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By Shania Sanchez – Staff Reporter

The movie “IT” came out in 2017 and was a complete commercial success. The movie, which is an adaptation of the horror fiction novel written by Stephen King, was directed by Andy Muschietti and written by Chase Palmer, Cary Fukunaga, and Gary Dauberman. The movie is a sequel itself and was inspired by an amalgamation of different 80s movies, including “The Howling” (1981), “The Thing” (1982), “The Goonies” (1985), “Stand by Me” (1986), and “Near Dark” (1987). Critics said it was one of the best adaptations of Stephen King’s books, which is saying a lot due to the fact that the book had a previous adaptation. Recently, there has been the release of the “Welcome to Derry” series, which takes place before “IT” and expands more into Pennywise’s background as well as the fate of the people in Derry who lived 27 years before 1988. Due to this series, people have been talking about this gem of a movie again. 

The movie’s main characters are Bill Denbrough and his friends Richie Tozier, Eddie Kaspbrak, and Stanley Uris. They spend the first half of the summer looking for Georgie, Bill’s little brother, who had gone missing the year prior when he went to play in the rain and never came home. The group gets labeled the “Losers Club” by bullies including Henry Bowers – the most persistent and the bully ringleader. The “Losers” embrace that label, however, and Bill’s refusal to conform to the thought that his baby brother is dead causes him and his friends to get wrapped up in something unimaginably horrifying. He says, “Because I can’t. I go home and all I see is that Georgie isn’t there. His clothes, his toys, his stupid stuffed animals… but he isn’t…” The hurt Bill has due to not seeing his little brother anymore takes up so much space in his mind that Pennywise uses it against Bill so many times. As the movie progresses, the “Losers Club” grows in size with the addition of a homeschooled kid (Mike Hanlon), a girl whose rumors of promiscuity have made her an outcast (Beverly Marsh), and the newest kid in town (Ben Hanscom). They are all united due to being outcasts in their tiny town of Derry, Maine, are easy targets for bullies and, of course, the killer clown entity on the loose. But their empathy and love for each other hold them together through it all.

The movie was absolutely amazing from start to finish, capturing viewers’ imagination. The movie was so well done that it gave many people a fear of clowns and sparked a dance movement where people danced like the famous clown during a scene with Beverly. It also perfectly encapsulates how freshmen in high school act. Richie had such a foul mouth, it’s so natural that, honestly, most teen watchers wouldn’t bat an eye. Not to mention all of the actors were the age they were portraying. There was no 25-year-old playing a 14-year-old, the oldest people on set were the adults and Skarsgård. The movie also did a great job portraying friendship in high school. People who have no worries just ignore the clown, but in the scenes without the clown, they are having their fun messing around and going through their small town on their bikes, making the movie not all doom and gloom. It also does a beautiful job of giving the children real fears that a 13 or 14-year-old would actually have. Seeing Stanley Uris absolutely terrified of some skinny, gaunt-looking lady from a painting in his dad’s office is super realistic and honestly adds a layer of humanity. Richie Tozier was a fan favorite, with his constant foul mouth and witty one-liners. 

Many people who read the book complained about the fact that Mike was supposed to be the researcher and brains of the operation, but sadly, that was given to Ben, which made people sad that Mike had such a crucial part of his character taken from him. There were also criticisms about the fact that Beverly had been given a much more “damsel in distress” role compared to her stronger portrayal in the book. There were also complaints of it relying too much on jump scares, but it is a horror movie, obviously, there are going to be jump scares, and the watcher is supposed to be scared. But that’s mostly where the complaints of the movie end. 

The only way to describe the movie “IT” is beautiful and terrifying, a great adaptation that did justice to the book. 

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

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By Cameron Graf – Staff Reporter

“Regretting You” is the 2025 film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s 2019 novel. The film begins with Morgan Grant and her teenage daughter, Clara, as their relationship starts to shift after the accident involving Clara’s dad and the discovery of a secret love triangle. The story then progresses into themes of family drama, grief, betrayal, and coming of age, focusing heavily on Clara and her mother’s relationship.

