Entertainment

Olivia Rodrigo: Speeding to Success

I may not have a driver’s license or a broken heart — but that doesn’t stop me from blasting Olivia Rodrigo’s new single 24/7.  On January 8, 17-year-old Olivia Rodrigo released her debut single, “drivers license.” which quickly rose to No.

The entrance to the Pixar Animation Studios, located in Emeryville.

Pixar’s ‘Soul’ Offers Depth and Introspection Through Animation

From the depths of COVID-19-infused living and the constant introspection that has come with it, comes Pixar’s Soul, a masterful examination of what it means to be human.

To Escape Tumultuous Times, Viewers Flock to Period Dramas

It’s the end of the day, you are tired, overwhelmed, and all you want to do is sit down and escape reality through the TV. What better way to flee the demoralizing headlines of today’s world than to leave this time period all together?

How the Grammys Became the Most Meaningless Award in Pop Culture

An intricate 24K gold-coated horn and turntable mounted atop a palm-sized podium: the trademark trophy of the Grammy Awards show and a classic symbol sought after by some, while dismissed by others.

Is Porn Preaching Pedophilia To Teenagers?

We’ve all heard about it. Some see it as a daily activity, others view it as sinful. The taboo topic: porn. In today’s world, that no longer means explicit drawings or photos from a magazine.

Word on the Street: What’s Your Favorite Holiday Movie?

Holidays are full of joyous traditions and festive celebrations. Even during COVID-19, families can find ways to celebrate the holidays and practice their favorite rituals in the comfort of their home.

How Has Satire Shaped the Trump Era?

George Bush — aside from his gig as president — was perhaps best known for putting his foot in his mouth. “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice … you can’t get fooled again,” Bush once said, trying to recall the common adage.

Parasocial Relationships: Helpful or Harmful? It’s Complicated

Relationships, by-and-large, are two-sided: a mutual exchange of energy and support between individuals. But what happens when they’re not? Parasocial relationships are defined by Wikipedia as relationships where “viewers or listeners [of mass media] come to consider media personalities as friends, despite having limited interactions with them.” The term “parasocial relationship” was coined by sociologists

Celebrities and Public Figures Abuse Privilege During Pandemic

It appears as though a celebrity can simply ditch their worries about the pandemic once someone’s birthday or Halloween happens rolls around. Despite urging their followers to maintain social distancing and adhere to COVID-19 safety guidelines, well-known personalities on social media flaunt their ability to choose how and when they decide to practice what they

New EP ‘Omakase’ by Lil Ricefield Lacks Promised Originality

Recent Oakland Technical High School graduate Nathaniel Oda, also known as lil ricefield, burst onto the music scene in 2018 with hit single “Trapanese.” The song racked up over 15 million plays on Spotify alone and landed him a verified spot on Genius.

'The Queen’s Gambit' Explores the World of Chess Through Fascinating Characters

The Queen’s Gambit is the story of a girl who only has one goal her entire life: to win at chess. The show starts in the early ’50s, when Beth Harmon is left at an orphanage in Kentucky after her mother’s death.

'The Trial of the Chicago 7' Is Relevant in 2020

Political movie dramas have taken over TV streaming platforms, bringing notorious court cases, justice movements, and political events from over the years in our country back to life.

2018 Video Game ‘Among Us’ Rises in Popularity Amidst Pandemic

Among Us, the space-themed multiplayer social deduction game was first released on June 15, 2018, by InnerSloth, a small independent game company. Despite its release over two years ago, the online game didn’t gain popularity within the Berkeley High School community until recently, towards the beginning of the 2020 school year.

Has Increased Accessibility to Media Changed Our Ability to Enjoy It?

Thirty years ago, watching a movie was no easy task. You had to get up, ride your bike to the nearest video store, look around for the movie you wanted, and have a conversation with the person at the front desk as you paid for your rental.

Under Capitalism, Supporting Independent Artists is Cultural Resistance

The perfect summer day: a moment of peace found in a rare shady sanctuary, a 2 PM nap. Warm winds move over undulating green grass, coupled by the distant sound of a harmonium, played by an unknown man for your seemingly perpetual enjoyment.  When supplied with this vision, the melody appears natural, an accoutrement of

Disney’s New Advisory on Racist Films: A Good Marketing Decision Fails to Make Real Change

The capitalist conglomerate Disney is known for many things, but racial sensitivity is not one of them. Many of the company’s older films contain racist content in one way or another, including Dumbo, The Aristocats, and Lady and the Tramp.

Grand Army is an Entertaining Watch, But Lacks ‘Wokeness’ Behind Screen

The reviews are in for Netflix’s new teen drama, and they’re not great. From the perspective of reviewers and movie critics, the show is viewed as flimsy and “a weaker Euphoria,” according to IndieWire.

The Comedic Genius in ‘Borat Subsequent Moviefilm’ Offsets Its Contribution to Political Polarization

At a gathering with supporters, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a popular progressive congressional representative, was confronted by a right-wing troll who suggested that in order to slow the growing threat of climate change, people should start eating babies.