For most FSU students, including myself, The Muppet Christmas Carol premiered in theaters before we were born. Lucky for us, this delightful film’s legacy lives on and can be streamed on Disney+. Featuring Michael Caine as Ebenezer Scrooge and Gonzo as Charles Dickens, The Muppet Christmas Carol does not disappoint.
I still remember the night of May 19, 2019. Sitting in my living room, as I awaited the grand finale of what had been the greatest show I had ever seen, Game of Thrones. A show with so much complexity, grandeur, and heart that had amassed millions of fans in its 8 season run. I still remember the feeling I had once the credits began to roll. I wouldn't wish it upon my worst enemy. I wasn't alone in my disappointment as millions of other GOT fans took to the internet to vent. The series finale left such a sour taste in many fans' mouths that just 2 years after that, it held such a little grip on pop culture discourse. A show that brought in 18.4 million live viewers for its finale had seemingly disappeared from people's minds
The loudest sound I have ever heard was the emphatic screams of 80,000 strong as the opening kickoff was returned for a touchdown. Seconds into the game against Boston College, Trey Benson ran the entire length of the football field for our first score. The closer he got, the louder the stadium grew until I could hardly stay upright from the mass chaos that ensued. Beer rained down from above, fans screamed until their voices grew hoarse, and my hand throbbed from so many high-fives. In many ways, this moment encapsulates what it was to experience Florida State football this season. Our passionate student section and unpredictably talented players gave FSU its best season in recent memory and gave me some of the wildest experiences I have had yet since arriving on campus.
This December, the blockbuster film from Japan, Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time, will be receiving a limited theatrical release in the United States. The film title is long and complicated, as is the Evangelion franchise. It originally was a beloved (if controversial) anime whose first episode aired in 1995. Later, Evangelion would include a movie continuation, a manga series, and a “Rebuild” theatrical series. Thrice Upon a Time is the final film of the “Rebuilds,” acting as a permanent conclusion for a franchise that has had many indefinite endings. Though it all seems overwhelming, Evangelion is genuinely one of the best pieces of media I’ve ever experienced, and every minute spent watching or reading it is worth it.
*Contains Spoilers for Don’t Worry Darling*
Whether you are a die-hard Harry Styles fan or not, many viewers of Don’t Worry Darling were shocked by the reveal of his character, Jack Chamber’s actual appearance. No matter how much you liked the movie, this switch from Styles’ portrayal of a charming 1950’s gentleman to a reclusive online incel was a real surprise for many. After seeing the film in theaters three times, I can confirm that each time, the audience was always overtaken with audible gasps when they saw the reality of Jack’s character. This harsh portrayal of Jack Chamber’s reality, while amusing for some, was a true wake-up call surrounding the realities and dangers of men in online extremist groups.
The saying goes that in romance, opposites attract. But for Katia and Maurice Krafft, this was not the case. Born in nearly the same place, at the same time, with the same passion, it seemed like the two could only have been meant for each other. Both loved volcanoes more than anything else, deciding as individuals and as a married couple to dedicate their lives to them. Katia and Maurice worked as volcanologists, scientists that study active volcanoes, and they documented much of their explorations within films, books, photographs, and more. It is this documentation that has been compiled to create the documentary Fire of Love (2022). Though the couple died in 1991 during the volcanic eruption of Mount Unzen doing what they loved, their memory lives on through this beautifully stitched-together archival footage. Fire of Love celebrates all levels of life and love, from the big - volcanoes and the earth they emerge from - to the small - humans and their unique bonds.
Netflix has done it again with the second season of Young Royals. The show many believed would be about out-of-touch rich teens getting away with rich teen things ended up having much more depth. The first season was able to craft a beautiful storyline centered around Wilhelm, the eventual Crown Prince of Sweden, and Simon, a fellow student at his boarding school. When a second season was confirmed, many of its fans were worried about the show’s ability to follow up the masterpiece that is the first season. Despite this, I think that they do a beautiful job of following up the arcs that they set up in the first season and expand beautifully on what it is like to feel like a teen.
Despite being an Orlando native, this year was the first time I attended Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights. Many are familiar with the elaborate haunted houses and scare zones that run throughout the nights of October annually. This year, there were ten haunted houses with a variety of scary yet exciting themes. My most anticipated house was The Weeknd’s After Hours Nightmare, based on the storyline of his red suit character from his eponymous album. Unfortunately, not even my love for The Weeknd could prevent the trauma I experienced. From long lines to werewolves jumping out of the darkness, my time at Halloween Horror Nights showed me that I am easy to frighten and am not, in fact, “good with scary stuff.”
Glee first aired in 2009 and had its final episode in 2015, but it still remains a pop culture fixture. There is something about the show, as well as its characters and cast, that continues to resonate with audiences even today. Sure, Glee is not perfect. There are simply too many lines of dialogue, plot points, and song choices that would not fly in 2022. But it was, and remains, a cultural reset. No TV show at the time was anything like Glee, and there hasn’t been anything like it since. Something about a show choir full of high school misfits dealing with serious issues (and some not-so-serious teenage drama), all while singing musical hits from decades ago to now, really speaks to viewers of all ages and backgrounds.
For the anime community, Mob Psycho 100 season 3 was one of the most anticipated drops of the 2022 fall season. The show is a modern anime classic, quickly moving up the ranks to be rated one of the best animes of all time. Created by manga author One, who also created One-Punch Man, the series focuses on a middle-schooler with psychic powers trying to navigate life and his emotions. It is a mix of genres, with some episodes having a slice-of-life feel while others are more action-based. The show has a hilarious cast of characters (including a con artist mentor, an evil spirit best friend, and an enemy-turned-friend with a ridiculously large wig) while still having a mature narrative. And on top of that, the animation done by Studio Bones is unlike anything you’ve ever seen. Every frame is hand-drawn (it is the only show currently on air able to claim that), and different mediums and styles are used interchangeably to create something so visually unique.