The movie follows the mother and daughter’s once-close relationship and how it begins to change as they each deal with growing up, shifting priorities, and unexpected challenges that force them to see one another as different versions of themselves. The mom struggles with the weight of her past and the sacrifices she has made for her daughter, while her daughter pushes for independence and her own identity. As tension builds between them, they are forced to confront each other about the misunderstandings they have been carrying.

The movie shows strong emotions between all of the main characters. They deal with heartbreaking issues, and the way they portray their emotions and cope with them is impressive. The plot twists add suspense and keep viewers engaged throughout the entire film. The camera work is amazing and makes viewers feel as if they are there, watching the story unfold. The casting is great, especially if viewers keep up with young, trending actors. The song choices are also trendy and fitting for the movie.

There is a lot going on in this movie, and viewers need to pay attention while watching. At some points, the film does lose the plot a bit, leaving some viewers confused. Certain characters don’t get enough time for their own development, and compared to the book, the movie includes fewer details.

This movie portrays love, grief, and acceptance all in one. If viewers enjoy flashbacks, plot twists, and teenage love stories, this movie is definitely worth watching. The characters’ development and the realization that change is OK make this film stand out.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

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By Ronnie M. – Staff Reporter

“A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out” was released on Sept. 27, 2005, by Panic! at the Disco. It was the band’s debut album, produced by Matt Squire, and released through Decaydance Records, later Fueled by Ramen. From the start, the band was thrust into the challenging world of fame.

The songs began as demos that Ryan Ross, the lyricist and lead guitarist, sent to Pete Wentz’s LiveJournal. Wentz, bassist for Fall Out Boy and owner of Decaydance Records, was impressed and flew to Las Vegas to meet the band. Ross cited author Chuck Palahniuk as a major influence, and he and the band were also inspired by Third Eye Blind and Stephen Jenkins. The album blends pop-punk, emo, electronic sounds, and even orchestral instruments like strings and horns. This unique mix helped the band stand out and inspired other artists such as Fall Out Boy, My Chemical Romance, and Paramore.

“I Write Sins Not Tragedies” is the album’s most famous track. It opens with a plucked cello line, and Brendon Urie’s dramatic vocals paired with clever lyrics. He sings. “No, it’s much better to face these kinds of things / With a sense of poise and rationality.”

“Build God, Then We’ll Talk” tells a dark story about a girl exploited by adults, set against a cheerful melody reminiscent of “My Favorite Things” from “The Sound of Music.” The chorus, “What a wonderful caricature of intimacy,” shows how physical closeness can be empty without real emotional connection.

“Time to Dance” is a fan favorite for its experimental style, mixing rock, electronic elements, strings, and the theatrical, vaudeville-inspired sound Panic! at the Disco is known for. Its lyrics reference Chuck Palahniuk’s “Invisible Monsters”: “Give me envy, give me malice, give me your attention” and “When I say shotgun, you say wedding / Shotgun wedding, shotgun wedding.” It was also the first demo that made it onto the album, helping define the band’s early sound.

The album is celebrated for its bold, genre-blending style. The first half focuses on pop-punk and emo, while the second half incorporates orchestral and theatrical influences. Its smart, layered lyrics, catchy hooks, and self-aware aesthetic make it a unique listening experience. While some critics noted the shift in style and the frank themes of sex and infidelity, the album was widely praised for its creativity and originality.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

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By Calder Costantini – Staff Reporter

“2014 Forest Hills Drive” is a hip-hop album produced by the artist J. Cole. The album debuted on December 9, 2014, under Dreamville Records and Roc Nation, officially being Cole’s third studio album. This album strayed from the mainstream because Cole included zero featured artists and stayed away from the radio vibe of music. Cole delivered a raw, self-contained narrative about his upbringing and the struggles that followed in gaining fame. This album conveyed an autobiographical vibe that fans adored. 

