PHILADELPHIA- A new addition to the popular “Mummy” franchise from the late 1990’s to early 2000s is reportedly in the works, with stars Brendan Frasier and Rachel Weisz in talks to reprise their roles in the franchise. The two actors have not worked together since the second movie in the trilogy, “The Mummy Returns,” in 2001, and fans are excited at the prospect of a new entry to the series.
The “Mummy” franchise was highly successful in its time, with the first two movies, “The Mummy” and “The Mummy Returns” grossing over 400 million dollars worldwide on production budgets under $100 million. Their success prompted a spinoff film, “The Scorpion King,” starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, that came out a year after “The Mummy Returns,” and later the 2008 film “The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon King,” which saw Frasier return without Weisz.
The franchise was so popular that attractions based on the films were built in Universal theme parks in Orlando, Hollywood and Singapore, titled “Revenge of the Mummy.”
Universal Studios attempted to reboot the franchise with the 2017 film “The Mummy” starring Tom Cruise as a part of their push for a cinematic universe based on classic movie monsters. While it grossed over $400 million at the box office, the film was critically panned and shelved Universal plans for years.
Little is known about the upcoming film, as Universal has not yet released any information about the rest of the cast or any kind of plot summary. What is known is that Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett have been tapped to direct. The two have worked together previously as part of the film collective Radio Silence, which created films such as the 2022 “Scream” reboot, its sequel “Scream VI” and “Ready or Not.” The script is being written by David Coggeshall, who has previously written the script for “The Deliverance” and “The Family Plan.” Frasier and Weisz are both listed as executive producers for the upcoming film, signaling a higher level of creative involvement than they had in previous installments.
Frasier and Weisz are currently the only actors confirmed to be returning to their roles, with no word on other franchise actors such as John Hannah or Arnold Vosloo and whether or not they will be a part of the project. It is also uncertain how the films will handle a necessary time jump, as it has been 17 years since the last entry in the franchise, and nearly three decades since the original movie was released. The release date for the new entry is also uncertain, as the film is still too early in development for any sort of real estimate to be made. There has been some industry speculation that the film will be hoping for a 2027 release, but without more detailed information, that remains purely conjecture.
Regardless of the final release, it will be interesting to see how Universal handles the revival of one of the most iconic action-adventure franchises of the 1990s-2000s.
Have you ever been listening to music and felt like you were tired of the same songs? Everyone’s been there, but finding new music can often feel tedious and sometimes frustrating. To help with the struggles, I am going to introduce you to four small artists who will cure your music slump!
Annabelle Dinda
Annabelle is a very talented artist with a wide catalog. You may know her from her viral song, “The Hand,” however she has a lot to offer throughout her discography. She falls in the alternative genre, focusing on deep, complicated lyricism that feels inspiring. For example, in her song “Nuclear Fission,” she says, “Am I meant to believe them when they say time is good; time is water rotting wood.” She is a cross between Lizzy McAlpine’s lyrics and Noah Kahan’s melodies. Her creativity and passion shines through everything she writes.
Five songs to introduce yourself to Annabelle Dinda!
Sacred
Restatement of Romance
Eliana
Want Want Want
Love Lines
Audrey Hobert
Audrey Hobert is a national treasure. She is known for her song, “Sue Me” and for her friendship with Gracie Abrams. Audrey’s take on pop music is incredibly refreshing and relatable. Audrey is a very new artist, with only her debut album “Who’s the Clown” available on streaming. Although she doesn’t have a large quantity of songs, the quality of the 12 songs she has released is incredible.
Five songs to introduce yourself to Audrey Hobert!
Drive
Bowling Alley
Phoebe
Sex and the City
Shooting Star
Olivia Dean
I was unsure if I wanted to put Olivia Dean on this list because she might be a bit too big to be considered a small artist, but her music is entirely beautiful and deserving of recognition. She falls under the pop genre, but her music isn’t hard hitting or made solely to be a hit. Her music comes from her heart and it’s laced with pure passion. She is known mostly for her song, “Man I Need.” She feels like a romantic Friday night with someone you can’t stop thinking about.
