Category: Reviews

  • Ben Platt’s Sing To Me Instead Album Review

    Ben Platt’s Sing To Me Instead Album Review

    At a young age, Ben Platt became interested in the theatre arts. When he was 11, he took the opportunity to do a small tour with the musical Caroline, or Change. Since his debut in the musicals, The Book of Morman and Dear Evan Hansen, Ben Platt also starred in the Pitch Perfect movies leading to his nomination in the Teens Choice Awards and a Tony Award. He has appeared in other movies and shows and is now the lead in the series The Politician on Netflix. That same year Platt released his album Sing To Me Instead.

    Sing To Me Instead, released on March 29, 2019, is a Pop album of 12 songs that revolves around the world of love, heartbreak, and healing. With each song, I felt as if I were being drawn in and invited to see Platt’s love story. 

    One of the songs, “Share Your Address,” tells the story of how Platt is known to move fast in a relationship and has quickly fallen in love. “It’s ’cause I’ve waited far too long, for someone just like you,” inferring that Platt was tired of waiting, and now that he’s in love he wants it all. It contains a very upbeat rhythm that invites the listener to get up from their seat and start dancing. At the beginning of the song, the music seems exciting and the piano part is repetitive but enjoyable. 

    A song that also tells a story about a new love is “Honest Man.” In his documentary on Netflix, Platt stated that he wrote this song about a past relationship where his boyfriend hadn’t come out yet and Platt described how he wished he could’ve tried his best to support the relationship and his partner as he went throughout his journey of coming out. Throughout the song, the piano seems to stay the same quiet soothing sound. The beginning starts off slow and quiet but by the end, it’s a bit faster and there are more high notes. This song is something that some people can relate and sway their heads to. 

    In “Temporary Love,” written by Platt, Ben Abraham, and Jonny Price, Platt sings a song that would bring ease to a partner who has been heartbroken many times and fears a new relationship. The lyric “This is not a temporary love” repeats all throughout the song, and “Know your heart is in my hands,” gives hope to the listener that unlike past relationships, this one won’t lead to a big heartbreak. The song could possibly be a storyline that follows after “Honest Man,” in which the partner is still doubting a relationship with Platt’s character. 

    “Hurt Me Once,” is a song that is a sudden change from Platt’s previous songs. Composed by Platt and Eg White, this song tells a story about a relationship that is slowly ending, where one is losing interest and the other desperately wants the relationship to continue. The song brings a melancholy vibe that is sure to cause sorrow to everyone who has ever had a heartbreak. The lyrics, “You have all these choices, I have none,” implies that the partner who desperately wants to save the relationship knows that one doesn’t work without the other. They know that if a partner becomes disinterested in the relationship, it’s not worth saving, it’s up to the disinterested partner to decide if the relationship should continue. There’s nothing to do but to wait around to see if heartbreak is going to come. It may be a sad song but the lyrics make it a catchy song that even someone who’s never experienced a relationship heartbreak will be able to enjoy. 

    One of the most popular songs in the album, “Grow As We Go,” follows the theme of heartbreak. In this song, one partner is lost and believes that in order to grow they need space from the relationship and that it should end. This song is in the view of the second partner, singing that the other one doesn’t need to leave in order to change, that they can grow together. The background music is very calming and can leave the listener at ease. The lyrical section encourages a healthy relationship in which the partners talk to each other and help one another through “every twist and turn.” 

    A song that moves from heartbreak to healing is “New.” In this song, Platt expresses how after an ended relationship, he feels like a whole new person. The lyrics begin, “Wish that I’d known, this feeling was coming, when I was crying over you,” describing how even though a breakup may hurt, it will be over and you’ll feel like a new person that you never would have imagined. The beginning rhythm was electric and can cause your body to move to the beat. The line “Burned all your letters just for fun” shows how easy it is to just let go and discover the new person that you’ve become. This is a great song for anyone who is past the point of being sad after a breakup and gives them a chance to jump up and dance. 

    It’s a great album for anyone who’s in love, heartbroken after a breakup, or past that point and ready to become a new person. Platt’s music is creative and very enjoyable. Months after the Covid-19 outbreak, Platt released a new single titled, “So Will I.” He is also hoping to release his second album sometime in 2021.

  • Food Review: The Attic on Broadway

    Food Review: The Attic on Broadway

    The Attic on Broadway story is that Steve the owner opened it in 2012. It was not always a restaurant, it was a house that he turned into the restaurant. The staff members are so nice they treat you like family. I have personally met all the cooks and I have met the owner. The Executive Sous Chef Cheyenne McKenna states that she has been cooking at  the Attic since it first opened. She is super nice. My oldest brother works there also; he is Sous Chef. The smell from the kitchen always smells so amazing. The food makes my mouth water.