The name “2014 Forest Hills Drive” originates from J. Cole’s childhood home in Fayetteville, North Carolina. The album loosely follows the story of his childhood in Fayetteville that shaped him, and his anxieties today. The songs “Dreamz” and “January 28th” explore Cole’s adolescence as an awkward, out-of-touch, high school student, following his anxious and troubled childhood, staying unapologetically honest throughout these songs. Bouncing off of those songs, songs like “G.O.M.D” and “No Role Modelz” show Cole’s path through the music industry, where he strived to be his own specific artist, and he didn’t want to be compared to anyone else. In these songs, he can critique the industry while still being able to know his own place, which is a strong point and recurring theme throughout this whole album.

Arguably, the best song on this album is Cole’s “Love Yourz.” The song dives deeper into the emotional side of his music, reminding listeners that fulfillment doesn’t come from success. The track demonstrates how gratitude is essential to achieving happiness. 

Although this album is a critically acclaimed masterpiece, there are a few weak points according to fans. Many people claim that the album has lyrical inconsistencies and seems to stray away from being a standout album for Cole. These points make fans second-guess the album’s prominence in the mainstream media, but a majority of listeners have no bad thoughts on this record.

This album truly follows a great story through Cole’s childhood and his challenges throughout his whole life. The album won countless awards, such as, 2015 BET Hip Hop Awards – Album of the Year, the 2015 Billboard Music Awards – Best Rap Album, as long as the album went triple platinum in 2019.

Overall, this album is one of the cornerstones of modern-day hip-hop music and will surely go down in the history books as one of the greatest storytelling rap albums of all time.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

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By Zach Hyatt and Ryan Woods – Staff Reporters

“Jumanji,” released on December 20, 2017, is an adventure-comedy film directed by Jake Kasdan. The main protagonist in this film is Spencer Gilpin, played by Alex Wolff, and his avatar, Dr. Smolder Bravestone, played by Dwayne Johnson. The antagonist is Russel Van Pelt, played by Bobby Cannavale.

The plot of the movie is that Spencer and his friends get detention and have to clean up the school basement, where they find an old video game called “Jumanji.” They turn on the video game, and everyone chooses their players, and then it starts to malfunction. They end up getting sucked into the game, and each person is the character that they chose. After finding out that they are in the game, they meet a guy named Nigel Billingsly, played by Rhys Darby. This man tells the players to find the Jaguar’s Eye, climb to the top of the jaguar statue, put the eye back, and call out “Jumanji.”

Spencer and his friends realize what they have to do, but it’s dangerous. If they die three times in the game, they die in real life. So they go through each level as careful as possible until they reach a shopping center where they get ambushed. Dr. Bravestone holds his own, but they get saved by a mysterious guy who sneaks them off to be able to get to the next level. Meanwhile, Alex thinks he has only been stuck in the game for a couple of months and everyone, including him, is shocked to realize he has been there for two decades. They all make it their mission to get him back home.

This movie really keeps people hooked because the director implements comedy into dramatic scenes. Another reason why this is a solid movie is that it feels and looks as if they actually are in a video game, with the NPC dialogue and the tattoos on their wrists indicating the amount of lives they have left.

But there are some rough patches in this movie as well. To start, there were very predictable scenes and elements in the movie. They also rely on comedy throughout the movie, when some of the scenes won’t please the audience.

Overall, “Jumanji” is a fun action movie that mixes adventure and comedy well. Even with a few predictable parts, it’s still a great movie that lots of people enjoy watching even years after release.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

(Photo courtesy @MergeRecords)

By Lillian-Mae Haney – Staff Reporter

Mike Krol’s released his first album, “I Hate Jazz’ on May 11, 2011. This album is unique from other albums because of how it is presented. Unlike others, almost all of the songs are around one minute but the longest song on their is four minutes and 11 seconds. As well as this, his songs on this album are very loud, messy, and chaotic making him different from other artists.

