Right now, it seems that no matter where you turn, Pedro Pascal lurks around the corner. Whether it's a TikTok edit, news article, late-night television appearance, or his latest role in a television show, he truly has taken over the internet. While he has been in the acting scene for quite some time, his latest role in The Last of Us, combined with the popularity of a recent TikTok edit of him, has skyrocketed his fame to a whole new level. However, I feel that this rise to fame is long overdue.

25 years ago, Titanic sailed into theaters smashing records. The film made history as it remained the highest-grossing movie of all time for over a decade until Avatar was released. The film remains in the fan’s hearts, but the frustration of Jack Dawson’s death remains.” Move over, Rose!” we have all yelled at the screen at least once, but could two have fit on the piece of wood?

Chadwick Boseman made history as T’challa both on and off the screen. Black Panther broke multiple records and continues to be cherished around the world. No one was expecting the heartbreaking passing of the beloved actor, but Black Panther: Wakanda Forever created a new hero while honoring Chadwick.

With the SLC Content Committee’s newest zine being themed “Anime,” the Stargazer blog is highlighting a more recent anime you might not have heard of. Though horrifically translated as The Ice Guy and His Cool Female Colleague, this romance anime is charming and worth overlooking some awkward English phrasing. Fuyutsuki and Himuro overcome both magical and workplace problems while trying to control their crushes on one another.

Every year when Valentine’s Day rolls around, my favorite tradition is to rewatch all of the rom-coms near and dear to my heart. It fills my heart with joy just watching all these different people find love. Even with these unrealistic storylines and even more unrealistic expectations, I can’t help but root for these couples and their happiness. I just sit back, relax, and let my beloved movies wash over me. So here is my definitive list of the best rom-coms for this lovely season.

Everyone remembers playing the classic childhood game hide and seek. I would scour the house looking for the perfect hiding spot and plop myself in whatever cabinet or underneath whatever bed. Then, I would sit silently (as silently as any child can) and hope that no one would ever find me. Inevitably, my amazing hiding spot was always discovered, and with that came a sense of relief that I didn’t have to cram myself into the tiny space in which I’d found myself. This couldn’t be further from the truth for Grace, the lead character of Ready or Not.

As the credits roll and Pearl attempts to keep up the guise of happiness as she smiles into the camera for minutes on end, all I could think was Mia Goth is a star. The prequel to X Pearl was one of the most highly anticipated horror films of 2022, and boy, did it deliver. The film does what great all prequels should do, make the original better. By focusing on the character of Pearl, the old lady from X, the movie allows itself to delve into all of the life choices that lead her to where she ends up and helps the audience understand truly how crazy she is. From the opening frame to the end credits, the film is a master class on how to create a character study.

In the age of swiping left and right and awkward first dates, sometimes a need for something new arises. If you are tired of aimlessly swiping, ignoring red flags, or getting caught up in sexually awkward conversations, I invite you on a date: you, me, some other strangers, a screen barrier, and a set of questions. A night of blind dates, try to name a better way to spend your Monday night. Of course, you could stay home and continue swiping on the frat bro who keeps calling your body parts snacks or the girl who, in her bio, labels herself unvaccinated. Or, in a desperate attempt to escape the online dating world, you could come out and meet some really cool people at the ASLC.

Puss in Boots has significantly grown from his small beginnings as a side character introduced during Shrek 2. Now with his own trilogy, we have seen many different iterations of him, but the best by far is in his newest film, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. With an Oscar nomination under its belt, it is hard to disagree with the charisma and star power the film possesses. However, what makes the movie truly impactful is not the vocal performances by the star-studded cast, although that doesn’t hurt, but is instead what is at the core of the film, found family. 

The White Lotus Resort returns to television, perched above the Sicilian water in the lush, mountainous commune of Taormina. The hotel brims with opulence and Italian art, boasting a panoramic view of Mount Etna. As vacationers trickle in by boat, dirty secrets and gendered angst proliferate through The White Lotus Resort. Each inhabited room becomes a breeding ground for grand debauchery and scheming. Once the Ionian Sea can no longer carry the mysterious, dead body, the show begins.