THE PULSE | WINTER 2024 ISSUE
NEW HARVEY HOCKEY COACH COLTON ORR
Harvey’s hockey program enters an exciting new chapter under the leadership of former National Hockey League (NHL) player Colton Orr Known for his toughness and dedication during his professional career, Orr brings a wealth of experience and a fresh vision to the team. With a long career in the NHL and extensive coaching experience, he is eager to inspire young players at Harvey and rebuild the program for future success.
Coach Orr’s journey to hockey stardom wasn’t conventional Growing up in Winnipeg, Manitoba, he was initially more interested in soccer and baseball. Hockey didn’t come into his life until he was 11, when he decided to follow in his brother’s footsteps and try the sport. “I wasn’t into hockey at first,” Orr shared “But once I started playing, I loved it I always loved the aspect of team building and standing up for my teammates, which matched perfectly with hockey ”
That passion for the game carried Coach Orr all the way to the NHL, where he played 477 games over a 12-year career. Known for his grit and physicality, Coach Orr became one of the league’s most respected enforcers He credits his success to his relentless work ethic, which he emphasizes as a coach today. “During my career, I was never the best, but I know I worked the hardest,” he told The Pulse One of his favorite quotations, which he often shares with his players, is: “Hard work beats talent when talent isn’t working hard ”
Orr’s NHL career is full of memorable moments, but one stands out above the rest. “My most memorable moment was my 300th game ” He recalled, “I was playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs against the New Jersey Devils, and my entire family was there I get chills just talking about it ” Coach Orr continued, “To make it even more special, I scored a goal on Hall of Fame goalie Martin Brodeur That was something I’ll never forget ”
By Brandon Levine
When Orr’s playing career came to an end, he knew he wanted to give back to the sport that had given him so much “I was privileged to play a long NHL career and had amazing coaches growing up who gave me opportunities and always worked with me to get better,” he said.
Orr transitioned into coaching and player development, working as a scout for the Toronto Maple Leafs and in player development for the Arizona Coyotes. He also coached in the Women’s Hockey League, focusing on helping players refine their skills and grow their game
The opportunity to coach at Harvey was a perfect fit for Orr. He and his family live in the Brewster area and have always appreciated Harvey’s strong sense of community “I’ve done a lot of work with the Junior Rangers and always admired the rink and campus at Harvey,” he explained “When the coaching job became available, it was an amazing opportunity to combine my love for the sport with Harvey’s love for the community It’s been great to get back into coaching and help build up the hockey program ”
Coach Orr is focused on instilling important values in his players, with work ethic at the top of the list. He also emphasizes the importance of preparation, drawing from his own career experience Coach Orr stated, “I wasn’t superstitious, but I had a very detailed routine,” he said “One of my routines was always tying my right skate first.” Orr encourages his players to develop their own pregame rituals to help them stay focused and mentally prepared
This season, Coach Orr’s primary goal for Harvey Hockey is to rebuild the program and foster team chemistry. After a year without a hockey team, he’s excited to see his players back on the ice and competing again “This year is about building the team for now and the future,” he said. “It’s exciting to get back into hockey and see how far we can grow together.”
Off the ice, Coach Orr mentioned that he enjoys spending time with his family and pursuing hobbies like golf. He finds golf to be a relaxing way to enjoy nature and challenge himself. He and his wife, a Westchester native, have three children Their 12-year-old daughter loves horseback riding, while their two young sons are passionate about hockey. Coach Orr cherishes the moments he spends on the ice with his children, sharing his love for the game with them “Who knows, maybe my kids will come to Harvey one day,” he said with a smile
Coach Orr’s journey from the NHL to Harvey is a testament to his dedication to the game and his commitment to helping young players grow both on and off the ice The Pulse thanks Coach Orr for sharing his story and wishes him and the Harvey Hockey team a successful and rewarding season ahead.