The songs in this album are not actually about hating jazz but about but rather a rejection of being put into a specific musical scene or stereotype, as suggested by the song “Left out.” It’s about heartbreak and losing motivation. His voice is loud and powerful and it’s hard to understand his music at first, but once people start actually listening to his music, the lyrics hit hard. 

The strongest points of the album come from his energy. Krol excels at creating music that feels alive, with tracks like “Fifteen Minutes” and “Like a Star” standing out because of their punchy riffs and memorable hooks. The distorted production adds character, giving each song its own edge. Even the vocals, which are rough around the edges, fit the attitude of the album perfectly, making the listening experience feel personal. The short length of the songs keeps everything tight and prevents the album from dragging, making it feel like a nonstop burst of motion.

However, the album does have clear weak points. The heavy distortion and similar pacing across the tracks can cause some songs to blend together, making it hard for certain moments to stand out. Listeners who prefer cleaner production or more dynamic songwriting might find the album too chaotic. Some tracks end abruptly, giving the sense that his ideas weren’t fully explored. 

“I Hate Jazz” by Mike Krol has a distinctive sound that sets it apart from others of its caliber and has valuable messages laced throughout each song. If people like artists like Will Wood, Alex G, or Dazey and the Scouts, they’ll most likely love Krol.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

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By Brady O’Neil and Connor Ryan – News Editors

“Chad Powers,” which released on Hulu on September 30, is a sports/comedy series that was definitely a must-watch series. Created by Glen Powell and Michael Waldron, the show centers on Russ Holliday, a former college football star whose once-promising career ends after a major mistake and a meltdown that goes viral online The fallout sends Holliday into hiding, spending years laying low on the radar, but a surprising second chance appears when he returns to the sport in disguise as “Chad Powers,” a younger, unrecognized persona who takes the sport by storm. Under this new identity, Chad quickly becomes one of the most talked-about names in the college football world, bringing fresh energy and attention to every field he steps onto. 

The show follows Holliday’s effort to navigate life as Chad while secretly joining a new team and fighting for a starting spot on the roster. This journey forces him to remake his entire identity and routine from the ground up, earning trust from coaches and teammates who have no idea who he actually is. Through this process, the character reconnects with the sport in a way that feels more genuine than anything from his past. Glen Powell delivers a great performance by giving Russ and Chad completely different identities, being able to successfully separate the characters, truly making it seem like he is really hiding the fact from the world that he is Chad Powers. The football scenes are insanely realistic, with movement and playmaking that match actual NFL and College games. The writing blends humor with emotional depth, creating moments that feel both funny and surprisingly grounded. 

Even with all its strengths, the show does have a few weaknesses. Some of the episodes spend too much time on the main storyline revolving around Chad, which makes it seem like there’s too much attention on him. Certain side characters show real potential but don’t get the attention they deserve, leaving interesting ideas unexplored. The disguise concept, while fun and central to the show, seems exaggerated at times, and in real life he would definitely be caught.

Overall, “Chad Powers” is a great mix of sports and comedy. It can improve in some aspects, but in others it excels, and should be a definite watch for football fans.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

(Photo courtesy atwoodmagazine.com)

By Molly Lynch – Editor-In-Chief

Taylor Swift released her 12th studio album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” on October 3. This album is unique from her past albums because of its upbeat, pop-focused style with themes centered around love, identity, and the thrill of being in the spotlight. Fan reactions have been mixed, with some praising the album’s energy, catchy hooks, and sense of fun, while others find it uneven, vague, and less emotionally deep than her previous albums. 

Swift deserves praise for this album because of the risks she took and how she highlights fame, spectacle, and love in the public eye. This side of stardom has not been acknowledged in recent media, which makes this album stand out from others of its genre.

