Tonestro Violin
Reviewed by Andy
This app is a violin app typically used for, well, violin players. It can teach you how to play the violin, give you songs to play, and has a violin tuner. The app will, however, unlock many things behind a paywall. In order to use the songs and lessons feature, you’ll need to pay a subscription of “premium.” It also has things to help you log minutes on how long you’ve played, as well as set goals to beat for the week/day. Another thing is that there are ads all over, which will urge you to buy premium even more due to how repetitive they are.
The app is…alright. I personally downloaded this app due to me being tired of practicing with an untuned violin at home. The constant reminder of buying premium is always annoying, and every time I see an ad or promotion to buy it, I gain white hair. I don’t use the features of lessons and songs that the app offers, but..they’re locked if you didn’t buy premium. These things should be free! I suppose I really shouldn’t care since I just use the tuner, but I feel bad for other people who want to devote themselves to the violin but cannot fully do it since they found this app pop up first on the app store. Overall, it’s ok. Just don’t use the app for things like learning to play and the songs on there. I would just use it for the tuner.
Stoic Journal & Mental Health
Reviewed by Daphne
I liked this app but not very much. It does its job in tracking your mood, helping you reflect and build habits. It gives quotes and affirmations as promised. But to me, this app was simply not very beneficial. The breathing exercises could only be used at the premium level. And, the quotes were random and not personalized based on your mood or anything. Although it did help me reflect, I didn’t see much benefit from just writing about my day. But I did like how it shows trends – it asks your mood throughout the week to show a general insight on your mood changes. I would rate it a 6/10, because it mainly does what it promises and I could see how it would help some people.
Gauth AI
Reviewed by Nick
Gauth AI is a study companion app. You take a picture of the question, and it gives you the answer. It also explains step by step how you can solve the question and how it got the answer. It has several subjects such as math, history, physics, chemistry, literature, geometry, and language. It is free on the App Store. Just download it to your device and you can use it instantly. You don’t have to sign in or anything
that uses personal information you can just get right to the studying. Any grade can use it. It can be used when you are having difficulty on your homework or assignments.
I love the app Gauth AI. It is a study companion app that you can use for your homework or assignments. All you have to do is download it and then you can use it right away. You don’t need to sign in at all. It gives you the answer and how you can solve it. I use it for my work when I don’t understand it. It is like a free tutor, and the best thing is that you don’t have to leave your bed! It helps me study for tests and answers questions that I don’t understand. For example, when I didn’t understand a math question, I used it and it showed me how to get the answer, and showed my step by step how to answer it successfully. It has many different subjects such as math, history physics, chemistry, language, literature and geometry. In my opinion Gauth AI is a very useful app for schoolwork.
I Sold My Life for 10,000 Yen Per Year by Sugaru Miaki
Reviewed by Andy
The story follows a twenty-year-old man named Kusunoki, who has fallen very low. He’s working a job that doesn’t quite pay sufficiently, and his home is incredibly bland and empty. He lacks even a computer or TV. He then decides to sell his CDs and books, which is very difficult for him. At a bookshop where he sells his books, he learns of a building that buys peoples’ lifespans for an amount based on the value and quality of the life he’s led. He then proceeds to go to a CD shop to sell his CDs, and he asks the worker there about the lifespan shop. He gets a confirmation from the worker, and the next day he decides to go to the store. It turns out that his life is only worth the bare minimum of 10,000 yen (63.56 USD today) per year. Kusunoki ends up selling 30 years of the 30 years and 3 months he has left for 300,000 yen. It turns out that once you sell off enough of your lifespan to only have one year left, you get an observer, a person who watches over you to prevent you from doing anything rash. The observer cannot be seen by anyone other than the person who sold off their years. Kusunoki got a person called Miyagi as his observer. The rest of the story will follow Kusunoki making an effort to make amends and resolve his past regrets.
This manga is a masterpiece, and I highly encourage you to read it. The author manages to throw you on a rollercoaster of emotions in just sixteen chapters—sixteen! When I first got the manga recommendation on TikTok, I was a bit skeptical and unsure. However, after reading the manga, I was left heartbroken, awed, and stunned! Reading this was like being overloaded with lots of information, but at the same time, I understood it all. I got to experience an exposition that let me get to know and understand the characters, a climax I was unable to look away from, and an ending that was very well written yet left me feeling empty. It even got me to start questioning the meaning of life. Again, I strongly suggest you read this manga. It will alter your perspective of life, and overall very well written.
The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
Reviewed by Brayden
The Outsiders is a book about a 14-year-old boy named Ponyboy, who lives with his two brothers, and they have rough family lives. Ponyboy becomes friends with a group of kids and his friends also have rough family lives. They all become each other’s family. One day, Ponyboy goes to a drive-in theater and meets two girls with his friend. One of the girl’s boyfriend’s sees her with Ponyboy and becomes angry. That night, Ponyboy and his friends sleep in a parking lot. The boyfriend finds them, and they get into a fight. Ponyboy and his friends run into an abandoned church and stay there for a while. At some point in the book, they leave the church and one day it goes on fire. They notice other kids are in the church, so Ponyboy and his friends go to help save the kids. Ponyboy gets out without injuries but some of the friends were hurt, mostly Johnny who ended up passing away from his injuries.
I don’t always read books at home but after reading this book as part of a classroom assignment in seventh grade, I ended up enjoying it so much that I would come home and tell my family about it and even read parts of the book to them. I enjoyed the book because it reminds me of a sense of belonging, friendship, family, and the struggles the characters have. There are a lot of emotions with the characters, and I would imagine myself in their situations and what I would do and how I would react. I recommend this book to anyone in middle school.
Because of Mr. Terupt by Robert Buyea
Reviewed by Caiden
Mr. Terupt is a new teacher and all of the kids really don’t take him seriously. He creates a paper chain so whenever the kids are good for a day they add a chain to it. When it reaches the ground they get to do something fun. When they make the chain touch the ground it was during winter and it snowed so the kids went outside .The kids were having fun running from snow hill to snow hill . Luke kept pushing Peter down a tall hill. So Peter took an ice ball and threw it at Luke and missed him and hit Mr Terupt in the head causing him to go into a comma. The kids were sad until the last day of school Mr Terupt showed up and told them he would go to the next grade with them because he didn’t spend enough time with them. He would be their teacher next year.
The books is very good. I like it a lot because the kids didn’t listen to Mr Terupt and were always joking around with him in the beginning of the year. But over the course of the year they started to realize he was a cool and fun teacher that did lots of projects. Once they figured that out they started to respect him more and be nice to him. I like teachers who do cool and fun things with us and we still learn. I enjoyed this part or the book. I can related to the students in the book. It was fun to read about the students getting a reward and getting to go outside in the snow and play.
Because of Mr. Terupt by Robert Buyea
Reviewed by Madeline
“Because of Mr. Terupt” by Rob Buyea tells the story of a fifth-grade teacher, mr. terupt, and the big change he has on his students. The story is shared through the voices of seven students, each dealing with their own personal problems. mr. terupt’s creative way of teaching and positive attitude help the students learn and grow throughout the school year. A serious accident involving mr. terupt brings the class and some of the teachers closer together and teaches them important lessons about forgiveness, love, and kindness. After you finish this book you could move on to “Mr. Terupt falls again” if you really like the series.
