The Stargazer

The ‘80s were without a doubt one of the greatest decades in cinematic history. So many classics that continue to enchant generations of film viewers. Theaters were blessed with masterpieces like Full Metal Jacket, Akira, Star Wars, and Scarface, just to name a few. All of these films share a level of artistry that has stood the test of time, but there is one that I feel particularly stands out: the iconic 1985 sci-fi spectacular, Back to the Future, directed by Robert Zemeckis. This film, and the entire trilogy, embody the essence of sci-fi, and include adventure, comedy, storytelling, and an infectious nostalgia for the 1950s and 80s without feeling dated or awkward. This paired with its amazing script, acting, cinematography, and visual effects (especially for the time period), you have easily one of the best sci-fi film franchises of all time.

Since its release, Space Jam: A New Legacy has done amazing box office numbers, but has also seriously divided movie fans, especially older generations. After watching it the other day on HBO Max, my feelings towards it are not particularly positive or negative, however, I did find the film entertaining. While some aspects were a bit underwhelming, such as the plot, acting, and writing (at times), there were also really enjoyable comedic moments, impressive special effects, and creative cultural references. Even though it's definitely not a perfect movie, I did appreciate elements of it. Some have categorized the film as a “children's movie,” but I would argue that the film is geared towards millennials and older generations just as much as it is for younger audiences. It is precisely during these moments that I feel the film is at its best and most interesting, operating inside the cultural hype and nostalgia of other Warner Brothers films and television.

As a first-generation Colombian-American growing up in South Florida, I was very in tune with my Latino heritage. Over the years, I’ve learned about the realities of the Hispanic immigrant experience, both good and bad. This experience, however, has not been represented in the vast majority of media created in the United States. About 60.6 million Hispanics live in the United States, the Census Bureau estimates. Latinos have consistently led the box office, reaching 29% of all tickets sold, according to the latest Motion Picture Association report. Yet we only represent 4.5% of all speaking or named characters, and only 3% of lead or co-lead actors. These telling statistics highlight the fact that Latino culture, actors, and creators have been underrepresented in Hollywood Cinema since its inception. And even now they are still being criminally excluded, along with all other minorities and POC. However, I do believe that there is hope to change these truths as more and more minorities obtain more prominent roles in the entertainment industry.

I recently watched Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the movie: Mugen Train. It was the first movie I’ve seen in theaters since before the pandemic. After waiting months for the film to release in the U.S after initially only showing in Japan, my expectations were very high. Since premiering on April 6, 2019, the anime television series Demon Slayer has taken the anime world by storm, quickly becoming one of the most popular anime to come out in recent years. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the movie: Mugen Train has garnered similar success and has already broken multiple records, most notably becoming the highest-grossing movie of all time in Japan.

I’ve rarely met a kid who didn’t dream of being an Olympic athlete. In my experience, “Olympian” is up there with “the President” and “Superman” in terms of children’s answers to the question: What do you want to be when you grow up?

Finding motivation for summer classes can be hard. The prospect of laying in the sun and relaxing is often a lot stronger than the urge to do schoolwork. This idle summer mode extends into fall semester too, and it takes time to focus on academics again. In other words, summer laziness is real and we’re here to help. Here are some characters in movies, games, and musicals that inspire us to improve our academic performance and get back into school mode.

A tragic car accident, a mysterious abandoned carnival, a lost young woman, and a foreboding black and white atmosphere are all parts of the obscure indie horror film, Carnival of Souls. Carnival of Souls was a 1962 black and white film by director Herk Harvey, starring Candace Hilligoss. The story follows the main character, Mary, played by Hilligoss, who after becoming the sole survivor of a car accident, moves to a new town after accepting a job as a church organist. When she arrives to this new town, she finds herself drawn to an abandoned carnival structure nearby.

It’s no secret that Shakespeare’s play about star-cross’d lovers has become a popular source of inspiration for countless generations of artists, writers, filmmakers, and musicians. The number of movies alone that are based on it is staggering. But are all adaptations alike in dignity? Check out these popular versions and decide for yourself.

Ambiguous stories can be as infuriating as they are fun to discuss. Weeks after watching Pan’s Labyrinth, I was looking for answers and debating with my friend about the faun, the ending, and anything that seemed unresolved. One of the most divisive questions about the film is whether the fantastical elements exist or if they are all in the protagonist’s mind. After revisiting the movie a few times, paying closer attention to detail, and researching Guillermo del Toro’s own thoughts on his story, I found elements that support both theories. Whichever you choose to believe, here are some pointers for your next friendly debate as well an additional third theory to consider.

In the ongoing age of memes, streaming, and viral videos, the vacuum of available content can often be overwhelming. While we are fortunate that there is a seemingly endless amount of entertainment for all of us to enjoy, it is often difficult to find something that suits our individual interests. For example, I often searched for content that would not only entertain me, but content that was educational, engaging, and thought-provoking. That is when I discovered the wonderous world of podcasts.