The best songs from this album are either “Opalite” or “The Fate of Ophelia.” Both of these songs are extremely catchy and have been on repeat for many since the album’s release. Behind the song’s melodic production, produced by Swift, Max Martin, and Shellback, the messages of these songs correlate with each other really well. With “The Fate of Ophelia”, Swift references the tragic Ophelia from Hamlet by using imagery of drowning in emotional mayhem, then rephrases it as being rescued by love and connection. “Opalite” is a more optimistic song about finding clarity and love. The opalite gemstone metaphor symbolizes transformation, light after darkness, and finding the right person at the right time. 

Another highlight of this album is the title track, “The Life of a Showgirl,” featuring Sabrina Carpenter. The song chronicles the showgirl persona, the glamour, as well as what goes on behind the curtains. It is a story about meeting one of your idols and informing them that you want to follow in their footsteps. This collaboration is significant because Carpenter fits perfectly into the story that the song portrays. With being a rising pop star as well as opening for The Eras Tour, Carpenter and Swift bridge the gap between the two generations for pop stardom.

“The Life of a Showgirl” has a distinctive sound that sets it apart from others of its caliber and has valuable messages laced throughout each song. 

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

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By Ronnie M. – Staff Reporter

“The Black Parade” is the third studio album by New Jersey rock band My Chemical Romance, first released on October 23, 2006, through Reprise Records. Lead singer Gerard Way came up with the idea to make it a concept album, believing that “death beckons you with one’s fondest memory.” It is centered on the story of a man suffering from terminal cancer, known as “The Patient,” and his journey into the afterlife. The album explores themes of death, memory, and reflection, using the phrase “Black Parade” as a metaphor for both the patient’s impending death and a powerful, warped memory of a childhood parade he attended with his father. “Black Parade” is the entity that leads “The Patient” through his journey into the afterlife, narrating the story of the album. This narration leads the songs to often alternate between the perspectives of “The Patient” and Death, chronicling his struggle, acceptance, and eventual journey toward the end of his life. The songs written from his perspective often explore his fear, regret, and struggle to come to terms with his situation; therefore, the lyrics are bitter and selfish. These themes were heavily amplified from the band secluding themselves within the haunted Paramour Mansion located in Los Angeles, a venue the band found to be eerie, and influenced the album’s dark tone. This creative process showed in the 2006 release of “The Black Parade,” a record known as one of the most influential albums in modern rock history. It skillfully integrates rock, pop, and punk elements with orchestral and theatrical components that redefined the boundaries of alternative rock. Each song contributes to the overarching narrative, immersing listeners in the Patient’s emotional and spiritual journey.