    A dish that they have in the Attic is the Mac & Cheetos. The dish is their homemade pasta coated with creamy cheddar, mozzarella and  jack cheese sauce, then topped with crumbled Flaming Hot Cheetos with green onions. This is one of my all time favorite dishes to get. The smell makes my mouth water, the Flaming Hot Cheetos mixed with the mac – the flavor makes your mouth burst with flavor. The presentation of the dish makes me feel so excited because I know what goodness is coming. It also makes me hungry because I can see the creamy cheese sauce melted down the side of the dish.  The food always is served fresh and hot. I truly recommend this dish.

    Another one of my favorites is the house made granola. 

    This wonderful dish bursts with flavor with the mix of fresh house made granola served with honey yogurt and mixed berries. The crunch and the creamy yogurt go amazing together. This dish makes me feel good because it is a healthy yummy choice. The barriers that come in the dish are strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries.  

    This dish is my favorite dessert to get at The Attic. This is Banana’s foster pudding it is made with the banana bread and with sliced bananas with caramel sauce on top also on the side with homemade whipped cream  with a mint leaf on top. This deliciousness is always warm and explodes with flavor with  the bananas, the bread, the caramel with whipped cream all in one bite is magnificent. I highly recommend this dish.

     

  • Movie Review: Holiday In Handcuffs

    Movie Review: Holiday In Handcuffs

    Holiday in Handcuffs is a Christmas movie that came out back in 2007 and aired on ABC Family, now known as Freeform. It’s about a women named Gertrude, who also went by “Trudie” in the film and was played by Melissa Joan Hart, and her day started off terribly. She was the black sheep of the family. She worked a minimum job as a waitress, while her brother Jake, played by Kyle Howard, and her sister Katie, played by Vanessa Lee Evigan were a little bit more above her in their parent’s eyes.

     

    During the Christmas holiday she and her siblings, along with her boyfriend were going to visit their parents’ house, but while clocked in to work she gets a call from her boyfriend and he ends up breaking up with her, and on top of that it didn’t help that she missed a big job opportunity. After being broken up with days before Christmas, a man named David, who was played by Mario Lopez, was dining at her job and she decided to kidnap him at gunpoint, like the crazy person she is, and forces him to pretend to be her boyfriend, while she visits her family for Christmas. 

     

    They have a nice drive up the mountain to her parent’s place, while she explains to him what’s going to happen. She explains to her parents that he likes to “pretend that he was kidnapped” as a joke. So even if he did tell the truth no one believed him! And there’s no way of escaping, because her mom conveniently didn’t allow phones during the holidays so they can enjoy family time. Throughout their time being there he tried many ways to escape in order to make it back to his own family for Christmas but nothing seems to work… even keys for the cars were hidden. 

     

    While there he gets to know her and slowly starts playing his part in Trudie’s scheme. Although he didn’t enjoy his time being there, he got to know her and started realizing she may not be that bad of a person. But while starting to feel more comfortable, David’s girlfriend, who he was planning to propose to back at the diner Trudie worked at, starts to wonder where her boyfriend is. She contacts the police and they start her search for him. hile David was being held captive, he actually starts to fall for Trudie, but when his wife finally figured out where he was, the police were contacted and Trudie and her whole family was arrested for the kidnapping. 

     

    After being in jail for a bit, David actually vouches for them and gets them out. And in the end he actually tries to give their relationship a try. And although they had a crazy and rocky beginning they start to work things. 

     

    Overall I would give this movie a 7/10 rating. It’s definitely a nice and funny family Christmas movie that will have you on their crazy rollercoaster. So warm up your hot chocolate and popcorn and kickback and enjoy this wonderful movie with your friends and family this holiday season.

     

    Holiday in Handcuffs is available playing on Freeform throughout the holidays and is available on demand on FreeForm.com using a cable subsriber login.

     

  • Moose: As Advertised EP Review

    Moose: As Advertised EP Review

    “This feeling is overpowering” for Chris (AKA: Moose), and so are the sounds used on his debut EP.

    I never imagined an indie band creating an album so bad that it’s worse than Justin Bieber, but lo and behold, As Advertised did it. I’m happy his wife thinks it’s cute, but I can’t imagine lovers of the genre enjoying anything about it.

    They Might Be Giants is a strange artist to take inspiration from among other soul and folk influences. He claims that he writes indie pop/rock, but As Advertised is anything but. If I were to assign it a genre, I would say it’s some subgenre of electronic, maybe computer music.

