Snow White is passive, waiting for her prince. In the new version she is more active and independent. Some argue that showing women in movies as self-reliant, and strong is essential, while others feel it moves further away from the original plot of the fairy-tale.
After watching the new remake of Snow White, I’m not sure how I feel. I grew up watching all of the original Disney princess movies, and even though Snow White was not my favorite, I still found her story interesting. The movie looks good, and the costumes have a nice touch, but it doesn’t feel the same. There are no dwarfs like in the original, only magical creatures, which deviates from the old storyline. Snow White doesn’t sing “Someday My Prince Will Come,” and we don’t get to see much of the prince either. She acts more serious and tough, unlike in the original where she is kind and gentle. It feels like a completely different story with the same name. Although I liked a few parts, I missed the songs, the animals, and the magical feeling from the original. I wish they had kept more of the Disney charm that made me love the old movies.
The controversy around the new ‘Snow White’ movie highlights the challenges Disney faces when remaking classic fairy-tales. While some appreciate the effort to make this franchise more diverse and more empowering towards women, others fear the changes could alienate fans of the traditional stories. This could include cultural aspects like ethnic representation, or sensitive portrayal in disabilities. Right now it’s unclear if this new movie will live up to the original, but its impact on bigger conversations is certain.
One person I talked to, Evelyn Lundy, summed up her thoughts about the new movie: ”The movie was revolutionary and it brought a different perspective to the story of Snow White.”
You can still see ‘Snow White’ in theaters.
JOYSTiCK Ep. 16: ‘A Minecraft Movie’ – Jock’ the Block
By: Daniel Kendle
The ‘Minecraft’ movie, formally known as ‘A Minecraft Movie’, is a 2025 film released by Warner Bros. Pictures, Legendary Pictures, and Mojang Studios. Directed by Jared Hess (‘Napoleon Dynamite,’ ‘Ninety-Five Senses’), the movie is based off of the popular video game ‘Minecraft.’
‘Minecraft’ is my personal favorite video game ever, so I’ve been…curious about its silver-screen adaptation ever since it was announced, boosted by its initial trailer’s release last year. I’m also (straightens tie) a bit of a film buff myself, so that helps a lot. So, on opening night of this year, I showed up to an AMC screening of the movie, clad in a suit and my dad’s sunglasses, ready to enter the pits and emerge back alive.
The film’s plot is pretty basic, all things considered; if you’ve seen the modern ‘Jumanji’ films, then you get the idea: people are sucked into a video game, and have to find their way back home to the “real” world. This comparison isn’t necessarily a bad one per say, but I think it’s the beginning of an all-encompassing problem this film has: identity.
When adapting a piece of media into a feature film, one must decide how faithful the adaptation must be. This is a sliding scale, with past video game movies falling all over the spectrum. For me, the sweet spot is around the middle: the film encapsulates and faithfully translates the source material thoroughly, but brings forth its own ideas as to not feel like just a 1-to-1 replica of its predecessor.
This is where ‘A Minecraft Movie’ confuses me. The film seems to strive to land on both opposite ends of the line: it wants to be incredibly-faithful, yet also be a standalone product. The movie features countless references and Easter eggs to ‘Minecraft’ and its spin-off franchises – hell, the main villain is a character from one of those spin-offs. And yet, seemingly to spite this, the plot chosen for the film seems barely interested in telling a story reminiscent of ‘Minecraft’s’ emotions, atmosphere, and world building, instead using locations and creatures from the game on a surface level.
Throughout the movie, I was having a good time – a GREAT time, even -, but never really processed the experience as an adaptation of the game I love. I’ve heard how people couldn’t believe that they were finally watching the ‘Minecraft’ movie upon initial viewing. While this likely isn’t their opinion on that matter, I felt the same, though in a negative way. This movie doesn’t feel reminiscent of its source material in any way other than literally. Throwing all of these references and characters is one thing, but capturing the spirit and vibe of the game you’re adapting is another.
For me, ‘Minecraft’ is a game that relies heavily on its unique atmosphere for its magic. In a vacuum, I’ve always described it as tender, yet haunting – the world, despite its scenic vistas and cute mobs, has always had a looming sense of isolation that prevents it from joining ‘Stardew Valley’ and ‘Animal Crossing’ in the cozy game genre. But then again, its loose structure separates it from a game like ‘Terraria,’ another sandbox game that employs a more strict and linear progression system.