The opening track, “The End,” begins with the beeping of a heart monitor. The soft and meaningful lyrics mixed with an acoustic guitar begin the story of “The Patient”: “Now, come on, come all to this tragic affair,” “So gather ’round, piggies, and kiss this goodbye.” This short song is an intro into the album or the beginning of the Patient’s journey through the afterlife, reflecting on the time he has had while he was a part of the living. This transitions into the first proper song on the album, “Dead!” In it, “The Patient” receives the news of his cancer diagnosis. Despite the grim subject matter, the music and lyrics have a sarcastic and upbeat feel, using dark humor as a way to cope with the reality of death. Track three, “This Is How I Disappear,” explores themes of death, regret, and a desire to be forgotten or to fade away, and was inspired by séances — the act of contacting the dead. This shows the Patient’s attitude toward his death, the loneliness it entails. Just like track three, track four, “The Sharpest Lives,” is similar in that it showcases a different way of discussing death; however, its focus is the idea of living life without caring about the consequences of one’s actions. As the Patient looks back on his messy youth, track five, “Welcome to the Black Parade,” the album’s centerpiece, focuses on the Patient’s childhood memory before his death. The song opens up with a brief piano introduction that later transforms into a grand-scale song that incorporates many different rock elements, prominently sounding like a marching band. This starts with the memory of attending a parade with his father and remembering the advice he bestowed upon him. “He said, ‘Will you defeat them? / Your demons, and all the nonbelievers / The plans that they have made?’” This “challenge” is what he grapples with throughout the album. After this powerful anthem is “I Don’t Love You,” the album’s first power ballad, with its themes being self-explanatory, and the emotional difficulty of ending a relationship. Next, “House of Wolves” covers the Patient as he experiences the afterlife, and seemingly ends up in hell, giving solid imagery of what the Patient feels is waiting for him on the other side. This vivid imagery continues in the next track, “Cancer,” where the character comes to terms with the horrific disease, a literal death sentence, and the effects that it has left on his appearance and life. “Now turn away / ‘Cause I’m awful just to see / ‘Cause all my hair’s abandoned all my body,” “But counting down the days to go / It just ain’t living.” “Mama” is centered around the character of “Mother War,” who represents the Patient’s mother, while the Patient begs her for forgiveness for his actions throughout his life. “Sleep” is one of the slower points on the album, being the second power ballad. It is the Patient’s self-reflection and a feeling of a hellish destiny. “Teenagers” is an outlier in the story; it was made as Gerard Way’s expression of his fear for teenagers. This song could be viewed through two different lenses, one operating inside the story and one operating outside of the story. “Disenchanted” is the third and final power ballad in the album. This song presents the concept of realizing or waking up in life, truly seeing it for what it’s actually worth. “The Patient,” when nearing his death, realizes his life was spent passively waiting rather than living meaningfully. The story comes to an end with the fitting final track, “Famous Last Words,” and it is a more uplifting note, something unexpected to find at the end of this album. It is commanding and leaves the listener with redemption and hope. The lyrics are a powerful declaration of overcoming challenges. “I am not afraid to keep on living / I am not afraid to walk this world alone,” “Nothing you can say can stop me going home.” This is the end of an emotionally hard-to-write album with its dark theme.

The production on the album is amazing; it’s well-tuned and mixed. Gerard Way, the lead singer, is the one who is gifted to write all the lyrics for these songs, communicating his feelings through words that are intense and introspective. The rest of the band works together in synergy to express their own emotions through music, fusing it with Gerard’s strong vocals to make masterful songs and albums that inspire and shape younger and older audiences with spiritual music they can connect with, can relate to, so they know they are not alone and aren’t the only ones going through these intense and suffocating thoughts. The band intended the album to be a source of comfort, support, and an “anthem of a generation” for those struggling with mental health issues and personal crises. One thing My Chemical Romance wanted people to take away from this amazing listening experience is a message of hope, courage, and the triumph of the human spirit over darkness, pain, and hardship. This album is a rallying cry for finding the strength to keep living despite life’s challenges it throws in your way.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

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By Zach Hyatt – Staff Reporter 

“Black Phone 2,” released on October 17, is a horror-thriller film directed by Scott Derrickson. The main protagonists in this film are Finney Blake, played by Mason Thames, Gwen Finney’s younger sister, played by Madeleine McGraw, and the main antagonist, the Grabber, played by Ethan Hawke.

The film takes place four years after “Black Phone.” Weird things start to happen again in a small town, and kids are disappearing again. That same black phone starts to ring again, letting the new victims talk to the ghosts of the Grabber’s old victims. And together they try and help the new victim escape before they are ghosts too. The story brings back old characters from the first film to try to put the grabber away for good.

The movie follows a new group of kids who have to find a way to deal with the Grabber’s spirit and the black phone that connects them to his victims. As kids keep disappearing, the old characters come back to put the Grabber’s spirit away. The movie has suspense, fear and teamwork.

“Black Phone 2” does a good job at keeping viewers watching throughout the whole thing. The acting is strong, especially Finney and his little sister; they really make everything feel real. The scary music and dark background make the movie even creepier. It also shows that the characters from the last film are still dealing with the trauma, which gives it emotion.

Unfortunately, while the movie is solid, but it has its mistakes. Some parts feel really slow and don’t add very much to the story. It also has a lot of repetitive scenes from the first movie, which makes viewers feel like they already know what is going to happen. The ending also leaves a lot of questions unanswered. 