Image from Harvey website Coach Orr skating on rink
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THE PULSE | WINTER 2024 ISSUE
DONALD TRUMP WINS THE 2024 U.S. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
During the early morning hours of Nov 6, 2024, the Associated Press (AP) declared Republican and former President Donald Trump as the winner of the 2024 United States Presidential Election, defeating Democrat and Vice President Kamala Harris.
Running alongside Vice Presidentelect and Ohio Senator JD Vance, President-elect Trump will return to the White House for his second term in office as the 47th President after first serving as the 45th President of the United States from January 2017 to January 2021. This is only the second time in American history that a president will serve two nonconsecutive terms, the first being Grover Cleveland as the 22nd and 24th President of the United States
Also according to AP News, the final electoral vote counts were 312 for Trump and 226 for Harris in the race to 270, and Trump also won the popular vote by about 3 million votes, or 2% As election night progressed, Trump’s lead grew as he eventually won all seven swing states: Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Still, the 2024 Presidential Election was regarded as one of the closest elections of the 21st century, with many viewers nationwide hanging onto the edge of their seats throughout the middle of the night
By Benji Cutler
As reported by CNN, key swing states, such as Pennsylvania with 19 electoral votes, Georgia with 16, Michigan with 15, and Arizona with 11, all flipped from blue in the 2020 election won by President Joe Biden to red. Wisconsin, specifically, with 10 electoral votes took Trump over the finish line to reach the required 270 electoral votes
However, throughout the majority of Election Day, according to NBC Chicago, these swing states remained “too close to call,” and experts believed that it would take days to determine a winner Furthermore, top stations such as The Economist, ABC News, and 538’s final Presidential forecast all predicted that Vice President Harris had a slightly better chance of winning the Election based on national polls Additionally, Allan Lichtman, a well-regarded history professor at American University who predicted nine of the last 10 Presidential elections correctly through a strategic prediction model, also projected a victory for Harris.
So, how did Trump turn voters and entire states from blue to red while a Democratic President was still in office? Based on a survey by the Pew Research Center, immigration and the economy were seen as the most important reasons for 82% and 93% of Trump supporters, respectively
According to CBS News, Trump looks to extend the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that he previously established in 2017, which reduced taxes for most Americans but mostly benefited top earners and upper-class Americans Yet, arguably the most appealing aspect of Trump’s campaign to American voters was his promise to “end the inflation nightmare” and make daily goods and services such as groceries and gas more affordable for the average American
Also from CBS News concerning the immigration issue, Trump intends to launch “the largest deportation operation in American history,” by reinstating stricter border policies and suspending refugee admissions, the President-elect hopes to limit the amount of illegal or undocumented immigrants being entered into the country and prioritize the protection and success of the American people.
This vow regarding immigration appealed to many voters because Trump argues that the deportation of 15 to 20 million undocumented workers will open up more land and help to reverse the increasing housing demand and extreme prices that have caused millions of American families immense struggle In general, Trump’s greatest strengths in drawing voters were his promises to tackle the inflation crisis, make the daily necessities more affordable again, and focus on benefiting the lives of the American people before anything else
CONT. ON PAGE 6
President-elect Donald Trump standing in front of thousands of cheering fans at his rally on Long Island Photo courtesy of The New York Times.
