Pop or Flop
Blockbuster Hits- Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
After an opening scene where Angela Bassett’s Queen Ramonda and Letitia Wright’s Princess Shuri sit on a beach discussing their grief over the death of their beloved son, brother, and king, T’Challa, audiences were greeted with an intensely heartfelt montage of the late Chadwick Boseman. His death looms large over the movie. For the residents of the fictional Wakanda, the loss of their superhero protector has left them vulnerable to other nations. For viewers in real-life movie theaters, the death of actor Chadwick Boseman has cast a shadow over a Marvel franchise originally designed to spark escapist joy. Despite much sadness, the movie is quickly plunged into action with the introduction of Namor, king of a mysterious underwater civilization called Talokan. The conflicts between the nobility of peace and the righteousness of war are prevalent throughout the movie, leaving many audiences questioning their own beliefs about the world. The movie is heartfelt, intensely action-packed, and beautiful in scenery and cinematography. I recommend that viewers watch the first Black Panther before Wakanda Forever, but nonetheless it is a powerful and inspirational movie that acts as a fitting tribute for the great king himself.
Video Game Hypes- Hogwarts Legacy
Gameplay footage for Hogwarts Legacy was officially unveiled in the latest PS5 State of Play, with a vague release date of holiday 2022. This is the type of game that Potterheads have been dreaming of, with impressive graphics and an open-world map that allows you to explore both Hogwarts and the surrounding fantastic area. Despite discourse surrounding J.K Rowling over the past several years, fans are semi-unanimously regarding the upcoming game as something independent of her work. I may be biased since I have been a Harry Potter fan since birth (where are my fellow Ravenclaws?), but I see a lot of potential in Hogwarts Legacy. The trailers and sneak previews hint at intensely developed characters, interactive and changeable scenery around Hogwarts itself, and important decisions that determine your allegiance in the wizarding world. Whether you align yourself with the death eaters or the aurors, Harry Potter Hogwarts Legacy is absolutely a game to anticipate.
Stellar Reads- Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Diaper Overlode
Now I realize that this book isn’t exactly on par with our normal content, but I think it is worth pointing out that Jeff Kinney, beloved creator of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series and the revered Poptropica universe, is still churning out books from the beginning of the series in 2004. 18 years ago. When I was born. Frankly, it's wild to me that he still has unique stories to tell about Gregory and his companions. The last installment, Diaper Overlode, sees Gregory insult and belittle his older brother Roderick’s failed attempt at reaching fame with his band Loded Diaper. After car chases, a failed Bar Mitzvah performance, and multiple scenes of band members choking on guitar picks, Jeff Kinney ends the 17th book with Gregory learning that the world of fame and fortune is not all it's cracked up to be. A good read if you are in fourth grade, or you are a senior seeking to relive your childhood.
