Haunted by Artichoke Magazine

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This Is Us Kaila Gallacher

Hunter Weaymouth

Victoria Venpin Melanie Gazvoda Roshni Nayar Carly Balestreri Marvin Darkwa Julia Usher Cassie Weir Avery-Rose Hamilton Teodora Vilotijevic Victoria Ann Kaila Gallacher Eduardo Guerra

Kaela Cordero Nicole Moos Pyper Johnston Reann Bast Megan Desousa Inna Gordeyeva Joshua Cea Melissa Nicole Amelia Calo Megha Rethinasamy Shamus Quinn Nima Salimi

Kalli Jones

Amelia Calo

Jena Angra Meaghan Gonsalves Ha-Yun Holly Yoon Sharyl Man Victoria Collins Thanh Dang Khadija Bari Zornitsa Stoimenova

Bailey Paniszczyn Daniel Fong Maria Guna Abigail Wiley Laur Brewin Daye Oh Matteo De Sanctis Maria Elizabeth Muia

Thanh Dang Sarah Shahab Eliza Szymak

Yuhan Shi Hashneet Choudhary John Sanchez

Nicole Williamson Laura Bourbonnais Siddharth Koyal Kamesha Ramnarine Erin Dagenais John Doyle Caroline Febbraro Miske Ahmed Serena Lam Thanh Dang

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A Peek Inside Nov/Dec Creative Challenge 500 Years of Indigenous Resistance in The Americas Design Student’s Association Writing is an Act of Brewing

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Halloween Eyes Ghosts and Demons The Year Without Halloween Bus Ride Home Fall Familiarity Autumnal Equinox

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Autumn: It’s the Best Season Life as We Know It Fall Recipes Underseen Horror Films to Check Out on Streaming for Halloween The Scariest Halloween Movie My Five Must-See Horror Films It’s the Most Haunted Time of Year What I’m Thankful For This Year

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Letters From

The Editors FROM OUR EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

WELCOME TO THE October issue of the Artichoke! This edition is a celebration of all things fall and of all things haunted. In these pages you will find poetry, art, and articles with topics ranging from Halloween movie marathons to introspective pieces that question the time of year and how it unfolds within our lives. This issue, we hope, will inspire you to slow down and question not only the world around you, but the constant, almost dizzying, rush of daily life as a student. During this time of year, the pressure to stay on top of school, work, and the numerous responsibilities we have in our lives, is mounting and as any student will tell you, it only gets busier from here. But with fall semester finals just around the corner, we hope this issue will afford you a little extra time for yourself and a little extra space to breathe. In this issue, you’ll find ways to celebrate the season: from baking and

cooking, to marathoning movies, or going outside to enjoy the scenery, there is no doubt something here for everyone. A common thread in this issue is the idea of being haunted in some way or another—haunted by the past, by the grind of the everyday, or haunted in a broader, encompassing sense—as in the way winter creeps into autumn, little by little, only to eventually overtake it. Without further ado, I wish to invite you to get cozy, grab a warm drink, and read. With the cooler air coming, leaves changing, and our crazy schedules becoming more hectic, we want to sincerely thank you for taking the time to read our magazine. Do not forget to enter this month’s Creative Challenge! Happy October! Kaila Gallacher (she/her) Editor-In-Chief

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FROM OUR EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

HAPPY SPOOKTOBER EVERYONE! I hope you have settled in and your first month has gone well. If you are still figuring things out, that is cool too. Just remember to give yourself time to self care whenever necessary. Our October issue is chock full of fun Halloween related content, as well as covering all you need to know about Fall time at York. Plus, our Artichoke challenge is back again this month. Be sure to check it out for a chance to be featured in our next addition of the Artichoke and on our social media! All the best, Hunter Weaymouth (he/him) Assistant Editor

FROM OUR DESIGN EDITOR

WE ARE SO excited to bring you this second issue of Volume 11! Sometimes life can be full of surprises -good or bad, and this semester may or may not have lived up to your expectations. As reading week is upon us, we hope you have all decided to devote time to mindfulness and self care between studies. After all, nothing is as important as mental health. We have prepared an issue full of fall with the goal of getting you into the Halloween spirit! Let us know what you think in our Instagram comments @artichokewfp. Happy reading, Kalli Jones (she/her) Design Editor

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NOVEMBER - DECEMBER BY ARTICHOKE EXECUTIVE TEAM

WE ARE ECSTATIC to present for your creative experimentation a prompt for you to play around with and a chance to be featured in our upcoming magazine and on our social media.

PROMPT: “PLAYING IN THE COLD” Think of those activities you once did as a child, there used to be an art to playing in the snow--building snow forts on snow days, tobogganing, making snow angels or snowmen. It was something most of us had to do as children, whether or not we enjoyed it.

GUIDELINES: • There are no rules as to what you can create. • Write, draw, take a photo, or create in any medium you choose. • As long as it is inspired by or addresses the given prompt(s) you may get an opportunity to have your entry published in the Artichoke!

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TO ENTER: • Either send us a message or tag us on Instagram • Alternatively, email your entries to wintersfreepress@winterscouncil.com.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out!

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500 YEARS OF INDIGENOUS RESISTANCE IN THE AMERICAS BY JOSHUA CEA

THIS PAST AUGUST 13th, the Government of Mexico held a ceremony in “El Zocalo”, the main city plaza of the capital with a history dating back to foundations of the Aztec Empire. In preparation for the commemoration of the 500th Anniversary of the Conquest of Tenochtitlan (Modern-day rumours Mexico City), the government commissioned a large replica of the Aztec “Templo Mayor” (Twin Temples) that were religious pyramids that used to stand on the current site of El Zocalo before colonization. Gathered at a press conference alongside various indigenous leaders across Mexico was Jamescita Mae Peshlakai, indigenous Senator of the State of Arizona and member of the Navajo Nation and Kahsennenhawe Sky-Deer, Grand Chief of the Kahnawake Mohawk Community in Quebec. Accompanying them was the President of Mexico, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, to commemorate “500 years of indigenous resistance” in Mexico and across the continent.

The Feathered Serpent, Quetzalcoatl, The Aztecs used to believe that Quetzalcoatl was the creator of humanity and civilization.

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Indigenous identity has been the core of the Latin-American community, most Hispanics are Mestizos who have both Indigenous and Spanish ancestry. For many Mexicans though, their roots can be traced back to the various indigenous cultures that were spread across Meso-America and throughout the Aztec Empire. The Demonym “Mexican” derives from the ethnic “Mexica” tribe of Tenochtitlan, who are more broadly known as the Aztecs. The Mexican Coat-of-Arms as presented in the national flag is based on the legend of the foundation of Tenochtitlan. The Mexica upheld a belief that only when they witnessed a golden eagle devouring a snake upon a lakebed, they would take that as a divine sign to establish a permanent settlement, transitioning from a nomadic tribe to constructing one of the largest empires in Pre-Columbian America. To contextualize, after landing successfully on the shores of what was later called Veracruz, Mexico in 1519, the conquistador Hernan Cortez accompanied by 500 men and 11 ships, built an encampment on the shorelines, and quickly befriended and allied themselves with the local indigenous peoples who resented the presence of the Aztecs who were the dominant ethnic group across the region. The Spaniards became aware of the riches of the Aztecs, given the widespread rumours of an empire with a vast excess of gold and silver among the natives of the Caribbean and those in the coastlines. Upon reaching The Valley of Mexico, the Spaniards were amazed by the capital of the Aztec Empire, Tenochtitlan. A city that was built upon Lake Texcoco, like the city of Venice, the Aztec city was connected through various land bridges and moats connecting the vast expanse of their empire to the heartland of Mexico. To further elaborate, Tenochtitlan was one of the most populated places in the world, rivalling cities like Paris and Constantinople (Istanbul). Tenochtitlan was the peak of indigenous arts, culture and architecture in the American continent.

