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F1 The Movie
F1 The Movie
Isha Nair
“If you no longer go for a gap that exists, you're no longer a racing driver.” This is an iconic quote from Aryton Senna, one of the most famous racecar drivers in the history of F1 — a sport that has recently grown in popularity ever since the release of the summer blockbuster F1 The Movie. Starring Brad Pitt and Damson Idris, this box office success follows the life of Sonny Hayes. A retired F1 driver ruined by a disastrous crash during his once legendary career, Hayes is offered a unique opportunity to return to the sport thirty years later, and joins his close friend’s newly born team: APXGP. However, if APXGP is to succeed, Hayes must not only work to get back in touch with what was once his life’s passion, but he must also cooperate with arrogant hotshot rookie driver Joshua Pearce. Throughout the movie, viewers are not only able to see Hayes’s own journey towards building his life back up once again, but they are exposed to the unique relationship he has with Pearce. An action-driven yet heartwarming film, F1 the Movie has it all.
As a fan of F1 for a good number of years now, I would definitely agree that the movie was enjoyable. There was no part of the movie where nothing was going on. The plot was not only well-developed, but it held in-depth lessons and values that I think are definitely important to recognize. I especially liked how the movie showed an important side to Formula One — despite it being an individual sport, the success of a driver comes from their team. This film especially showed this team dynamic and how all F1 teams come a long way with time. In fact, I also think it is also relatable at this time especially, as, in the upcoming F1 season, a new team is being introduced: Cadillac.
This being said, I would agree that the movie did have some unrealistic aspects. For example, in the real sport of F1, safety and rule violations like those made by Hayes in the movie are extremely against standards. Under normal circumstances, they are investigated deeply by the FIA (which stands for the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile), and this is also a big factor in the outcome of many real races, too! In fact, there is also a lot more strategy that goes into team decisions and building, which is largely simplified in the movie. However, I do think that this simply makes F1 itself a lot more enjoyable for fans of the movie who also may not actually watch the sport.
I would give this film a 4 out of 5, but I would definitely recommend it to both fans of F1 and those who have a slight interest in it. For any F1 fans, make sure to catch the last race of the season in Abu Dhabi — the race that determines the driver crowned as world champion of 2025.
The Summer I Turned Pretty: A Global Phenomenon
The Summer I Turned Pretty: A Global Phenomenon
Isha Nair
Garnering 25 million global views this summer, The Summer I Turned Pretty’s third and final season was so popular that it hit Prime Video’s spot for fifth most-streamed returning season. Based on Jenny Han’s original book series, the show follows main character Isabel “Belly” Conklin as she navigates a complicated love triangle with brothers Conrad and Jeremiah Fisher — and her story starts with the former. For Belly, it was always Conrad; he was her first love, the one she faced “like [he was] the only boy in the world,” as Conrad and Jeremiah’s mother says. Then, after that momentous “summer,” the feelings she once thought unrequited are finally returned. However, a tragic event rips the two of them apart, and Conrad begins pushing Belly away. As soon as Belly thinks that she’s found love, she must face the pain of heartbreak instead — at least, until another Fisher brother enters the picture.
Jeremiah’s unyielding support towards Belly proves him more than just a best friend when he helps her move past the breakup, and Belly’s growing feelings for him allow her to see him in a different light. When this leads to their own relationship, Belly and Jeremiah become so serious that they’re soon ready to take it a step further. Despite only being college students, Belly is willing to put everything into a marriage to Jeremiah, and their engagement becomes the premise of the third season/book, We’ll Always Have Summer. With wedding plans underway, Belly starts to look toward a future with Jeremiah and feels that she has finally moved on from Conrad — and everything they once had together.
However, when a reunion with the other Fisher brother after years apart upends her heart, love has other plans…
This enthralling third season of The Summer I Turned Pretty had many viewers on the edge of their seats as Belly must make her final choice in love, and I was definitely one of them. I was long awaiting this culmination of the show, and it did not disappoint. Although I was following the show as it went, I highly recommend it for all those looking for a bingeable show. The characters are not only highly relatable, but viewers became so involved in the show that sides of “Team Conrad” and “Team Jeremiah” emerged among them. I, for one, always was and forever will be Team Conrad, and I think that he was the one who always loved Belly — even before the summer she “turned pretty.” However, whichever brother you like, this national sensation is perfect for all fans of heartfelt, coming-of-age romantic dramas. In my opinion, The Summer I Turned Pretty — and its groundbreaking finale — receives ten out of ten stars.
Image Credits: amazonmgmstudios.com
Restaurant Review: Ember And Eagle
Restaurant Review: Ember And Eagle
Elizabeth Koo
Located within the Suneagles Golf Club, Ember and Eagle is a high-quality steakhouse complete with a gourmet menu. The main dining room boasts a glamorous ambiance, thanks to its interior designer, with plants hanging from the ceiling beams and chandeliers adorned with crystal-shaped bulbs. Our table had an excellent view of the golf course below, and I even got to watch a couple of unlucky golfers chip their golf balls into the pond while we waited for our food to arrive.
