The Knight Times ∙ January 2022
Entertainment ∙ Page 5
The debut of Tick Tick Boom ISABEL O’GORMAN Staff Writer Is Tick Tick Boom one of Netflix’s best original movies? Based on reality, Tick Tick Boom details the compelling story of Jonathan Larson and his journey to create a successful musical while juggling financial struggles, conflict with loved ones, and the AIDS crisis of the early nineties. Before producing the celebrated musical Rent, Larson goes through the classic trials and setbacks of a New York writer with an
the talented director Lin Manuel Miranda driving a film that perfectly captures the essence of a true Broadway production yet masterfully utilizes the availabilities of film to serve a greater storytelling purpose. Containing numerous actor features, Easter eggs, and references to the theatre world and previous musicals (even aside from the plot revolving around a prominent playwright), Tick Tick Boom is a movie musical for musical lovers. However, while those who can pick up on the subtle nods to theatre culture may
Netflix has released a Lin Manuel-directed musical starring Andrew Garfield. Photo courtesy of Polygon. impossible dream, bouncing from total inspiration and burnout to the complete commitment it takes to succeed as a bigcity playwright. In a cloud of fulfilling his absolute, lifelong pursuit of writing and selling an original musical, Larson questions how to reach his dreams without severing ties with the people who support them. Many consider this Netflix original to be a breakthrough in movie musicals, with
have a more involved viewing experience, this film appeals to the masses with the compelling trope of an American dreamer amidst a world in crisis. While movie musicals are not the genre for everyone and are certainly not my personal favorite, I believe that this film is worth the watch as it successfully captures the sentiment of uncertainty throughout the AIDS epidemic and the challenges of an artist with a dream.
February is a promising month for the music industry as the new year of 2022 gets a kickstart. Houstonians can look forward to concerts all around downtown and new album releases throughout the month. Starting with Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, more casually known as the Latin Trap King, Bad Bunny, Ocasio is giving his fans a nationwide tour (Boston Leader). Born in Puerto Rico, Benito started as a SoundCloud rapper but managed to snag a deal with Hear this Music record company while working as a bag boy in a grocery store. In 2016 his biggest hit, Soy Peor, hit the streets, and anyone and everyone knew who Bad Bunny was. Bad Bunny takes the stage at 8:00 p.m. at the Toyota Center February 16 and February17. A young but not quiet Australian rap artist, Charlton Kenneth Jeffery Howard, also known as The Kid LAROI, became known to the public through his connections with many top artists in the music industry, but most well-known through Juice Wrld. Through his connections and rapping skill, he was able to sign with Columbia Records and did a collaboration with Juice Wrld on the song “Go.” The Kid LAROI is performing at the Revention Music Center on February 11 at 9.
Last is rapper Adam Aminé Daniel, more commonly known as Aminé. He is the son of Ethiopian immigrants who intended on their son graduating college, but Aminé had different plans. From Portland, Oregon, Aminé gained his reputation in the music industry through his Billboard record song Caroline. He soon signed with Republic Records and in 2017 released his first studio album Good for You. The Best Tour Ever Tour is making its way to Houston at the Bayou Music Center on February 18 at 8:00 p.m.
Amine rolls into Houston, TX on The Best Tour Ever Tour. Photo courtesy of Brooklyn Vegan.
F shion Sen¢e with Raigan Clay
Virgil Abloh was a visionary, entrepreneur, and creative legend all in one. On November 28, 2021, we lost Abloh to his ongoing battle with cancer. Abloh paved the way for so many future generations; as an African American male in the fashion world, Abloh left his imprint by always
Abloh left an impact on the fashion realm by “challenging every institutional definition of creativity” (Craig Robins, founder of Design Miami). In interviews with friends of Abloh’s, like Pharrell Williams, his best friend Kanye West, and Tyler Okonma, all conveyed the same
with CONNOR SMITH and CHRIS LAHOTI Welcome back to another edition of Plugged In! Winter break provided us with the time to try a plethora of new video games, and one in particular caught our eye. 343 Industry’s newest title, Halo Infinite, brings back nostalgia for a decadesold series by incorporating new mechanics and tricks into classic gameplay. One of the most strikingly new aspects of gameplay is the game’s new openworld format. 343 Industries has broken from previous developer Bungie’s longstanding linear design, opting for a roaming experience around the Zeta Halo ring. The general openness and unexpected encounters found within the environment resemble that of the series’ first game, Halo: Combat Evolved. Accompanying such a large environment is the Grappleshot, a movement mechanic arguably more revolutionary than sprinting. Besides the movement convenience, the Grapple-
shot provides players with the ability to tag enemies or pick up weapons. Despite the initial fascination with the new features, we noticed some aspects that could have been improved. While Infinite understandably attempts to patch up the disaster of a storyline from Halo 5: Guardians while wrapping up the events of Halo 4, the task seems to prove too difficult to pull off. Veteran players feel cheated by a lackluster, redundant plot while newer players seem to get lost within the convolutedness of the storyline. Several new characters are introduced, but past conflicts and questions are not completely resolved. Regardless, we thoroughly enjoyed playing through the campaign and multiplayer modes. Halo Infinite is available on both PC and Xbox. Players can either opt for the free multiplayer experience or pay for the campaign. World renown fashion icon and entrepreneur Virgil Abloh works on collaberations with Nike Jordan Sneakers. Photo courtesy of Complex.
Available now on your XBox and PC is the new 343 Industries game, Halo Infinite. Photo courtesy of The Verge.
expressing himself through his art with the intent to inspire young people. Most notably Abloh was the first African American menswear artistic director at Louis Vuitton while managing his selfmade brand “Off White.” While at Louis Vuitton, Abloh tried to transform the high fashion brand and make it more accessible as well as deferring from the traditional silhouette of the Louis Vuitton brand, which in itself brought a whole new audience to the forefront of fashion and how it’s interpreted, especially among younger people.
message - Abloh was a kindred spirit and embodied such a capacity for creativity unlike anything they had ever seen. Abloh’s brainchild Off White will continue its operations, featuring Abloh’s unconventional designs that drew in so many since its launch. Abloh inspired an entire generation with his willingness to take risks, defy the status quo, and not buy into fitting the algorithm. His legacy will be carried on, and I believe Abloh’s efforts have birthed so many creatives who will transform fashion and culture in years to come.