Five songs to introduce yourself to Olivia Dean!
Nice To Each Other
So Easy (To Fall In Love)
A Couple Minutes
Loud
Close Up
Nothing But Thieves
Nothing But Thieves are an English rock band who deserve loads more credit. They transfer their sound between heavy metal such as “Ce n’est Rien” and soft, vulnerable sounds such as “Before We Drift Away.” They have a complex sound fitted for a variety of listeners.
Five songs to introduce yourself to Nothing But Thieves!
It’s Halloween season again which means it’s time to cozy up under some warm blankets and screen some scary cinema. But what movie is right for you? Here is a list of several spooky movies to pick from so you can get the just right level of horrifying haunts.
Addams Family Values
Featuring the ever delightfully Macabre family, this 1993 film is perfect if you want to get into the Halloween spirit but are not in the mood for frights and nightmares. Follow the Addams as they send Wednesday (Chrsitina Ricci) and Pugsley (Jimmy Workman) to a camp woefully unprepared for the siblings, welcome new addition Pubert to the family and deal with the evil babysitter Debbie (Joan Cusack), who sinks her claws into Uncle Fester (Christopher Lloyd). There’s ghosts, arson, guillotines and electric chairs, everything necessary for some fearsome (mostly) family-friendly fun. The movie is a sequel to the 1991 Addams Family, but each film stands well on its own, so there is no need to watch both. Or do… they’re both good fun.
Tucker and Dale vs. Evil
Moving to a film with some real frights, but still none too severe, Tucker and Dale vs Evil is a 2010 horror-comedy starring Alan Tudyk and Tyler Labine. It follows friendly country pals Tucker (Tudyk) and Dale (Labine) as they finally fulfill their dream of buying an old lake house to restore. Unfortunately, a group of foolish (and very clumsy) college students, led by the hillbilly hating Chad (Jesse Moss), mistakes them for crazy backcountry murderers, leading to a whole host of horrifying hijinks. The main draw of this movie is the humor, and there is a lot of it. There is also a lot of blood and gore, earning the movie its R rating. If you’re looking for some Halloween laughs and have a stomach for blood but not for serious scares, Tucker and Dale vs Evil is an excellent pick.
A Quiet Place
The 2018 horror/science-fiction movie A Quiet Place is in a good position as a movie with scares that odds are you can still get a good night’s sleep after. The film is about the Abbot family as they try to survive in a world destroyed by an invasion of seemingly invincible aliens that hunt by sound. Evelyn Abbot (Emily Blunt) is pregnant, and the family must do their best to make sure the birth goes smoothly without attracting the monsters. The movie thrives off the tense atmosphere created by forcing the characters to be near silent at all times, no matter what is happening to or around them. It’s not a gory film, being rated only PG-13, but it still has plenty of good thrills and frights for your viewing pleasure. A Quiet Place also spawned a couple of other films in the same universe, A Quiet Place: Part II and A Quiet Place: Day One, so if you enjoy the movie make sure to check those out as well.
Halloween
One of the forefathers of the slasher movie genre, the 1978 horror movie Halloween is appropriately one of the very best movies to get you into the scary season spirit. The film follows the swath of bloody murder escaped mental asylum patient Michael Myers (Nick Castle) who cuts through the city of Haddonfield, Illinois, chased by Dr. Samuel Loomis (Donald Pleasance), while teen Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) tries not to be his next victim. Halloween does a great job building suspense and tension, helped along by a simple but eerie score that is possibly one of the best of the genre. Like all slasher films, it has some very graphic violence and some not-as-graphic-but-still-pretty-graphic nudity, earning its R rating with room to spare. Halloween is an excellent film if you want some real scares for your viewing pleasure.
