A mostly spoiler-free rundown of the Oscar nominee

Nolen Kelly, Staff

Header image: New York Times

Riz Ahmed was announced as one of the candidates for the coveted “Best Actor in a Leading Role” category for his performance as Ruben in “Sound of Metal,” making him the first Muslim actor to nab the achievement and I could not be more excited. I have been a fan of Ahmed for a while and I knew it was only a matter of time before he found that one role as his breakout performance. He had a not-so-memorable appearance as Bodhi Rook in the “Star Wars” spinoff movie “Rogue One,” but had a solid supporting role as Rick in the Jake Gyllenhaal thriller, “Nightcrawler” (2014). After seeing a promotional image of Ahmed as Ruben for this film it grabbed my attention as he put on a few pounds of muscle then copy and pasted Justin Timberlake’s bleached blonde ramen hair from his NSYNC days. “Sound of Metal” is about a drummer for an experimental metal band who starts going deaf and must deal with the repercussions.

I kind of expected this to be a spiritual sequel to “Whiplash” (2014) but really the only through line between the two is that they share a character dedicated to drumming. As I previously stated in the description of the movie, Ruben begins going deaf and his struggle through the movie is to either regain his hearing, continuing to drum with his ailment, or give up drumming forever. Along for the ride is his longtime girlfriend, Lou, who is the vocalist for their band. She is part of his motivation and acts as his voice of reason throughout the film. 

Before I get into everything else, I thought Lou was very underappreciated in this movie. “Sound of Metal” is absolutely the ‘Riz Ahmed Show,’ but Olivia Cooke’s performance as Lou was pretty heartbreaking; she had to figure out not only what was best for Ruben, but  also had to figure out what it meant for their band and for them as a couple. Although Ruben is the main character, I do not think this story would have happened, or happened the way it did, without Lou. 

I enjoyed this movie a lot. This was a very simple story and it conveyed all of the right emotions at the right times. There was not any point throughout that I was not fully engaged with the story and the characters because I just wanted to know “What’s next?” It is not an intricate or complicated story by any means, but it is just so unabashedly human and sympathetic that it is easy to lose yourself in the story. I will not spoil the end of the movie because I think it is best to just watch and enjoy it without knowing. But, by the end of the movie, I felt like I was on the same page with Ruben. After everything we saw him go through to get to where he is it feels like he made the right decision at the end of the film. One aspect I really loved about this movie is that I started off just watching it casually, but by the end I became so engrossed I felt like I was a part of Ruben’s journey. 

This movie is driven by its performances and all of them are very strong. I have talked about him a lot already, but Ahmed as Ruben is so great. He is not stoic. He is not calm. He is not okay. Ruben has this rare character trait where he has a reasonable reaction to all of the panic and uncertainty that happens to him. Not many characters that I know of from other shows or movies react to their story in a way that exemplifies what a human would feel in that situation and instead try to figure out how to move on. When Ruben realizes he really is deaf he has a scene in his RV with Lou that feels like I really am watching someone struggle. 

“I can’t hear you. I can’t ******* hear you. I’m ******* deaf.” Ruben says to Lou as he loses his grasp on what keeps him stable. As I am writing this review I realize now that Ruben approaches his new deafness through the five stages of grief similarly to the way someone deals with loss. He denies it, becomes angry, bargains with his people, becomes sad and finally just accepts himself in his own way. The movie is not saying being deaf is like dying, but in Ruben’s position as a drummer and someone who has needed and relied on their hearing, deafness was death. 

There is not too much else I can really talk about without giving the plot away. I think this movie is something that should be watched and enjoyed without knowing too much else plot-wise. Again, it is not at all a complicated story, it just feels better to see the story through. It is a very character-driven film and all of the characters are so engaging, you just want the best for everyone in any situation. This movie is a fantastic examination of what sound and the lack of sound can do for people and is now available on Amazon Prime. I left this movie having an appreciation for sounds, silence and communication through sign language and hopefully everyone else will too. “Sound of Metal” is very much worth the watch and I would say this movie was a solid “Excellent” on my scale. 

