Category: Arts & Culture

  • Meet the Addams Family

    Meet the Addams Family

    As you know, The Addams Family Musical took place in the auditorium on February 22, 23, and 24. The showing I reviewed took place on Friday 22 at 6:30 PM .

    For those who don’t know what The Addams Family is about, it’s based off of a family consisting of: a father named Gomez (played by Andy Martinez), mother named Morticia (played by Aiyanna Johns), and their children Wednesday and Pugsley (played by Amanda Angeles and Gabby Kaiser), along with a few family members in the household.

    Such as Grandma (played by Mika Dyo), Lurch (played by Chase McPherson), and Fester (Ben Rifkin). The play centers on this odd family and their peculiar home life, considered normal to them, but weird to outsiders.

    A new family called the Beinekes, visit the Addams family due to their son, Lucas (played by Caleb Marsh) being involved with Wednesday, romantically. Their romance seems to be a complication between the two families. Overall the play had a focus on love, which is fitting for the month of February.

    On opening night, a line of people stood to buy their tickets. As people entered the first thing noticed while entering is the orchestra. The play started with the curtains opening and the cast emerging from behind. The cast started with the opening song “When You’re an Addams” along with Gomez and Morticia dancing, with the family members doing solos and dancing as well.

    Emerging from within the side doors, actors dressed as ghost flooded into the audience up onto stage. They were considered the Ancestors and often showed up a lot throughout the production, such as changing the scenes and often being in the background of scenes.

    The most shocking detail is Wednesday changing from her usually mean demeanor to a more softer approach due to being in love. Of course the family find it strange as to Wednesday wanting things to be normal, when if fact there’s nothing normal about the Addams. The Beinekes as well question Lucas on how he found his partner and find their encounter strange.

    Secrets were kept and differences made, these were almost enough to split the families as they venture on their own paths, reflecting on their struggles. But by the end of the play, all was resolved and both families were able to coexist as one.

  • Snowing to a Theatre Near You

    Recently, a 2 minute trailer advertising the sequel to the Disney animation “Frozen” has been released. The trailer starts off with huge waves heading toward the land, Elsa tying her hair up and using her powers to freeze the water. The scene then transitions to Ana seeming extremely worried, and Kristoff determined to do something. We also see Elsa and Olaf together, with not much detail except for Elsa using her powers to fight back against something fierce. After that, the scenes become a bit confusing as we see what seem to be new characters, which then transitions to all the characters standing on top of a hilltop, viewing over what seems to be a bunch of trees. The trailer ends with Ana, Elsa and Kristoff walking. Something sneaking up behind them, and Ana bringing out Kristoff’s sword.

    What is noticed about the trailer is that the characters have a very different style and dress than what we saw in the first movie (this is not something very common among Disney continuations). Another thing that is noticed is that the setting throughout the trailer is taking place in the season of fall.

    From this trailer and information, my interpretations are that Frozen 2 will be sort of similar to the first movie; in which they try to bring back a season. In this case however, I assume that they are awaiting winter, but something (or someone) is stopping it from arriving. That would explain the meaning behind all of the leaves and what the protagonists are so determined to get, and why we see Elsa using her powers so often.

    Overall, the trailer itself was amazing. I really enjoyed the style of it, the way things were portrayed, and of course, the music.

  • The Signs as Songs During Spring

    Aries: Sun Afternoon –  The Kinks

    Taurus: It Might As Well  Be Spring –  Ella Fitzgerald

    Gemini: The Lullaby of Spring –  Donovan

    Cancer: Here Comes The Sun – The Beatles

    Leo: Waiting For The Sun –  The Doors

    Virgo: Spring In Manhattan –  Tony Bennett

    Libra: Spring Affair –  Donna Summer

    Scorpio: April Come She Will –  Simon & Garfunkle

    Sagittarius: Spring Vacation –  The Beach Boys

    Capricorn: April In Paris –  Ella Fitzgerald

    Aquarius: Spring Is Here –  Frank Sinatra

    Pisces: When It’s Springtime In Alaska –  Johnny Cash

  • Singles Playlist

    1] Party for One – Carly Rae Jepsen

    2] Give Yourself a Try – The 1975

    3] Dead To Me – Kali Uchis

    4] The Less I Know The Better – Tame Impala

    5] She’s Gonna Leave You – The Walters

    6] I Can’t Help It – Michael Jackson

    7]When You Were Mine – Cyndi Lauper

    8] Movin’ On – Mýa

  • In Love Playlist

    1] Lo Que Siento – Cuco

    2] See You Again – Tyler, The Creator ft. Kali Uchis

    3] Take Care – Beach House

    4] 4EVER – Clairo

    5] Falling for U – Peachy! ft. mxmtoon

    6] Mirrors – Justin Timberlake

    7] Crazy4luvinU – Katzú Oso

    8] Will He – Joji

    9] Your Love – Nicki Minaj

    10] America’s Suitehearts – Fall Out Boy

  • Swept Off Her Feet

    Actions so simple, yet seem too sweet.