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At first encounter, there was initial confusion between the Aztecs on how to treat the Spaniards given their pale white complexion and strange attire. According to Cortez’s in written letter to King Charles V of Spain, he and his men were at first confused with being messengers of one of their gods, the feathered serpent Quetzalcoatl, who in ancient Olmec chronicles was responsible for the creation of civilization. Yet this was dismissed by the Aztecs themselves as it became apparent that these men were rallying and amassing rival ethnic tribes to overthrow and conquer them for the purist of wealth and fortune. Clashes between the Aztecs and the Spaniards quickly erupted, leading to the Massacre of Cholula which became a turning point in the relations between both peoples. As the Spaniards started to get momentum, Cortez and his alliances of ethnic tribes overtook the Aztecs in a battle that culminated in the fall of Tenochtitlan, on August 13th, 1521. Plagued with diseases such as smallpox (no immunity to old-world illnesses) and a lack of sophisticated weapons (indigenous people used obsidian and were not aware of steel or bronze) they capitulated, giving way to sacking, looting, and massacre, all of which culminated with the destruction of the Templo Mayor. The main symbol of Aztec religion and identity was ultimately repurposed with the Cathedral of Mexico City which still stands till this day, giving way to the mass conversion of indigenous tribes into Christianity.

Mexico since its conquest, colonization, and independence has endured multiple invasions and territorial losses to the United States, two French interventions, and a civil war (Mexican Revolution) that left 2.7 million people dead, yet each time my people have found a way to preserve their essence and core identity. Displayed during the 500th anniversary, was a memorandum of the perseverance of our indigenous culture that has become ingrained in Mexico. Built from the foundations of Tenochtitlan, Mexico City still stands as one of the oldest cities in the continent and one of the most populous, continuously uninterrupted throughout the centuries. Yet the hardships of colonization are still felt today as indigenous people across the continent still struggle with its legacy and the loss of their identity. Lack of government support has further contributed to economic poverty and has left them marginalized. This commemoration serves as a reminder of how important it is to preserve our historical knowledge of the past and as a people to honour our ancestors and the indigenous tribes who still contribute to the cultural heritage of Mexico and that of the American Continent.

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DESIGN STUDENT’S ASSOCIATION BY DESIGN STUDENT’S ASSOCIATION

ABOUT US HELLO! WE ARE the Design Students’ Association, also referred to as the DSA. Our main goal is to create a supportive and engaging environment for Design at York students to learn and connect with each other. Not only do we aim to bridge all years of the program, we also seek ways to get involved with greater school and design communities. This year, we have a number of exciting events and initiatives in the works—including a panel discussion with Yelp, and Facebook open office hours!

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MEET THE TEAM Hi, my name is Anika Jingco (she/her) and I am one of the co-chairs this year! I am a third-year design student with an interest in publication and web design. I am looking forward to working with this team and am eager for what is looking to be a great year! Hello, I am Hailey Luong (she/her) and I am the other Co-Chair of the DSA! I am a third-year student studying design, hoping to pursue a career in UI/UX. This year, I am most excited about getting to know the rest of the Design at York family! Hey everyone, my name is Yuhan Zhao but you can call me Jenny (she/her) and I will be your junior event coordinator for this year. Like many of you, I have just started my design journey as a first-year. I hope to engage new students with one another and with the rest of the design family at York! Hello, my name is Jasmine Wong (she/her) and I am the CASA Representative for DSA this year! I am a third-year design student, interested in branding and web design. After being on DSA for the past two years, I am so excited to bring back/introduce old and new opportunities for the Design at York family!

Hi, my name is Peri Agate (they/them) and I am the Social Media Coordinator for DSA this year! I am a third-year design student, interested in print and book design. This year I am very excited to get to work with this amazing team and to interact with our Design at York family over our social media! Hi, my name is Nuha Aneez (she/her) I am the Secretary for DSA this year! I am a second-year design student looking to pursue UI/UX and Interaction Design further. I am looking forward to working with the DSA family once again and meeting more people in our design community! Hey, my name is Kris Fan (She/Her) and I will be the Treasurer of DSA for the year. I am a second-year design student and I love all types of design. I can not wait to work with everyone and make this a great school year for all of us! Hi, my name is Michelle Tieu (she/her) and I am the branding coordinator for DSA this year. I am a second-year design student and I am looking to explore interaction design and packaging design further. I can not wait to meet everyone in our Design at York family and help communicate the different opportunities in Design over our social media!

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Hey! My name is Aaliyah Romano (she/her) and I am doing my first year of design here at York. I am the First Year Representative for the DSA and I am so excited to be here on this journey, and I am looking forward to making our community more comfortable for all the first years like me! Hi! My name is John Sanchez (he/him) and I am this year’s Sr. Event Coordinator. It is my first year in DSA and exciting things are already coming for the team this year. We had the opportunity to connect and work with Facebook for some of this year’s events. I am looking forward to providing the younger years a great year full of opportunities!

LET’S CONNECT If you would like to know more about what we do, feel free to connect with us! You can reach out via email (dsa.ysdn@gmail.com), Instagram (@yorku.dsa), Facebook (@dsa. yorku), and LinkedIn (@yorkudsa).

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Writing is An Act of Brewing BY TOM DANG WRITING! THE GAMBLING endeavour that leaves you with either crippling debt at 50 or 2 New York Times best-selling novels. What is writing? For some, it is sharing a joint with 3 frat boys while composing a poem. Not just composing the poem, but the entire ritual that led up to that composition. The whole of writing can be summed up into this: The perverse act of ego masturbation where one attempts to scrawl their mind across blank pages of limitless possibilities. And though we writers attempt to reach the stars, most of the time, these attempts will only ever earn an off-hand remark. Students cutting their life expectancy in half completing 20 pages of dissertation just to get a C from their professor. Authors coming out of the woodwork to publish their first novel, if not getting put in the dirt with little to no sales, win the title of a crummy and pretentious up-and-coming writer. So why do we write? Why do you write? For me, I think of it as brewing a cup of coffee.

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1. To brew a cup of coffee, you must have the right beans Coffee, the warm and fuzzy addictive concoction to soothe the coming autumn days and its breezy wind. Like making coffee, the right type of story requires the right set of ideas and themes. These are the genesis of your writing. These are your coffee beans. Depending on the hour and location, a certain group of people will enjoy a certain selection of beans. Likewise, a reputable student-run art magazine would not love so much a foul-mouth satire but alas, you may never know if you never try.