Jeriann Tripodi, Staff

Header image: Republic Records

Hailey Bieber opens up about marrying Justin Bieber at young age

In a recent interview with Elle, Hailey Bieber shared the reality of what it was like for her to marry pop singer Justin Bieber at age 21. She shared that the first year of their marriage was difficult because she received harassment from his fans to the point where she had to turn off her public comments on Instagram. The supermodel also shared that although the pair, who were friends for years before dating, received criticism for marrying young, they both were experienced for their ages and knew what they wanted in life. 

Kylie Jenner receives backlash for asking fans to donate to makeup artist’s GoFundMe 

Media personality and socialite Kylie Jenner has received criticism after asking her followers to donate to her former makeup artist, Samuel Rauda, who needs money for medical expenses after being seriously injured in a car accident. Jenner, who has donated $5,000.00 to the cause herself, is receiving angry comments. These comments express how she should cover the entire cost herself since she is one of the world’s youngest billionaires. 

Crew member dies on the set of “The Conners”

A man named Terrel Richmond died after suffering a sudden medical emergency while working as a technical crew member on the set of the ABC sitcom “The Conners.” Werner Entertainment issued a statement that expressed their condolences for the “much loved member of ‘The Conners’ and ‘Roseanne’ families,” who has been a crewmember for more than 25 years. The incident occurred as the “Roseanne” spinoff was finishing production on its third season. “The Conners” team paid tribute to their longtime friend.  

Official trailer is released for “Four Good Days”

The first official trailer for the drama “Four Good Days” has been recently released. Starring Mila Kunis and Glenn Close, this emotional and eye-opening film follows the journey of 31-year-old Molly as she fights to overcome her drug addiction after many failed attempts. During the process, she reconnects with her mother who is determined to help her win the fight. “Four Good Days” is rated R and will be released to theaters on April 30.

Number one on the Billboard charts: week of March 20, 2021

According to “The Hot 100” on the charts, the number one song in the U.S. is “What’s Next” by Drake. This is the first week the rap/hip-hop song is on the charts. “Drivers License” by Olivia Rodrigo, which was previously the number one song for eight weeks straight, dropped to the fifth spot. According to the “Billboard 200,” the number one album in the U.S. is “Dangerous: The Double Album” by Morgan Wallen. The country album is at the top spot for the tenth week straight.

Jeriann Tripodi, Staff

Header Image: Harper’s Bazaar

A-Rod and J-LO address breakup rumors

It was recently reported by Page Six that former Yankees player Alex Rodriguez and pop singer Jennifer Lopez have called off their two-year engagement after rumors circulated that the former third baseman had an affair with “Southern Charm” star Madison LeCroy. Lopez and Rodriguez later made a joint statement, obtained by People Magazine, that although they have thought about calling it quits, they are still trying to work things out. However, neither addressed the cheating rumors. 

Kanye West and Kim Kardashian are no longer on speaking terms

Rapper Kanye West and reality star and socialite Kim Kardashian are no longer speaking to each other despite co-parenting their four children following their divorce. However, Page Six claims that the former couple already cut off communication before their divorce. West, 43, has changed his number and told Kardashian, 40, that she may only reach him through his security. Despite this, the “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” star still trusts her former husband around their children and wants them to have a relationship with their father. West has requested to visit the children only while Kardashian is not home.

“The Bachelor” airs shocking finale

On March 15, “The Bachelor” finale aired and Bachelor Matt James surprised viewers when he decided he did not want to get engaged after the final two ladies met his mother and brother. James then decided to pursue a dating relationship with contestant Rachael Kirkconnell. Afterwards, the “After the Final Rose” episode caught up with the couple and discovered that they broke up after images surfaced of Kirkconnell attending an antebellum-themed party back in 2018. Former football player Emmanuel Acho led the discussion as he filled in for host Chris Harrison who stepped down after receiving backlash for defending Kirkconnell’s past actions. The episode addressed the racial controversy, and Kirkconnell expressed her sorrow. The “ATFR” episode concluded with the announcement of two Bachelorettes. Both women were fan favorite contestants from Matt James’s season. 

