Entertainment
The Adaptation of a Game to Movie : Five Nights at Freddy's Review
By Wesley Che
Editor’s Note: Views expressed in this article are
solely the author's opinions and beliefs.
If you get hired to be a security guard at a rundown Chuck E. Cheese pizzeria where all the robot animatronics are going to kill you, what would you do? To most students in this school, the Five Nights at Freddy’s franchise needs no introduction. For those unaware, this franchise spawned from an independent survival horror video game released in 2014, developed by Scott Cawthon. Thanks to online word-of-mouth and YouTube Let’s Play videos, this game where you avoid being eaten by robot animatronic animals at a family restaurant quickly rose to popularity, spawning a massive cult following, multiple sequels, toys, etc. A film adaptation of Five Nights at Freddy’s has been in the works for many years. It was finally released in theaters and on the streaming service Peacock on October 27, 2023, by Universal Pictures and Blumhouse Productions.
The film follows Mike (played by Josh Hutcherson), a disturbed man who gets a job as a security guard at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizzeria, an abandoned restaurant and family entertainment center. Mike discovers that the building contains killer animatronics possessed by deceased kidnapped children. Meanwhile, Mike has to utilize his own dreams, now intensified by being at the restaurant, in order to find the whereabouts of the person who kidnapped his own brother, Garrett, many years ago.
One aspect that I found to be commendable was the movie’s visual presentation. The set design and animatronic designs were accurate to its source material. The interior of Freddy Fazbear’s Pizzeria definitely felt like an empty shell of what it once was.
While the movie maintains a tense atmosphere throughout, what I found to be bizarre was the lack of jumpscares in the movie. Even as someone who generally is not fond of jumpscares, it’s strange that the movie barely had any, especially since the franchise is famous for its persistent use of jumpscares. This issue pertains to a much bigger problem: that the movie really isn’t that scary. While I understand that the movie was “toned down” to maintain a PG-13 rating, the scares that happened in the movie were insufferably predictable to moviegoers already familiar with the horror genre. In one scene, there was an animatronic at the end of a hallway, and in the next, it was instantly right at the screen. Scares like these might surprise casual viewers, but those who are expecting it to happen were left unmoved.
The plot of the movie was somewhat disorienting. There were moments when the movie failed to explain certain plot details. For example, without mentioning any names to avoid spoilers, the animatronics had taken a liking to one of the human characters, so they wanted to turn him into an animatronic. Is there a reason as to why that character is special? The movie failed to explain it.
Five Nights at Freddy’s is a hard movie for me to recommend. For true horror fans looking for good scares, this movie is going to be underwhelming. Those who are unfamiliar with the series will be confused and might find the movie hard to understand or enjoy. However, I am sure that fans of the franchise will definitely find this movie to be worth watching. While it is certainly not a cinematic masterpiece, it is a phenomenal game-to-movie adaptation that manages to successfully translate its source material onto the big screen.
The Unknown of What Happens After Death : The Good Place Show Review
By: Kimberly Santos
Editor’s Note: Views expressed in this article are
solely the author's opinions and beliefs.
The Netflix sitcom The Good Place, created by Michael Schur, demonstrates a unique view of what happens to a person after death. The protagonist, Eleanor Shellstrop, dies and discovers that she has made it to The Good Place, a world where “good people” go after passing away. She soon realizes she has been put into The Good Place by mistake. Despite knowing this fact, she is determined to become a better person in order to stay in this world. She navigates this conflict with the help of her soulmate, Chidi, to whom she tells the truth. This sitcom is humorous, sad, shocking, and eye-opening.
The main cast comprises six characters: Eleanor Shellstrop, Chidi Anagonye, Tahani Al-Jamil, Jason Mendoza, Michael, and Janet. The four protagonists: Eleanor, Chidi, Tahani, and Jason, all reside in The Good Place. Michael is the architect of this world after death. He helps the humans navigate The Good Place with the help of his assistant, Janet.
In a twist of events, the revelation is made early on that Eleanor is not the person the rest of the characters believe she is. The twist creates fear and guilt within her, causing her to tell her soulmate, Chidi, that she has been put into The Good Place by mistake. Chidi feels compelled to tell Michael the truth because he studied ethics during his lifetime and was a moral philosophy professor. However, Eleanor convinces him to teach her how to be a good person and earn her spot in The Good Place. Subsequently, Eleanor and Chidi work together to ensure that Michael and The Good Place inhabitants do not find out about her true identity. Both Eleanor and Chidi face numerous obstacles that are suspected to be due to Eleanor’s presence in a world she does not belong to.
Throughout the series, there are many sad and comedic moments. The shocking plot twist established in the first season sets the precedent for the rest of the show. The sitcom is unique because of its dark themes presented in a comedic light, making it stand out in comparison to other shows.