I personally loved this book because I get many different point of views from what’s happening. I also love realistic fiction books because I get what’s happening in the story because I’ve been though it. You get to learn about every character and their personal problems at home. Another thing is that the accident also helps them understand how to be mature and more responsible. This major part of the story really helps a few of the characters to get closer. And if they never had spent a great year with Mr. Terupt, these great things would have never happened.
Because of Mr. Terupt by Robert Buyea
Reviewed by Samantha
Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea tells the story of a fifth-grade class and their teacher, Mr. Terupt. He uses creative lessons and believes in his students. He helps them grow and overcome personal challenges. The story is told from the view of seven students, each dealing with their own issues like bullying, family problems, and self-esteem. When a terrible accident happens to Mr. Terupt, the students must come together and learn how to deal with the situation. The book deals friendship, forgiveness, and the impact a great teacher can have on their students lives.
Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea is a sweet story about a fifth-grade class whose lives are changed by their new teacher, Mr. Terupt. Each chapter is told by one of his students, giving readers different perspectives on school life, friendship, and personal struggles. Mr. Terupt’s creative teaching methods bring out the best in the students. A horrible accident leaves the students dealing with big emotions. The story shows the power of kindness, understanding, and second chances. It’s a touching, thoughtful read that helps you appreciate how one person can make a difference in the lives of others.
Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison
Reviewed by Vidhi
Song of Solomon is a great book if you like a good adventure. The main character, Milkman Dead, does not start out as the best character at first. He was born the same day as Toni Morrison, with the majority of the story taking place during the Civil Rights Movement. He is seen as selfish and distant from his own community, relying on his father who is the neighborhood’s slumlord. However, Toni Morrison is skillfully able to represent Milkman’s journey to a mature man with a new epiphany that allows him to understand the true circumstances of his familial ancestry and overall history. Toni Morrison is successfully able to capture the importance of understanding one’s background and embracing it. If you can read this book, definitely do so!
I really enjoyed reading this book. I first grabbed it as it was required for a class reading. However, the writing in this book was marvelous. It wasn’t too hard to comprehend and I was quickly entranced into reading the whole book in a few days. There is so much detail and history. Toni Morrison includes important historical events such as the death of Emmett Till and organizations such as the Seven Days to show the polarization of the Civil Rights movement as a whole. Also, there is a lot of symbolism in this book and the final epiphany is absolutely gorgeous in this book. It was definitely worth reading.
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
Reviewed by Zainab
Jude is a human girl living in the dangerous world of Faerie because her parents were killed by Madoc, a strong fae general. Jude and her sisters are brought up by Madoc, who is mean and powerful. Though being mortal, Jude wants to prove that she can be just as good as the fae. She is always bullied, especially by Prince Cardan, the youngest and very proud son of the High King. Jude gets caught up in dangerous politics at the Faerie Court, dealing with lies, betrayal, and secrets. As she struggles to gain power and stay alive, Jude learns surprising truths about her family, Cardan, and her own strength.
I absolutely loved this book. I really wish I could read it for the first time again. The main theme of politics and side theme of romance was just perfect for me. The suspense and big surprises kept me interested the whole time. Jude’s journey is so exciting, and I enjoyed her becoming stronger. Cardan, the mean fae prince, is a pretty interesting character, and it makes the story even funnier with his relationship with Jude. The twists in the story, the magic, and the betrayal had me so excited. I couldn’t stop reading because I needed to find out what would happen next. Jude and Cardan’s relationship is one to remember, and that alone should make this a must-read book.
Kitty Collector
Reviewed by Isabella
Kitty collector is a game where you can collect cats, build them homes, and have fun while spending fish on items. This game is free and super cool. It is for all ages and very easy to catch on. It does take a while to start since you need lots of fish and fish are hard to get. Once you are getting the hang of it and getting lots of cats, your game is perfect and super easy! This game is very simple, for some too simple. The only target is to collect cats, nothing else. This can be boring for some. The graphics are great too much it’s very simple as well.
I personally love this game. It’s so relaxing and simple in a good way. It’s nothing to get addicted to luckily, but you are still happy when playing it. The cats are adorable and so cute. It’s so fun to see what cat I will get! It’s also so fun to decorate their area with the many items in the shop! This game is overall so cool and just amazing! It’s for anyone, even people who don’t like cats. My favorite part is when I get a new cat. It’s so exiting. Honestly, in my opinion, this game is a great time killer. It’s internet free so you can play anywhere you’d like. I love this game!
Tetris
Reviewed by Isabella
In Tetris, as many blocks as you can stack to clear in lines are dropped from the top of the screen accelerating downwards. These blocks are frequently colorful and while quadrilateral and nature the pixel-based shapes vary in several shapes that can be utilized to successfully score high. There really is no “winning” so a primary focus of Tetris is… well, focus. Many hospital patients who were studied actually reported less levels of pain when intensely playing the video game than those who didn’t. It’s a rather geometric game; and with a goal of clearing lines and stacking them to a maximum clearing of “Tetris” at once time.
I used to play Tetris at 3 AM in middle school in order to “calm down.” The game has played a rather active role in my development back then; also the fact I temporarily didn’t care about my grades anymore. Writing this review, I’m about to fall asleep, but Tetris always woke and kept me up. This all feels very pathetic to write; like a love letter to an early 1960s video game now available on mobile apps. I think it’s addictive, alluring, relaxing, and fascinating all at once. Like a drug user who can’t keep their thoughts in checks. It is also a classic high: a teenager plays a game, and whether they win or not they learn from it more than a class or school can.
The WereCleaner
Reviewed by Lucas
The game starts by showing you how to play the game, taking place in an office while you use a hose to clean messes around the office with a time limit,greeted by Daryl,a security guard,who you’ll meet every night.This person will be important later on.After that,it shows that you’re actually a werewolf when the full moon rises.As a werewolf,you still have to clean around the office,but now that your werewolf instincts are out,you have a second task,which is to avoid any other workers,since you go crazy and eat them.You can’t even dodge the task of cleaning because now every worker has to work unpaid overtime,which is bad because if you don’t do it,you can’t pay off rent.As the nights continue,the office expands with more and more messes to clean and employees to avoid.After a few nights,you unlock a vacuum,which you can use to throw paper balls,diverting an employee’s path to cleaning it up,On the final nights,you find out Daryl has figured out everything from the tuft of fur you left a few nights before.This night is different from the others,as not only the worker amount gets bigger,the office gets bigger,but this time Daryl brings his shotgun and a special machine to track and kill you.Don’t worry,this machine uses shockwaves to find your FOOTSTEPS,and he tracks those,meaning you can still hide from him if you’re smart enough. In the end of the final night,you escape in a room with a werewolf mascot,tricking Daryl into firing a bunch of shots at a cotton statue.You climb through the window with a rope,and it snaps when Daryl tries to follow you,but since you’re already near the ground,you survive. Daryl,however,isn’t so lucky and turns into a puddle of gross stuff.You clean it up,and you finish the nights,getting your paycheck.From there are the credits,and you finish the game after that.However,there’s still more from that! There are stars for how fast you finish each night,and a sticker for getting 0 kills of that night as well!