The Thing
1982 horror movie The Thing is my pick for the scariest and final movie on this list. Following a group of researchers in a remote Antarctic station during the winter as they are hunted and killed by a shapeshifting alien being that can take on the appearance of anything it kills, the movie creates a delightfully bleak and terrifying atmosphere that really puts you in the mood to hide beneath your blankets. The Thing has a lot of excellent but very gruesome practical special effects, and manages to combine gore and tension in a way that elevates both. I have to mention for honesty’s sake that The Thing is my favorite horror movie of all time, but I still would say it earns its spot as one of the best and scariest films to watch as All Hallows’ Eve draws near.
This list is meant to have a spooky film that all levels of horror enthusiasts can enjoy. Whether you are terror prone or a hardened horror fan, I hope this list helps you find something to watch during this Halloween season.
Taylor Swift’s highly anticipated album, “The Life of a Showgirl” was released on Oct. 3. With most albums, reviews were mixed at first, with some fans wanting the songwriting found in her albums “Folklore” and “Evermore,” while others were expecting a Broadway-esque soundtrack.
“The Life of a Showgirl” was neither of those things. This album was an uplifting, love-filled album that mainly included modern pop songs with ballads mixed throughout. Personally, Swift’s music is something I have been known to enjoy, however this album threw me for a loop.
The album begins with the lead single, “The Fate of Ophelia.” This song is a very enjoyable pop song with clever writing and interesting production. Personally, this is the highlight of the album.
The second track is “Elizabeth Taylor.” Again, this is an excellent song, with a base drop in the chorus that adds volumes.
The third track is “Opalite,” a fun, light-hearted song about finding your own happiness in life. This song is pure enjoyment.
The fourth track is “Father Figure,” and this is where the album starts to dip for me. The concept is clever, but the execution is confusing. While there are enjoyable parts of the song, such as the bridge, “Confuse my kindness for weakness and find your card cancelled,” the song is generally a little bland.
The fifth track is “Eldest Daughter,” and sweet merciful Jesus, this song sucks. If this song were satirical, it would be hilarious, but she genuinely used the words “trolling and memes” in a track five ballad. This song was just a miss, the only redeeming part of it is the bridge, but even then it’s not an enjoyable song.
The sixth track is “Ruin the Friendship,” which is a cute song about regret and always taking the risk even if it means ruining a friendship. This is a really good song, but it doesn’t stand out.
The seventh track is “Actually Romantic,” and it’s actually really corny. No thirty year old woman should call another thirty year old a “boring Barbie.”
The eighth track is “Wi$h Li$t,” another love song with some clever lyrics and a good beat, but again, it blends in and doesn’t stand out.
The ninth track is “Wood.” I wanted to slam my head into wood when I heard the poet that wrote “The Lakes” use the word “dickmitized” in a song.
The tenth track is “CANCELLED!,” and it is, again, corny. I think Swift, a thirty-year old cat lady who is engaged to a frat boy football player, needs to stop trying to be edgy.
The eleventh track is “Honey,” and this is such a great song. I feel so happy when I listen to it, and I appreciate the smart lyricism.
The final track is “The Life of a Showgirl” ft. Sabrina Carpenter, and it is very musical theater-esque. I love the storytelling in this song, and the fun beat adds to the song’s theatrics.
Overall, this is not my favorite album of Taylor’s, but as an artist, I will always respect her creativity and commitment.
Books are a cultural phenomenon that have been around for over 4,000 years. They’ve been rooted in the basis of society for knowledge growth, entertainment exploration and the mass production of any written work. They give outlets for the writer to express their creative freedom to the world, and a desire to unfold every page.
Film and television are relatively new platforms for entertainment. Though they have become arguably the most prominent platforms for stories to be told over the last century, books still have a richer history by a long shot. Since the creation of film/TV, adapting books into these mediums has become almost inevitable. Here’s how different directors have shaped an author’s book faithfully, or not so faithfully.