It’s so unique, and is among the game’s most beguiling offerings.
This movie reminds me of a quote by Max Brooks, author of the book ‘World War Z’ (and, like, 3 ‘Minecraft’ novels; go figure). When asked about his thoughts on the book’s screen translation, he said:
“I was expecting to hate, it and I wanted to hate it because it was so different from my book, and yet the fact that it was so different from my book made it easier to watch because I didn’t watch my characters and my story get mangled…So I was just watching somebody else’s zombie movie, which was fun and intense.” – Max Brooks, USA Today
This quote is about how I feel about ‘A Minecraft Movie:’ it’s a fun ride and I’m able to put aside the original title and enjoy it separately, yet when compared to its adapted game in retrospect, it pales in comparison. I was able to enjoy my time in the theatre, but I’ve largely filtered out my memories with it. It’s over, and I’ve gained little in the process.
If you haven’t seen the clips online by now (a near-impossible task, I know), this film has some memes going around about it. Since the initial teaser, lines like “I…am Steve,” “Flint and steel!,” and most-popular of all, “Chicken Jockey!,” have gained immense notoriety since their inception. These are only a few of the movie’s impressive array of joke-quotes. The film rattles them out at nauseum, as if it’s a 9-5 for it. I can certainly see their appeal, and do find them funny – to an extent. Their inclusions have left me in the opinion that they make the film feel…hollow.
This movie, in my opinion, is set to become dated with time. Not because it has any specific pop culture references or whatever, but because of what it stands for. This is the ‘Minecraft’ movie. Forever. There’s no going back. And when you have a film whose main appeal is ironic, topical humor, there’s little chance that we’ll be as kind to it then as some of us are now.
There’s nothing wrong with liking ‘A Minecraft Movie,’ of course. Everyone has their own opinions, and as long as you aren’t hurting anyone else with your’s it’s perfectly-valid. But nonetheless, I’d like to see a strong argument for the film’s portrayal of this universe as one reminiscent of the power the original one holds.
Actually, there is 1 I should mention. Hess has stated in multiple interviews how the film’s title using “A” at the beginning is intentional, highlighting how this adaptation is only 1 of many, the others being fan creations and the like. Using “A” defines it as not the definitive ‘Minecraft’ translation, but only a single story in an amorphous narrative, one able to be shaped by anyone. I greatly-respect this decision, and believe it to be a strong counter to my thoughts on the movie’s tonal dissonance.
Still, I can’t call this a perfect bandage. Even if Mojang claims to view ‘A Minecraft Movie’ as only a fragment in a sea of ‘Minecraft’-related stories, its nature eludes this idea. Having the creators of the game supporting and developing this feature ultimately undermines this mentality. If the people who made the game, a movie’s adaptation, and also helped aid the movie’s development, that action leaves it impossible for the game studio to not be partial to this retelling of their original game. Their commitment to ‘A Minecraft Movie’ doesn’t cement it as the definitive adaptation of the game for all, but rather Mojang’s definitive adaptation of the game.
This partiality strains the director and companies’ efforts in underplaying the product’s pinnicality, causing the final result to attempt to stray from the original material’s theming and world as much as possible without becoming something new. And when that result personally feels like a poor representation of the material…my time with it is ruined.
. . .
This is likely my most controversial review yet, and I’m aware of that. I’ve mainly focused on the movie’s – and my – relationship with the game, which makes this review ripe with some of that yum-yum bias that politicians always drool over.
You’ve also possibly noticed how I’ve never even mentioned the story, characters, or VFX once! It’s a surface-level complaint, see – this whole time, I HAVE been talking about those, just in a manner less-literal than you may have expected. Yeah (grunts while flexing), back in elementary school, they called me Mr. Whatshisname the Foreshadow-er, for what it’s worth.
In conclusion, I’m giving ‘A Minecraft Movie’ a 4/10. As of April 2025, the film is playing in theatres globally.
The curse of reboots
By: Hermekay Dehaney
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.
Analysis and review of the movie ‘Aftersun’ by Charlotte Wells
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.
Plaid Line + PRIZM + Scottie News 