Lady Gaga filming movie in Italy 

Pop singer and actress Lady Gaga is currently in Italy shooting the biographical crime film, “House of Gucci.” Starring alongside actor Adam Driver, Gaga will be playing the notorious Patrizia Reggiani, who arranged to have her ex-husband, fashion mogul Maurizio Gucci, murdered in 1995. Fulfilling her role, Gaga was spotted on set wearing a short brunette wig and gold jewelry. Directed by Ridley Scott, actors Al Pacino and Jared Leto will also be a part of the cast. “House of Gucci” will be released this upcoming November. 

Number one on the Billboard charts: week of March 17, 2021

According to “The Hot 100” on the charts, the number one song in the U.S. is “Drivers License” by Olivia Rodrigo. This is the eighth week the pop song is number one on the charts. According to the “Billboard 200,” the number one album in the U.S. is “Dangerous: The Double Album” by Morgan Wallen. The country album is at the top spot for the ninth week straight.

tripodij2@lasalle.edu

Nolen Kelly, Staff

Header Image: Marvel Studios

Editor’s Note: This review does not contain spoilers for the story of “WandaVision,” but does comment on some of its themes and content styles that may hint toward plot points for some readers.

I’ll start off this review by saying that “WandaVision” is already a success because it got me to rewatch “Malcolm in the Middle,” which is an amazing show. But, onto the main review: Marvel Studios has taken a quick breather from releasing two movies a day during these unfortunate COVID times to focus on a few miniseries centered on some characters that have already been introduced to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) through films like “Avengers,” “Captain America” and “Ant-Man.” The first show on their list, “WandaVision” picks up a little while after the events of 2019’s “Avengers: Endgame” focusing on Elizabeth Olson as the titular Wanda Maximoff, a Marvel Comics character known as the Scarlet Witch, and Paul Bettany as a sentient android named Vision. What follows is a story told through unique visuals, clever referential writing and very few of Marvel’s typical tropes that make this an interesting debut to the small screen.

I was excited for this show since it was announced in April 2019, but I also tempered my expectations as it would be Marvel Studios’ first television series. I enjoyed Maximoff and Vision in their previous appearances of the MCU and the creators teased that each episode of “WandaVision” would focus on different decades of TV shows, starting in the 60s and moving to modern day. At first, they had my interest — then they got my attention. Each episode’s style is based off of a different decade of television and spoof “I Love Lucy,” “Bewitched,” “The Brady Bunch,” “Growing Pains,” “Full House,” “Malcolm in the Middle” and “Modern Family.”  From the get-go they nailed the aesthetic of every single decade. They included laugh tracks, emotional music when the problem is being resolved, theme songs that pay homage to the original show while including their own unique style and most episodes even feature some fun commercials. The costumes, camera work, thematic elements and episodic style of each show is pretty impressive, but the actual plot of “WandaVision” in between is something else. 

I have been wanting Marvel to get weird and psychedelic for a while, which is why I enjoyed the “Doctor Strange” film so much. The magical aspect of the MCU is crazy and hopefully we see more of it going forward into future projects. I knew this show would be a good ticket into the weird witchery the MCU had to offer and oh man, it is weird. Maximoff is a witch and an entire show about a witch is guaranteed to get creative. Without giving too much away, the show breaks its own reality a few times and leads to some spooky and compelling moments that make you wonder what anything means. Olson’s performance as Maximoff was great and she fit comfortably into each roll she filled. She goes through several rapidly shifting emotions throughout the series, and you can’t help but feel for her along the way. Bettany as Vision was also super fun to watch because he was finally given more space to stretch his comedic chops and breathe more as a character and a sentient being. Now with that all said I, of course, have some problems. 