One classic adaptation of a film came to screens all the way back in 1939 with Gone with The Wind. It was a four-hour epic that took the spirit of the 900-page novel by Margaret Mitchell and turned into one of the most influential films of all time that still holds up today. In 1962, Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, was adapted with Gregory Peck giving audiences a world class performance as Atticus Finch. Both films received many Oscars for their accomplishments including Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Adapted Screenplay.
A mainstream figure who has had more than a 100 adaptations of his work is the horror icon Stephen King. His first book that was adapted happened to also be his first published book, Carrie. It was an early film of acclaimed director Brian De Palma, and was praised for being faithful to its source material. Stanley Kubrick adapted one of King’s most influential books, The Shining. Though the movie is considered one of the most iconic horror movies of all time, it controversially diverged from the books and King has publicly disapproved of it. Within the last decade, Andy Muschetti took on the daunting task of adapting one of King’s longest novels, It. Muschetti turned it into two movies over a three-year span, becoming a major success in the process and arguably being the best adaptation of the extremely long novel.
Mario Puzo’s The Godfather was faithfully adapted into a trilogy between 1972 to 1990 by director Francis Ford Coppola, with Puzo acting as co-screenwriter for all three of the films. The first film was the one that most closely followed the book, while character expansions, cut down subplots and omitted plot points had to be added to fit into the entire trilogy.
“First rule about F*** C*** is: you don’t talk about F*** C***” is a rule that changed when David Fincher decided to adapt Chuck Palahniuk’s novel, Fight Club, back in 1999. The film preserved the tones and themes of the book, but altered the ending to make it seem more cinematic, which was done perfectly.
The 1991 faithful adaptation of Thomas Harris’s The Silence of The Lambs, elevated the character of Hannibal Lecter into an iconic figure in cinema thanks to Anthony Hopkins’ chilling performance. The film deviated slightly from the book with minor changes for pacing and structure purposes.
Considered to be one of the greatest film trilogies of all time, Peter Jackson adapted J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Lord of The Rings into a cinematic spectacle. Because of the grand scale of the story, a good bit of the overall narrative was either cut down, condensed or deleted completely so it could be fit into the three films.
The eight part Harry Potter film series comes from the seven books J. K. Rowling released from 1997 to 2007, giving the world possibly the best lore to ever come out of fantasy. Just like most of the other adaptations mentioned, it was mostly faithful with slight alterations due to the sheer density of all the books. The only exception comes in the final book, The Deathly Hallows, which was split up into two separate movies to express the depth and grand scale of the finale.
Three of the best examples of shows that were derived from books are Game of Thrones, The Handmaid’s Tale and Dexter. George R. R. Martin’s series, A Song of Ice and Fire, is the primary influence on the early seasons of the show Game of Thrones, but the show begins to take its own creative freedom later since Martin hadn’t, and still hasn’t, finished the books by the time the last seasons came around. It can be argued that the final season failed after the previous seasons were considered peak television due to the books not being finished. In contrast, The Handmaid’s Tale TV show initially started off strong after the source material had been finished, adapting the book and creating new storylines. The final season saw the directors writing themselves into a corner since they didn’t see, or were given, a clear path to go. Darkly Dreaming Dexter is the first book in the series that the successful show is based off of, creating a cultural phenomenon in the process. The dark comedy, violent actions and cast of characters that the show had to offer gives the show its unique narrative, similar to the books. Books have long been the foundation of storytelling, offering depth, detail and a direct connection to an author’s vision. As film and television evolved, they provided new avenues to bring these stories to life, often with great success but also with creative liberties. From timeless epics like Gone with the Wind to modern fantasy phenomena like Harry Potter, adaptations continue to bridge the gap between the literary and cinematic worlds. Whether staying faithful to the source material or taking bold interpretative steps, these adaptations reflect not only the story being told but also the vision of the filmmakers behind them. The enduring power of these narratives, whether read or watched, proves that great stories transcend mediums.
The latest season of Dancing With the Stars has sparked intense fan reactions, particularly surrounding the recent elimination of Hilaria Baldwin. Her departure from the competition has divided viewers, with some celebrating the news and others rallying in her defense, accusing online critics of bullying.