There are three main types of beans to look out for: Central American, Eastern African, and Indonesian. Central American beans are bright and tart with chocolatey and caramel-like notes. Eastern African beans are split into two main types depending on the way they were processed: washed or natural processed. Washed beans have a more jasmine aroma and floral flavour. While naturally processed beans are more complex with fruitier and earthier tones. Then there are Indonesian beans which are bigger, bolder, and sexier (subject to interpretation) with lower acidity. They are perfect for dark roasts and espresso shots. Spend some time choosing the right beans for the right mood to start your day. But if for whatever reason, time is of the essence, I recommend instant coffee. Buy one of them Nescafe GOLD Cappuccino packets. They are around a dollar a packet and get the job done. Drinking instant coffee is like writing bad satire. Quick and dirty. Though unrefined, they will give you the right punch in the liver if you ever wake up on the wrong side of the bed. They will get the point across.

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2. Grinding your beans After you have selected your beans, you will need to grind them. There are two main pieces of equipment to look for: a burr grinder and a blade grinder. Depending on preferences, a burr grinder will give a more evenly ground batch of coffee, while a blade grinder gives a rougher and more macho (again, subject to interpretation) consistency. The grinding process is equivalent to the process of conceiving a title, a first sentence or even a thesis. These are what I call the ‘writing-concentrate’. Just as hot water on coffee beans does not make coffee—it makes coffee beans on hot water—any piece of writing cannot survive solely on themes and ideas. Sure, you want to write about love. But what is it about love that needs another shout into the abyss? That will have to be the question you answer yourself. Specify what you want to materialize on the page in front of you then concentrate and grind it down. And in the case of an instant coffee packet, there is no need for further grinding (a fart joke is enough to make a bad satire), so please, duly skip this step.

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3. The brew Prepare your equipment for the brewing. Pull out a Chemex, a Hario V60, a French Press or a cup with a coffee filter. Equipment choices are not so important as the taste will come from the beans and not whatever contraptions you choose to brew it in. But do follow whatever instructions on the machine you chose and do not forget the coffee filter. Memorize this for your brew: 4g of coffee to 4oz of water. The brewing process is made up of two important steps: the blooming and the finish. The blooming is when you fill a third of your cup with hot water. This lets the coffee rise, mix, and does whatever the hell coffee does with hot water to make it taste good. Then after about 30 seconds to a minute, slowly fill the rest of your cup with hot water and you will have yourself a nice, warm cup of coffee. Or instant coffee, if you are a masochist. Think of blooming as the process of creating your first draft, writing down whatever you have in mind without judgment. It is the most important step in writing as it dilutes your ideas and gives a general direction for what you want to be written down. Without blooming, your coffee will taste clumpy and bitter, and your writings will sound like a Bukowski poem. Take that as you will. After that first draft, continue to edit and fill up the rest of your writing. For the oncoming breezy days, take a sip of coffee now and then. Write now and then. Take out a notebook, pretend like you are Bukowski or Vonnegut and drink bad coffee. Though I have gone on too long proving a point writing this article, it does not matter whatever coffee you enjoy but that you enjoy the ride. I will confess: I have only ever drunk instant coffee, but I still hope you have found this article to be succinct and poignant in the right direction. Welcome to Autumn. Welcome to the Artichoke coffee house.

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Halloween BY INNA GORDEYEVA

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Eyes THERE IS NOTHING quite like the morning you wake up and crack a window, or step outside, and inhale the slightly cool air of fall settling in. Something about the familiarity excites me as an adult just as much as it did when I was a child. And, the months that follow are only to get better. There is a story book I used to read in grade one by Jack Prelutsky, and the first two lines will stay with me forever: “It’s Halloween, it’s Halloween, the moon is full and bright. And we can see what we can’t see on any other night.” Beyond the seasons’ beautiful scenic changes, the internal aesthetic of a home is something to get creative with. Who knew that it is possible to simultaneously get brighter and darker? Gloomy and beautiful, Halloween carries an energy of mysticism and magic, of wonder and creative energy, of tradition and myth. Happiness comes to people in different ways, but we can all find some joy in the nostalgic childlike playfulness this holiday holds.

This spooky season, take some time to find what makes you happy. Make a pile of leaves and jump in it, buy that drink that you are craving. Watch that scary movie for the heck of it. Go to a costume party. Sit on a bench on a cool evening and watch the sun go down earlier than it did in summer. If shorter days do not sound so good to you, remember, we live in a cyclical way – our bodies, the moon, seasons – life itself reminds us that cycles are nothing negative. Halloween is a beautiful, colourful time of preparation, rest, and restoration. It is said the veil between this physical life and the underworld is thinnest on Halloween night – whether you carve a pumpkin and light a candle, read some stories and get spooked, just enjoy the moment. Breathe. Laugh. Nothing is permanent. Just like leaves change and fall, so trees have time to rest, restore, and start anew, let go of what doesn’t serve you. Make space for the new. Halloween is the beauty of being human, the magic of change, the celebration of all life.

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GH STS & DEM NS BY EDUARDO GUERRA

THE GHOSTS OF my past keep haunting me, While the demons of my present keep taunting me. Now I’m having trouble sleeping, Because they’ve been busy keeping Me up at night, and nothing feels right. Wish I could tune out the voices, But they’re obnoxious and boisterous. Reminding me of all choices Making me feel like I’m poison.

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The sneak up from behind, And there’s nowhere to hide Because they made themselves at home In every crevice of my mind. Just call me Pac-Man with these ghosts on me. My demons laugh like the track on Big Bang Theory. Okay, I get I’ve made mistakes, But can you both take a break Because I don’t know how much more of this I can take.

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BY JULIA USHER

The year without Halloween, when the creatures of the night played hide-and-seek, but they were nowhere to be found; no goblins or ghouls, only dark, empty streets with flickering street lights. There were once vampires, werewolves, and witches on every doorstep, awaiting a new victim to petrify. “Trick or Treat?!” they would shout, expecting a delicious surprise. The people would be prepared with wicked treats, satisfying the creatures’ cravings. That year, they did the same, but were met with a lack of unusual guests. No doorbells rang, no approaching footsteps sounded; only silence. The humans had grown fond of this special night, with excitement and preparation all month long;

It is not often you meet an otherworldly being. But that Halloween, their anticipation was dimmed like a burnt-out Jack-o’-lantern. Where were the creatures hiding? In Halloweentown, safe and sound, a portal away from Earth and its plague. It was too dangerous for a night of trick or treating to their dismay; that would have to wait till next year, October 31st, 2021, they plan to go out and have some fun, cause a little trouble for everyone. Whether zombie or pirate, mummy or skeleton, every monster and human alike, the haunt must go on for Halloween yet to come. Trick or Treat? This spooky night is soon approaching. Be ready, and beware!