First off, I feel like I should appreciate it when Marvel does the whole “obscure details that come back in a big way” trope that they do, but it’s just annoying at this point. It is not of huge importance to the overall plot, but it is just a Marvel thing that bothers me when they do it. My biggest issues with the show are the momentum, an individual character and some dialogue. I would say the first five episodes do a really good job of building suspense and showing a world that unravels piece by piece each week. By the sixth episode, the show feels like it has presented everything to the viewer. There is no more mystery — and typically I would be okay with that since the world is in front of me, but not when the rest of the story is plateaued from there on out. It feels anticlimactic. There are other notable moments in the remaining four episodes, but they just don’t pack the punch I feel like they should. Just to be clear, I do not think the later episodes are inherently bad, but they just lack anything substantially interesting compared to what the series began with. The writing just gets a little weak and depends mostly on the aesthetic of the show to carry the story rather than pushing their own story creatively.

My next huge issue with the show is the dialogue. Again, I will not go too far into detail as to why, but there are a lot of jokes and forced dialogue that do not work. There are two or three characters that speak mostly in clichés and it gets pretty stale pretty fast. And speaking of pretty stale pretty fast, there is a character in the show who is from another MCU franchise who I did not like at all. I can’t say who they are because it gives a bit away, but they are presented in a very important position and almost everything about this character falls flat for me, even their eventual reveal as a comic book hero. Their chemistry with the world and other characters, their purpose, the direction and future implications are just so bland and annoying that I think the show would have progressed way more smoothly if they maintained their same arc for the first three episodes and then built them in a completely different way. If you’ve seen the show, you know who I’m talking about. 

Aside from some bland direction and a small dip in pacing, I thought this was a pretty solid start for Marvel’s venture into limited series television. There were a few scenes that made me actually jump out of my seat with excitement, and a few others during which I continually checked my phone to see what else was going on. It is definitely worth the watch for all of the Marvel freaks and geeks out there and for those who appreciate TV history like me. To rank the show from “Awful” to “Perfection” I’d say it was “Good.”

kellyf4@lasalle.edu

Jeriann Tripodi, Staff

Header Image: Entertainment Weekly

Lady Gaga’s dogs get stolen and dog walker is shot

On Feb. 24, two of Lady Gaga’s dogs were stolen at gunpoint. At around 9 p.m., Gaga’s dog walker, Ryan Fischer, was walking her three French Bulldogs when a car pulled over. Two men exited the vehicle and demanded Fischer hand over the dogs. When the victim struggled with the suspects, he was shot. The suspects then fled with two of the dogs. The Oscar and Grammy winning singer, who was in Rome during the robbery, offered a $500,000 reward for the dogs to be returned. Since then, a woman found the dogs, Koji and Gustav, tied to a pole and turned them in to Los Angeles Police Department. Meanwhile, Fischer is recovering at a hospital. 

Billie Eilish gets restraining order against alleged stalker

Pop singer Billie Eilish has been granted a temporary restraining order against her alleged stalker, John Matthews Hearle. In legal documents, Eilish stated that the 23-year-old, who also goes by the alias “Adam Lucifer,” has been camping outside her home and watches her each time she leaves and enters. In addition, Hearle has made gestures that suggested he would harm the 19-year-old star, and has sent her letters containing death threats. 

Alec and Hilaria Baldwin quietly welcome their sixth child 

Actor Alec Baldwin and wife Hilaria Baldwin have shared to social media that they have welcomed a newborn together. Fans were surprised because the pair welcomed a son five months prior; however, a source close to the couple shared that the newborn girl, Lucia Baldwin, was welcomed via a surrogate mother. In an Instagram post of the child, Hilaria Baldwin captioned: “Just like your brothers and sisters, you are a dream come true.” After Alec Baldwin fired back at a troll, the Baldwins have disabled their comments. 

“The Bachelor” airs “Women Tell All” episode

The most memorable women from this season’s “The Bachelor” returned to recap and relive the craziest moments. In an audience-free studio, the female contestants got to face Bachelor Matt James for the final time to receive closure as to why they were eliminated. However, they also shared some laughs together. In addition, the ladies confronted the villains of the season. A disclaimer was aired at the beginning of the episode to inform viewers that the episode was taped before host Chris Harrison’s racial controversy took place. 

