ENTERTAINMENT

Movie Reviews

Time to Turn Pretty

by Sydney Goldman

The Summer I Turned Pretty is watched worldwide, and millions watch it. The director is Jenny Han, and the studio is Amazon Studios. It is based on a book, and there are three books. I have read all the books, and the first season was better than the second, but the second book was way better. The second season was nothing like the book and added its part, which made it uninteresting. I wanted it to be a perfect, lovely life with some drama, just like the book. The first season made me happy; it was perfect and met my expectations. The second season made it a bit lower, but still, everything was good overall.

The movie is based on Isabella Conklin, but people call her Belly. Her brother is Steven, and their parents are divorced. Belly's mom and two kids visit her best friend's beach house at Cousin Beach every summer. Jeremiah and Conrad live in the beach house, and Belly is boy-crazy. She doesn't know which boy she likes better, and she is stuck in a challenging decision with both of the love of her life. The plot is very original, stuck with two boys and hard choices. Most love and teen romances have this, but this plot adds more drama than most. It's a surprise every episode. This is very well written; it's a mix of all themes, and if you are looking for a good book or show, watch this. The plot is real, realistic, and live-action, so it's believable. Belly constantly fights over the identical boys and keeps changing her mind on both. At the end of chapter two, she finally chooses one brother to be with.

When Belly and Jeremiah go to the beach for the first time that summer, Belly claims she doesn't want to race. When Jeremiah asks her to, she quickly tricks him, and Sheet starts running to play and have fun in the ocean. This stood out because Belly played it off smoothly, and I didn't see it coming. I don't think any of the viewers did, either. Jeremiah played the role of being surprised, and it looked natural, so I believed, and other people did, too. When Belly and Jeremiah go to the beach for the first time that summer, Belly claims she doesn't want to race. When Jeremiah asks her to, she quickly tricks him, and Sheet starts running to play and have fun in the ocean. This stood out because Belly played it off smoothly, and I didn't see it coming. I don't think any of the viewers did, either. Jeremiah played the role of being surprised, and it looked natural, so I believed, and I think other people did, too.

The director did a great job overall with the emotions and drama of the scenes. I think a memorable moment in the show was when Susanna and Laurel sat on the beach and talked about how Susanna's cancer came back. Still, Susanna didn't want to go through treatment again, so she told Laurel she wanted one last perfect summer with everyone. The transitions help me understand the show; when one scene is happening, it transitions to another scene, and I know what's happening more.

Jenny Han composed 150 songs! This must have taken years to make here. They are making a season 3, creating new songs and soundtracks to listen to on your own or the TV. The soundtrack enhances the film sometimes in key moments of the show. There were many times when key music was playing in the show, but one that stuck out was when Belly got broken up from her prom by Conrad, and she was heartbroken. The show started playing sad songs while she was getting broken up and crying. The soundtrack is very summer-themed; it makes the show's vibe pop out to be summer. The soundtrack will always be memorable; this is your vibe and music if you want summer songs or something to chill in.

People who like summer, fun, and dramas about the same thing or individuals would like this show a lot. People 11 and up should watch the show. Most people who watch this are females, but any gender can watch it. If you are looking for a show to watch or just anything to do, The Summer I Turned Pretty is for you!

Be Free From Boredom and Watch Wolfs

By Layla Silvera

Are you bored watching the same show? How about watching Wolfs? Wolf is a great movie. It is directed by Jon Watts and is a phenomenal production. This is an original production, and I hope they make Wolfs 2. I have never seen a production by this director, but he did a great job. Also, my expectations were high. This movie excited me, and I wanted to learn more about it. The movie is about Margaret's man and Pam's man; their job is cleaning up dead bodies. This kid went home with this woman named Margaret. They went to Margaret's apartment together, and the kid jumped on the bed, falling off and through a glass table. Margret calls fixer number 1; Margret's man cleans up the dead body. Then fixer number 2, Pam's man, comes in, and both fixers are very confused. The manager of the hotel sends fixer number 2. Margret sent fixer number 1. They are forced to work together by the manager, and after much arguing, they finally agree. The rest is for you to find out when you watch the movie.