Baldwin, who was partnered with veteran professional dancer Gleb Savchenko, addressed her exit in a video interview with E! News, expressing disappointment and alleging that a group of “mean girls” on social media orchestrated a campaign to vote her off.
“It wasn’t just about dancing,” Baldwin said. “It felt personal.”
Her comments ignited a wave of responses, with some fans sympathizing and others doubling down on their criticism.
On TikTok, one user stated that Baldwin’s elimination was “good news,” while others accused her of lacking gratitude, echoing reports that Savchenko felt “humiliated” by her behavior. Still, many viewers defended Baldwin, arguing that the show is meant to showcase growth in non-dancers.
“She had no prior experience and was improving,” one fan wrote. “That’s what the show is supposed to be about.”
The controversy has highlighted a broader conversation about the tone of fan discourse online. Some users have called for more compassion, criticizing what they see as toxic behavior in fan communities. “It’s a dance show, not a battleground,” one Reddit user posted.
Meanwhile, the show’s recent “Disney Night” episode also drew mixed reactions. While traditionally a fan-favorite theme, some criticized this year’s installment for feeling overly commercial. A Yahoo headline described the episode as resembling an “infomercial,” with extended promotional segments and branded content overshadowing the dancing.
Despite the criticism, several performances stood out. Robert Irwin and Witney Carson’s cha-cha routine earned widespread praise, with fans calling it “mirrorball-worthy.” Their energetic routine to the Disney classic “Try Everything” from Zootopia was hailed as one of the night’s best, showcasing Irwin’s charisma and Carson’s choreography.
Another highlight came from Scott Hoying and Rylee Arnold’s performance of “Bop to the Top” from High School Musical. Actress Ashley Tisdale, who starred and danced to the song in the original film, reacted positively to the routine, noting how closely the pair replicated the original choreography.
“They nailed it,” she said in a social media post.
As the season progresses, fans have described it as “chaotic,” citing unpredictable eliminations, casting controversies and shifting dynamics among the judges. The mix of celebrity drama and standout performances has kept viewers engaged, even as debates rage over fairness and tone. Whether cheering for their favorites or critiquing the format, fans continue to make their voices heard. With several weeks remaining, Dancing With the Stars Season 34 promises more glitter, drama and passionate discussion.
If you ask any fashion obsessed person, chances are they have tuned into Candace Bushnell’s “Sex and The City” (SATC). Whether it was her TV show, books, movies or other adaptations to the classic, the show signified a huge turning point in pop culture, and of course, fashion.
The show follows four girlfriends in the huge city of New York– especially the main character, Carrie Bradshaw, whose unique fashion statements and expensive shoe collection left a huge mark on the fashion scene.
One of the most influential fashion moments in the show was Manolo Blahniks. Carrie’s love for the shoes was shown and mentioned throughout the show. And, of course, the most memorable scene is when Carrie gets robbed, not for money, but for her Manolo’s.
The love Carrie and other characters (Samantha) had for the Manolo’s had a big impact on the girls of the 2000s, seeing them in magazines, runways, music videos and even song lyrics. Featuring Jay Z and Beyonce’s “03 Bonnie & Clyde,” it quotes:
“Manolo Blahnik, Timbs, aviator lens 600 drops, Mercedes Benz The only time you wear Burberry to swim.”
Another huge fashion moment was the “Baguette.” A new version of a purse that was introduced to the viewers in season 3 with Carrie’s famous quote, “This isn’t a bag, it’s a baguette!” which was stolen along with her Manolo’s.
The miniature bag became a big statement in Carrie’s closet and the fashion world. It was also used again in the adaptation “And Just Like That.” The “Baguette” even campaigns in many fashion brands like “Fendi” as recently as 2023, even having Sarah Jessica Parker, the actress who portrayed Carrie Bradshaw, as the face of it. This gives more reason to believe SATC started the famous “Baguette.”