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THE PULSE | WINTER 2024 ISSUE
PAT BUCHANAN: THE FOUNDING FIGHTER OF TRUMPISM
“My job is not to make people happy; it’s to tell the truth as I see it ” These are the words of famed conservative Patrick J Buchanan Although most of our readers have never heard of Buchanan, he is arguably the most influential conservative thinker in decades. Buchanan didn’t see much success in elected office, but he is truly one of the founding fathers of the modern GOP
Patrick J. Buchanan was born a fighter. According to the National Catholic Reporter, he was born in Washington, D.C. to an Irish Catholic father whose political heroes were anti-communist strongmen like Francisco Franco and Senator Joseph McCarthy The elder Buchanan would have his sons put on boxing gloves and practice on a punching bag downstairs to develop their manhood Even as a toddler, little Buchanan showed a natural ability for public speaking, quickly memorizing the “Hail Mary” long before his siblings. Buchanan would loudly repeat his Catholic prayers at bedtime According to the Los Angeles Times, “One night, hearing a scuffle, Buchanan’s father charged into the bedroom and found him bleeding from the forehead Pat’s brothers, fed up with the noise, had bashed him with a baby bottle, hoping to silence him ” It seems like Pat Buchanan never quite took the lesson
By Ted Clement
Buchanan would become a columnist for the St. Louis Globe-Democrat in 1962 (less than a year after graduation from Columbia’s school of journalism) In 1966, he was a speechwriter for Republican Richard Nixon, who was preparing his comeback bid for the presidency. Buchanan would serve in the Nixon, Ford, and Reagan administrations, where he earned a reputation as a firebrand conservative with a sharp wit.
In 1992, Republican President George H.W. Bush was considered unbeatable. Bush was coming off a popular war in Iraq and had an approval rating as high as 90%, according to Gallup polling However, he was facing increasing scrutiny from his party's populist flank. Most of this animosity stemmed from Bush breaking his promise to not raise taxes as well as his support of NAFTA
Pat Buchanan would do the unthinkable and decided to primary an incumbent president. Buchanan received attention for centering his campaign around the idea of “America First ” The Bush campaign initially blew off Buchanan’s challenge, but Buchanan’s hard-hitting style and populist appeals would earn him 37.5% of the vote in the New Hampshire primary Buchanan would fail in his quest to unseat Bush, but his success would lead to him receiving a primetime speech at the RNC. This speech would be known as the “culture war” speech, birthing a buzzword that is ultra-prevalent in today's GOP
Buchanan was viewed as an extremist in his time He would run again in 1996 and 2000 The latter campaign would draw him into conflict with a New York billionaire named Donald Trump. As NBC News reported, “[Pat] wanted a wall along the entire southern border and a pause on all immigration He vowed to rip up trade deals and revive manufacturing He hated political correctness and warned of the decline of Western culture. He railed against a ‘rigged’ system and fomented a populist uprising that terrified the Republican Party’s leaders ” To any of our readers, this should sound very familiar However, Trump expressed his disdain for the voters Buchanan attracted as well as his rhetoric. “It’s just incredible that anybody could embrace this guy And maybe he’ll get four or 5% of the vote, and it’ll be a really staunch right-wacko vote I’m not even sure if it’s right. It’s just a wacko vote. And I just can’t imagine that anybody can take him seriously.”
And yet, just two decades later, Trump and the mainstream conservative movement sound a lot like Pat Buchanan When Trump ran for president in 2016, he quickly made “America First” a slogan of his campaign. In 2016, Trump declared, “‘America First’ will be the major and overriding theme of my administration ” Furthermore, he would take Buchanan’s idea of a wall across the southern border and popularize it. Arguably one of the most amazing things Buchanan was able to accomplish was receiving an apology from the future president As the Washington Examiner reported, “Early in 2011, Trump would do something wildly out of character: apologize. Placing a telephone call to Buchanan one day, out of the blue, he told his former rival that he had been wrong to label him a racist He even asked for forgiveness ”
CONT. ON PAGE 6
Pat Buchanan with his fist in the air Taken from The Spectator.
REPORTS
THE PULSE | WINTER 2024 ISSUE DECLINE OF THE WESTCHESTER MALL AND MALLS IN THE U.S.
The Westchester shopping center mall, located in downtown White Plains, is a beautiful, upscale mall operated by Simon Property Group The center houses various designer clothing and jewelry stores as well as a food court, known as Savor Westchester, which contains higher end fast food such as Melt Shop and Shake Shack While The Westchester mall has been a key hub for Westchester kids to come to shop and socialize, recently it feels empty and lifeless.