When I watched this movie and got to the end, I realized it was an original ending, which isn't bad but not the most creative way to end a movie. Also, the dialogue was great, and they made me believe they were fixers. It also has a consistent message and never makes me bored for a second. The acting was great; it kept the same mode the entire time, which, in my opinion, is good. Nothing stood out to me because everything was excellent. The characters were all amazing actors. I have seen Brad Pitt in other movies, but none are this great. I love how they put the action and comedy to make it funny, so it is a good mix. The acting was superb. It kept the same mode the entire time, which is good. Nothing stood out to me because everything was excellent. The characters were all amazing actors. I have seen Brad Pitt in other movies, but none are this great. I love how they put the action and comedy to make it funny, so it is a good mix. The director did a good job, and no parts bore me. The cinematographer was Larkin Seiple. The fighting looked very real, which is good because there is a lot of fighting in the movie, which makes it exciting.

A very memorable sequence is when there was a big gunshot moment, and you would have to get many good shots, which was terrific. They also used some special effects in it, but not a lot. The special effects looked very real. Also, the editing was outstanding. They captured every moment and didn't miss a beat. The editing was incredible. The person who did the music was Theodore Shapiro, and the music was terrific. He hasn't worked on many movies, but I bet they were perfect. The soundtrack comes in at ideal timing and enhances the movie perfectly. The soundtrack is good and is memorable. This movie is fantastic, and you should watch it. The movie stars men, but there are some women in the movie, too. If you like this film, you will probably enjoy The Instigators and Killer Heat, as Bad Monkey and Blink twice. This movie is excellent, and I hope you like it. I give this movie four stars.

The Prince of Egypt

By David Rad

The Prince of Egypt is a 1998 American film based on Moses's famous story. Brenda Chapman, Steve Hickner, and Simon Wells directed the film.

The studio that made this film is Dreamworks, by which The Prince of Egypt was one of its first movies. The film itself is a reenactment of the well-known story of Moses and how he freed the Hebrews from bondage. I had high expectations for the movie as it's based on my favorite biblical tale. The movie was made by Dreamworks, the creator of some of the most popular animated films. Most of their movies had high expectations from me, and most were pretty good, such as Shrek, Kung Fu Panda, Madagascar, How to Train Your Dragon, and my all-time favorite, Shrek 2. The Prince of Egypt exceeded my high expectations by a lot. It perfectly replicated the story of Moses.

The film is about the Hebrews, who were held in slavery by the Egyptians for hundreds of years and were persecuted and neglected. It clearly shows that the Hebrews needed a land to live in and prosper. The film is set during the 19th dynasty of Egypt. It took place in numerous areas, such as the Sinai Peninsula, and the city it took place in was likely Memphis and Ramses. The film's basic concept is that you should never mock or underestimate the utter power of God.

The plot is not 100% original because it is based on the Bible, Torah, and Quran, but it is acceptable because it tries to teach the story of Moses. The film also has some more original aspects, like the song during the Ten Plagues.

The plot is exciting and varied, with many twists and turns throughout the movie, which I enjoy. The film is also well-written, and the rich dialogue shows authenticity, which I appreciate. It is emotional, sad, and, most importantly, enjoyable.