“It’s a Baguette!” She stunts in the commercial for Fendi.
The “Baguette” was such a fashion phenomenon, that it didn’t just stop at Fendi. But it was added to many different brands in many ways.
From Kurt Geiger, he began making very popular teenage fashion, micro bags. Putting a new spin on the “Baguette” but keeping that miniature look.
Another memorable fashion piece was the slip dresses. Slip dresses are mostly known to be worn in the comfort of your home, but Carrie’s unique fashion sense and Samantha’s sexual personality incorporated the slip dresses into everyday fashion. This strategic fashion idea has been seen in recent years as well with big celebrities like Bella Hadid.
While the fashion in “Sex and the City” is irresistible to speak about, the pop culture and subtle references is something to also rave about.
Going back to the 2000s, “Sex and The City” is referenced in Destiny’s Child’s song, “Girl,” which speaks about the strength of friendship during tough times. The music video was recorded just as an episode would be like in the show while also correlating to the song, because no matter what was going on in the women’s lives; their friendship brought perseverance.
In today’s generation, “Sex and the City” is still referenced and inspiration is still being taken from it. In a new X/TikTok/Instagram post, a recent graduate threw a SATC themed graduation party to which she titled, “Grand and the City.”
“Sex and the City” is not only a show, but a lifestyle. The impact of the show will carry on in fashion, girlhood and pop culture.
As the year comes closer to an end, there has been plenty of talk about the direction of the new Resident Evil game and what is to come, from official news to fan craze leaks. There’s plenty to look forward to in this new and long-awaited survival horror. Officially confirmed to come next year, the release date is set for Feb. 27, 2026, and with the release of more trailers, we can finally start getting an idea of what to expect.
The game features the daughter of Alyssa Ashcroft, the protagonist of Resident Evil: Outbreak. Her name is Grace Ashcroft, and her story takes place 30 years after the first Resident Evil, set in 1998. Grace will be making a return to the familiar Raccoon City.
The same director and studio lead, Koshi Nakanishi, said, “Requiem is even better than Resident Evil 7 and Revelations.” It has been eight years since the release of the last mainline game, counted among some of the best in the franchise seen in recent times, alongside the remakes.
The gameplay itself is another interesting point in the direction of the game as a whole, with the players having the choice to either go through the story in first or third person point of view, traversing the many horrors Umbrella has laid out for us to seek.
Game Director Nakanishi says, “Including both perspectives wasn’t exactly twice as difficult for us, but there were some aspects where we had to make adjustments for each perspective. What we found was that if you just take the camera out of the character’s head and show them in third-person, if we didn’t add in more animation and characterization, then they look quite unnatural and robotic. That’s because the first-person version has them just running along, and they wouldn’t be reacting physically to anything, because you can’t see those reactions.”
As someone who has played both, it can sometimes really be a crucial part of how one immerses fully into the story. First person point of view lets you see the world through the protagonist’s eyes without a moment to relax; you never know when the next zombie or bioweapon is around the corner to attack. The third person point of view does not let you fully put your guard down, but at least you can distract yourself with the details around you while watching the protagonist go through the trials.
The game’s official reveal took place as part of the Summer Game Fest Live 2025, where Capcom finally gave fans their first look at the protagonist, Grace Ashcroft, and her journey to uncover the truth behind her mother’s sudden death. As of now, there are no signs of pre-orders, but as the release date gets closer, we might get more updates.
According to the official Capcom website, Resident Evil: Requiem is set to launch on PS5, Xbox Series X and PC platforms in Feb. 2026. Unfortunately, a copy will not be available for older consoles, but regardless, it is looking very promising with RE Engine settings.
The first trailer reveals Grace Ashcroft, the daughter and protagonist of Resident Evil: Outbreak of Ashley Ashcroft. Now, as an FBI Agent, Grace is introverted and easily scared, which is an entirely new type of character for the series, as many iconic protagonists have been known to carry the role of the strong, courageous and fearless hero. Having a character experience the same horrors as the players gives a layer of relatability and humanity.