Norman Lear honored at 78th Golden Globes 

At the 78th Golden Globes, Hollywood legend Norman Lear was awarded with the Carol Burnett Award honoring his excellent career in television. The television producer and writer, who is the third person to receive the accolade, proudly shared his gratitude towards comedic actress Carol Burnett. Lear also shared that laughter and his family have helped him reach 98 without ever feeling “alone.” 

Number one on the Billboard charts: week of March 10, 2021

According to “The Hot 100” on the charts, the number one song in the U.S. is “Drivers License” by Olivia Rodrigo. This is the seventh week the pop song is number one on the charts. According to the “Billboard 200,” the number one album in the U.S. is “Dangerous: The Double Album” by Morgan Wallen. The country album is at the top spot for the eighth week straight.

tripodij2@lasalle.edu

Nolen Kelly, Staff

“Euphoria” is the television equivalent of putting your hands on your head and saying “Oh my God” every five minutes and each time in a different tone. In June 2019 the first season of “Euphoria” was released onto the world and centers on Rue, played by Zendaya Coleman, a 17-year-old drug addict who attempts to return to her normal habits after a summer-long stint in rehab. The show is as funny as a hernia and features 11 hour-long episodes of pure adrenaline and anxiety. Through crazy editing techniques, gut wrenching performances and excellent writing, Euphoria finds several ways to break you and your spirit and it is only the first season.

For those that are like me and are hesitant to view former Disney Channel stars as serious actors, then I implore you to at least try. I don’t love Zac Efron, but “Neighbors” was a great departure for the former “High School Musical” star and put him on my radar as someone to look out for. Same for Zendaya. I was never really a fan of hers even on the Disney Channel but just after the first episode I immediately fell in love with her acting. She was lovably fun in “Spider-Man: Far from Home” but I shed actual tears for her watching “Euphoria.” It is not just Zendaya that I could gush over because I could gush over almost every character this show features. Each episode begins with a six-minute segment that focuses on a character and details why they are the way they are. Each character is so well-written and is given so much time to breathe, they all just break your heart in different ways. Rue’s story is just one constant punch in the stomach after another. When she experiences her highest highs, it is worth celebrating and when she hits her lowest lows you feel like this. Rue’s rollercoaster of a story is the rollercoaster no one should ever experience but it is so hard to not watch as it all unfolds. My personal favorite character is one of the most indescribably evil, manipulative and slimy characters who deserves to burn in hell, Nate Jacobs. The main antagonist of the show is just the absolute worst, man, I love to hate this guy every chance he is on screen. All the love I have for Rue is doubled in the amount of disdain I have for Nate. 

Not only is this show acted great, but it also looks absolutely insane. The gorgeous lighting and camera work of each scene is trance-inducing goodness. There is a frequent use of purples and blues giving a lush and calming feeling to the insanity happening all around. There are quite a few party scenes that feature a lot of flashing lights and it really helps to make the energy of the scene feel very manic. Lighting and coloring both have multiple uses besides making a room look pretty. They serve as flashes for camera transitions and indicate how a character is feeling based off of the colors. There are several moments where the conversations and happenings are crazy, but they are heightened by the frantic and quick camera work. There are frequent quick cuts that mesh the days certain characters spend together and it has potential to become confusing but with the seamless transitions and flow they make it very clear what order of things you are watching. It is all just so admirable how well-crafted the editing and visual storytelling is in just this first season alone. 

“Euphoria” season one is full of so much great detail and character development it would be a crime against television history to not renew it for a second season. It has been renewed for a second season, thankfully, but I cannot stress enough just how great this show is and how badly the world needs more “Euphoria.” There was a lot that I left out and did not talk about but hopefully this was enough of a nudge to give the show a watch for those who have not seen it. Watch “Euphoria.” Warning: this show is very dark and may be very intense for some people. There is a ton of drug consumption, extreme situations and some disturbing acts of violence. Without giving too much more away, “Euphoria” is a show that easily is one of the best on television right now and should be watched by anyone who is curious what emotional and painstaking TV looks like. On a scale of awful to perfection, I would describe season one of “Euphoria” as incredible. 

kellyf4@lasalle.edu

Jeriann Tripodi, Staff

Welcome to the wonderful world of entertainment. The following news includes highlights of celebrities, television, movies and music this week. 