This game was really fun and had some major plot twists.It was really hard trying to avoid the employees while I was cleaning the messes they made,and getting a vacuum made my job so much easier,since I could distract the employees while I ran into the bathroom to clean the stains of the toilet.When I found out Daryl had a shotgun,I was like oh my god why the heck does he have a gun,and after I finished,I started to wonder why nobody cares about some crazy guy with reddish eyes with a shotgun running around,but they do freak out when they see some other guy in a suit of fur.It’s just a bit strange knowing that when the employees turn around,they see a wolf with a hose running around while some guy chases him WITH A SHOTGUN AND A FUNNY MACHINE THAT MAKES FUNNY SHOCKWAVES!
Castle Crashers
Reviewed by Megan
Castle Crashers a 2D hack and slash game with RPG-like elements. The story begins as four knights are partying within their king’s castle when all of a sudden an evil wizard comes to steal a magic crystal from within the kings throne and uses it to bring an army of his own back from the dead. With his army, the wizard steals the king’s princesses and scatters them all over the map. It then becomes up to you to select a knight (each one with its own special elemental ability) to bring back the princesses and defeat the evil wizard. As you play you encounter different bosses, powerups and pets with every level, and you can share the fun with your friends when playing in multiplayer.
This game is the best! It has such a whimsy art style that I personally love and the sound effects are just so satisfying. It has its own little running jokes scattered throughout the game which make the playing experience that more much enjoyable. The playstyle is a little janky, however especially when it comes to getting familiar with the game’s depth perception which can sometimes make certain bosses a pain to deal with, but those little quirks are to be expected when the game is entirely 2D (and made in 2008). Still, it’s a great party game to play with friends or even alone.
Slime Rancher
Reviewed by Megan
Slime Rancher is a simulation game in which you collect a variety of slimes and raise them on your ranch. With every passing day you must feed and care for your slimes feeding them their favorite foods and making sure they aren’t attacked by The Tarr (slimes that mutated and become dangerous eating every slime and rancher in their way). With every location you visit and the more you explore, you come into contact with unique slimes which allow you to create your own hybrid slimes. Every day is a new adventure with different quests opening throughout the game.
Slime Rancher is a great game to play if you’re just looking to pass some time. The music and atmosphere of the game provides such a relaxing and calming experience. Also the slimes are so cute! They make little squeaking sound effects and little splat noises as they interact with the environment making them all too lovable. The game can get repetitive after a while especially visiting far locations and having to walk all the way back as soon as your inventory gets filled, but there are multiple little stories unveiled as you explore the environment and keep you hooked.
Good Pizza, Great Pizza
Reviewed by Olivia
You are working in a pizza shop and you are taking customers weird and wacky orders and you have to complete the orders before the customers get mad.You are also competing against the rude guy who own another pizza shop next door to you! The game includes a variety of customers that are inclusive with multiple skin colors, hair styles, and different senses of style. This is also a no wifi game so it is perfect for road trips or anywhere! There are multiple chapters in this game so you don’t run out of things to do in it. You can download the game on Nintendo, android, macOS, Microsoft windows, and on the app store which is perfect so you can download it anywhere.
I LOVE the game Good pizza, Great pizza because it never gets boring after a certain amount of time like most games do, but i can sit down and play this for hours. I like how the plot is set up and how you are competing to be the best pizza shop in town. I also like how before you open your pizza shop how they give you a tiny bit of daily news on PNN which stands for “pizza news network” I also like how this is a no wifi game so i can play this is the car or on an airplane. What really makes the game more fun and challenging is that every unique character has their own challenging order. I also like how you can upgrade your shop in the game so you can customize it to how you like it.
Madden NFL 24
Reviewed by Rodolfo
In the game you can find every NFL player in the year 2024 Sony version , the game does require you to buy PlayStation Plus to be able to play online with others or you can also play against your friend or family in kickoff mode. The game has all of NFL’s basic game rules, it is suggested to learn the game of football for a better experience to understand what to do and what not to do but if you want to play for fun that is also an option overall the game is great and I would recommend everyone who loves video games to play because it brings competitiveness at any social event, it great to play and if you want to learn the game of football Madden is a great,simple easy way to learn
Personally I think that Madden is a great game and I loved it from the graphics, to the commentators the voice of the fans to make it seem like you are in the stadium the coaches, the playbook. Some problems are that sometimes the game lags, the refs get in the way of the play but that’s rarely, the quarterback might overthrow you sometimes but all and all i think that its a great game if your looking for something calm to play with your friends on the weekends or sometimes you can put the game difficulty higher for more of a challenge if that’s what you like.
Home Alone
Reviewed by Dominic
Home Alone is a Christmas movie where Kevin, the main character, gets left at home all by himself when the rest of his family is on vacation. At the start of the movie, he says he hates his family because they annoy him and don’t treat him right, but over the course of the movie, when he has to defend himself from two thieves robbing his house, he learns the importance of having a supportive and caring family. What most people know this movie for is the traps Kevin sets up to defend himself from the bandits, and the entire movie is extremely entertaining, while also having an important message to get you in the Christmas spirit.
This is my second favorite Christmas movie, the first is Home Alone 2. This is because how funny the movie is. The traps Kevin sets up are all really fun and cool and watching the bandits fall for all of them is even funnier. One thing that really makes the scenes great is the acting of the bandits, one of them is actually smart and wants to be careful, and the other one is really dumb. This makes the movie even funnier as you constantly get to see them make fun of one another. The plot of the movie is really good too, because you also get to see the panic of the parents, while at first, Kevin is having a lot of fun being home alone.
Home Alone 2
Reviewed by Dominic
Home Alone 2 is a direct sequel to Home Alone, and follows the same concept. Kevin McCallister is left behind while his family is on vacation and has to learn to be independent and ends up defending himself from two robbers. In this movie, the events take place in New York, which is very different from the last one. It starts off with Kevin being mad at his family, as his older siblings constantly make fun of him and mistreat him. Then when his family is going to Florida on vacation, he gets left behind as he follows someone he thinks is his dad, but isn’t. After enjoying New York for a little, he begins missing his family back. Then he defends a toy shop from the robbers and sees his family again.
This is my favorite Christmas movie because it’s incredibly funny, has a message, and is extremely iconic for the genre. It manages to take the same concept from the first movie and change it enough so that it feels similar to the first one, but not exactly the same. It taking place in New York is also great as I live here and it’s cool to see all the places I’ve been in the movie. The scenes with the robbers are even funnier this time, as the traps become more complex and we get to see a lot more funny interactions between the robbers and Kevin. I think it’s better then the first movie because it’s funnier and has more notable scenes.
Star Wars Episode 3
Reviewed by Dominic
Star Wars episode 3 is the final movie in the prequal trilogy which started in 1999. These movies followed the story of Anakin Skywalker and the Jedi Order before the empire controlled the galaxy. In this movie, we get to see Anakin’s conflicting feelings about the Jedi and his eventual turn to the dark side, and how he became Darth Vader. The movie shows us how the sith came to power and wraps the trilogy up with continuing storylines that the the audience knew, but the characters didn’t. The movie is regarded highly by critics and fans for it’s amazing fights, cinematic and iconic scenes and moments, the acting, and the emotions of the characters.