She is caught in a new outbreak while simultaneously grappling with her traumatic past. We get flashbacks and scenes of a dilapidated Raccoon City, and we get a shot of the camera moving out slowly, showing Grace’s face and revealing her current predicament as she is strapped down. Confronted by a mysterious man who calls her “the special one,” despite not having a clear idea of the story, it remains a tense and dark experience, delivering a chilling and nightmarish journey.
The second and most recent trailer, which was shown at Gamescom Opening Night Live 2025, shows Grace’s mom walking through the manor at night. The two end up running for their lives after a figure in a black hood breaks in and starts swinging its weapon at them with murderous intent. And from the shocked look on Grace’s face, it is clear that she’s not all caught up with her mother’s past, but it’s exciting nonetheless.
Leading up to the official reveal of Requiem, plenty of rumors had been circulating that Leon S. Kennedy might well appear alongside our main protagonist; however, while many still believe this to be the case, Nakanishi commented, “We always thought about making Leon the protagonist, but making a horror game based around him is difficult.” Explaining how Leon is no longer a character who scares easily, so they didn’t feel as though he would be the right fit for this new and thrilling experience.
As mentioned before, Resident Evil: Requiem’s gameplay blends elements from the series’ most iconic titles, with players seamlessly switching between first and third person point of view. This comes from a popular post-launch RE8 update that lets players do the same during Ethan’s and Rose’s last adventure in the DLC “Shadows of Rose.”
During the 2025 spotlight, Capcom’s Masato Kumazawa emphasized that players can choose a close-up, immersive horror experience in first-person or a classic over-the-shoulder third-person view, reminiscent of RE2 and RE4. The gameplay stays true to its survival horror roots with its high-tension chase sequences, such as the grotesque wall-climbing humanoid creature that lurks around. Reminding us of other iconic enemy stalkers like Mr. X, Nemesis, Jack Baker and Lady Dimitrescu.
Originally, Capcom wanted to experiment with an open-world online experience but ultimately stuck with a single-player, offline experience after getting some feedback. Another key function returning to the game is the puzzles, offering a balance between combat and story. While no gunplay has been showcased in the video, Resident Evil: Requiem is shaping itself to become a strong continuation of the franchise ahead of its Feb. 27 release.
PHILADELPHIA – It is difficult to say if there has ever been a game release as anticipated or as unexpected as that of “Hollow Knight: Silksong.” Made by a small independent game studio based out of Adelaide Australia, the game has sold over 3.2 million copies just on steam since it was released on Sept. 4.
With so much excitement stemming from the first game, “Silksong’s” announcement in Feb. 2019 was met with enthusiasm. By the time of its release earlier this month, Silksong reached almost 5 million wishlists on Steam, making it the most wishlisted game on the platform by a wide margin. But, the road to success has not been without bumps.
One of the things that defined the wait period for fans was silence. After a well-received demo at the E3 gaming convention, developer Team Cherry would post rare updates, with little information about the state of the game or expected release dates until May 2023, when one member tweeted about a delay from their anticipated 2023 release. A popular meme arose in the community due to the lack of new information where a picture of the game’s protagonist, Hornet, wearing clown makeup would be posted before any upcoming game showcase to poke fun at people getting their hopes up.
On Aug. 21, Team Cherry posted a two minute release trailer giving “Silksong”’s official release date, Sep. 4. The quick turnaround before the release surprised not only fans, but also other indie developers who intended to release their games in the same window. At least eight of these developers decided to delay their games instead of risking competition with “Silksong.”
“‘Silksong’ is a game we look up to with awe as developers and eagerly anticipate as players,” developer Sunny Side Up tweeted about their decision to delay their game, “Little Witch in the Woods.” “Given its immense influence, we fear that launching ‘Little Witch in the Woods’ on the same day would not only dishearten our dedicated team but also disappoint our devoted audience.”
