Arts and Entertainment

An abundance of Katherines; Six album offers fantastic take on history

Alexandra Fry, Feature and Satire Editor
March 20, 2020

Six, the cast album of the soon-to-be broadway musical of the same name, starts with the old rhyme “Divorced. Beheaded. Died.” From there, it fills a gruesome history lesson with wordplay, catchy songs, and a new take on an old story. Written by British college students Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, the musical will premiere on Broadway later this year. In Six, the six wives of King Henry VIII of England sing about their lives and deaths. While it may sound unusual, the theme of historical...

King Yosef’s “GUILTY” stands out as platinum in a field of rusty metal

Luke Murray, Staff
March 13, 2020

“GUILTY,” King Yosef’s most recent album released in early 2018, revamps what metal used to be during its peak in the 60’s, but augmented with more electronic production and mastering. The entire album is an assortment of different musical styles & choices, each worked on to the point of perfection. Each song has a beautifully unique sound, as “GUILTY” was released with the intent of conveying a message of hatred toward artists who only continue to produce music for money and fame,...

92nd Academy Awards: A Disappointment for Female Led Films

Erik Gustufson, Staff
March 10, 2020

The Academy Awards are a chance to recognize exceptional films and performances of the previous year, unless you’re a woman. Some of the best films of the year didn’t get nominated, despite winning other prestigious awards like a BAFTA or an Independent Spirit Award. Lulu Wang’s film “The Farewell” had six Golden Globe nominations, and Awkwafina won Best Actress. However, the Oscars failed to nominate it, despite the longstanding trend of Best Actress Golden Globe winners winning the...

“Green Day’s” “Father of All…” is a nauseating punishment that we don’t deserve

Otis Hixon, Staff
March 4, 2020

“Green Day’s” “Father of All…” is an anomaly. The album somehow plays it too safe while managing to pursue the worst ideas possible. Although often revisiting the blandest of the group’s previous work, the sound-production, mixing, writing, and performance on the record is unforgivably flawed, keeping it from even achieving a mediocre rating. For some mind bending reason, the group decided it was bored of writing more ambitious songs and sneezed the laziest tracks they could think...

Lock “Locke and Key” away – and throw away the key

Nick Anthony, Arts & Entertainment Editor
March 2, 2020

I like to imagine that Netflix Originals are a little bit like a mystery house themselves. At first, they seem structured and varied, with solid casting and decent plotlines. But, like most mystery houses, there are secret rooms and hidden doors that reveal the dark truths that have laid there for decades. One of the truths that lie beyond, through the winding hallways and dusty attics, is the unfortunate...

“The Turning” is Broken, Just Like You

Pace Buchan, Staff
February 25, 2020

Director Floria Sigismondi's The Turning was the latest adaptation of the classic 1898 horror novella "The Turn of the Screw." The film follows Kate Mandell (Mackenzie Davis) who takes a job as a governess to a young orphan named Flora Fairchild (Brooklynn Prince) and her brother Miles (Finn Wolfhard), who returns home after expulsion from boarding school. At times the film can be quite beautiful:...

Tender Tenders serves up exceptional chicken, mediocre ambiance

Samantha Parr, Staff
February 25, 2020

After hearing countless opinions about the crispy chicken and addictive fries at Tender Tenders, I knew that I had to see what the chatter was all about. Tender Tenders, a fast-food restaurant in San Rafael, focuses on one thing: chicken tenders. It is tucked away in the spacious parking lot of the West End Center, which also houses Best Buy and Pink Owl Coffee. It was nearly impossible to miss...

“Fug Yep No. 2” treads water

Otis Hixon, Staff
December 29, 2019

Although a nice novelty made for a good cause, The Shins’ new singles lacked the imagination of previous projects. A member of the group recently passed away due to alcoholism, so the single was released as a contribution to the Fug Yep Soundation’s series of singles to help raise money for combating alcoholism. The single is simply called “Fug Yep No. 2,” and is composed of two tracks. Both are very short and simple, “Waimanalo” taking the form of hectic hillbilly hollering and...

A look back at “Blade Runner”

Otis Hixon, Staff
December 16, 2019

“Blade Runner” (1982) is a convoluted mess. With seven different cuts of the movie, it’s nearly impossible to get a definitive interpretation from the film, but the beauty of “Blade Runner” lies in this mystique; it poses questions that aren’t meant to have an answer. In many ways, these questions connect to a couple common themes and philosophies throughout all seven versions: existentialism and nihilism. The film’s alternate version of 2019 Los Angeles is a pessimistic vision of...

“Living With Yourself” fails Paul Rudd

Nick Anthony, Arts & Entertainment Editor
December 11, 2019

The concept portrayed in “Living with Yourself” is nothing new. Back in 2012, the Michael Keaton film “MULTIPLICITY” had a similar premise. Even disregarding the gimmick itself, the existence of “Living with Yourself” dutifully contributes to the “rom-com but with wacky, almost sci-fi twist” genre that plagues the entertainment industry. Ultimately, this show doesn’t thoughtfully contribute to or pioneer any genre or idea. It almost feels as though it was made to sit in the...

First Impressions: The Dark Crystal – Age of Rebellion

Hunter Nerviani, Staff
November 29, 2019

“The Dark Crystal: Age of Rebellion” is an episodic prequel to its 1982 film edition by Jim Henson, creator of The Muppets. Released on Netflix on August 30, 2019, it’s clear from the first scene that the creators have stayed true to its predecessor. “Age of Rebellion” features incredibly complex and detailed sets, minimum CGI, and the use of puppeteering to animate most characters. The Dark Crystal is a cult classic, stemming from its 1982 release and the comic series that began its...

‘Jojo Rabbit’ refreshes satire

Otis Hixon, Staff
November 28, 2019

“Jojo Rabbit” is a charming coming of age story... set in Nazi Germany. Jojo (Roman Griffin Davis) is a ten-year-old German boy during WW2, and proud of it. He dreams of one day joining the ranks of the Third Reich, but on account of his youth, he settles for going to a camp for the Hitler Youth. After accidentally injuring himself with a hand grenade, he ends up house-bound. Unable to join in on the training, he runs simple errands for the Nazis every now and then, playing inside most of the...

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