Kim Kardashian files for divorce from Kanye West 

Reality star and socialite Kim Kardashian has filed for divorce from rapper Kanye West after seven years of marriage. Kardashian is asking for joint custody of the pair’s four children. According to TMZ, West and Kardashian have previously agreed to co-parent in the months leading up to the divorce. In addition, sources claim that the divorce was not “dramatic,” as both have accepted that the marriage was over. 

Fans think Khloe Kardashian and Tristan Thompson are engaged

Khloe Kardashian sent fans into a frenzy after posting an Instagram picture modeling SKIMS and a pair of heels from her new shoe line. It was not the clothes, nor the attractive pose, that made fans go crazy in the comments; but rather the fact that Kardashian proudly showed off her left hand that sported a very large diamond ring. Fans speculated that the 36-year-old was engaged to her on-again, off-again boyfriend Tristan Thompson. However, Kardashian has not confirmed nor denied the engagement rumors.   

Regé-Jean Page hosts SNL and makes audience swoon

Actor Regé-Jean Page has made his hosting debut on “Saturday Night Live,” and the audience was pleased with his performance and charm. The 31-year-old actor, who is best known for his starring role on the recently trending Netflix series, “Bridgerton,” joked about being a heartthrob in his opening monologue. The audience especially enjoyed when Page briefly sang the chorus of “Unchained Melody” by the Righteous Brothers and performed his famous line, “I burn for you,” from his character Duke of Hastings on “Bridgerton.” Next week, heartthrob Nick Jonas will take the stage as host. 

Disney releases the first “Cruella” trailer 

On Feb. 17, Walt Disney Studios released the official “Cruella” trailer. This live-action film, starring Emma Stone, takes place in London during the 1970s and focuses on the origins of Cruella de Vil, the villainous character from “101 Dalmatians.” The trailer’s vibe and music has reminded viewers of Todd Phillips’ “Joker,” as one YouTube comment stated, “Cruella De Vil is Disney’s Harley Quinn.” “Cruella” was supposed to be released last year, but was postponed due to COVID-19. It is now set to hit theaters on May 28. 

Daft Punk breaks up

On Feb. 22, electronic musical duo Daft Punk announced their breakup through a YouTube video titled “Epilogue.” The eight minute video shows the pair walking through a desert as one member blows up in a destruction and gets left behind. Formed in 1993, the French-based Grammy award-winning group was known for their unique robot masks that concealed their identity throughout their 28 years of fame. Their biggest hits and features include, “One More Time,” “All Around the World,” “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger,” “Starboy” and “Get Lucky.” 

Number one on the Billboard charts: week of Feb. 20, 2021

According to “The Hot 100” on the charts, the number one song in the U.S. is “Drivers License” by Olivia Rodrigo. This is the fifth week the pop song is number one on the charts. According to the “Billboard 200,” the number one album in the U.S. is “Dangerous: The Double Album” by Morgan Wallen. The country album is at the top spot for the sixth week straight.

tripodij2@lasalle.edu

Jeriann Tripodi, Staff

Header Image: Film Daily

Nicki Minaj’s father killed after hit and run accident

On Feb. 12, rap singer Nicki Minaj’s father, Robert Maraj, passed away from his injuries at a New York hospital after being hit by a driver while attempting to cross a street. According to police, the driver sped off and witnesses were unable to get a clear description of the vehicle. Minaj has yet to speak publicly on the matter, but her representative did confirm the 64-year-old’s death.

Judge rules in case involving conservatorship over Britney Spears’s estate

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Brenda Penny ruled that Jamie Spears is to serve as co-conservator with Bessemer Trust over Britney Spears’s estate. The pop singer previously filed for her father’s removal as sole conservator, and has petitioned that a professional financial institution fully takes over her estate. At prior hearings, Spears’s attorney, Samuel D. Ingham III, has argued that his client was “afraid” of her father.