Developer Necrosoft games said of their publisher Ysbryd Game’s decision to delay the release of their game “Demonschool” due to “Silksong,” “Dropping the GTA of indie games with 2 weeks notice makes everyone freak out. Ysbryd is being a good partner and paying for the delay.”
The game, “Hell is Us,” decided to keep to its Sep. 4 release day, with creative director Jonathan Jacques-Belletête saying “to shadow drop something like this is a little callous,” citing difficulties that would have arisen had the team decided to move their release due to “Silksong.”
“Hollow Knight: Silksong” received a 9/10 review from IGN and currently has a score of 91/100 on Metacritic. The game has been successful by all metrics, though only time will tell if it lives up to the standard set by its predecessor.
As a girl, love is a dream that is wholeheartedly desired. It’s constantly shown in childhood shows and Disney princess movies how the girl falls madly in love with her Prince Charming and they run off happily ever after.
As time goes on, the same little girls become teenagers and eventually adult women. Although one thing stays the same: the craving for love.
But what wasn’t promised in those nostalgic princess movies was heartbreak. To most, a teenage girl or woman experiencing heartbreak or soul-captivating love is just another life experience. Mariah The Scientist uses her music to convey how much more it truly is and the many emotions that come with the simple desire for love.
Mariah The Scientist, a contemporary R&B artist, uses her music to display vulnerability and the complexity of being in love, as well as the dangers and the indescribable joy.
Rising to fame in 2019 with her debut album, “Master,” which she wrote about her ex-boyfriend, Mariah explores the many emotions of betrayal and sadness following the breakup. This album opened up a safety net for other girls and women who’ve felt the exact same way but had nowhere to turn.
“Master” gained many fans, and she maintained her same standpoint on love and heartbreak within her subsequent bodies of work.
In 2021, there was “Ry Ry World,” which showcased the newfound love she had begun and also the desperation that came with being in love. In 2023, she released “To Be Eaten Alive,” an album about the ups and downs of her then-distant love. And most recently she released, “Hearts Sold Separately,” where she uses a metaphor of women being soldiers for love while men see women as “play soldiers” to throw around.
Mariah’s lyrics are what captivate the listener and make the song more than just a song, highlighting the relatable pain. She uses strong language in many songs that other artists shy away from.
Let’s take a look into her beautifully complex mind. In her song, “Reminders,” she explores the desire to harm her lover because of infidelity and the pain it left her with. “Memories of our dead garden, is it a crime that I planned to leave you in our Brooklyn apartment? It seems like it ended before it got started. Know that our parents called it, said I’d end up broken-hearted.”
Mariah’s beautiful lyrics come from her life experiences with love. The dangers of it, “Rainy Days,” and the beauty of it, “From A Woman.” The many emotions she feels, which are described and heard through her music, evoke a beautiful tragedy of the fantasy of love but also the hopefulness of the next life experience. But I can’t help but wonder, is love worth the possible destruction of heartbreak?
And again in her song, “Rainy Days,” where she writes/sings about the aftermath of being heartbroken. The sadness that comes in waves, where she can feel nothing but disgrace with the past. “Put forth an open heart and I’ve been hurt, looking back in retrospect, that ain’t what I deserve. Want it back in blood, and blood I’m going to get, and still I pray for love instead of common sense. I was trying to live with it. You can say I’m uninterested now. Fool me once, I guess that’s allowed. But fool me twice, well, I’m not as proud. To you, it seems insignificant. To me, everything’s different now.”
And lastly, “Burning Blue,” where she describes the love for her current boyfriend and the intense fight between staying because of love but also being ready to fight the blue flame. “As long as you’re a true (True) leader (Leader) Then I’ll oblige, promise to please ya (Please ya). But if you open fire, then it’s treason. And I decide to go out swinging. If you shoot, then you can bet, every single dollar and your last few cents, that I will too, and I mean it.”
The La Salle Collegian 