The performance that stood out and made me enjoy the movie is Ramses. Ralph Fiennes was a great pick and demonstrated his power, might, and strength against the Hebrews. The scene involving his role in the Ten Plagues made me enjoy his character much more as he was rebellious, and the way he talked was compelling. His voice is what a leader like Ramses would sound like; his energy was preserved throughout the film, which I immensely enjoyed. His character had a voice that made him stand out, and he is one of my favorite characters in the film. What I specifically like about his character is that he made me angry throughout the movie since he was defiant and rebellious. He would never give up, which is what I enjoy so much about him. Moses, voiced by Val Kilmer, was another performance that attracted my attention. Similar to Ramses, he did not give up and stopped fighting for his people, and he showed power and strength. Also, his actions and empathy demonstrated the values of a good leader. He did not leave anyone behind and was always willing to save people. One dialogue that amazed me was "Ramesses, let my people go!" towards the end, which showed power, durability, and authority qualities.

The final scene, where he takes the Torah on the mountain, also amazed me. It was indeed a beautiful and well-made scene. Overall, the film's cinematography looks good. The 2D effects match the film well, and the 3D effects suit the film well and look good. The edits also look good.

The soundtrack was composed by Hans Zimmer, who did an excellent job. Hans Zimmer has worked on some popular films, notably The Lion King, the Pirates of The Caribbean franchise, Inception, and Interstellar, all great movies. The soundtrack that Hans Zimmer composed was one of the most significant parts of the film and enhanced the emotions and feelings of the story. Some of the best soundtracks of the film are "Deliver Us, The Ten Plagues, and The Burning Bush. Some significant events where music was performed throughout the scene were the opening scene with the Hebrews chanting "Deliver Us" and The Ten Plagues. The soundtrack felt emotional, and it always managed to fit the scene very well, as it demonstrated a more proper way to include sounds without the soundtrack distracting the viewer from the actual scene. The soundtrack is also very original and has a style I have never heard of before. The soundtrack is distinctive because it matches the scenery, which suits the overall film well. It matches, and the soundtrack also gives you a holy feeling. It uses ancient instruments such as Bouzoukis, doumbek, and ouds, all of which mold the story's emotions. It is also not similar to other films' soundtracks and is much more distinct. Overall, the soundtrack is delightful and memorable.

The most optimal audience for this movie is individuals who are particularly interested in history and religion and people who want a simple and clear understanding of the Hebrew exodus from Egypt. Anyone over four years old should watch this movie, although this depends on their fears or discomforts. I am over four years old because my family has watched this movie every Passover since I was a baby. I also believe any gender will enjoy this movie. A film people might like is Joseph The King of Dreams, as it is another biblical movie by Dreamworks. Now, the real question is whether you should watch it, and my answer is that you should watch it because it will educate you about the biblical story of Moses and the freedom of the Hebrews.

Terrifier 3

By Briyanna White

Terrifier 3. It was made in 2024 and directed by Damion Leone. Starring Lauren Lavera, David Howard Thompson, and Antonella Rose. The genre is horror/crime. It's a fantastic art piece by Damion Leone. This is the third movie out of this movie, and it was exactly what I expected, plus more. The story behind it and the physical effects were spot on to my expectations.

A couple of days leading up to Christmas, Sienna Shaw (Lauren LaVera) tries to rebuild her life while pursued by Art The Clown (David Howard Thompson) with his accomplice Victoria Heyes (Samantha Scaffidi). The film set was located in Miles County, New York. The concept Is very unexpected and original and keeps you on your toes. The dialogue brings so much character to the show, just a few words. With art having no words in all the movies says so much rather than him saying anything. The consistent theme of all the Terrifiers' is mostly trauma bonding. Misery loves company is the one phrase this movie reminds me of.

All of these performances have a unique kick. A popular scene in this movie is when Art the Clown goes to see Santa for Christmas. Many people have realized that art has feelings and expresses them differently. His character is consistent and believable in every scene.

Another performance was with Victoria Hayes, Sienna's sister in the movie. She was possessed by Art and now was his host for a demon. She missed her old self, which was very heavy and heartwarming for the audience because she just wanted to be herself again.

Damion Leone (the director) helped the movie series incredibly. His creativity is unmatched and something to be talked about and remembered. The special effects are amazing, especially regarding the gore parts. The work they put into the makeup and impact is shown in the movie. Another perfectly executed pro to this movie is the transitions. If they need to travel back in time, they pick the perfect times and how to do it.