This is my favorite star wars movie because it has the best lightsaber duels and incredible character development from Anakin Skywalker. The duel at the end of the film between Anakin and Obi Wan is one the most iconic scenes in cinema and throughout the movie the fight scenes are great. I also love watching how conflicted Anakin was before joining the dark side and how he’s being influenced by chancellor Palpatine. This movie also improves the first 3 for me as seeing what led up to them is really good and completes the story in the original films. Overall, this movie is great and one of the best in the franchise,
It Ends With Us
Reviewed by Konstantina
Lily bloom is a florist who had a rough childhood dealing with an alcoholic and abusive father. After the death of her father Lily moves to NYC to open up her own flower shop and that´s when she befriends Alyssa. Through Alyssa Lilly meets Ryle a neurosurgeon who seems like a perfect person to be in a relationship with. Ryle and Lily begin a relationship and one day when they went to a diner Lily saw her childhood best friend and ex lover and she was starstruck. Atlas and Lily began to talk privately when Ryle saw and punched Atlas. Later on the relationship Lily began to saw Ryles dark side and abusive side and he pushed her down the stairs. Lily ran away from Ryle after that situation to Atlas and she later found out she was pregnant with Ryles baby. Lily was put in a tough situation should she stay or should she leave the relationship because Ryle was now being amazing towards her. In the end Lily chose to leave the cycle of abusive relationships for her daughter and to choose the Atlas the man who wont hurt her.
I personally thought the movie was great I thought it was realistic to many people going through a similar situation. I really enjoyed the chemistry between the actors and I thought that it was lengthy but it was a good thing since it was able to cover a ton of stuff that occurred in the book. I do however wish that movie showed some things that occurred in the book that they didn’t show such as Lilys gay best friend Devin not being shown in the film made me upset and the part where he made Ryle jealous.Overall the movie was fantastic and I would definitely recommend it.
Grease
Reviewed by Konstantina
Grease is a musical romance set in the 60´s about teenagers and there clicks. Sandy and Danny had a very romantic summer but Sandy was supposed to move to Australia and that was the end of the relationship. As the school year opens with two clicks the Pink Lady ´ s and the T-birds. Danny is a part of the t-birds and his group acts like they are cooler and better than everyone else in their school. On the first day of school Sandy decides to actually stay and not move and she befriends Frenchy and hangs around the Pink Lady ´ s even though they make fun of her. Danny and Sandy both share about there romance over the summer and they finally met up at a school football game where Danny was acting too cool and like the relationship meant nothing. Later sandy went out with a popular football player and that made Danny jealous and he tried out for every sport. Later Danny and Sandy rekindle their romance. However Danny is still embarrassed by Sandy’s innocence . The high school they attended was hosting a live dancing event and when Danny at the end danced with Cha Cha his old romance and won Sandy became devastated and left. The end of the school year came and the school was hosting a carnival and Sandy decided to dress up as a rebel type style similar to the T- Birds style and Danny decided to dress in Sandy´s style they made up and they became a couple again .
I personally loved the movie and I thought that the music was very catchy and the dances were incredible. I really enjoyed the fashion because I felt like it was very reflected of the 60´s and it was cool to see what teenagers were wearing back then and see how different it is from today. I personally wish that they expanded more on the other characters and I wished they focused more time on their story lines. My favorite character is Kinicky because I think he is really funny and always honest with others. Overall I definitely recommend this book to others because it is a great feel good movie to watch and it has great songs.
Everything Everywhere All At Once
Reviewed by Rodolfo
Evelyn, immigrant mother runs a laundromat with her husband, yet her life isn’t exactly where she wants it to be. She has a strained relationship with her lesbian daughter and overbearing father. But when she visits the IRS building to sort out her business possibly getting audited, an inter-dimensional rupture threatens to unravel the multiverse. Now the unlikely hero must channel her newfound powers to fight the bizarre and absurd threats from the entire multiverse. However, as she fights these multiversal dangers, Evelyn will soon learn many things about the reason in living and what exactly life’s purpose is, as she fights against those that think nihilistically otherwise.
This might genuinely be one of the most beautiful and near-perfect movies—pieces of art—I’ve ever had to pleasure of experiencing. With the fantastic score, impressive and colorful visual effects, perfect moments of absurd comedy, beautiful symbolism, and tear-jerking and thought-provoking acting with Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan, and Stephanie Hsu, this movie will leave you speechless and in a mess of tissues and tears by the end, especially for those that have life experience with immigrant parents. Yes it’s completely insane and absolutely absurd. Yet through this confusing, mind-bending, colorful, and funny mess, the movie’s purpose shines through every single dimension: happiness and love is something you should take in your life, and hold on to for dear life as if nothing else matters. This is absolutely not your typical multiverse movie. I never knew I’d be so emotionally moved from taxes and laundry, as well as bagels and eyes.
Shutter Island
Reviewed by Yixin
shutter Island tells the story of Teddy Daniels, a federal police officer, and his partner Chuck Orr, who are sent to Forbidden Island in 1954 to investigate the mysterious disappearance of a mentally ill man from Ashcliffe Hospital. Ashcliffe Hospital is an institution for the criminally insane, located on an isolated island. As the investigation progresses, Teddy gradually discovers a series of unusual events on the island, and the truth becomes more and more confusing. The movie focuses on psychological trauma, the blurred line between memory and reality, and is full of suspense and tension with an intricate and compelling storyline.
shutter Island is an impressive psychological thriller. The set design of the movie is very oppressive, with a desolate island, a gloomy hospital and a mysterious atmosphere that makes you feel tense and uneasy at all times. I really enjoyed this movie, which is more than just suspenseful and delves into the vulnerability and trauma of the human psyche. The open-ended ending of the movie was especially thought-provoking; this movie kept me coming back to Teddy’s fate in his final moments, speculating about what really happened to him. This unanswered question is not only memorable, but it also imbues the movie with a deeper meaning.
The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones
Reviewed by Zainab
Clary Fray discovers she’s a Shadowhunter, a half-human, half-angelic warrior that protects humans from demons. Life gets completely out of hand when her mother is taken by Valentine, a rogue Shadowhunter obsessed with finding the Mortal Cup, a powerful item. Joining Jace Wayland and other Shadowhunters, Clary steps into a secret world of magic, demons, vampires, and werewolves. As she tries to save her mom, Clary discovers surprising truths about her family, her powers, and her link to the Shadowhunter world. Full of action, love, and mysterious events, the movie shows Clary’s path to accept her fate and keep the world safe from evil.
I loved City of Bones! It has a fast-paced, heart-pumping storyline that hooked me on from the get-go and didn’t even let me breathe till its very end. Clary’s adventure is amazing—full of emotions and love, brought about by Jace. One can also find a fully imagined world for Shadowhunters, demons, and various other creatures. The action is exciting, and there is so much in the storyline that is surprising. You feel like you’re literally with Clary on the journey, learning about powers and revealing secrets. Honestly, I wish I could see it for the first time again because it really is that good!
Tek It by Cafune
Reviewed by Daphne
Tek It is a song by Cafune from their debut album “Running”. The name Cafune belongs to a duo, singer-songwriter Sedona Schat and producer Noah Yoo who met at New York University. They create music that can primarily be categorized into an American indie pop genre. The song Tek It tells the story of a relationship that has gone through some ups and downs. It begins by sharing how in sync the couple was at the start of the relationship and then disconnected, and while this has become a heavy emotional burden for the narrator, she struggles to communicate her emotions to the other. The song gained a lot of its popularity on Tiktok.
I really loved this song. I enjoy how emotionally expressive the singer’s voice is, and how sometimes she sings and alters her tone as if she’s directly speaking to her partner. Additionally, the song is meaningful to me because I can easily relate myself to many of the lyrics, as they can be applied to other aspects of life and still feel greatly expressed in the song. For example, the line “you just can’t call a spade a spade” can reflect how I sometimes feel like I fail to be true to myself, and the disappointed tone that it comes with motivates me to change.
Nothing Was The Same by Drake
Reviewed by Dominic
Nothing Was The Same is Drake’s 3rd studio album and was released in 2013. The album was met with critical appraise and is one of my personal favorite albums of all time. The album’s production is great throughout and the songs vary from deep and introspective cuts to up-beat anthems. Most people think well about the project, considering it one of drake’s best albums to date. The meaning behind the album is how even though Drake’s entire life changes when he gained fame and popularity, he, himself is still the same person and didn’t let any outside influences get to him.The album’s opener, “A Lot’s Gonna Change,” invites listeners to reflect on the simplicity of childhood, before a sharp return to reality: inevitably, “a lot’s gonna change.” The outlook of the song is then reworked again, encouraging “you’ll learn to get by / ‘Cause you got what it takes.” This constant ebb and flow of positive and negative messaging is present throughout the album, because rather than ignore what is all around us, Mering argues, we must learn to find comfort in the uncomfortable.
There’s a persistent need asserted for us to “stop and smell the roses” — while we still can. The image of the sunken ship Titanic invoked by the album’s title and the feeling of being underwater due to frequent references to water and things bigger than we are (which occasionally feel out of our control) can be seen as metaphors for climate change, drawing attention especially to rising sea levels (Titanic Rising). The track “Movies” starts off abstract and imaginative, with Mering expressing her love for movies despite their known unreliability (“I’m bound to that summer / Big box office hit / Making love to a counterfeit”), and by its end, one could feel they are drowning in sound; dynamic synth arpeggios shift into the abrupt bowing of violins, leading to a cacophony of noise and descent into chaos, a warning against getting too caught up in the superficial. The album is a microcosm of what it means to be alive in this world in an age of turbulence and increasing uncertainty. In “Wild Time,” Mering remarks: “It’s a wild time / to be alive.”
Blending contrasting themes from the past and the present, classic and contemporary, Mering’s voice and songwriting has been compared to the likes of Karen Carpenter and Carole King, with steady piano melodies and the psychedelic feel of ‘70s synthesizers combining with electronic and techno elements and commentary on love and society that could only come from a person living in the 21st century, resulting in an album that is simultaneously timely and timeless.
I think this album is a 10/10 and includes some great tracks throughout. I love listening to it when travelling and at night as I feel like that’s when the music hits me the hardest and has the biggest impact. These are the 3 best songs on the album. The intro “Tuscan Leather”, has some of the best beats I’ve ever heard and is a great start, talking about the different challenges he had to overcome to get to where he is now. The second song, furthest thing, is a great introspective song with a great and catchy hook as well as relatable lyrics talking about how nobody is really perfect. The third best song, is “From Time” as it has a great hook, sung by Jhene Aiko, and some of the best rapping and lyricism on the entire album. Overall, every song is great but those are the three main standouts.
Workin’ Hard by Fuji Kaze
Reviewed by Esedess
The song’s main message is that everyone is doing their best to work hard, doesn’t matter what their environment is or their occupation. In the video for the song we see a variety of characters carrying garbage with the knots mirroring the shape of a heart. This can be interpreted as a symbol for self love, praise, and appreciation. The lyrics include lines like “Trust the process and be brave” the entire song is about self positive affirmation,”Y’all are doing really great” constant reaffirmations are being given. The song is also emphasizing just how far these positive messages will go, reaching person to person.
Fuji Kaze did a really good job at not just creating a good theme for the song to follow but just the entire composition. It has a playful feel with the instrumental, from the initial chords from the piano to the slow build up and returning back to the chords. It’s just a great song to come back to here and there because of it’s very positive message. Kaze also really captures that nice jazz mix along with Japanese lyrics. There’s of course a lot of Japanese jazz but Kaze captures the right instrumental. The variety in the instruments he used also makes me feel as though there’s not one part of the song that’s repetitive in that sense.
The White Album by The Beatles
Reviewed by Declan
When I first heard the full thing I was blown away. I had heard snippets of songs before, but since I got it on CD I’ve been able to listen to it fully again and again. The music sounds like something The Beatles would make, it can jump from bouncy songs to not so happy songs, and, even songs with stories written into them. This album is an experience, and a very good one at that. Makes me want to listen to more of their music, and thankfully I can with my record player. The White Album is one of my favorite albums they have produced, and I haven’t even listened to their full discography yet.
Hold the Girl by Rina Sawayama
Reviewed by Gianna
Rina Sawayama has always been my favorite music artist (highly recommended, by the way), and this album just further solidified my love for her music. It’s a very cohesive mix of various different music styles, but it all comes together and has recurring themes that you can pick out, and one common sound and voice with many different songs. My favorites were Hurricane, Hold the Girl, and Forgiveness. Sawayama combines grunge vocals, 2000s pop rock, and UK beats together to create a very uniquely modern yet nostalgic sound. And the stories behind some of her songs are very heartwarming, too, like Send My Love to John. It’s a wonderful blend of storytelling, personal experience, and music.
Midnight Memories by One Direction
Reviewed by Isabella
This album by one direction is absolutely amazing! All of the songs are outstanding and have a lot of meaning. There is the perfect combination of very upbeat dance songs and then the mellow ones to balance out the vibe of the album. This album is the third one direction album and is totally different than their first and second album, which is something that makes this album so much better.
Drive by Tiësto
Reviewed by Kamilah
“DRIVE” is an album produced and brought to by Dutch DJ Tiësto, one of the worlds most famous DJs, currently 80th more viewed artist in Spotify. Tiësto’s “DRIVE” album was released in April 21, 2023. This album contains some of his most famous and heard songs all around the world, including “10:35” with Tate McRae or “The Motto” with Ava Max. The album contains 13 tracks/songs, all equaling a total of 34 minutes and 14 seconds as playing time. This is his seventh album produced. During its debut, DRIVE managed to get second in top dance/electronic albums charts.
I love this album, keep in mind, I don’t like it, I LOVE IT! When I went to the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Austin, Tiësto gave a concert, I was speechless. The ability he has to make all these tracks is impressive. If you’re feeling sad, this album will for sure make you feel better. The rhythm is catchy, making you dance everywhere, from your car, to school, to even in the hallway of your house. This song has every type of beat, slow, fast, but all the songs will have you dancing and moving. Tiësto has been making albums for a long time now, but DRIVE stays my favorite.
Niagara Falls
Reviewed by Andy
The Niagara Falls is a “Natural Wonder” (A naturally occurring, beautiful phenomenon.) There are two places to view it: the side from Canada and the side from the United States. To view it, you can either view it from afar, viewing the marvel like it’s a painting. (This works on both sides.) However, you will miss out on the full experience of getting water sprayed and splashed onto you while also being up close and feeling the boat rock around. This is much more immersive than just viewing from afar. It’s a popular tourist attraction for both Americans and Canadians alike.
The Niagara Falls was overall a very nice sightseeing spot for tourists. It is, of course, very well known; the water splashing onto you is refreshing, and the sight of the falls is very beautiful. The drive to Canada was long, though it was absolutely worth every single mile. Being in a different country added to the exhilarating feeling when going here! Even the smallest things could be considered new since it’s different from your everyday life in your home country. The steps leading to the boat felt very exciting, as it was leading up to me getting to see the beautiful, massive Niagara Falls. Overall, I would go back just to sight-see, though it would take lots of gas money and time to drive back and forth.
Jake’s Steakhouse – East Meadow
Reviewed by Brayden
I am reviewing a restaurant I went to called Jakes Steakhouse in East Meadow on Long Island. I went to this restaurant for my 13th birthday with my parents and sister. My birthday was over Thanksgiving break but we had so many things going on with the family so we couldn’t go out to dinner until the break was over. We went out for an early dinner the Monday after Thanksgiving. Because it was a school night, we couldn’t go too long because I had homework, and it’s also the night I go to Religion class. Jake’s easily became one of my favorite restaurants and I’m happy to tell you why.
One of my favorite foods is steak, and for my birthday, I ordered the ribeye. It was very flavorful, juicy, and tender. We ordered a few side dishes including mac n cheese, creamed spinach, and French Fries. I didn’t try the creamed spinach, but the other two sides were good. The mac n cheese wasn’t my absolute favorite, but I did enjoy it. What I loved was the French Fries because they were thin, crispy, and salty, just the way I like them! The staff was very nice as well. They knew we couldn’t stay at the restaurant too long because it was a school night and they worked hard to get us in and out as quickly as possible. I recommend this restaurant to anyone who lives in the area.
Long Island Aquarium
Reviewed by Cassie
I really enjoy going to the Long Island Aquarium every year! There are many different exhibits you can go too like the Sea Lion Coliseum, The Lost City of Atlantis Shark Exhibit, my personal favorite The Butterfly and Bugs Exhibit. Just to name a few! When you walk and around the Aquarium, you can see many different fishes, sharks, amphibians, and out of water animals too. If you are hungry, you can find a sea themed cafeteria filled with delicious snacks, drinks, and full meals to fill you up. There are also little stands and booths for ice cream or drinks when you walk around. There are shows during the time you are there if you want to see any like the Sea Lion Shows or the Penguin Pavilion to see the animals perform tricks and funny acts! If you love merch, there are two sea life themed stores for you to check out! Just a small warning, it can be pricey at times. If your tickets come the the stamp to check out the Butterfly Exhibit, you should totally see it. There are many different bugs you can see or butterflies flying around. One rule is Please don’t pick up the butterflies because it could damage their wings! Now what are you waiting for? Go and see the fun for your self!
I love the Long Island Aquarium! It gives me so much joy to just walk around and look and all of the life that is around you! The cafeteria is full of amazing food and snacks! My personal favorite is the mini churros and the mozzarella sticks. I love to see the butterflies in their exhibit.Its so funny to see them just land on me! I love to dip my feet into the interactive pond. Its so fun to pick up the horseshoe crabs for a little bit. It just annoys how expensive stuff is here. It was $15 dollars for 3 scoops of ice cream with no toppings! I bought it anyways and it was good thought. This was the only reason I was reducing a star.
Hershey Park
Reviewed by Liam
Hershey park is a fun amusement park with lots of chocolate themed actions. It has exciting roller coasters, cool water rides, and rides for younger kids too. There are different areas, like the Boardwalk with water rides and Chocolate Town where you can eat and shop. You can also go on the Hershey’s Chocolate Tour or meet Hershey’s characters. The park is great for families, friends, and people who love thrill rides. Plus, its right next to Hershey’s Chocolate World, so you can check that out too. There’s something for everyone to enjoy at Hershey park.
I remember having a lot of fun at Hershey Park. I loved it a lot because of the Chocolate we got to eat and all of the fun rides we got to go on. Me and my family went on a tour through the park and got to see how the chocolate was made. After the tour we each got a free candy bar! Later me and my friends went on a very cool roller-coaster where it sends you up very high and then you drop down really fast. After that me my dad and some friends went on a ride called “Candymonium” It was the biggest ride in the whole park and it went super fast, you got to see the whole park while you where on it. We had a very fun time.
Hershey Park
Reviewed by Madeline
Hersheypark is an amusement park situated in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The park offers a variety of rides, attractions, and entertainment options targeted toward many different age groups. There are many souvenirs that you can take home from the park. All around the park there are restrooms, food places, and stores just incase you need anything. Like maybe if you want a sweet treat you can stop at the chocolate factory and grab some ice cream. The park provides Chocolate-themed experiences and is equally loved by families and thrill seekers alike.
Hershey park is an amusement park in Pennsylvania with lots of rides and loads of yummy candies and treats. many people have commented on the great, and friendly staff. there are so many fun experiences that are definitely worth the wait. I would recommend getting a ride on lightning raser and wildcats revenge because those roller coasters are very fun and enjoyable. Hershey also has lots of cool merch and souvenirs that you could bring home. Overall I think that if your looking for a family friend fun amusement park to go to, you should take Hershey park a visit because of the wonderful things they have there.
Yale University
Reviewed by Vidhi
Yale University is one of the 8 Ivy Leagues on the East Coast. It is the 3rd oldest institution for higher-education in the US, from colonial times. It is very difficult to get into, with less than 5% acceptance rate. Students are expected to very involved in their community, maintain a great GPA and strong test scores. While it is an expensive school, they offer excellent aid. The college is located in New Haven, Connecticut. Yale is famous for its many programs it offers from the arts, to humanities, to STEM. Once there, there are many opportunities for kids to explore their passions and interests.
I visited Yale for a school competition during the winter. I really enjoyed the environment. The buildings were gorgeous with a gothic style. There were many libraries that each had their own personalities. Each residential hall had many perks. Students seemed very happy to be attending Yale. Many are passionate about different aspects of the school, from the classes, to the opportunities, to just the people around them. Everyone seemed sweet and motivated to learn. There were many cafes and the university felt like its own world. When you step out of campus, there was still a lot to see. Overall, it gave great vibes and I can’t really complain anything about it. It was fun to visit.