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THE YEAR WITHOUT HALLOWEEN

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BUS RIDE HOME

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CREATIVE CHALLENGE: AUTUMN SENTIMENT BY LAURA BOURBONNAIS THE AIR IS crisp, cool, late summer bonfires shifting to chimney smoke, brittle leaves crackling under wet boots worn socks itching their way down my ankles exposed skin shivering, cursing shaved legs, cold sneaking in from underneath, my jacket’s folds create their very own wind tunnels. downtown detours drive me home hours from the city, patches of nearly frozen pumpkin fields and forests and southbound seagulls greeting me, costumed kids waiting for the bus down our street. life keeps growing when you’re gone, new houses for new families, new scents, new decorations popping up in window sills while our house feels bigger, emptier, I’m the stranger, but in that corner of the couch, our dog looks up; she’s been waiting for me.

isn’t it funny how the drop in temperature brings in such warmth into our homes, at our dinner tables, in the meals we share, food our love language after months of eating alone? faces a little wrinklier, wiser, worn but present, laugh lines peeking out of hibernation, finally home.

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CREATIVE CHALLENGE: AUTUMN SENTIMENT

BY SERENA LAM

UNBEKNOWNST, WE TRAIL behind trickles of wine In the lure of invisible twines. And as the shifting winds beckon new orbits, I shed the brunt of my shattered armor Carrying only all of my past selves And drift towards unseen realms. Lost to the whirl of memories and fate Are the keepers of stones and splinters. Yet a pebble unveils a kaleidoscope of remembrance. And nothing speaks more to the wave of contemplation Than the slivers of introspection reflected in the cut glass. Parallels breaking free or succumbing to the spiral matters little For every mannerism is a mirror of souls scattered Every syllable reminiscent of words once spoken Every graze like loving phantom embraces. And as fingers trace customary slopes over replicated features, In their laugh, I see my childhood. In their smile, I see my youth. In their embrace, I see my home. And distant loves return in pieces. I revel in the wilds of green fields and unending skies As the footprints in the sand have yet to overflow Nor the mile-long threads and binds tug taught. But it is for the rose petals and long gazes Scattered over marigold glitter That I hold close to my heart, The loving warmth of silent familiarity.

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autumnal equinox CREATIVE CHALLENGE: AUTUMN SENTIMENT BY KAILA GALLACHER

AUTUMN BRINGS RESOLUTION and a humbling starkness. a reminder to commit to process. to release ideas of instant progression.

autumn is a question of slowness of burnt amber, soul, and contemplation leaves depart trees as a question —what is it you hold onto?

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autumn is an equinox a time, a date, a state of mind. when the sun crosses over the celestial equator—creating roughly an equal division between day and night.

autumn is a resolution of divining opposites into wholes. is a question of slowness proposed by nature’s need to conserve.

autumnal equinox

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Autumn: It’s The Best Season (and no one can tell me otherwise)

BY MELISSA NICOLE

AH, AUTUMN - KNOWN by many names in my household, such as Fall, Spooky Season, and the ‘time it gets colder’- has finally arrived and I am excited! Although the shortest season in Canada, or at least, what feels like the shortest season, Autumn is a time that truly brings joy to my life. Whether it’s the leaves changing colours, getting to wear warm wool sweaters without sweating, or the chance to watch halloween movies and eat candy for an actual reason, autumn has a special place in my heart.

Always has, and always will. I tried long and hard about how my love for autumn came to be, but I cannot pinpoint the exact time I decided that fall was my favourite season. My sister also loves autumn, so perhaps it was the classic “if my sister likes it, then I like it” mindset that most children have. Maybe, I assumed autumn was my favourite, because it was the season surrounding events where I got to eat turkey, go out in costume, and get candy for free. Fall is a time where weather gets colder, and although that may be irritating to some, I enjoy the cool weather. The temperature is not hot enough for shorts and a tank top, but it is not cold enough for

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snow pants and heavy winter coats. There is comfort in layered sweaters and sipping hot tea as I walk across campus. When going into stores, I get to see fall decor on display, along with halloween treats to buy. These aspects of autumn always fill me with nostalgic memories and a sense of comfort. It is the perfect season for blankets and halloween movie marathons after baking cookies. When thinking about autumn traditions, there are plenty of activities I do to get in the spirit of the season. During Autumn, I always make time to bake treats for loved ones to enjoy, from cookies to pies to pumpkin cheesecake; I like to make delicious creations for my family and friends. I love going to cafés and grabbing autumn themed snacks and coffee. I have so many memories of myself and other friends walking to the closest Coffee Culture or Second Cup...sitting down to catch up while sipping cappuccinos and munching on cinnamon scones. Another activity I love is going to farms to pick up fresh fruit and pumpkins to carve.

Decorating the house in autumn attire is something that always brightens up my mood throughout the season. It usually is a two-day excursion with my family: setting up the nice decorations inside and the spooky decorations outside. Although it is a tad tiring, it is so much fun to do. Halloween is also a big ordeal in my home; it is a big celebration after the days of setting up and preparing. I’ve made it a tradition to dress up every year, even though I’m out of grade school. Hopefully, I can one day get back to attending Halloween parties, enjoying my friends’ company while eating candy and watching movies. Overall, there are a lot of reasons I enjoy the autumn season, as it is the time of year where I find the most comfort. From spending time with family and friends to enjoying the fresh weather and good food, autumn is my favourite season of the year and no one can tell me otherwise.

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(UNIVERSITY) LIFE AS WE KNOW IT BY SIDDHARTH KOYAL

GROWING UP, watching various college comedies, I think it colored my expectations of what my university life was going to be like. Sun shining constantly, a diverse group of students sitting on the grass, laughing and hanging out, really crazy college parties with the red solo cups, classes in huge lecture halls, and making the friends I would have for life. Unfortunately, not much of that has happened so far. Yes, I did get to sit on the grass with my friends, and yes, I drank from red solo cups, and for a brief shining moment, I did have a class in a giant lecture hall. But, that class was for a short period of time in the Winter of 2020.

That is the semester I joined York University, with a lot of expectations as to what was going to happen. While it seemed like I was not far off from the reality of those dreams, the funniest thing happened (that is a Bo Burnham reference, I am not being insensitive, I swear), because of the worldwide pandemic, the tail end of my first semester was online. Following which I left Toronto and went back to the beautifully hot and humid Mumbai, where I would spend eight months, part of which was the first

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“I THINK WE CAN SEE THE OLD DAYS BACK ON THE HORIZON”.

semester of my second year at York. By some brief miracle, I was able to come back to Toronto for the second half of my second year, and now as my third year begins, there is one constant…Zoom. I am not the only one whose university life has predominantly been online – forget about York, in the entire world, I’m not the only one. I mean, everyone says that, so why do I not feel better about it? Why is the fact that I am not the only one suffering with this kind of university life not keeping me content? Maybe because it is easy to see the world solely from my point of view, and I am upset that I lost out on a lot of experiences that I should have had at university. All because of this stupid pandemic. It may be a selfish thought