Paul Wiley composed the soundtrack for this movie. He is a famous composer and a guitarist. He has worked on all three Terrifier movies, including many others. The soundtrack adds suspense and tension to the movie and keeps you wanting more of what's happening. The sound is original and made from scratch by Paul Wiley. The ideal audience would be for the more mature people. My specific age range would be 12+, with parents' consent. There are no gender restrictions; it is better to see that it is unisex and neutral. If you are Terrifier, I recommend " 31" and " Freddy Kruger " because they are similar. I strongly recommend not only this movie but all 3 in general. They are very hard-working movies, and it shows. I will give it credit. It's a 5-star movie.

Culture

Can Graffiti Ever Be Considered Art

By Ashton Amirianfar

Graffiti is an art style in busy cities and rural, abandoned areas. People do Graffiti as a hobby, to express themselves, and for fun. Graffiti is illegal if not done in an area the artist has permission to do. Graffiti is usually done with spray paint, but some artists use mops (a marker specifically made for tagging/graffiti, or the artist uses regular markers.

Most law enforcement considers graffiti illegal because graffiti artists paint on people's property without permission. The most common type of graffiti is tagging when the artist leaves a visual signature. Tagging is also the oldest type of graffiti. The first forms of tagging were seen hundreds of years ago. The Romans and Greeks started writing their names and other things on buildings.

There are also more types of graffiti, like bubble letters, wildstyle, blockbusters, etc. Bubble letters are popular; you can tell what they are by their name. Bubble letters are graffiti that looks kind of like a bubble. Graffiti is prevalent in sewer rivers, like the La River and highways. In conclusion, I think that graffiti is a very cool and fun form of art.

Mitski at the Hollywood Bowl

By Mazu Rakhsha

On September 28th, Mitski–the softspoken singer of melancholy hits such as Nobody and gentler ballads of longing, like My Love is Mine All Mine–performed for us at the Hollywood Bowl. Her new album, The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We, mirrors her previous efforts in emotional depth and haunting quality. Still, it feels in some senses mellower, with a rosier point of view than the albums she has formerly produced. At the Bowl, Mitski showcased some of her greatest hits and newer melodies with visual elements that, though simple, were highly evocative. If there is one thing Mitski is a master at, it evokes the most profound emotions at what feels like the drop of a hat.

The crowds were, from the beginning, quiet and understandably so. Mitski’s voice and melodies are often hushed, but her lyricism is also highly raw and poetic, taking a certain degree of sensitivity to fully process, physically or emotionally. She has been known to use abstract language and extended metaphors, such as in her song A Pearl, where she uses a “pearl” to represent painful memories of a past love. She continues to cling to this pearl because, despite its taintedness, she perceives it as beautiful. Heavier songs like these are challenging to grasp amidst a screaming crowd fully. Still, in the quieter atmosphere at the Bowl, and with Mitski’s expressive acting, vocalization, and choreography, the songs came to life, far transcending their recorded capacity.

Mitski’s choreography also added depth to the overall performance. Unlike her lyrics, her choreography very literally conveyed the sensations in her music, balancing out the figurative nature of her lyrics and providing us with strong imagery. For example, in her song, I Bet On Losing Dogs, where she possibly likens voluntarily remaining attached to situations that will prove detrimental to her, she does not merely dance–she pretends to be a dog. A losing dog. And somehow, her surprisingly skillful portrayal of a wide-eyed pup with everlasting hope in an unfortunate situation was just raw and shocking enough to personify the song’s melancholic qualities.

Her performance transcended her recorded work, highlighting her artistry through choreographic choices and meticulous emotional execution, adding depth to her lyricism. If you still need to get the chance to give The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We a listen, her beautifully performed hits My Love Is Mine, All Mine and Star are a good place to start.

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