    Even by those standards, the “instrumentals” used on this EP resemble that of a warped record or badly damaged CD. The beat sounds either rushed or dragging on top of the vocals (and I do mean on top of them — they overpower them), and his vocals sound off at times like in the track, “Old News.” His voice sounds like it would fit well in the indie/psychedelic scene, but the sounds he uses as music are too cheap and bubbly to blend together well.

    As Advertised isn’t carried by the vocals or lyrics, as hard as it tries. The aforementioned “Old News” sounds like it’s trying to be an electronic Alex Turner speak-singing over elevator music. The lyrics of “Irl” are cringe-worthy at best, littering text-speak once or twice per line, it seems. And I’m not exaggerating: “Maybe you’d LOL if I sent you a GIF.” The song has an attitude about it trying to be one of the “cool kids” and it is not subtle about it, either.

    No, the EP is carried instead by the worst possible aspect you could add to a song: samples. And his selection is strange, at best: sitcom laugh-tracks to end off “Old News,” the “You’ve got mail!” notification in “Irl,” and even monkey noises in “A Fine Specimen?!”

    I understand that this is my own opinion. People love albums that I hate. But I can’t imagine anyone loving this EP. I would love to hear what a fan has to say about it — maybe I’m missing something. The worst part? I actually think he could pull off a career in music. So pinch me and tell me it’s a dream, because I can’t stand this first EP. Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever heard worse than this. And I certainly hope that I never will.

    Overall Rating: 0.0/10

  • “Sex Education”

    Last year in January a show on Netflix was released called Sex Education. The show is about a socially awkward high school student, Otis, who has no experience in “making love” but is advanced in the knowledge of the subject because his invasive mother, Jean, is a sex therapist.
    Otis is uncomfortable about the entire topic of sex yet is surrounded by it every day. People in his school found out about his mother being a sex therapist and Otis then decides to use his knowledge to gain popularity and social status a school.
    He starts an underground sex therapy clinic with a rebel girl named Maeve. Otis provides advice and correct information to lost and misinformed students, while Maeve, collects the money and scouts for people. As their business progresses, new problems arise within their personal lives.
    Otis’s best friend, Eric, becomes jealous of the newfound relationship between Otis and Maeve, Otis’ mother tries to force a relationship between them but also begins a secret relationship with a local plumber, his dad isn’t around and he is occasionally frustrated because of it. Maeve lives alone at a trailer park, her family is full of junkies and is left to fend for herself she, she begins a relationship with the most popular athlete at their school and doesn’t feel like she’s good enough, and her addicted brother returns to town and stirs things up in their business and at school.
    Overall Otis and Maeve build a strong bond throughout this time but never fully express how they feel. The new season was released recently showing the aftermath of the drama in the previous season and the supporting character’s stories and their development through the season were brought to light.
    In my opinion, this show is very informative and also controversial being that it shows an inside view of a portion of a teen’s life. The show is very relevant to teenagers and adults in this day and age showing how people of different ages, backgrounds, sexual preferences, and gender, react to certain situations and their views on the topic of sex at a young or older age.
    The show is humorous, inappropriate and relatable. Many people can relate to many emotional obstacles and struggles within the show. This show is interesting and worth watching. I would recommend this show to anyone at Poly looking for a good laugh and interesting situations.

  • “Hiccups”, a Thai, Chinese and Vietnamese fusion restaurant

    Hiccups is a restaurant located at 1946 N Lakewood Blvd Long Beach, CA 90815 which offers a wide variety of milk teas, smoothies, fruity teas, and slushies. They also have many different types of food from different Asian cultures to choose from.
    As you walk into the restaurant you would instantly notice the aesthetic interior decor they have which makes the small restaurant look pleasing to the eye. But because it is small, I imagine that when it does get crowded, the restaurant will get packed rather quickly. There are also not many tables which would make it hard for you to find a seat when it’s packed which was the problem I had when I went.
    Their service could use some work with paying more attention and interacting more with their customers and the wait time for the food to be done took longer than expected around 25 or 30 minutes.
    Their bite-sized popcorn chicken is crispy and seasoned well. Another thing when combined with the sweet and sour sauce (provided with the order) it gives the chicken a nice sweet and savory flavor.
    The Beef Pho was a little disappointing taste-wise. The beef included in the pho was well cooked and also gave a bit more flavor to the broth but the broth itself was a little bland. I also did not like the type of flavor the herbs added to it.
    The Boba Thai Tea had a great sweet taste to it just like you would expect a Thai tea to taste like and the boba had a soft texture to it which brought it all together. They did add in more ice than what I had originally asked but it was ok.
    Hiccups seems to be a nice place to meet up with friends or family to order some food. They have a good selection of drinks and a good variety of different dishes to try out. Some of the food might not appeal to everyone but they are still worth eating the others types of the other food that they offer.