    spontaneous, yet straight from a movie script 

    Is there a real reason to read inbetween the lines?

    she is just scared to be swept off her feet

     

    Rocky roads not quite left behind, 

    she hides her real feelings deep inside

    Please don’t let her get swept off her feet.

    Their days together become shorter 

    and the shore becomes colder

    summer will come and

     go.

    she has to go.

    before September comes

    she wants it to last,

    to be different from the last

    but who knows what the future holds,

    will they mature as one 

    or just fracture under the pressure

    What will happen tomorrow 

    if she does not protect her heart today?

    She warns herself of the past,

    the one that swept her off her feet.

  • The Signs on Valentines Day

    Aries: Starting a riot

    Taurus: Watching romance movies while crying

    Gemini: At the beach with their friends

    Cancer: Having dinner about to be proposed to and says no

    Leo: On a date at Disneyland

    Virgo: Working

    Libra: Deciding whether to go on a date or stay at home and eat chocolate

    Scorpio: At Disneyland but is flirting with the characters

    Sagittarius: Over it

    Capricorn: Got stood up

    Aquarius: Home…alone….

    Pisces: Found out they are being cheated on

  • 2gether We Can Grow

    Michael Gray has a YouTube channel called 2gether Tuesday, where he posts motivational videos for students, and others to view. From videos ranging about celebrities giving their perspective, to motivational speakers with the lessons they have, and lastly a variety of other things in promoting confidence on different aspects in life.

    On Wednesday, January 29, two videos titled Anything is Possible and Nothing Will Change Unless You Change were created by students at Poly Academy of Achievers and Leaders (PAAL). Throughout the video of Anything is Possible, voice overs of students and staff spoke on the topic of possibilities, as it was displayed over a video mainly focusing on football players, their games, and even behind the scenes.

    In fact, the script used in the video, is that of Gray’s in an assembly he performed earlier this school year dealing with mental health. The message that the video gives, is that of reaching goals and not being discouraged in pursuing them.

    With the football players featured in the background, it provides a visual of them doing what might be considered impossible and showing that it can be done. And of course those visuals were able to be provided by PAAL student, David Ukpolo.

    In the video, Nothing Will Change Unless You Change, students discuss about the improvements you can make in order to apply changes and continue to grow from them. From making good habits to getting rid of the negative thoughts you have of yourself. It is a motivation to show that the choices you make, and the outcomes that can come from them either: change your ways or stay the same.

    Based on both videos they have similar meanings and fits in with the kind of videos already posted on the 2gether Tuesday channel. They bring a message of having a positive outlook on life and hopefulness. The production and cooperation of these projects is that of a professional, despite some minor mistakes.

  • Signs During Finals Weeks

    Aries: Woke up early to study, fell asleep during the test. F

    Taurus: Tried to bribe the teacher for a good grade, couldn’t afford an A. B-

    Gemini: Passed on studying, passed the test anyway. D-

    Cancer: Watched Netflix instead of studying, got an A+… in the movie version. C

    Leo: Ditched finals period to go to the zoo, never regretted it. Incomplete

    Virgo: Skipped the party and studied all night. A-

    Libra: Tried to cheat off Aries… and also didn’t pass. F

    Scorpio: Half-studied, half-grade. C

    Sagittarius: Guessed right on the multiple-choice section! B+

    Capricorn: First one there and still not finished while everyone waits. A-

    Aquarius: Had a panic attack during the test, will have panic attack when report cards come out. D+

    Pisces: Faked being sick, won an Oscar! A+

  • Poetry is a Grand Slam!