Paris Hilton testifies that she was abused at teen treatment facility

Media personality and heiress to the Hilton hotel company, Paris Hilton urged Utah lawmakers to pass a law that will protect teenagers in treatment facilities. At the committee hearing, Hilton spoke about the physical, emotional, mental and even sexual abuse she endured while staying at these facilities as a teenager. One of these facilities was Provo Canyon School, located in Utah, where the now 39-year-old stayed at when she was 16.

Ellen DeGeneres spotted looking sad after getting stood up by mystery person

Daytime talk-show host Ellen DeGeneres was seen by herself at a shopping center in Montecito. According to DailyMail, the 63-year-old looked depressed as she scanned the parking lot before taking out her phone. An onlooker then overheard DeGeneres speaking into her iPhone, “ah okay, okay, another time then, no, no problem,” before walking several blocks to her Porsche Panamera.

“iCarly” arrives to Netflix and immediately reaches top 10

Seasons one and two of the hit Nickelodeon series, “iCarly,” became available to Netflix on Feb. 8. Within a day of it’s release, “iCarly” reached the top 10 list on Netflix. By Wednesday, the teen sitcom landed at the number two spot. This release comes ahead of a revival of the show, which will be made available to ViacomCBS’ Paramount+. According to Newsweek, most of the main stars will return, such as Miranda Cosgrove, Nathan Kress and Jerry Trainor; however, Jennette McCurdy will not appear in the “iCarly” reboot.

“Sonic the Hedgehog 2” gets an official release date

Groundbreaking. Thought provoking. Extremely obvious. Presenting the official title of the #SonicMovie sequel: Sonic the Hedgehog 2! Catch #SonicMovie2 in theatres in 2022. pic.twitter.com/SlVk7fakp3

— Sonic the Hedgehog (@SonicMovie) February 10, 2021

In a teaser trailer, Paramount has announced that the “Sonic” movie sequel will officially be titled “Sonic the Hedgehog 2” and will arrive to theaters on April 8, 2022. The official Twitter page for “Sonic the Hedgehog” also posted the trailer teaser and stated in the caption, “Groundbreaking. Thought provoking. Extremely obvious. Presenting the official title of the #SonicMovie sequel: Sonic the Hedgehog 2! Catch #SonicMovie2 in theatres in 2022.” According to the film’s logo, Sonic’s friend, Tails, will be in the sequel.

Number one on the Billboard charts: week of Feb. 17, 2021

According to “The Hot 100” on the charts, the number one song in the U.S. is “Drivers License” by Olivia Rodrigo. This is the fourth week the pop song is number one on the charts. According to the “Billboard 200,” the number one album in the U.S. is “Dangerous: The Double Album” by Morgan Wallen. The country album is at the top spot for the fifth week straight.

Cianan Meagher, Staff

Header Image: Mo Wax

Introductions

Henry Rollins, punk icon and former Black Flag frontman, is probably best known for his provocative and inflammatory stage presence during the height of his career in the early 1980s. But, later years revealed a burgeoning maturity and softer side to his rough and tumble persona as well as a more varied and nuanced taste of music than the ferocity of his former punk mask would suggest. And, in his brief stint as a guest video jockey on MTV, the renegade renaissance man would make an impassioned plea with the Generation X youth of the day to listen to something other than the Billboard Top 40.

Much like Rollins pleaded with Gen X to expand their musical taste in the 90s, I also want to preach the benefits of a broader musical palette with this column by recommending lesser known and older selections of my own. You might love some of these albums and hate others, and that’s okay, we all have varying tastes; but, as Rollins advocates, limiting your playlist to only your comfort zone is robbing yourself of a wider world of music.