  • What’s Your Ride?

    Poly seniors and juniors drive to Poly in their cars each morning in 2019. Each student has a unique car, ranging from imports to American cars. The students are between 16-18 years of age, old enough to drive on their own.
    All the cars the seniors and juniors own are mostly 99% automatic transmission. This is easier on the beginners and easier to drive on a daily.
    Some seniors and juniors have learned to drive a manual, however. “It was hard at first, but as soon as you learn it, you’ll enjoy it,” said Poly student Alex Zarate. He owns a white 1991 Honda Accord in a manual transmission with a car bra on the front and lots of modifications on it. He said Hondas are one of the most reliable cars. They are good on gas, and there’s also a lot of aftermarket potential. In Kelley’s blue book website, it has 4.5 out of five stars for reliability, so it’s one of the best cars to start out with if you’re a new driver.
    Devin Martinez owns a 1996 Toyota Supra with a manual transmission like Zarate’s Honda Accord. Instead of using a four cylinder engine, it uses a 3.0 six cylinder engine. It’s a two door coupe and is classified as a sports car in Car Gurus. Many car enthusiasts like Martinez adore the Supra because of how legendary it is and the tuner potential it has. “It’s definitely my favorite car,” said Martinez. His car has aftermarket rims, coilovers, a front lip, and an aftermarket exhaust system that makes the car louder. Since it’s a Toyota, the reliability is there, Martinez said. He wouldn’t recommend it as a first car, though, because it is expensive. He paid $39,850 for his. Not too many high schoolers have that much money yet. But if you have the money to support it, the Supra is a great car to get.
    The Honda Accord and Toyota Supra cars are both imports, which tend to be better than American cars. A study in 2014 by Toyota of Murfreesboro concluded that Ford’s highest mpg was 36.8 while Toyota’s was 44.2. But at the end of the day, it’s your choice whether you want an import or an American car. Everyone has different taste, and each car will have its ups and downs.

  • Come One, Come All

    Come One, Come All

    On April 4, 2019 at Poly’s auditorium, Julia Gustafson’s period 4, Advanced Piano class, put on a recital of extraordinary ability. The pianist lineup began on the right foot with a rustic song titled “Arrival in the Country,” arranged by Weekly and Arganbright as performed by Gregory Chao, Justin Ramsical, Chan Thon, and Alexander Vega. This gave the audience a little taste as to what was to come. The pieces had so much variety. The songs played ranged from pieces like “Fantasy in A Minor” by Mary Leaf, and “Scherzo, Opus 129 No. 6” arranged by Phillip Keveren to pieces such as “Feelin’ Good” by Robert Vandall and “Beauty and the Beast” by Alan Menken. The recital also included a multiple instrument piece titled “Lindaraxa’s Balcony” by Walter and Carol Noona. The leader of it all, Mrs. Gustafson even joined in on the fun playing “Valse Noble” with students Abigail Menchaca and Samuel Santana. Within the mix were amazing solo performances such as the one from senior Lucia Sato, playing the classic “Deux Arabesque No.2” by Claude Debussy. She stated that she has “been lucky to be a part of the piano program for two out of the four years.” Ms. Sato also gave advice for upcoming piano students: “Keep practicing and have fun while playing piano. Also, try not to stress out during your performance because there will be many more.”

    As a fellow piano student, this allowed me to see a performance from the audience’s perspective for the first time. I can simply say that what Mrs. Gustafson, along with the hard work of the students, put together a fantastic performance. I only have three words to use to describe the performances: Sophisticated. Fun. Brilliant.

  • Get Out the U.S.

    Jordan Peele’s movie Us came out March 22, 2019. Featuring stunning performances by the entire cast, Us is a great reflection on the idea of how society treats its less fortunate and the consequences of these actions.

    That is one interpretation of the film, as there are many more. There are also many theories surrounding the events in the film.

    Warning spoilers will be present from here on, so if you have not watched it then you should get to it. On with the theories: the most interesting being that Jason is a tethered, this theory claims that Jason was switched similar to the way Adelaide was. However there are holes in this theory, mainly the timing of these events, if you want more information you can search it up.

    There is another interesting theory that encompasses Peele’s other movie Get Out with Us. This theory begs the question whether or not the movies are part of a shared universe.

    There are already many movies that have a shared universe so would it be so far fetched as to think Peele could be trying to do the same? Anyway the theory suggests that there is a connection between the sciences that created the tethered in Us and the ability of putting two consciousnesses inside a single body in Get Out.