We ordered two appetizers: the Japanese Hamachi and the grilled octopus. Although seafood would not be my first pick regularly, both dishes pleasantly surprised me. The octopus was very tender, but my favorite part of the appetizer was the small tater-tot-esque chickpea panisses. They had a creamy and melt-in-your-mouth texture, which sparked a small argument within my family over whether it was cheese or not (we had to ask the waiter what it was). The Hamachi was my favorite dish of the night. It was a small roll of fish dressed with some greens and a grapefruit concoction; the quality of the fish was extremely fresh, and the grapefruit complemented the fish well. My main course was the ricotta gnocchi. I did not enjoy this dish as much as the starters because it was heavy and too cheesy for my liking. However, if you enjoy cheese, this dish may be more suitable for you.
Overall, my dining experience was quite pleasant, and I would recommend Ember and Eagle to any foodies looking for a semi-formal, sit-down dinner.
Image Credits: emberandeagle.com
One of Us Is Lying: Book vs TV Show
Aira Jain
One of Us Is Lying, the book by Karen M. McManus, as well as the TV show both begin when something unexpected happens while five students—Bronwyn, Nate, Addy, Cooper, and Simon— are stuck in detention. While the plot starts the same way, the book and TV show tell it very differently. In the book, each of the main characters alternates narrating chapters, so readers get to see Bronwyn’s drive for perfection, Nate’s struggles, Addy’s search for confidence, and Cooper’s pressure to keep up his image. The book focuses on their emotions and how they deal with suspicion, friendship, and the challenges of high school, creating a slow-building mystery that draws readers into their secrets and relationships.
Although the TV show keeps the same main storyline, it adds more modern details, drama, and emotion. It expands on the connections between Bronwyn, Nate, Addy, and Cooper, showing their friendships and romances more deeply. The show also gives more screen time to supporting characters like Janae and Vanessa, giving less focus to the main characters. While the book focuses on inner thoughts and the process of solving the mystery, the show emphasizes suspense, tension, and the characters’ reactions as events unfold. Both versions explore truth, trust, and the danger of rumors, but the book feels more personal and introspective, while the show is faster-paced and filled with high-stakes drama.
Personally, I preferred the book because I enjoyed being inside the characters’ heads and understanding their motivations and emotions. For example, Bronwyn’s perfectionism and the pressure Cooper feels to maintain his image felt very real and relatable. I also liked how the alternating perspectives slowly revealed secrets, making the mystery feel more layered and satisfying. Besides that, reading the book first developed an image of what I thought the characters looked like; however, while watching the show, their appearances were much different from what I had thought. While the TV show was exciting and full of suspense, the book’s focus on the characters’ inner lives made the story feel deeper and more engaging for me.
Image credits: rottentomatoes.com
Two Can Keep a Secret
Two Can Keep a Secret
Polina Lazebnik
Secrets, mystery, and uncertainty, you never know who to trust; everyone is a suspect in this one. Karen M. McManus’s Two Can Keep A Secret If One Is Dead is a thriller mystery fiction book, narrated by two innocent kids who are trying to live their normal lives in Echo Ridge, but their fate turns out differently. Ellery and Malcolm are two kids from completely different families, living two separate lives.
Ellery moves into Echo Ridge with her twin brother Ezra, and on their first night, the terror begins. Echo Ridge has always been an eerie, haunted place known for murders and Mysteries. Malcolm meets Ezra later in the book, and they find something in common. They both are like text detectives; they love solving murder mysteries. When one of their friends goes missing, they really know that something is wrong and messed up. After weeks of searching for their friend, they realize she's dead. Now, this isn't the first death in Echo Ridge. Ellery's aunt, the homecoming queen, and tons of death threats to come. Nobody can be trusted; everybody is a suspect. After months of trying to crack the case, Ellery and Ezra have finally made it to the end. But they didn't realize that making it to the end means the end of all this misery.
This book by Karen M McManus is most suited for teens around the age of 12 and up, and anyone who loves thrill seeking and edge-of-your-seat mysteries would enjoy this book very much. Ellery and Malcolm, two kids with very few friends, finally crack the case after years of unsolved mysteries. The way the book travels through the journey with Ellery and Malcolm is truly mind-catching and really a wonderful read. Personally, this is one of my favorites, and I wish I could read this amazing book again. I never liked to read when I was younger, but then I realized most people don’t like reading because they can’t find an enjoyable book. This book made me want to keep on reading, no matter where I was. Our library has this edge-of-your-seat book waiting for you to travel through this intense mystery with Ellery and Malcolm!
Image Credits: goodreads.com
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