    Taking place at the Poly Playhouse on January 11, 2019 at 6:30 PM, students recited their own original poetry while getting rewarded for 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place. The prizes given where the money made with ticket sales  One of the contestants was senior Josalynn Bass, with her poem “Ana”. As she recited her poem it almost seemed as if this Ana was based on  an actual person, but nearing the end of it, the meaning started changing from a person to anorexia. Bass states, that at first she had written and intended on performing  another poem entirely, until she later changed her mind. In fact, the poem she performed was written “last minute” but was proven to be the right choice according to Bass. Her inspiration for “Ana” was based off of personal experience, but she also in part wanted her poem to have the ability to be able to resonate with the audience. She had hoped that after being heard, her poem might “relate with somebody else”, as it is a topic that is often not “talked about a lot”, since representation is not shown.

    Junior, Hannah Gardiner was also present, during the event, in reciting her poem “Normal”. Similar to the kind of twist “Ana” gave, the message it conveyed was one of how someone may look “straight” and be expected to act as such, but not exactly be straight. Atopic that is close to Gardiners heart, being so vulnerable on stage was a choice she made, when it would’ve been so easy to simply follow the prompt. Slam Poetry was an assignment given to the students, a part of Drama, as an assignment and Gardiner had the choice between “writing something for credit” or “actually putting [my] emotion into it”. Gardiner also used her personal experience as an inspiration when writing her poem. As for writing the poem, it took her “less than a minute” to come up with an idea of what kind of poem she wanted, versus finalizing her idea took “weeks”. Even the night before Poetry Slam, Gardiner was still “changing things” and was not as satisfied with the final product but liked “how it turned out”.

    Although everyone who showed up put their emotions out for all to see and recited their exceptional pieces, only three students walked away with prize money given to those who donated upon entering the slam. The third place prize went to freshman Ee’gypt Wilson who had not done an event like this before, but felt that she needed to get her feelings across, “I was worried about people seeing me be vulnerable on stage.” She doesn’t regret putting herself out there and was rewarded for doing so. Junior, Amber Payan expressed her anger and intense sadness for all the women who spoke out sexual assault this past year. She expressed her hatred towards abusers, and her empathy for survivors. Her passion  awarded her the second place prize. The winner of the poetry slam was junior Angelina Taylor, who spoke about her identity, as a black young American. She gained the audiences support and praise with every line she spoke. The crowd was filled with snaps, applause, and words that showcased their approval. Overall the poetry slam was a success, everyone gave their best effort, they went home proud, knowing that they had put themselves out there and were praised for it.

     

  • Bird Box Review

    Last month, on December 13, 2018 a new movie called Bird Box was released on Netflix, and it was a huge hit. Almost everyone was talking about this movie and boosting it up because it was “so good,” according to many.

    In the movie, a mysterious force takes over the human population and no one really knows what it is, only that if you see it, you will die. Now, the remaining survivors must avoid coming in contact with this force that takes the form of their worst fears.

    Malorie Hayes, played by Sandra Bullock, sets out to find a new safe place for her and her two children where she can start all over. She faces challenges on her journey through the woods and a river because she’s blindfolded throughout the whole trip… The movie has been compared to A Quiet Place but I don’t find much correlation between the two.

    Overall, the movie was good like people had told me before I had watched it, but I don’t think it reached the expectations of many, including myself because, personally, I expected a bit more since people kept “hyping” it up. See it if you want to, but don’t expect too much or you might be disappointed.

  • Bandersnatch Review

    The Netflix series Black Mirror released the first interactive episode on the streaming platform on December 28, 2018.

    In this film, viewers are able to make decisions for the main character, Stefan Butler. Stefan is a 19 year old programmer who is creating his first video game, entitled “Bandersnatch,” in the year 1984. The choices start out light and fun like getting to choose what Stefan eats for breakfast, but over time they become more horrid and gruesome, some decisions involve selecting who you wish to murder and how to take care of the body. Each decision you make for Stefan leaves him feeling more and more out of his own control, driving him insane. The movie has 12 possible endings and it takes about 2 hours to unlock each possible ending. Once the viewer has reached a new ending, a new layer is added to the story or you can choose to skip the credits. There is about 300 minutes worth of footage for the entire Bandersnatch movie.

    I personally found the movie amazing but in a psychotic way. Throughout the viewing of the interactive episode, it occurred to me that the creators of this movie, and overall the show, had to be on some serious drugs in order to come up with the concept of the movie. In shorter terms, the creators basically said to themselves, “I’m going to create a movie where the viewer makes decisions for the main character while the main character becomes paranoid that someone is making decisions for him.”

    The movie ended up breaking the internet and became Twitter’s number 1 trending topic the days following its release. The show definitely changed the way TV shows and movies will be developed in the future.

    5 out of 5 stars!