Overall, “Black Phone 2” is a scary movie that keeps viewers on their toes. It has several jump scares, impressive acting, and interesting twists, but some parts are a bit slow and don’t add much to the movie. 

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

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By Robert Vercellone – Staff Reporter

“Miracle” is a 2004 sports movie that takes place in Lake Placid, NY, and tells the true story of the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team. Coached by Herb Brooks, the team, made up of college players, faced off against the dominant Soviet Union team, which had won the previous four Olympic gold medals. The film captures the intense training, physically and mentally, that led to one of the most iconic upsets in sports history. 

The movie follows Brooks as he selects and trains his team. He pushes them hard to play as a team. The film leads up to the big game against the Soviets. As Brooks said, “Great moments are born from great opportunity.” This quote represents the hardships that this team went through to get to the point that they were at, and that they had an opportunity to beat them.

One of the film’s strengths is the way it tells this story to create an understanding with the audience. The actors did well, and it follows the story well and adds more while making you root for the underdog team. The hockey scenes are also a key point in this film, and they did a good job with them. In one sense, they had to skate for what seems like forever, and the movie was able to capture their emotions and mental state during this time. They captured the struggles of the hockey team and the highs very well, and  the acting was excellent.

Theres nothing really bad to say about this film. Even if viewers are not into hockey, “Miracle” can drag them in and make them want to root for the underdog USA team, and make them want to keep watching. Those who are not into hockey might not understand some scenes, and might make them lose interest, but besides that, this film was beautifully done.

Overall, “Miracle” is an inspiring and well-crafted sports movie. It’s a story about teamwork, dedication, and believing in yourself with so many memorable quotes. It’s a big part of U.S. sports history and a thrilling underdog story. 

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

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By Kaylanii Albert – Staff Reporter

“The Polar Express” is a 2004 animated film that is based off of a 1985 children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg. The movie was directed by Robert Zemeckis who is an American film director, producer, and screenwriter. The Polar Express was the first movie ever to be filmed entirely with motion capture technology. It holds the Guinness World Record as the first all-motion capture film. The train in the movie is modeled after the Pere Marquette 1225 steam locomotive, located in Owosso, Michigan.

“The Polar Express” is about a boy who questions whether he thinks Santa Claus is real or not. On Christmas Eve he boards a magical train going to the North Pole that appears outside of his house. Along the way he meets other children and they go on an adventure together to the North Pole. It challenges their beliefs and shifts their thinking of Santa Claus by the end of their trip. It explores the themes of wonder, faith, and the magic of Christmas.

The Polar Express has a very strong and interesting plot carried throughout the movie and is very well-written. For being the first movie to be entirely filmed with motion capture technology, it was very well animated. A majority of the people who watched the “Polar Express” love it and rewatch it every year for the holidays. It’s so interesting and really gets people into the holiday spirit in time for Christmas. It’s perfect for any age and some may even argue, is the best Christmas movie ever.

A few downsides is that some scenes can be a bit stiff, especially with facial expressions that don’t look exactly natural. The pacing is slow in certain scenes, which make it hard for younger kids to stay focused on the movie. The characters seem like they aren’t deeply developed in a way, so it gets tough to connect with them emotionally. The movie also has somewhat a dark tone at times, which gets unsettling for younger kids. Lastly, the ending leaves some viewers unsure whether the adventure was real or just a dream.

“The Polar Express” is a great Christmas movie fit for all ages with an interesting plot, but there are some flaws. There is always room to improve even for a great movie like “The Polar Express.”

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Edited by – TM

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By Aleah James – Staff Reporter

The Weeknd is a popular R&B artist. Born Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, he grew up in a difficult environment in Scarborough, Toronto. Abel was raised by his mother and grandmother after his Ethiopian immigrant parents separated. He dropped out of high school at age 17, left home, and began a lifestyle focusing on chasing what he desired, which was a career in music. He adopted the stage name “The Weeknd.” He decided to drop the “e” off to avoid trademark issues. His career took off after releasing his first mixtape, “House of Balloons” which received co-signs from singer Drake, which led to a record deal and international fame. 

