‘The Last of Us’ deviates from game and elevates into prestige TV

Share: With half of its episodes yet to be released, “The Last of Us” is one of the best shows TV has to offer. The new HBO series opened to universal praise solely from the first two episodes. The much-talked-about third episode, “Long, Long Time,” showed the series is adept at adapting the original story and creating new compelling plotlines in the best episode yet. Now at the halfway point, the show has already proven to be essential viewing. After Joel and Ellie nearly escaped …

‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’ expands MCU into new heights

Share: “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” is the latest installment of the Marvel universe, being the first production to start phase five. Phase four of the MCU was filled to the brim with 18 projects, leaving fans feeling bloated and concerned with the large amounts of mediocre work. Quantumania however hits the mark in giving fans that refreshing boost to stay and see what lies ahead. From an ex-convict to an Avenger, Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) resumes life in San Francisco but is now looked …

‘One Last Stop’ is one stop away from perfect representation

Share: After looking for a read for myself, a 21-year-old sapphic, I found Casey McQuston’s most popular work, “Red White and Royal Blue”, and after further digging it led me to “One Last Stop”. In “One Last Stop”, McQuiston delivers a brilliant and beautiful take on a romance, mystery novel that is built on endearing characters and a great pillar of LGBTQ representation. In all honesty, I rarely read in my spare time, however, this book really drew me in and at times it was …

Rom-coms: What better way to feel something this Valentine’s Day?

Share: With Valentine’s Day coming up, avoiding anything love-related has become quite challenging. From advertisements to window displays, love is in the air, and what better way to enjoy it than by embracing the holiday while watching romantic Korean dramas. Romantic comedies are just right for those seeking a light-hearted time filled with the cheekiness of a new relationship. Business Proposal, a drama released last year, focuses on food researcher, Shin Ha-ri, as she keeps a job-threatening secret from her boss, the company’s CEO, Kang …

‘Knock at the Cabin’ almost knocks it out of the park

Share: “Knock at the Cabin” is a rare sight for filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan, where the movie manages to impress and disappoint. At best, he reaches the early highs of his career marked by blockbusters such as “The Sixth Sense” and “Signs.” At worst, his failure to stick the landing harkens back to the disaster of “The Last Airbender.” “Knock at the Cabin” falls under this narrow margin, but not without striving for brilliance. Wen and her two dads, Eric and Andrew, drive to a …

‘The Last of Us’ brings humanity to the zombie apocalypse

Share: Despite the many failed attempts of adapting a video game onto the big screen such as 2022’s “Uncharted” and 2021’s “Mortal Kombat”. HBO Max’s new series, “The Last of Us” has proved to not only be a faithful adaptation of the source material but has been appealing to more audiences.  “The Last of Us” follows Joel and Ellie who are tasked with ensuring Ellie arrives on the west coast of the U.S. with the deadly challenges of facing infected people and the hostile remnants …

Can love be predetermined? ‘The One’ seeks the answer

Share: Using your DNA to find your soulmate is the jist of John Marrs book “The One ”. The book explores the “what if ” of if love could be scientifically measured. This discovery could mean the end of racism, homophobia, and discrimination. The GLSEN study measured the frequency of anti-gay harassment in schools and found 61.1% of LGBT students reported verbal harassment, 46.5% reported sexual harassment, 27.6% reported physical harassment, and 13.7% reported physical assault. If love could be scientifically measured people can no …

Roll up to Paper Rice and roll up your own flavor

Share: Paper Rice specializes in build-your-own style spring rolls, a fast and contemporary take on a traditional Vietnamese dish. Owned by Jens Kristen, a Pasadena City College math and computer science professor, the restaurant offers a casual Chipotle style, walk up custom ordering experience where customers can also enjoy spring bowls or a bahn-mi sandwich. I had the pleasure of sampling some of the items on the menu, although the bowl and sandwich seemed appealing, the rolls are their staple and I wanted to see …

‘M3GAN’ is killer, with minimal buffering

Share: You’re probably familiar with the old adage about shooting for the moon and landing amongst the stars. To begin this review by referencing that adage would be cheesy. Luckily “M3GAN” the latest theatrical release from the horror trailblazers at Blumhouse, pairs perfectly with a little cheese. M3GAN, short for Model 3 Generative Android, is an A.I. prototype willed and welded into existence by roboticist Gemma. Built to be the last toy any kid will ever need, M3GAN becomes just that and more when tragedy …

‘Angel City’ is as interesting as it is confusing

Share: Pasadena City College’s rendition of Sam Shepard’s “Angel City” explores the destructive and exploitative nature of the Hollywood machine that often drives people to corruption.   The play follows Rabbit, a magical miracle man with a reputation for helping Hollywood with failing film projects. Rabbit is asked by film executives, Wheeler and Lanx, to create a cinematic catastrophe large enough to save their newest disaster film. Over time Rabbit comes to find that everyone there is waiting for their big moment that will never come, …