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to have, given how much many other people have lost in this last year and a half. But, say, for one brief moment, you allow me to be selfish, and allow me to ask what if (Wow this is two references to pop-culture now) this pandemic hadn’t happened, and what might my university life might have been like? For one, maybe all those tutorials I participated in, I would be speaking to my TA face-to-face, and I would actually be discussing film art or screenplays with people sitting two feet away from me and not talking at a box on screen. Maybe all the meals I got between or after or before classes would not be solo ventures out in the cold, but instead group forays to find somewhere to sit on the open campus, and discuss what we

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have to do for next week and more. Maybe the many office hours (that I obviously went to) would be in the professor’s physical office and not another Zoom link. Maybe in the night, instead of getting work done, I would be going to a very open, thriving downtown Toronto to waste money and time. Maybe weekends would be trips to Centre Island and not just longer naps than the ones in the week, or day-long Netflix binges. Okay, back to reality. While it was nice to think about that, the reality is, I did not get all that, and neither did many of you, especially those that spent their first-year online. I cannot imagine what it must be to attend University without ever actually seeing our campus. It would be mean to end

here, so instead I leave you with this: While we may have lost pieces of the University experience like this, I have two more years to go, some of you with maybe more, maybe less. But with campus opening back up and everyone coming back (I’m still not used to seeing York Lanes that crowded again), we can still try and have the rest of the experiences (safely!). I think we can see the old days back on the horizon. Until they come back in full-form, I plan on enjoying as much of the experiences as I can. Every day, I will wake up and hope that one more thing is open or in-person again, because it costs nothing to hope and maybe, just maybe, me and my diverse group of friends will sit on the grass again. With that, I’ll see you on campus!

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FALL

RECIPES

LIFESTYLE

BY REANN BAST Thanks to the unrelenting passage of time, it is once again autumn. The days are getting shorter, darker, and colder. School has started. Halloween is around the corner. It is officially sweater weather, and with this cooler weather, warm and easy recipes are a must. Whether it’s for Thanksgiving, Halloween, or just to warm yourself up after class in the middle of the week, here are some cheap and easy fall themed recipes that can wow at a potluck or for an after school snack.

Rosemary No Knead Artisanal Bread Bread is another very versatile recipe. The main ingredients stay the same, but anything else can be added to this recipe. This is a great recipe to use for grilled cheese, croutons, garlic bread, or just to eat plain. Tools • Bowl • Measuring cups • Wooden spoon • Deep oven safe dish with lid OR baking sheet Ingredients • 3 cups flour • 1-3 teaspoons salt • 2 ½ tablespoons dried rosemary • ½ teaspoon active dry yeast • 1 ¼ cups warm water Direction 1. In one bowl add the flour and rosemary. 2. Add the salt, and on the opposite side of the bowl add the yeast. 3. Stir it together and add the water. 4. Mix until dough is sticky. 5. Cover and let rest overnight (8-12 hours). 6. On a floured surface shape the dough with floured hands until it is no longer sticky. 7. Line a deep oven safe baking dish with parchment paper and place dough ball inside with the lid (or baking sheet) on. Put the baking dish into the cold oven (not preheated). Turn oven on to 450*F and bake the dough covered for 30 minutes. 8. Cook uncovered for another 30 minutes, or until golden brown. 9. Do not leave bread in the baking dish to cool, place on a cooling rack or a plate.

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Tomato Soup

Croutons

The fall weather is perfect for soup. Earlier in the year, recipes like this were popping up all over Tik Tok, and for good reason. It is so simple to make and uses easy to find and cheap ingredients.

Ingredients • Bread • Olive oil or butter • 1 clove of garlic

Tools • Oven safe dish (sheet pan) • Blender (immersion, hand, smoothie) • Measuring spoons

Direction 1. Cut some bread until thick slices and brush with butter or olive oil. 2. Cook in preheated oven at a low heat (300*F) until golden brown. 3. Rub a clove of garlic over the front and back of each slice. 4. Cut into bite sized squares. Add to bowl of tomato soup.

Ingredients • About 2 cups cherry tomatoes or 3 large tomatoes • 1 red pepper • 1 full bulb of garlic • 1 small yellow onion • 1 teaspoon chili flakes • 1 teaspoon thyme • 1 teaspoon basil • Pinch of salt and pepper • ½ cup heavy cream • ½ cup vegetable or chicken stock • Fresh basil or pesto as garnish Direction 1. Cut the garlic in half, and quarter the onion and the pepper. 2. In an oven safe dish, add the halved bulb of garlic, the onion quarters and peppers, and the tomatoes. Drizzle with olive oil. Add the chili flakes, thyme, basil, and salt and pepper. 3. Cook in preheated oven at 480*F for 25-35 minutes, or until tomatoes are lightly charred. Let cool. 4. Place the tomatoes, onion, and pepper in a blender. Squeeze the roasted garlic out of the bulb into the blender. Add the vegetable stock and cream and blend until smooth. 5. Garnish with fresh basil or pesto and croutons.

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Roasted Sweet Potato and Chicken Maple Salad Salads can be boring and feel like a chore to make and eat. Adding nuts, roasted vegetables, and marinated meat to a salad can take it to the next level. Sweet potatoes are cheap, in season, and so versatile they are perfect paired with chicken in this seasonal maple salad. Tools • Salad bowl • Measuring cup • Measuring spoons • Oven safe dish (sheet pan) • Knife • Cutting board

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Chicken

Salad

Ingredients • 2 teaspoons chili powder • 1 teaspoon savory • Pinch of salt and pepper • 2 teaspoons garlic powder • 1 teaspoon onion powder • 1 teaspoon paprika • Drizzle of olive oil

Ingredients • 1 head kale • Handful of arugula • 1 head of romain • Half block of feta cheese (not powdered) • Handful of walnuts • Butter

Direction 1. On an oven safe dish (like a sheet pan), drizzle chicken with olive oil. 2. Add each spice. 3. Massage into chicken. 4. Place in preheated oven at 350*F for 20-30 minutes or until fully cooked. 5. Chop into cubes and add to salad.

Direction 1. Roughly chop kale, arugula, and romain. Remember to massage olive oil into kale to relieve some of the bitterness. Add into a bowl. 2. Roughly chop feta cheese into small cubes. Add to bowl. 3. Roughly chop walnuts. Toast in the oven in butter until golden brown. Add to bowl.

Sweet Potatoes

Salad Dressing

Ingredients • Drizzle of olive oil • 3 tablespoons brown sugar • Pinch of salt and pepper • 2 teaspoons rosemary • 1 teaspoon chili powder • 1 teaspoon paprika • 1 teaspoon savory (or sage)

Ingredients • 1 tablespoon dijon mustard • 1 crushed clove of garlic • Pinch of salt and pepper • ½ teaspoon chili flakes • 2 tablespoons maple Syrup • Juice from 1 lemon • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Direction 1. Wash and peel sweet potatoes. 2. Chop into small consistent pieces. 3. On an oven safe dish (same one as chicken), drizzle with olive oil. 4. Add each spice and massage with hands. 5. Place in preheated oven at 350*F for 30-35 minutes or until soft and browning. 6. Let cool and add to salad.