The songs in this album are about late nights, heartbreak, and craving connection while pushing everyone away. It’s messy on purpose. His voice is soft and smooth, but the lyrics hit hard – he’s not sugarcoating anything. Songs like “Wicked Games” and “The Morning” pull you into his world where everything feels cool on the outside but kind of hollow underneath. That contrast is what makes it feel so real.

The beats go from echoey and spacey to  chaotic. It samples parts like a rock band here, a weird sound effect there – and it somehow blends into this soundtrack for anyone who’s ever stayed up too late overthinking everything.

Even now, “House of Balloons” still holds up. It shaped a whole generation of R&B artists who leaned into their emotions instead of hiding them. And it made The Weeknd a name to remember – before the Super Bowl performances, before the Grammys, and the pop hits. This was the raw beginning.

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By Joey Amaro – Staff Reporter

Drake’s 2025 single “What Did I Miss?” is the lead track to his upcoming album “Iceman.” Released at the end of his beef with fellow rapper Kendrick Lamar, the song shows Drake having mixed feelings. Questioning friendships, loyalty, and fame’s effect. Produced by Tay Keith and FNZ, the song blends R&B beats with added percussion, showing a darker, more reflective era in his music.

The theme of “What Did I Miss?” revolves around betrayal . Drake questions how his relationships changed while he was handling his fame. The repetitive lyric “What did I miss?” becomes confusing sometimes. Tone-wise, the song goes back and forth between him feeling sad and feeling tough. It shows that Drake is hurt because people he trusted let him down, but he’s also proud and confident that he’s still standing strong.

The song’s biggest strength lies in its precision. The music in the song sounds dark and serious, which matches Drake’s mixed-up feelings. The beat has deep drums and cool sounds that make it exciting to listen to. The chorus sticks in your head, but also feels a little sad. Compared to other rappers like J. Cole or Travis Scott, Drake still mixes singing and rapping really well. He shows his feelings but also sounds confident and cool.

Even though the song is powerful, it covers the same topics Drake often raps about like, betrayal, loyalty, and loneliness. Longtime fans might be hoping for a fresh point of view. Drake could make the song stronger by adding more personal details or showing deeper emotions beyond the usual themes of fame and conflict.

“What Did I Miss?” shows Drake’s lyrics and feelings, and is a relevant reflection of his state of mind.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

(Photo courtesy rottentomatoes.com)

By Ryan Woods – Staff Reporter

“Top Gun: Maverick,” which was released on May 27, 2022, is Tom Cruise’s highest-grossing film, earning $1.4 billion at the global box office. It also earned an Academy Award for Best Sound, a Critics’ Choice Movie Award for Best Cinematography, and a People’s Choice Award. 

The director of “Top Gun: Maverick” is Joseph Kosinski, and some of the main actors are Cruise as Pete Mitchell, Miles Teller as Bradley Bradshaw, Val Kilmer as Tom Kazansky, Glen Powell as Jake “Hangman” Seresin, and Jennifer Connelly as Penny Benjamin. 

The movie follows Capt. Pete Mitchell, who was one of the Navy’s best aviators, becomes a test pilot and tries his hardest not to be promoted in rank. After testing a jet and flying at Mach 9, he is brought back to the Navy to teach the best of the best to complete a near-impossible mission. But something is stopping Pete from giving his best to these students; Pete’s former wingman, “Goose,” died in a fatal crash, and Pete is now Goose’s son’s teacher. The journey is a grueling and mental and physical challenge.

There are few weak spots in this movie but the biggest is the highly predictable ending. There are also many new characters and the directors didn’t bring back any of the characters from the old movie. There are many more strong points than weak points, though, including the amazing cinematography and the nostalgia that the movie brings.

Overall, “Top Gun: Maverick” is a must-watch, inspirational movie.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars