Embedded Files
Movie Review:
Mufasa
Movie Review:
Mufasa
by Jack Eva
Movie Review- Mufasa: The Lion King
Disney’s Mufasa: The Lion King is a prequel exploring the early life of Mufasa. The movie has performed well at the box office, grossing over $476 million globally in its opening weekend at the box office. The tale delves into the backstory of Mufasa and his brother Taka (later known as Scar) through Rafiki’s perspective.
The movie is an ambitious attempt to revisit a classic that is already deeply rooted in iconic Disney Lore, as it expands on characters that we thought we knew. The film's stunning visuals and returning humor from Timon and Pumbaa will delight fans, as it feels reminiscent of previous movies of the franchise. The movie is certainly worth a watch for all Disney fans, but especially those who are familiar with the previous movie adaptations.
While Simba and Nala leave Pride Rock, they entrust their daughter Kiara to Rafiki, Timon, and Pumbaa. During a storm, Kiara confesses her fear and lack of courage, prompting Rafiki to tell her how even Mufasa once struggled with fear. As a cub, Mufasa was separated from his parents during a flood and rescued by Taka, though their father, the king, rejected Mufasa and sent him to live with the lionesses. There, Mufasa learned to hunt and understand the world around him. Later, Mufasa courageously defended a lioness from an attacking pride while Taka fled, earning the king’s gratitude but also his disappointment in Taka. Both brothers were sent away, embarking on a journey to find the mythical land of Milele. Along the way, Taka’s jealousy grew, leading him to betray Mufasa and put him in danger. Mufasa survived, confronted Taka, and marked his betrayal by calling him Scar. Ultimately, Mufasa’s bravery and selflessness earned him the respect of the animals, making him the rightful king.
Squid Game Review
by Luke Lamar
Netflix's “Squid Game” released season two in late December, and it has made incredible headway, hitting 126.2 million views in just 11 days, faster than any Netflix series ever. A series of trials among 456 indebted players who participate in Korean childhood games have nothing to lose but the ultimate price to pay.
After winning the game 3 years prior, and gaining a fortune that would last a lifetime, Seong Gi-Hun reflects on all that he lost during his first games, including the death of his childhood best friend Sang-Woo, and newly befriended Sae-Byeok. Although Gi-Hun willingly decided to participate in the game, he was unaware that he would be gambling with his life along with 455 others. When the reality of the games was revealed, he was infuriated.
These emotions in season 1 set the vengeful tone for season two, where Gi-Hun returns to the games after trying to find a way back in for three years and plans to stop them for good. The most anticipated events for season two have been revealed, which are new games. Watchers have been expecting season two since it was officially announced in December 2024, with most asking the same question, “What new games will we see?” Now, that question has found its answer at last. Two new games have been featured, A FIve-Legged Pentathlon, and Mingle.
These new games have generated an abundance of excitement around the new season, and have left viewers yearning for more. This action-packed, back-stabbing season is truly one for the record books, leaving fans on the edge of their seats as they await part two, scheduled to release June 27, 2025.
SZA Drops New Album 'Lana'
SZA Drops New Album 'Lana'
by Kaitlyn Baio
The famously known artist SZA, released her third studio album titled “Lana,” inspired by a nickname she was given during childhood. The artist released 15 tracks on the new album, including songs from her past album “SOS,” or singles from the past year including her popular single “Saturn,” which was released in the spring of 2024. As SZA has elaborated on in recent interviews, “Lana” is the extension of her sophomore album “SOS,” including new original songs and features with big artists such as Kendrick Lamar. As a perfectionist, SZA delayed the release of her album until it was perfect in her eyes, making the anticipation for the album even higher.
SZA skyrocketed to mainstream listening years ago, and has since secured her spot as a dominant music icon with the release of “Lana”. After the huge success of her last album “SOS”, which stayed number one on the Billboard top 200 for 11 weeks, her newest album is nothing short of her success record, with different songs from the album flying up the charts within weeks of its release. Sticking to her OG ways, the album includes an R&B sound with multiple hits, including styles such as pop and electro-ballad. The album explores themes of love, self-discovery, and vulnerability, which follows in line with her classic style. “Lana” has a moody late-night vibe to the album, made with the help of a variety of different musicians, producers, and instruments to help solidify her original sound. SZA switched up the vibes throughout this album, including sounds of Hip-pop with “What do I do”, and slowing it down with the song “Kitchen,”which is the perfect slow-jam song. Focusing down on the main themes of this album, “Lana” reflects the healing side of heartbreak, as she doesn’t step down into the self-doubtful and anxious tendencies shown in her previous albums. Instead, she stands firm in her growth as she focuses on themes of clarity and reassurance that it will all be okay, even when it is out of her control.
The 15 new tracks reflect feelings of freedom, and becoming the best version of yourself. In the short time since its release in late December, the album has been getting lots of love from her loyal fans, and new fans just getting into her music. Her fans are loving the raw emotions, and how relatable the album is. The production of the album is deeply thought out, with a whimsical woodsy vibe to it. Whether or not you are a die hard fan of SZA or have never heard of her before, the album is a great listen for all people.
Binge-Worthy Netflix Series
Binge-Worthy Netflix Series
by Elise Moughaizel
If you are looking for a good TV show to watch, one of the top 3 Netflix shows to watch is Stranger Things. Stranger Things is a Sci-fi show. It takes place in the 80s in a small town called Hawkings, Indiana. It's about a young boy who vanishes randomly out of his town. With this unsolved mystery, the townspeople try to figure out what happened to him while dealing with experiments and scary supernatural forces. Stranger Things features actor Millie Bobby Brown. Stranger Things was her first Netflix role and her acting career has skyrocketed ever since. Stranger Things has 4 seasons so far and has over 1.838 billion views since the last season came out.
Another popular binge worthy TV show is Bridgerton. Bridgerton was set in London in the early 19th century specifically around 1813. Bridgerton is based on a family with eight siblings who attempt to find love in England. Bridgerton is ranked one of the top 10 tv shows on Netflix. This show displays a high scandalous love scheme between a family and a high society town in London. So far, the show has two seasons and has over 82 million views on Netflix making this one of Netflix’s biggest hits.
Along with these two shows, one binge worthy show that has been becoming more popular is Gilmore Girls. Gilmore Girls takes place in a fictional town of Stars Hollow, Connecticut in the early 2000s. This show is about a close mother and daughter relationship getting through life in this small town filled with drama and humor. This show has a total of seven seasons and the show has a revival called “Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life” including four more episodes. This show represents family and friends. Gilmore Girls displays the bond between mother and daughter. Even though the mom is doing single parenting, she can still achieve the things she wants and together, love can help you when you need it most.
With their unique stories and characters, these shows show life from different time periods and different perspectives. Whether it is science fiction or romance, binge watching shows can keep you entertained.
MCAS No Longer a Graduation Requirement
MCAS No Longer a Graduation Requirement
by Carmella Nihill
Beginning with the class of 2027, MCAS will no longer be a graduation requirement.What are the positives and negatives? Students seem to be breathing sighs of relief.
The Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) was created in 1993 as part of the Massachusetts Education Reform Act. The first MCAS tests were administered in 1998.
However, over the past few years concerns that making the hgih-stakes test a graduation requirement is unfair and unnecessary.
Prior to this year, students in ninth grade took Biology MCAS, while sophmores took Math and English.
MCAS no longer being a graduation requirement is supposed to help students reach their full potential without one test determining their future. With that stated, educators are working on other alternatives that accurately reflect student learning while also preparing them for future success. Freshman Rayelle Collins stated, “I think that it's good that it's not a graduation requirement because it doesn't weigh the differences of how students learn but I also think it would be beneficial because people wouldn't take it seriously.”
Another freshman Arden Bliss said, “I think that it is good that it is not a graduation requirement because it is not fair for students because everyone has to take the same exam even though they are all on different levels.”
Elise Moughaizel, also a freshman, said, “I believe that MCAS can benefit students so that they don't fall behind now that it's not a graduation requirement to pass and graduate but, I also do believe that it is a bad thing because kids can skip through the whole test and it can affect their performance.”
Teachers wonder if studnents will take the test seriously if it 'doesn't count.'
The end of MCAS as a grad requirement marks a significant academic change that makes it a more balanced and equitable system for students. It will be very important to monitor the outcomes of the new law.
Best Electives:
Exploring Computer Science
by Donovan D'Attanasio
There are many electives to choose from, ranging from challenging to easy. Everyone has their favorite that they have previously taken or are going to take.
The best electives are those that can challenge you and inspire you. You have to remember when you are choosing the class, it is meant to help you develop new interests and skills.
There are many things to take into consideration when choosing your electives: what you are interested in, what do you want to learn about, and will the class further a path for you later in life.
Exploring Computer Science with Ms. Griggs is a very beneficial class. It provides students with an introduction to the world of computer science. In the class you learn about making blogs, using simulators, creating websites, and more. Some of the websites you use in the class are some like Canva, Alice, Google sites, and CodeEasy.
Junior Jack Avedissian said,”Mrs. Griggs is a good teacher and she makes it easy to understand what topic we are learning about.” This is a class you could take in any part of your high school career. If you do end up pursuing Computer Science, there is a class at a higher level that you take after you have taken the previous one. This category would be very useful for some that are looking to follow this path into college. Even if it isn’t something you want to look into, the class is still very interesting while you can learn good life skills. There are many careers through the path of Computer Science such as a Software Engineer, Web Developer, and IT Project Manage. You never really know where your career will take you so it wouldn’t hurt to engage in a subject like this.
Junior Anton Gadalla said, “It can be challenging at the start, but when the class progresses you will understand it much more. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to try a new class.”
It is always great to have a skill in your back pocket because you never know, you may need it one day.
Page updated
Report abuse