The Knight Times ∙ February 2022
Entertainment ∙ Page 5
A Very Secret Service now streams in America on Netflix CONNOR SMITH Editor-In-Chief I have been unable to find a fun comedy show for some time. That was, until, I stumbled upon a new series added to Netflix earlier this month. The French comedy-drama series A Very Secret Service, created by Jean-François Halin, blends satire and comedy into the entertaining lives of agents in the French Secret Services during the height of the Cold War. The series follows the life of André Merlaux, who is mysteriously accepted into the French Secret Service by Colonel Mercaillon and watched over by operations director Moïse. As Merlaux learns what it means to be a spy for an emerging Great Power country, he finds mentorship from the dirty cop Jacquard, the insane workaholic Calot, the hopeless romantic Moulinier, and the deadly Ms. Clayborn. One of my favorite things the show does is mix satire into complex themes and issues that affected the world during the 1960s. Repeatedly, viewers see the French agents as having a superiority complex against emerging countries and movements. For example, the first episode shows the agents avoiding talking to
three emissaries from the African state of Dahomey who desire independence. The show pokes fun at French imperialism in Africa as well as French influence across the globe with a satire all people can laugh at and enjoy. Another concept that is made fun of is 1960s French culture. During this time, France experiences a period of counterculture which grew into the Feminist Movement and modern working culture. The show makes fun of French traditionalism by using comedy to show how the French work culture and society experienced difficulties because of these new ideas. One example that stood out to me occurred when a group of French agents refused to send a captured Nazi back to Germany to stand trial because they wanted a “Nazi Bonus.” This theme of monetary bonuses based on dark events in world history shows the backwardness of the old French working culture through satire. A Very Secret Service is one of my favorite comedy-drama shows of all time. With deep, emotional characters, satirical and dark comedy, and a strong cast of actors, the show is a must-watch for anyone interested in a comedic series with dark historical undertones.
The two season French series A Very Secret Service has made its way to American Nextflic streaming. Photo courtesy of Critics At Large.
“Pushin P” has exploded on social media, American rapper Sergio Giavanni Kitchens, more commonly known as Yung but with some confusion. What exactly is Pushin P? Gunna took it upon himself Gunna, has blown up the music industry to clarify: “Risking your life to feed your and every social media platform with his family is P. Jumpin’ ‘n a person beef or new song “Pushin P.” Born in College Park, Gunna was raised by his mother and four older brothers who encouraged his music career at a young age of fifteen. He attended North Springs Charter School of Arts and Sciences. The name, Yung Gunna, was born in 2013 when his first mixtape Hard Body was released. Rapper Yung Thug took Gunna under his wing and started him in the record company YSL Records. In October 2016 his mixtape Season released with higher numbers than anticipated. He followed not even a year later in May of 2017 with Season 2, which gave The latest social media debate, “What is P and what is not?” him the respect he has heated up conversations among youth. Only Gunna can needed to continue answer this riddle. Photo courtesy of Interiew Magazine. his music career. He situation when you dk wats goin’ on not continued to create music, releasing Drip P” (Dexerto). In EHS terms – giant cookor Drown 2 in 2019 and Wunna in 2020, ies during break are Pushin P but wearing both hitting Billboard 200 records. The 28-year-old rapper recently released non-Episcopal outer gear is not Pushin P. What to expect next? Rumor has it his third studio album DS4Ever this JanuGunna plans to release Drip Season 4 ary with guest artists Future, Yung Thug, 21 Savage, Drake, Kodak Black, Lil Baby, sometime in 2022, including definite colG Herbo, Chris Brown, Yung Bleu, Chlöe, laborations with fellow rappers Future and Yung Thug. and Roddy Rich. The most popular song,
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with CONNOR SMITH and CHRIS LAHOTI For the last two years, one game has gotten eight awards without even coming out. Published by FromSoftware, the recently released action role-playing game Elden Ring has won The Game Award’s Most Anticipated Game Award for two years running. Now that the game has finally been released on consoles and PC, gamers across the planet now have access
A new standard of video gaming has taken place, Elden Ring has broken records. Photo courtesy of Game Stop.
to this highly anticipated game, but does it hold up to the hype? In short, it does. Elden Ring continues the already popular Souls genre by mixing challenging activities with intense combat and an enthralling story. In my opinion, it is the story the game contains that kept my attention. The world known as “The Land Between” was heavily designed by George R. R. Martin, known for the immensely popular book series Game of Thrones. His guidance allowed for an immense open world dense with lore and unique stories. Speaking of the open world, Elden Ring is the first game in the genre to incorporate this concept into its linearlevel design. While many studios strive to add an open world to their games, very few achieve this goal. I believe Hidetaka Miyazaki, Elden Ring’s video game director, easily blended the intense actions and experiences of the Souls game with a beautiful open world. Whenever we got angry at a certain person or felt underpowered for an activity, we were easily able to find peace in exploring the open world. While the last couple of years have been up and down for video games, we believe Elden Ring marks a turning point for gaming. A new standard has been set for gameplay and game design, a standard we hope will impact the gaming world for the next couple of years.
There’s been a growing call recently in mainstream fashion for body inclusion and the appreciation of all body types as represented to the public. For years fashion, and especially runway fashion, has been represented by the typical body type: average to tall height, slim figure-limiting curves, and complimentary facial features. Designers and brands have pushed this image of perceived beauty to the public, thinking it would appease the masses. But consumers expect more, especially among Generation Z, who are willing to break the norm within fashion and to push brands to show versatility and people who “look like them.” It’s common sense that the average consumer would be inclined to buy something on a model who looks like him or her.
This is what brands fail to realize. Some of the top brands like Victoria Secret, Adidas, and Yves Saint Laurent are making breakthroughs in terms of body positivity and embracing a healthier culture within their brand. Bringing these brands press that is either good or bad drives people to talk and have real conversations about the brand, inevitably bringing them more success. Fashion itself has always been depicted as transformative and an art form that has shifted and changed throughout time. Body positivity and its message is helping to introduce a new wave of beauty and art. The fashion connoisseurs and allies of body positivity find solace and beauty in this new reset within the fashion community.
Voices have been heard in the fashion industry and body inclusive photos has been placed on front pages as they deserve. Photo courtesy of Campaign Asia.