I would recommend The Good Place to everyone because it covers a complex topic; death. It is a topic that pertains to all of society, bringing forth many existential questions. The show has a lot of humor, which makes it more enjoyable to watch. Additionally, I enjoy the bond between the six main characters because it makes the show more intimate and interesting, especially when one is able to witness their friendship grow throughout the seasons. Specifically, The Good Place articulates the theme of death in a comedic, yet beautiful manner through the use of interesting characters.
In particular, Bayside High School senior Tatiana Montero commented, “What I like the most about The Good Place is the jokes. The theme of the show is dark and existential but its comedy uses this to its advantage. The fast-paced and witty humor is entertaining, but it also makes you question yourself and life in general. The show is more than a simplistic comedy because it sheds light on some hard-hitting questions, such as 'what makes a person inherently good'?”
Overall, The Good Place is an authentic show that all types of people can enjoy because of its humor, sadness, shock-factor, and beautiful moments. The show is definitely worth binging because it questions the real meaning of goodness within people and how one can improve, as well as, life lessons and existence after death.
Synchronicity of Chaos - The Fall of the House of Usher Review
By Afra Noor
Editor’s Note: Views expressed in this article are
solely the author's opinions and beliefs
“I must abandon life and reason together, in some struggle with the grim phantasm, fear.” - an excerpt from Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Fall of the House of Usher”.
Poe’s 1839 masterpiece has been loosely adapted into the Netflix series, The Fall of the House of Usher. Directed by Mike Flanagan and Michael Fimognari, this dramatic phenomenon revives Poe’s gothic storytelling in modern times. The show comprises eight episodes, each remastering one of Poe’s short stories. The series is opened by Roderick Usher, the protagonist, at his childhood home. He is in the room with Auguste Dupin, a U.S. attorney determined to expose the Usher family’s crimes.
Roderick Usher is the CEO of Fortunato Pharmaceuticals, a corrupt and deceptive company accused of advertising an addictive drug, Ligodone. Usher is presented as an intellectual yet mysterious protagonist. He had six children from five mothers, two of whom were born to the same mother, Annabel Lee. Shockingly, in two weeks, all six of his children are pronounced dead, spurring an uproar among the rest of the Usher family. Consequently, each episode deciphers the events leading up to the death of the heirs and reveals the recurrent theme behind the atrocities.
Madeline Usher, Roderick’s twin sister, and COO of Fortunato Pharmaceuticals, is an ambitious and technological woman. Despite Roderick having the spotlight, Madeline is the brains of Fortunato, ensuring that their reputation remains superior and unflawed. But this does not last long as Fortunato is thrown under the bus when attorney Dupin files a case.
The show essentially follows two timelines: one in which Roderick and Madeline’s upcoming wealth is highlighted in the 1980s, and the second portrays how the deaths of the heirs play out. Well, why are they dying? The show highlights Dupin's proposal in Fortunato’s trial that there is an informant in the Usher family, briefing him of Fortunato’s transgressions.
Perhaps it is Frederick Usher, the natural heir to Fortunato, who is looked down upon due to his fused insecurity. Tamerlane Usher is the insomniac who persistently yearns for her father’s honor. There’s also Napoleon (Leo), the only Usher who isn’t as determined to be the heir of Fortunato.
“Most of the siblings at some point come to him for something. That’s probably because he isn’t as much of a threat to them as the others are,” says Kohli, the actor for Leo Usher.
Of course, there is always one fellow who wants in on any confidential matter available. In this case, it’s Camille who runs the public relations for the family. Kate Siegel, who plays the role, reveals in a Netflix interview, “She loathes human emotion in any way, shape, or form and thinks weakness is probably the most embarrassing thing that could happen to a person.”
Finally, Prospero (Perry) Usher is the youngest in the family who indulges in the prosperity and glamor of the Usher life. This soon results in mayhem when his attempts to earn Roderick’s trust colossally fail.
Essentially, all the characters presented in the series are flawed in one way or another. However, this stimulates chaos in the Usher family, which propels the anticipation of each episode. Particularly, Tamerlane’s death scene was one of the most captivating parts of the show for me. The mirror shown in the scene directly reflects her envy for being unable to develop emotional connections, hence driving her to her eventual death. Her last scene was notably distinct compared to the other heirs since it showed her realization of the demise she brought upon herself.
Nonetheless, The Fall of the House of Usher is unquestionably a worthwhile watch. I would recommend this show to those who enjoy grotesquely mysterious shows. Considering the use of various allegories as well as parallels to Poe’s works, the series is exquisitely composed to fit contemporary times, thus allowing it to be suitable for a wide range of audiences.
