By Isabel Sinnott

A&E Editor

Since there aren’t in person events, there can’t be dance or theatre performances, and art can’t be displayed in the hallways or shown in exhibits for people to look at. Music classes as well have struggled, as playing in ensembles is not possible in the same way in this virtual world.

Dance has continued to work similarly to in person school in that combinations are still taught during class. However, sophomore Jessica Owens said that, “It’s hard to understand the combinations because some people’s camera’s mirror. We learned a whole dance and I was doing everything opposite; using my right hand when I was supposed to be using my left.”

Instead of being able to learn the combinations in the studio with other dancers, they need to have their cameras on at their homes and learn through Google Meet. This is difficult for a number of reasons; following along with an instructor through a screen for dance is far more difficult than following in person, and not all students may have the space required to move, or the equipment that would be provided in a dance studio that is needed to be able to effectively participate in class.

Continue reading →

By Eric Porco

Staff Writer

Photo Credit: Akira Kurosawa

Seven Samurai is a story that takes place in the Sengoku period of japanese history, in a time where a cycle of conflict, formed from various civil wars, left the countryside filled with bandits and lawlessness. The story centers primarily around a small village, who learn that a group of bandits plan to come to the village to pillage their next harvest, the only food and resources the village has left. The villagers, certain of their demise otherwise, decide to attempt to fight back against the bandits. In their attempt for survival, a small group of villagers set out to find Samurai, to teach them how to defend their village. The story of Seven Samurai primarily follows the attempt of the Samurai to train and protect the village, and the final confrontation that ensues. 

Seven Samurai is a great movie that stands the test of time. Despite being released in 1954, Seven Samurai is one of the most compelling movies I have seen in recent years, surprisingly somehow being more memorable than many modern stories I have experienced. Seven Samurai is a trendsetter, pretty much inventing the “Training the peaceful villagers” trope, which I’m sure pretty much every person engaged in modern entertainment has experienced through one story or another. 

Continue reading →

By Sarah Meklir

Managing Editor

Image Source: Cinema Blend

Regardless of your stance in the debate over Die Hard’s place among holiday classics like It’s a Wonderful Life, Love Actually, and Home Alone, it is widely agreed that Die Hard is one of the strongest action movies of all time. 

Including such classic lines as, “yippee ki-yay mother******,” and, “if you’re not a part of the solution, you’re a part of the problem,” the 1988 hit is widely referenced in pop culture. Somehow, the other notable lines are even less suitable for print, but don’t let that sway you. Use your own judgement when it comes to showing this to the whole family. With intense action and fight scenes, as well as fairly prolific cursing (accompanied by an R rating), you may want to let the little kids sit this one out. 

The movie centers around John McClane (played by Bruce Willis), an officer with the NYPD, who travels to visit his wife (from whom he is currently separated) and his two children in LA for Christmas. In attempting to surprise his wife at an office Christmas party, a group of multinational criminals holds the entire building hostage while trying to steal upwards of $600 million.

Continue reading →

Alien’s Influence on the World of Science Fiction and Horror

By Marissa Yelenik

Online Editor

Image Source: https://www.alien-covenant.com

The 40th anniversary of Alien, a movie directed by Ridley Scott and starring Sigourney Weaver, came up on May 25th of 2019. This prompted a theater re-release in October of 2019, and an announcement from Disney revealing an upcoming TV show for the popular film series. 

The movie was hugely influential to the world of space horror and sci-fi movies with its terror-inducing alien, strong female lead, tense atmosphere, and the iconic scene of the chest-bursting alien. At the time, many aspects of the movie were new, causing the audience to shake in fear and listen to every chord played, attempting to hear beyond the movie itself to know when the Alien would strike. 

The monumental success, innovative ideas, and new atmosphere of this movie made it extremely influential, and the 2019 running dates of October 13th, 15th, and 16th as well as the potential TV show became an even bigger deal than before.

Continue reading →

A Mischievous— But Cuddly Christmas Story

By Melina Guth

News Editor

Image Source: rottentomatoes.com

Gremlins, a film directed by Joe Dante and written by Chris Columbus is a story about the mysterious mogwai and the destruction of a small town on Christmas Eve. During its release in 1984, the film made around $212.9 million at the box office. Nowadays, you’ll be able to watch Gremlins via rental or with a subscription to Prime Video, Sling TV, fuboTV, etc. You can also find Gremlins available online at Youtube or Google Play for a small fee.

We start off in Chinatown, where Randall Peltzer is looking for a very special Christmas gift to give to his son, Billy. I enjoyed the culture of this segment, where the viewer can enjoy not only the beautiful area of the city at night, but also the nostalgic look of everything in the 80s.

Continue reading →

By Leah Russell

Sports Editor

Image Source: The Yale Herald

If you are looking for a movie to watch this season, Daddy’s Home 2 is a great place to start. While it is not specifically a Christmas movie, it does take place during Christmas, making it a great movie to watch any time of the year, with a hint of festivity. And if you have a premium subscription on Hulu, or a spare $2.99 to rent the movie on Amazon Prime Video, prepare to laugh for all one hour and forty minutes of this film. 

Coming as a sequel to Daddy’s Home which was released in 2015, the movie continues to follow the lives of the blended families of Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, and Linda Cardellini. While adding some additional action through the characters of Mel Gibson and John Lithgow. And while it is not a necessity to watch this movie before the sequel, it is highly suggested.

Continue reading →

By Isabel Sinnot

A&E Editor

Source: https://www.viator.com

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring is a movie that can be watched countless times without becoming dull due to the epic instrumental themes and impressive cinematography, coupled with the exciting plot and strong acting. The Fellowship of the Ring is the first in a trilogy of adventure fantasy movies directed by Peter Jackson and starring Elijah Wood, Ian McKellan, Viggo Mortensen and Sean Astin, which is based on the book The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkein. The entire Lord of the Rings trilogy was nominated for 30 awards, 17 of which they won, and The Fellowship of the Ring itself won 4 out of the 13 that it was nominated for in a variety of categories, including the ones for Cinematography and Original Score. 

The Fellowship of the Ring follows Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood) as he, along with eight companions, travel across Middle-earth to destroy the One Ring, a powerful artifact that the Dark Lord Sauron wanted to use to take over Middle-earth. The movie starts out by depicting the picturesque Shire, where Frodo lives. Soon after Frodo receives the One Ring, he is forced to flee the Shire and travel with his friends Sam, Merry and Pippin to Rivendell, home of the elves, where they could be safe from the Ringwraiths, Sauron’s servants. However, once they arrive it is soon concluded that keeping the One Ring there is not safe, and it must be taken to Mount Doom, in the heart of Mordor, to be destroyed forever. Frodo becomes the Ring Bearer, tasked to carry the Ring across Middle-earth, and accompanied by 8 others, he sets off to destroy the Ring before he succumbs to its corrupting power.

Continue reading →

By Ali Ahmed

Staff Writer

Pictured above: Benjamin Gates (Nicholas Cage) with his partner, Abigail Chase (Diane Kruger)

National Treasure is a movie focused on the search for an ancient treasure in the middle east. The treasure itself is left behind through the ages until an investigator named Benjamin Gates works fervently to find clue after clue about the treasure against all odds.

A strange mixture of the Indiana Jones series and the Da Vinci Code, this movie incorporates both worlds in the mix. Unlike both movies, this movie has very mixed standings, some going to far as to call it a worse “Da Vinci Code”. Released in 2004, this Nicholas Cage starring movie grossed $347 million worldwide, in comparison to the $797 million that Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban made in that same year around the same time.

Continue reading →