Share: Frances Lawrence’s latest addition to “The Hunger Games” franchise is reigniting passion amongst Hunger Games fans, and rightfully so. “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” was released on Nov 17, and since its release, it has received high praise from its fans. In this prequel to “The Hunger Games,” viewers are sent back 64 years before the events of the first book and can finally see Panem in the days before the Hunger Games and only 10 years after the “dark …
Latest literary listens included in your Spotify subscription
Share: For those with Spotify premium, the holidays have arrived early with the release of over 150,000 audiobooks included in your membership, allowing up to 15 hours a month of listening. With the long weekend fast approaching and the temperature dropping, here are some cozy, heartbreaking, and transportive audiobook recommendations available on Spotify. And if none of these are your cup of tea, know that Spotify has made a deal to include the entire audio catalog of publishers HarperCollins and Penguin Random House for premium …
David Fincher’s most introspective movie reveals his inner assassin
Share: In David Fincher’s latest, he proves how valuable his filmmaking experience is for an ostensibly simple and straightforward story. “The Killer” feels like Fincher’s most introspective film in years; examining the POV of a conscientious perfectionist through the lens of a nihilistic hit-man. Notorious for his painstaking attention to detail, as seen with his penchant for an excessive number of takes, no other protagonist of his has felt as self-reflective as the titular “Killer.” Fincher reteams with writer Andrew Kevin Walker, whom he previously …
The foodie’s game day guide to Pasadena’s sports bars
Share: Fall is in full swing, and so is football season! For some of us, this means rich tradition and undying love for your team. For the rest of us, football season simply means endless wings and nachos. Whether you’re a diehard or a foodie, we’ve rounded up a few of Pasadena’s favorite local sports joints worth checking out to amp up your next game day. Kings Row Gastropub Kings Row is a modern Thursday night football hub where it’s easy to find a seat, …
‘Modern Warfare III’ fails to live up to its original legacy
Share: Following a successful prison break from a Kastovian gulag, a former terrorist is let loose unto the world. The danger of another World War looms heavy over everyone’s heads and leaves one question… where is Makarov? “Modern Warfare III” picks up hot off the heels of last year’s “Modern Warfare II,” and follows Task Force 141’s attempts to stop Vladimir Makarov and his Konni Group from instigating a global conflict between the East and West. The game also includes a few supporting characters from …
Webheads unite! ‘Marvel’s Spider-Man 2’ swings to new heights
Share: In the large city of New York, players can web swing and feel how rapidly they can move along skyscrapers and bridges as Spider-Man. As you freefall from the skies, crime is at every corner for you to intervene and rescue those in need by delivering them to safety. With the support of your tech savvy best friend Ganke Lee and investigative journalist Mary Jane Watson, uncovering crime feels like a breeze. From numerous famous Spidey suits and combat gadgets at the palm of …
Pumpkins galore: Explore SoCal’s most unique pumpkin patches
Share: October is the month of all things pumpkin. And there’s no better way to celebrate the autumn season than going to a pumpkin patch! Whether you plan to participate in hands-on activities or just capture the perfect fall photo, we’ve gathered five of SoCal’s best pumpkin patches that you don’t want to miss. Note that these are not in any specific order. Cal Poly Pomona’s Pumpkin Festival delivers not only photo-worthy sights, but also multiple attractions for a busy, yet fun day. Apart from …
Everybody scream! ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ returns for 30th anniversary
Share: T’was a long time ago, longer now than it seems, in a place that you’ve probably seen on your screens. This year, Tim Burton’s iconic and dreary “The Nightmare Before Christmas” turns 30 years old. But if even after all this time you still haven’t seen it, I’d say it’s time you get to it. “The Nightmare Before Christmas” originated as a poem written by Burton in 1982 while he worked as an animator for Disney. While it was far away from the fleshed-out …
5 silly, spooky movies will make you laugh and cry this Halloween
Share: Horror films and Halloween go together like masked killers and stupid teenagers. However, the horror genre has become far more diverse over the years, with films such as, “Get Out,” “Hereditary,” and last year’s “Barbarian,” proving how capable horror can be at telling meaningful stories. As great as those films are, they don’t exactly scream “Halloween”. The mood for this time of year should feel more “spooky monster scary, not grandma died scary”, to quote Donald Glover’s Troy Barnes from “Community”. That being said, …
‘Era’s Tour’ captures the intimate concert experience on the big screen
Share: It’s March of 2023, and life is not great. A slew of personal issues and the fact that I had missed out on tickets to Taylor Swift’s highly anticipated “Eras Tour” had me feeling really bummed. But one day while out with my family I heard the magic words that every Swiftie wanted to hear, “Congratulations! You got tickets to Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour!” To say I was ecstatic wouldn’t properly convey everything running through my head. Fast forward to Aug 4, and …