    All we know of how the tethered in Us were created is when Red tells the family that they were created by a shadowy government organization and abandoned. This fits in with the explanation that Dean gives in Get Out when he explains the origins of his “practice.” The most fascinating theory however is that the tethered are better than “Us”.

    Throughout the movie they are seen working together collectively to achieve the goal they worked for, however the “civilized” part of society is not able to defeat them.

    The tethered were even able to accomplish the goal of Hands Across America, which famously was a failure when first conceived in 1986. This asks the question of whether or not the more civilized society deserves what they got, if they are so focused on themselves and not on the greater good of society.

  • I’ll Have a Grande

    Ariana Grande’s signature drink at Starbucks debuted and will remain on the menu permanently. Ariana is a light bubbly, sweet and strong person so I expected her drink to represent that.

    The Cloud Macchiato is everything but that. Taking into consideration her music, style, and past boyfriends, I assumed the girl had taste. This drink proved me wrong. Most of the media is complaining that her drink isn’t considered vegan, while Grande has claimed to be vegan herself. I couldn’t care less about it not being vegan. If it was vegan, that would at least be an excuse as to why it tastes so bad.

    I do not consider myself to be a coffee person, so I brought along an expert, who was in agreement with me. That drink was gross, bitter, and if you enjoy the bitter taste of actual crap, consider drinking black coffee, It’s cheaper and there are no expectations.

    3/10 will not drink again. 

  • Super Smash It UP, My Bros

    Super Smash It UP, My Bros

    Recently, from 5-8 March 2019, the Poly eSports Club hosted a Super Smash Bros. Ultimate tournament. A game widely loved over the generations from Super Smash Bros. 64 (1999) to present. The club’s leader, Gabriel Cortes, hosted the tournament using Computer teacher Jonathan Virak’s room (416) using his monitor and projector to host 2 Nintendo switch setups.

    The prize pool was not money, but a Nintendo Switch GameCube Controller which is priced at $24.99. The tournament contained 30 people playing in a best two out of three match the first day, and best out of one the next two days.

    The room was filled to the brim each day with spectators and players alike to watch the phenomenal event. This event was a first of its kind and players were hungry for the win. As the dust settled, each set ended with a fist bump or handshake to keep good sportsmanship, but at the end of it all, who was left?

    It was semi-finals and the two giants of the tourney where Matthew “Matt” Mercado and Michael “MikeDuu” Duu. Michael Duu showed up to show out on the first two days with his Falco stringing together multiple hits and spikes to utterly destroy his opponent.

    Players from the corner of the room witnessed how both prospects tore through their brackets, ending up in the semi-finals. Duu favoring to play King K. Rool for his super-armor and heavy punishes. While Mercado stuck to his trusty Donkey Kong for its punishes and spikes. And in the best of such a match, it is very hard to predict a winner.

    In he end, it was Mercado who stood atop the mountain triumphant ending the last stock with a winded up super punch.

    With the grand finals ahead it was Gabino “Gambino” Diaz with his Little Mac against Matthew “Matt” Mercado, a classic Donkey Kong v.s Little Mac matchup. In a surprising turn of events, Gambino turns the tides and takes a clean 2 stock upset. Gabino wins it all, the honor and the nifty controller at the end of the day.

    We hope to see more come out of the eSports Club and their semi-annual Smash tournament. Join president Gabriel Cortes in the Jackrabbits eSports Club every other Wednesday in room 416 during lunch.

  • Shop With Friends

    Shop With Friends

    Like every year, a plethora of high schoolers emerge with their own personal clothing brands. Here to set himself apart from the rest is senior Dakota Song, creator of the upcoming streetwear brand, Shop With Friends.

    “Before, I used to overthink and complicate the concepts surrounding my past clothing brands. Shop With Friends presents itself naturally as it represents my personal creative outlet. It’s hard to put a definition of what Shop With Friends means, since I want to avoid putting restrictions on the brands potential and what it can be,” said Song when defining what his brand means to him. Song already has reputable experience in the streetwear industry as he’s worked with other local streetwear brands, being a photographer and media outputter as well as videographer. Song also trained as a creative director while being an intern.

    “My brand is going to feature the essentialized hoodie and everyday T-shirt. Shop With Friends is definitely out-there in terms of color and style, so you have to be comfortable with dressing it,” said Song. Shop With Friends showcases bright and vivid color ways that’s going to revolutionize the way people think of dark and obscure winter clothing.

    From genuine heat press to multi-stitched embroidery, Shop With Friends proves that high school streetwear brands can still exhibit quality. For more information and updates, follow the brand via Instagram @shopwfriends.