Prismacolor Premier Soft Core Colored Pencils
Reviewed by Ariana
If you are looking for high quality colored pencils, Prismacolor’s are wonderful. Are they the absolutely best on the market? No. However, these are so significantly better than the average colored pencils, like Crayola’s. They go on paper smoothly and blend extremely well, and when you use them, you can immediately tell that they are quality pencils. I have created pieces that I’m extremely proud of using just these. In addition, professional artists use these and create unbelievable pieces—some of which you can’t even tell aren’t photographs. If you want to draw and have quality supplies, these are worth the investment, despite their prices. However, as for downfalls, the tips can break rather easily for quality colored pencils. These cannot take as much of a beating as some other brands. However, again, they are still much better than the average colored pencils (like Crayola’s).
Adidas D.O.N Issue 6 Basketball Shoes
Reviewed by Brayden
I’m reviewing a pair of sneakers that is a three-way collaboration between adidas, Haribo, which is known for their candy, most specifically their “Goldbears” (or as most people call them, gummy bears), and Donovan Mitchell, a basketball player who plays for the Cleveland Cavaliers. I saw these sneakers advertised on TikTok and I knew I wanted them because of the fun three-way collaborations. I also always wanted a sneaker that had a bright fun color because most of the sneakers I currently own are black, white, or grey. I also learned that Haribo is a candy that originated in Germany, and I thought that was fun because my mother travels to Germany once a year for work.
If you’re looking for high quality basketball shoes you should try the adidas D.O.N Issue 6 Basketball Shoes. Some people refer to them as the Haribo Don One sneaker. They are shoes that the basketball player, Donovan Mitchell, the shoe company adidas, and the candy company Haribo combined. They come in three different colors, red, white and green. I have the red ones because I like bright colors and these are super bright and fun! They have Haribo mascot on the sole inside the shoe, and to add to the design, they have the words Haribo on the bottom of the shoe. The sole feels amazing because it’s very cushioned, and it gives you a lot of support when you jump. The laces are also amazing because they are thick and long. What’s also cool is the box the shoes come in. They look like a candy box from Haribo so I’ll definitely be keeping the box.
In-N-Out
Reviewed by Kamilah
I love In-N-Out! I think it is delicious, and it they should have many more locations than the ones they currently have. There’s not a single In-N-Out i’ve been to that has no clients. Their shakes are delicious! Mostly their vanilla one. It’s not as sweet as the others, but it bad at all. Their double double (number 1) is incredible! However, some people decide they like it without the bun, instead covered by lettuce, and let me tell you… it is delicious that way too. No matter what you choose to try, you will not regret going to In-N-Out. I recommend a double double and a vanilla shake, order fries with spread.
Chili’s
Reviewed by Karalina
Chili’s is one of my favorite restaurants. Their chips are salted and cooked to perfection. It goes extremely well with their salsa and white queso. I could eat Chili’s chips and dip every day. I never go to Chili’s without ordering at least two orders of the chips and salsa. Also, their strawberry lemonade is sweet and hydrating. The staff there is very welcoming and always is checking on you. Also, the restaurant is very comfortable with seating. I feel that there is a good enough distance between tables and it does not feel like you are in anyone else’s space. Personally, my favorite dishes at Chili’s are the sizzling fajitas and the Chipotle mex bowl. I enjoy customizing the fajitas and bowl to how I like. I always get chicken and shrimp in both. All the food is always cooked to perfection and I never once had to worry about my food being undercooked. Also, I like how there are many rewards you can get for signing up with your phone number. For example, free chips. Another thing I like about Chili’s is their payment method. Having the tablet makes it very convenient to pay quicker and more efficiently. You no longer have to wait for the waiter to take your card, now you can just put it through on the tablet. I am always happy whenever I am at Chili’s and I always feel welcomed in by the staff. They are very accommodating and kind. I highly recommend Chili’s to everybody.
Prime: An American Kitchen & Bar
Reviewed by Niketa
I loves this place very much! I went here for my birthday and for my cousins going awake to college party. Both times I really enjoyed it. If you go there you must sit outside!! The view over looks a river where there are many boats. And if you go during a sunset it is to amazing and jaw dropping view. Bring your Polaroids because you don’t want to miss these pictures. The food can be small in portions but the roaster half chicken is a good portion. You need to order the bread with garlic butter it should come for free but it doesn’t. However everyone orders it because it is so good!! My cousin got the fish which is very small. I would give this 10 stars if it wasn’t so expensive. However it is a must visit at least once!!
Dunkin’
Reviewed by Saim
I wouldn’t go from 3-4pm because that’s when many people from the school are there and it will take you a long time in line. I really like Dunkin because it’s not too expensive. It’s nice and colorful on the inside. I also live very close so it’s easy to get to. I would recommend Dunkin to someone trying to get a cheap meal or on a budget. I wouldn’t recommend it if you enjoy sitting at the restaurant and eating because often times there’s little to no space to sit. I always like their seasonal/rotating items. Even though their prices increase little by little I still think it’s worth it.
Tex’s Chicken and Burgers
Reviewed by Zarish
Tex’s Chicken and Burgers is an organized restaurant. Depending on your location and time, they can either be busy or empty. The cooks work efficiently and within 15-30 minutes your food would be ready. The location near me sometimes gives a little less food or a little food than asked, which I don’t know if it’s intentional! Sometimes their oil that they fry their chicken in is sometimes fresh and sometimes old, which you can tell when eating it. What one of the best parts of Tex’s is that they are Halal, so it’s good for Muslims like myself to enjoy!
Tex’s Chicken and Burgers I really like! It’s very yummy and a good afterschool meal to eat. Whenever I go there, I usually get 2 piece or 3 piece chicken tenders. They is a spicy and a plain version. Both are very good but the spicy flavor is more on the higher side of the spice scale. As I mentioned earlier, you can tell if the oil is old or new, which impacts the flavor. I also recommend trying the spicy Nashville wings! They are very spicy but so good. The wings are covered not in a sauce but in a seasoning/powder. If you like skinny and not so crunchy fries then you will definitely like Tex’s’s fries! I don’t really like these types of French fries though.
Scissor Seven Season 1
Reviewed by Andy
A character named “Wu Liuqi” also called “Seven,” is a person who has been washed ashore on an island. He has amnesia and cannot recall anything from his past. While unconscious, he is found and taken in by some blue bird named “Ji Dabao,” a manager of a barbershop. Once taken in, Seven starts working several jobs, like selling food at a beef offal stand, being a barber, and working as an assassin. The main plot of the first season of Scissor Seven is Seven going around on the island and taking up assassination requests from civilians. He uses this as both a method of earning money and increasing his rank & reputation as an assassin. He first takes up an offer from a cat to kill a dog, which Seven tries to do so by disguising himself as a dog. He fails to do so, and it is later revealed that the dog is the cat’s ex whom she tried to exert revenge on. Seven accidentally gets them to make amends, and the conflict ends peacefully. Seven will later take on many more requests, like killing a pervert who collects women’s underwear, a grandma, a girl who has cancer, and many more other people. (Yes, I understand that this sounds very diabolical, however trust me, this will all make sense once you understand the context behind it.)