Background

UNKLE is headed by James Lavelle and DJ Shadow, pioneers in the development of electronic music and hip-hop respectively. Released in 1998, the group’s debut album “Psyence Fiction” is an experimental mixture of genres which lends to its unique sound and diverse features list, with guests ranging from alt-rock icons like Radiohead’s Thom Yorke to hip-hop staples like Mike D of Beastie Boys fame. At the time of its release, the album received a mixed reception from critics that were disappointed in the less accessible, avante-garde direction the group decided to take with their impressive list of high profile collaborators, prompting Shadow to disown the project entirely over the negative press, but over the years it’s developed a cult-status among electronic and trip-hop fans alike.

Why you should give it a listen

For better or worse this album sounds unlike anything else I’ve ever listened to. Its unique mix of electronic, hip-hop and alt-rock is truly something to behold. This eclectic hodgepodge of genres and artists is something that, by all reason, should be nowhere near as competent and coherent as it is. Lavelle and Shadow did a fantastic job at creating an atmosphere of a late 90s UFO-conspiracy-tinged fever dream, with one critic describing the album as the “soundtrack for a surreal, melancholy art film that exists in Shadow’s and Lavelle’s heads.” Truly, the fledgling group was able to put together a fully realized, if unconventional, vision. If an unorthodox marriage of some of the most popular underground genres from the turn of the century sounds like something you’d have a passing interest in, I suggest you check this album out.

Highlights For Your Playlist:

“U.N.K.L.E. Main Title Theme”

Like the theme song for a dark sci-fi Saturday morning cartoon that never existed, this instrumental track’s catchy sample and hypnotic beat make for an upbeat track that would be right at home on a workout playlist for when you need some motivation.

“Rabbit in Your Headlights”

Thom Yorke’s haunting vocals, combined with a moody piano and an unexpected beat drop at the half-way point make this track a melancholic but satisfying listen. It would make a great addition to a bag playlist for when you just need to be in your feelings.

meagherc1@lasalle.edu 

Jeriann Tripodi, Staff

Header Image: CNN

The Weeknd’s Super Bowl halftime performance becomes a meme

Pop singer The Weeknd was the sole vocal performer at the Pepsi 2021 Super Bowl Halftime Show this past Sunday. While performing his hit “Can’t Feel My Face,” the Grammy-winning artist made his viewers feel “dizzy” as he stared closely at the camera while spinning around with mirrors behind him. Soon afterwards, memes capturing this moment went viral. One viral meme stated, “My parents on Facetime.” Meanwhile, another viral post stated, “5-year-old me in the grocery store looking for my mom.” 

Christopher Plummer passes at age 91 (1929-2021)

On Feb. 5, actor Christopher Plummer passed away at the age of 91. Plummer was best known for his starring role in “The Sound of Music,” where he played Captain von Trapp. Younger audiences likely remember the Hollywood icon from his starring roles in the films “Knives Out” and “Up.” At age 82, Plummer became the oldest actor to win an Oscar. 

“Bachelor” for senior citizens is back on and now casting

During a commercial break for “The Bachelor,” it was announced that casting is open for seniors looking for love in a new “Bachelor” spin-off series. Plans for the reality series featuring contestants in their golden age was originally announced in early 2020 and was set to air that fall, according to Variety. However, COVID-19 led to the show’s postponement. 

Jennifer Lawrence gets injured on set of “Don’t Look Up”

While filming the ending scene for the upcoming Netflix film, “Don’t Look Up,” actress Jennifer Lawrence’s face got cut with glass after an explosion scene went wrong. Lawrence and co-star Timothee Chalamet were shooting inside a restaurant when the window shattered. The glass cut her eyelid to the point where it “would not stop bleeding,” according to TMZ. Production was suspended after the incident. 

Number one on the Billboard charts: Week of Feb. 6, 2021

According to “The Hot 100” on the charts, the number one song in the U.S. is “Drivers License” by Olivia Rodrigo. This is the third week the pop song is number one on the charts. According to the “Billboard 200,” the number one album in the U.S. is “Dangerous: The Double Album” by Morgan Wallen. The country album is at the top spot for the fourth week straight. 

tripodij2@lasalle.edu