Direction 1. Add each ingredient into a cup. 2. Whisk until combined. 3. Pour over salad. 4. Mix well.

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Apple Pie

Filling

Apple pie is a staple at any holiday dinner. Apples are cheap and easy to come by, not to mention apple picking is a great (and covid friendly) activity for this season. The crust can be store bought, or made in advance and kept in the freezer.

Ingredients • 8 Granny smith apples peeled • Juice of half a lemon • 1 teaspoon cinnamon • ¼ cups brown sugar • ½ cups granulated sugar • 2 tablespoons flour

Tools • Measuring cups • Bowl • Rolling pin • Pie tins • Pastry cutter/two knives/two forks • Wooden spoon or rubber spatula • Tin foil • Pastry brush (not necessary)

Direction 1. Wash and peel 8 Granny Smith apples. 2. Thinly slice each apple. Add to a bowl. 3. To the bowl, add the juice from half a lemon (prevents browning). 4. Add cinnamon, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and flour to the bowl and mix well. 5. Let rest.

Egg Wash Ingredients • 1 egg • 1 tablespoon water or milk Direction 1. Whisk egg in a bowl. 2. Add water or milk. *Use water and granulated sugar to brush on top for a vegan alternative.

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Crust Ingredients • 2½ cups all purpose flour • 1½ teaspoon Sugar • 1 teaspoon Salt • ½ cup chilled butter cut into ½ inch cubes • ½ cup chilled lard cut into ½ inch cubes • ½ cup ice water *for a vegetarian pie crust use ½ cup butter and ½ cup vegetable shortening *for a vegan pie crust use 1 cup vegetable shortening Direction 1. Combine flour, sugar, salt in a bowl. Add butter and lard a few cubes at a time. 2. Using two forks or a pastry cutter, cut at the butter and flour until they have formed pea sized chunks. One tablespoon at a time, add the ice water to the flour mixture and mix until the dough comes together. 3. On a floured surface form the dough into a ball. Separate into two equal balls. Flatten each ball and wrap in plastic wrap. Place in fridge for at least 1 hour (up to 24 hours). 4. Allow the balls to reach room temperature before attempting to roll out. 5. One ball at a time, roll out with a rolling pin until the dough is wide enough to cover the pie tin and about 1 inch thick. Place in pie tin and remove access with knife. 6. Add filling to crust. Place the other flattened dough on top. Pinch around the edges with a fork. Make three small slits in the middle of the top. Brush with egg wash. 7. Wrap edge of pie with tin foil. 8. Bake in preheated oven at 350*F with tin foil on for 25 minutes. Remove tin foil from crust and continue cooking for another 25 minutes, or until golden brown.

Sources: Bread: @themodernnonna on Tik Tok Soup: @yessidothecookingg and @delishaas on Tik Tok Apple Pie Crust: https://www.allrecipes.com/ recipe/77646/classic-crisco-pie-crust/print/ https://www.baked-theblog.com/vegan-piedough/ https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/ food/views/best-ever-pie-crust-238816

UNDERSEEN

HORROR F

TO CHECK O

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FILMS

OUT ON STREAMING

THIS HALLOWEEN

BY BRYDEN DOYLE DEMENTIA (1955)/JOHN PARKER – Tubi Dementia’s opening shot of stars aligning suggests a cosmic force condemning its central character (Adrienne Barrett) to endless torture for murdering her abusive father. Pursuing her is a gleefully tormenting detective (Ben Roseman, playing both father and detective, linking their toxicity). John Parker plunges viewers headfirst into Barrett’s paranoia. The score mixes anxious piano and strings with ghostly falsetto vocalizations. Close-ups shroud Barrett in darkness. Newspapers detailing her crimes trail behind her, haunting her. Dialogue-free and only 55 minutes long, Dementia efficiently concocts a nightmare from which there’s no escape.

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Strait-Jacket (1964)/William Castle – CTV Watch Strait-Jacket’s surprisingly funny for a film about a reformed axe murderer (Joan Crawford), especially as she encounters various triggers on her family’s farm, like chicken slaughters. A close-up of knitting needles stuck in the floor is accompanied by foreboding music. Despite content restrictions, William Castle presents violence cleverly, silhouetting decapitations or cutting to squawking roosters at the moment of impact. Crawford’s heightened performance is believably rooted in turmoil, conveyed through tremulous facial expressions or by clutching her face. The film pushes viewers to identify with her, even if they question her innocence.

The Cars That Ate Paris (1974)/Peter Weir – Hoopla, Criterion Channel Terrible things are often obscured in The Cars That Ate Paris, in which the titular town orchestrates car accidents to kill or maim travellers. Much of the horror happens offscreen, or it’s conveyed through dialogue or quickly cut flashes. Certain unanswered questions suggest rich history while remaining creepily vague. Paris remains stuck in the past. Ruffians rebel by drag racing, but they’re not noble rebels (One car’s decorated with a swastika). This complicates the film’s climax: Will Paris’s destruction free the townspeople to evolve or to continue unleashing mayhem?

Deathdream (1974)/Bob Clark – Criterion Channel In Deathdream, a Vietnam veteran-turned-zombie (Richard Backus) leeches off townspeople, just as the war leeched off him. Wobbly POV shots, employed creepily for the murders in Clark’s Black Christmas, emphasize Backus’s uncertainty in approaching his old home. Scenes of Backus’s dysfunctional family crumbling under fear and resentment play like domestic drama. Backus exudes malevolence with his monotone voice and phony smiles, while humanizing his soldier with widened eyes and quivering lips. The makeup for Backus’s physical deterioration is similarly ghoulish and heartbreaking, with chips of skin hanging off his nose and his mouth melting into a miserable frown. This film’s as despairing as it is unsettling.

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God Told Me To (1976)/Larry Cohen – Criterion Channel With its grubby NYC interiors, schlubby fashion, and jittery handheld camerawork, God Told Me To could easily pass for a gritty ’70s crime film. It just happens to be about murderers who believe God’s ordering them to kill. The performances’ rawness makes the narrative more wrenching. Tony Lo Bianco and Sylvia Sidney play their confrontation scene with such unguarded intensity that it’s genuinely upsetting. Flashbacks are shot like retro horror features, with bombastic music and cheesy special effects. It’s like characters are processing memories through genre tropes in order to comprehend them.Even as the film becomes lurid and potentially problematic, it treats characters humanely as their deep-rooted beliefs are shattered.

Next of Kin (1982)/Tony Williams – Kanopy, Shudder In Next of Kin, creepiness doesn’t always signal itself as expected. As Linda (Jackie Kerin) visits the retirement home formerly run by her late mother, jump scare scenarios (a resident appearing from the shadows) remain off-putting while happening quietly. Some of the creepiest events happen during daytime, when horror often treats daylight as sanctuary. Tony Williams makes even ordinary scenes suspenseful, like tightening close-ups of sugar cubes and dropping the sound to near-silence. Equally splendid is Klaus Schulze’s eerie, minimalist synth score. The film’s slow burn makes its explosive finale way more satisfying.