Scissor Seven is a must-watch. The show will get you rolling on the floor, have you sitting on the edge of your seat with suspense, and leave you with your jaw stuck to the floor from all the twists and turns. This show served as a comfort show to me. I would sit down on the weekends for long bing-watching sessions! It really has it all. Scissor Seven has romance, awing fight scenes, shocking plot twists, and butt-on-the-edge-of-seat suspense! I wholeheartedly recommend watching this show since it’s just such a masterpiece! I could rewatch the shows 10 times over, and it wouldn’t get the least bit boring.
Cobra Kai
Reviewed by Dominic
Cobra Kai is the modern day continuation of the popular 1984 film “The Karate Kid” and starts with Johnny Lawrence, the bully from the original movie, and Daniel Larusso, the main character. We see a glimpse into both of their lives after high school. Daniel appears to be rich and successful while Johnny is struggling and doesn’t have a stable life. When Johnny is at a gas station, he sees a kid named Miguel getting bullied, Daniel then meets a kid called Robby and both Johnny and Daniel become sensei’s. The plot goes from there as the kids from the two different dojos constantly fight in tournaments and many other places. Many other characters from the original show come back as well, such as John Kreese, Terry Silver, and Mike Barnes. The show’s second part of season 6 just came out, and was met with critical acclaim.
I loved every season of the show so far because of the action and comedy within it. Daniel and Johnny are always arguing and Johnny is constantly doing stupid yet funny things that brings lots of comedy to the show. The fighting is always great as it is well choreographed and every fight has significance. The drama in the show is also always great as it leads to many great rivalries and fights, such as Miguel vs. Robbie and Sam vs. Tory. All the new characters also keep the show fresh as just when a villain or character is getting boring, another new or old character emerges and adds a new sense of fear for Daniel and his dojo. Overall, the shoe is really good because of the fight scenes and constantly changing landscape and characters.
The Simpsons
Reviewed by Isabella
“The Simpsons” is a show that has ran over 500 episodes and 36 seasons spanning literal decades. It’s also really funny! Hilariously dumb, yet smart, the show makes fun of politics, pop culture, and society in the form of a little obscure family that always unintentionally gets in over their yellow abstractly shaped heads. Homer: “bread loser” of the family, Marge: the best house wife to ever grow hair taller than her children, Lisa: the family’s only hope of college, Bart: the trouble-maker who makes me proud of my ADHD, and Maggie the baby who can’t speak but occasionally sings like Beyoncé in later episodes.
My personal review is that “The Simpsons” has given me a perspective more engaged and humorous of the world around me. Also I think the characters are adorable! They make me feel okay; like I have a family on the TV that has exaggerated and unrealistic features and adventures. I don’t feel as bad about myself when I watch “The Simpsons.” They can be comedic, cruel, inspirational, and cynical, yet I still watch. It’s really sad to admit, but they’re like my family! I love them! I also love their character designs because I’m an Instagram artist and I used to draw little weird cartoons throughout my early childhood.
Anne With An E
Reviewed by Vidhi
Anne with an E is a show based on the books, Anne of Green Gables. The story takes place in the late Victorian era of Prince Edward Island in Canada. Anne is an orphan who had a difficult life growing up. Yet, she finds solace in literature and her imagination. Eventually, she is able to become adopted by the Cuthberts. She has difficulty adjusting to Green Cables, yet she loves the environment. Throughout the show, Anne learns to embrace herself and stand up for herself. Other characters such as Gilbert Blythe, Diana Barry, and Cole MacKenzie aid Anne. This show is about an adventure.
This is definitely one of my favorite shows on Netflix. I love the characters in the show. Each character learns something new and goes on their own adventure. For example, Anne learns to embrace her brutal past and find comfort in Green Gables. Diana learns to stand up for herself against her family’s and society’s norms. Cole learns to embrace his heart and follow his passions. Also, the historical background is fascinating. This show is unlike any other. It is one I’d recommend to others who love adventure and a great coming of age story. There is so much to learn.
Anne With An E
Reviewed by Zainab
Anne with an E is a television series based on Anne of Green Gables. The series follows Anne Shirley, an imaginative and feisty orphan. She is mistakenly adopted by Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert, who had wanted to adopt a boy to help with their farm work in the small community of Avonlea, Prince Edward Island. With her special personality and endless imagination, Anne has a hard time fitting in at first but slowly wins over the people around her: her best friend, Diana Barry, and a classmate, Gilbert Blythe. The series explores themes of family, belonging, identity, and strength as Anne works to heal from her past and find a true home.
Personally, I love Anne with an E. I can binge it over and over again without getting bored, I memorized most of the dialogue and own a copy of all the books. It is my favorite comfort show. I love 1800s inspired stuff, so Anne with an E was a perfect fit for me. The casting of all the characters was perfect. Although the story plot was not the same as the book, I still loved the show. I don’t recommend this show for young kids, but instead teens. Overall, Anne with an E is an outstanding show and extremely underrated. I recommend it to all teens.
Haikyu!!
Reviewed by Zainab
Haikyu!! is a manga and anime series about a high school student named Shoyo Hinata who dreams of becoming great at volleyball, despite being shorter than most players. Inspired by a player known as “The Little Giant,” he joins the volleyball team at Karasuno High School and meets his old rival, Tobio Kageyama. Kageyama is a very talented but proud setter. Together, they make an unexpected but strong pair, learning to work as a team even with their differences. The story is set at Karasuno High in Japan and follows the team’s growth, rivalries, and journey to the national championships. Haikyu!! shows the importance of teamwork, strength, and the excitement of volleyball.
Personally, I ABSOLUTELY LOVE Haikyu!!. It is the first anime I ever watched. I can watch it over and over without getting bored, even though I memorized most of the dialogue. It is my favorite comfort anime. It’s what got me hooked on volleyball. It’s great for all ages but I recommend it for teens who want to know more about sports, specifically volleyball. It not only focuses on volleyball, but it focuses on the importance of friendships and willpower/determination. It shows how teams work together and how you can’t accomplish anything all by yourself. Overall, I think even though Haikyu is loved deeply all over the world, I personally think it is still underrated. I recommend it to everyone!!
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
Reviewed by Zainab
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is the story of a boy named Tanjiro Kamado. He’s kind, but his family gets slaughtered by demons. His sister Nezuko gets turned into a demon, too. So Tanjiro wants to find some way to change her back. Thus, he joins the Demon Slayer Corps, where it hunts demons and keeps people safe. During his journey, he meets two other demon slayers: Zenitsu Agatsuma and Inosuke Hashibira. Set during the Taisho period in Japan, the series follows how Tanjiro becomes a warrior, learning special fighting methods called “Breathing Styles.” The story explores themes of family, strength, and giving up things as Tanjiro fights demons and strives to protect his sister.
Personally, I love Demon Slayer. Its animations are unmatched and it’s as if the animators did not sleep or take breaks. The animations are out of this world. I can watch it over and over without getting bored, and even memorizing most of the dialogue. It is one of my comfort animes. The story line is heartwarming, wholesome, and amazing. I can’t wait for the Infinity Castle Arc to come out!! I love how the animators make the characters look cute and funny during subtle scenes where they just fool around. Overall, Demon Slayer is a fairly rated anime that is amazing!! I recommend it to all teens.