Parents (1989)/Bob Balaban – Amazon Prime In ’50s suburbia, Michael (Brian Madorsky) learns his parents (Mary Beth Hurt and Randy Quaid) aren’t what they seem. The suburban underbelly is well-trodden territory, yet Parents succeeds under Balaban’s deftness at oscillating between comical and, frankly, insane. Angelo Badalamenti’s rumbling, whooshing score rattles the nerves, but when the camera follows a character’s scream travelling through various rooms, it goes on so long that it goes from frightening to funny. Hurt nails the homemaker’s plastered smile and sing-song voice harboring dastardly secrets, while Quaid’s flatly condescending tone masks underlying menace. When Quaid helps his son tie a tie, it looks like a strangulation – an apt metaphor for suburban life.

King of the Ants (2003)/Stuart Gordon – Hoopla It’s telling King of the Ants opens with Sean (Chris McKenna) painting a red room white, since Sean’s a blank slate who can adapt to anything, including murder-for-hire. A misanthropic work about a doofus realizing his brutality and relishing it, Gordon’s cancerous worldview is admirably bracing. Violence is depicted in painful detail. One character’s confused, wheezing reaction to being bludgeoned is scarily realistic and the gore is grossly well-rendered, with bone protruding from the forehead. Gordon stresses the villains’ mortality as they whimper in pain – they’re capable of inflicting and experiencing suffering.

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Creepy (2016)/Kiyoshi Kurosawa – Kanopy As a detective-turned-professor (Hidetoshi Nishijima) investigates a mysterious disappearance in Creepy, evil is presented as something that can easily cross barriers. It lurks behind metal gates and can enter through the patio door. The expectation of being a “good neighbor” can bring one face-to-face with evil. Kurosawa is able to shift a scene’s atmosphere through blocking or lighting. An interrogation scene begins in an office, but as the witness recalls key details, the room theatrically darkens as they retreat into their memories. When background extras are shown lounging while horrible things are discussed mere feet away, it underlines how much wickedness is hidden from the world.

Blood Quantum (2020)/Jeff Barnaby – Crave Plus Like his debut feature Rhymes for Young Ghouls, Jeff Barnaby’s Blood Quantum blends genre filmmaking with pointed commentary on historical injustices inflicted upon Indigenous people. On a Québec reservation in 1981, a zombie virus spreads that only infects White people and the Indigenous people fight for survival to stave off their eradication. Barnaby handles the gnarly horror with aplomb, building to the reveal of a zombie feeding through moist sound effects and panning around a doorway. One jump scare involves a zombie entering the frame upside-down from their entrails. Barnaby’s performers and emotional shorthand lend weight to the violence, like when a character bids farewell to his family in his Native language before getting eaten.

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THE SCARIEST HALLOWEEN MOVIE BY MELANIE ROSE GAZVODA

LIFESTYLE

ARTICHOKE

BESIDES CARVING PUMPKINS, dressing up, and watching the ethereal leaves turn from green to burnt orange and dark umber, there is one tradition I love most about Halloween: scary-movie-marathons. My all-time favourite horror film would have to be The Strangers (Bertino 2008), directed by Bryan Bertino; starring Liv Tyler as Kristen McKay; Scott Speedman as James Hoyt; and Glenn Howerton as Mike. These characters fight against three horrific assailants whose faces are never revealed. The film has a dark setting and takes place over the course of one night. It is action-packed and truly horrific. But the most terrifying thing is it could happen to anyone… The film follows a couple coming home from a friend’s wedding reception. The couple is in the middle of a dispute as Kristen denies James’ proposal,

which makes for an awkward stay at his parents’ cottage. After James leaves to grab smokes, Kristen is all alone at the secluded cottage, and strange events begin to happen. Starting with an unsettling woman at the front door, asking for someone who is not there. The woman does not leave, and neither do her friends. As the movie progresses, they become more violent; crashing James’s car to make sure they cannot escape. The Strangers movie features jump scares, long cuts, brilliant acting, and includes well-known horror tropes such as the isolated setting and “final girl”. Along with the exquisite mise-en-scène, the movie uses more than camera effects to scare the audience. The movie begins with an epigraph on screen performed by a deep voice that says, “[w]hat you are about to see is inspired by true events” (The Strangers 00:00:49-00:00:53).

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This heading is no fake, Bertino based his movies off of three events: the Manson Family murders, 1981 Keddie Cabin Murders (still unsolved today), and his own childhood experience (Kennedy, “The Strangers True Story: Real-Life Crimes That Inspired the Horror Movie”). When Bertino was young, there were robberies in his area and one night a group of burglars showed up on his front stoop. His sister answered the door, and they asked for a fake person. Bertino always wondered what would have happened if they never answered the door. But if it were not for this event in his life, the audience would be deprived of this eerie film. It is true, real life is often scarier than movies, but if you are going to watch any film this Halloween, watch Bertino’s The Strangers.

OTHER GREAT HORROR FILMS TO CHECK OUT: •

Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2013)

•

Last Shift (2014)

•

Evil Dead (2013)

•

Fear Street 1, 2, & 3 (2021)

•

As Above, So Below (2014)

WORKS CITED Kennedy, Michael. “The Strangers True Story: Real-Life Crimes That Inspired the Horror Movie.” ScreenRant, 31 Mar. 2020, screenrant.com/strangers movie-true-story-real-crimes inspiration-explained/. The Strangers. Directed by Bryan Bertino, Rogue Pictures, 2008.

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BY CAROLINE FEBBRARO

IT IS THAT season again! Time to bring out the jack-o-lanterns and sit back with a pumpkin spice latte in hand. October’s agenda calls for all things spooky, especially a horrifically fun Halloween night with friends and or family. And, what better way to spend it than watching your favourite horror films in the dark (maybe in costume)? Even if you happen to be busy this Halloween, one of these binges is essential for the season. Here are my five must-watch horror movies (in no particular order) to kick off or finish this time of year! 1. A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) Director Wes Craven’s magnum opus is arguably the hallmark film of the slasher genre, not to discount Halloween, Friday the 13th or Texas Chainsaw Massacre as equal contenders. Its director is known by many as the founding father of this variety of horror as Craven also has mastered satirizing the form and its archetypes in his later film, Scream (1996). Elm Street’s horror value, nevertheless, speaks for itself in its classic portrayal of the final girl who legendarily seeks revenge upon the grotesque monster who has plagued her and her friends with fear. In this case, that monster is Freddy Krueger: a burn victim and, as the film’s title suggests, a recurring nightmare that wreaks havoc in Nancy’s (the final girl) life. The scariest part about Freddy? His assaults occur not only in the teen’s dreams but also in real life, making Elm Street teeter on being super gory and sometimes vulgar.

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MY FIVE MUST-SEE

HORROR FILMS

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2. The Ring (2002) This Gore Verbinski film was the first horror film I ever watched, so it holds a special place in my heart and brings up many fond memories of cowering behind blankets. Verbinski’s remake of the Japanese film Ring by Hideo Nakata harks on the novelty of the VHS tape as it is the “possessed” item in this film that kills people seven days after viewing it. Rachel, played by Naomi Watts, is sentenced to her doom when her investigative journalism leads her to watch the tape to make sense of her niece’s untimely death. For this, the film sets up a timeline fraught with unexpected twists and turns (and jump-scares), in which Rachel is driven to either solve the mystery behind the tape or face Samara, the film’s monster, on the seventh day of her condemnation. It is a great watch to get you in the mood for spookiness, but beware that it did keep me up at night! 3. Final Destination 3 (2006) Horror master James Wong’s FD3 seems like a strange pick to include in this list as it is not the first film in the Final Destination series, but because there was a change in directors from the previous first-two films, it can be viewed as a standalone feature. What makes Final Destination 3 worth the watch is its play on paranoia and disaster. The film emphasizes causal chains of events that are induced by characters carrying out thoughtless actions that inevitably and always lead to someone dying. The “scary” part of it derives from real

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anxieties people experience, such as the fear of rollercoasters, as in the third film. However, terror is also sustained through the elusive nature of the “monster,” Death, as it goes unseen while haunting Wendy, the protagonist, and her friends after they slip from its grasp. If you are a superstitious person, this flick may be hard for you to watch, otherwise, Final Destination 3 is a classic thriller guaranteed to shock you (and maybe make you second guess your actions). 4. Mama (2013) This film, directed by Andrés Muschietti of It fame, was originally a short film until it caught the interest of Guillermo del Toro, one of the feature’s executive producers. The film is equally touching as it is sometimes spooky because it navigates the hardships of maternal love all the while inlaying jack-in-the-box scares from Mama, the monster. Mama is grotesque, enormous, and demonic, which makes her hard to see as a potentially good entity, especially because of her malicious demeanour. However, she does not necessarily act as such towards the young sisters, Lily and Victoria, in the film. Mama, for this, can not clearly be construed as “evil.” Instead, Muschietti asks the audience to ponder what defines a “good” or suitable parent through both Mama and the protagonist Annabel who take on such a role to the sisters—while simultaneously scaring audiences with what can only be described as the wrath

of a possessive mother. Mama is an overall heartwarming film that the whole family can watch (and cower) together! 5. Us (2019) This is one of my favourite films of all time. Director Jordan Peele’s followup to Get Out layers satire, science fiction and horror to imagine what it may look like if one day our reflections began to move and act independently of ourselves. The concept makes for an unnerving film as we witness the Wilson family get terrorized by their doppelgängers, who are part of a larger group known as the “Tethered.” Peele, thus, stages a war between the two families, where the Tethered fight violently to reclaim their lives from the Wilsons. Lupita Nyong’o acts magnificently as Adelaide Wilson, but also Red, her double, who leads in the movement known as the “Untethering,” as well as in being the creepiest part of the film. But, obvious scare tactics aside, the film is mainly existentially dreadful, which enables viewers to walk away equally mind-blown as they are horrified. So, if you are looking for horror with a twist that is bound to baffle you, this is the film for you. There you have it! These are my top five films for you to watch this Halloween season. I hope that you enjoy these if you have never seen some or any of them before or if you are already a horror buff, I hope this nudges you to give these another go this October! Stay safe and happy watching everyone!

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It’s the Most aunted Time of the Year

BY AVERY-ROSE HAMILTON

LIFESTYLE

GREETINGS FROM THE pumpkin patch everyone! Now normally because of the time of year, I would submit one of my Halloween short stories for you to read, but this year because of a “creativity drought”, I have decided to talk about the upcoming holiday: Halloween. Halloween holds an unusual place in my life. Growing up, I was terrified of it and all the “inhabitants” that came with it; going out trick or treating as a kid, I was constantly looking around for monsters. Things have changed though and now I am very fond of it. I love the dressing up and the parties, but I draw the line at scary costumes and movies. In my mind, no holiday arouses the imagination and provides opportunities to let it run wild more than Halloween. It is one of the things I love about it. I know that Halloween is associated with all things dark and spooky, but is that not what makes it so fascinating? It speaks to our fascination and curiosity with the unknown. As a writer of fantasy, I am increasingly drawn to this interest and use it to help create my characters or as a building block for different ideas. With Halloween, our imagination is ignited, coming up with ideas for costumes, decorations, activities, etc.

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But speaking of imagination, one of the things that is birthed through this fueled imagination that I find intriguing are villains. Think about it, the villains are given a chance to have the limelight more than ever during this time of year. Sure, it is them who make a good hero and a great story, but they always get the number two spot in the tri-level podium of favourites when it comes to characters. But on Halloween, it is all about the villains. Not to say that I like the ones that are churned out of the horror-thriller movie industry—they scare me into keeping a great distance—but those charming villains of other stories like Disney villains such as the Sanderson Sisters of Hocus Pocus, Oogie Boogie from Nightmare before Christmas, Kalabar

from Halloween Town, and all the kooky culprits from every Scooby-Doo mystery you can recall are the ones I prize. I can always picture what these villains might do to celebrate during this one time of year when they are the stars of the show. Another thing I love about Halloween is the costumes. Halloween is the one time of year when being someone else is normal, and the freakier or the more extravagant, the better. For one night, you can be whoever you want to be, whether it is from the world of reality, fantasy or darkness. I have seen people, including myself, who take the trouble of creating their costumes instead of buying one. That shows Halloween passion.

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And finally, there are the parties. Now, despite not being too many Halloween parties, I have always entertained the idea of hosting one. When I look up what is needed online, I get pages upon pages of tips, tricks, and ideas. There is so much diversity in terms of themes, games, food and drinks, music, etc. So, it is a shame and a disappointment that we cannot celebrate this creative holiday the way we always have due to the pandemic. But I look forward to when we can do so, hopefully, next year. Until then, Happy Halloween everyone. The next time we meet, it will be a real Monster Mash!

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WHAT I’M THANKFUL FOR THIS YEAR

BY LAURA BOURBONNAIS

LIFESTYLE

WHILE MY FAMILY has never really celebrated Thanksgiving and I don’t support the history behind the celebration in any way, the day off allows some of my family members and I to spend some time together in the Fall, my mom’s favourite season. It’s really troubling how this day that I’ve been told for as long as I can remember is about being grateful actually masks realities of colonization, assimilation and genocide. I recognize that I need to keep educating myself on the land I live on and how I got to living on it.

like at least for the most part I’ve made it through the worst of it. I’m so grateful that my family and I are still here and that we still have moments to look forward to together, to spend together.

I believe in the importance of appreciating the people in your life who are important to you not just during the holidays but every day. The past year has certainly been difficult for myself like those I love and while like so many others I’m still navigating this pandemic life, I feel

More often than not, I worry about the past or the future instead of living fully in the moment and appreciating it. But I hope that in those moments and meals my family and friends will share together this Fall, I’ll be able to cherish their presence. And just be grateful for it.

I got to hug my grandparents for the first time in over a year a few weeks ago and it felt like coming home. I’m so thankful for my family and friends’ presence in my life, for their health, for their support, for the moments in which we just really see each other for who we are. I’m grateful for their just being there.