Opening back in 1995, The Westchester was built on the site of one of the first suburban branch department stores in the U S , and it is located in close proximity to the City Center and the permanently closed Galleria Beginning in 2016, the mall underwent its largest update since its opening back in 1995, and with this addition came a brand-new look for The Westchester
Upscale corporate shopping, stores like Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus, are The Westchester's anchor stores and appeal directly to people from more affluent areas. Additionally, the mall houses stores like Zumiez, Urban Outfitters, and American Eagle follow countercultural trends and then cannibalize them in order to appeal to teens from higher class areas looking for an identity. The corporate style of the mall allows it to continue to make business while the Galleria Mall could not support itself, especially during the pandemic
By Connor Harrington
Even after the pandemic, which started an increase in online shopping, The Westchester continued to draw in customers However, it is undeniable that the mall’s current state is empty, as people continue to shift their spending habits toward online shopping. 78% of consumers hypothesized that online shopping will become more popular post COVID-19, and 60% of consumers expect enclosed malls to become less popular after COVID, according to a 2021 article from The Impact.
These predictions have been proven correct According to Mall Closure Statistics, last updated May 28, 2024 on the Capital One Shopping website, they predict that over the next 10 years, 87% of shopping malls may close. Moreover, the number of malls in the U.S. declined 16 7% per year from 2017 to 2022 Finally, on average, closed malls in the U S have been empty for three years and 11 months, which is around the time COVID-19 spread across the country.
While the damaging effects of COVID-19 have had on shopping malls are undeniable, The Financial Times published a graph in January 2020 which shows that U.S. shopping mall vacancies had reached a 20-year high before the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the increase in online shopping may not be the only thing to blame for the decline of shopping malls in the United States In an article by Public Broadcasting Service titled “Why Malls Across America Are Dying,” the decline of malls is credited to not only online shopping displacing the need for malls, but also to the stagnation and decline of household income in middle and low-income households
Since household income for the middle and the lower class has declined and stagnated while inflation has increased, this has led the target demographic of malls to spend less on nonessential goods Moreover, according to Harvard Business School Professor of Business Administration Len Schlesinger, malls need to offer unique experiences beyond retail spaces to draw customers. “What’s going to draw traffic to a shopping experience? And it’s no longer the stores,” he said. “Now it’s movies, gyms, restaurants and entertainment ”
This all ties back to the increase in online shopping as well as the rise of social media. As they continue to rise in popularity, malls continue to decline Both teens and adults no longer have a need for malls. They no longer have to deal with the struggle of going to a mall They no longer have to deal with searching for the item they want when everything is at their fingertips. Teens no longer go to the mall to meet new people because they have social media to do that for them and because it is no longer “cool ”
Just the way roller rinks and arcades faded in obscurity, malls will most likely do the same. It’s only a matter of time until these large complexes that were once full of people and stores become vacant
Vehicle entrance of The Westchester Mall
Photo Credit: Ajay Suresh
REPORTS
THE PULSE | WINTER 2024 ISSUE
THE RESURRECTION OF SNL?
This season of “Saturday Night Live“ (SNL) marks the 50th season of the show First airing in 1975, SNL has become a cultural phenomenon, often referred to as the epitome of sketch comedy. Between the episodes that have been released thus far, in addition to the future hosts and musical guests that have been announced, there is no doubt that SNL plans on going big for this milestone of a season
However, within the last few years, critics have expressed views that current sketches have lost their cutting edge. BBC refers to recent episodes of SNL as “shockingly, not all that funny ”
Still, this new season of SNL came out with a bang. Grasping onto attention from the U.S. Presidential Election, the first few episodes of Season 50 featured teaser sequences that were dedicated to current politics. The first cold open after summer break included a return of Maya Rudolph’s Kamala Harris, Andy Samberg’s Doug Emhoff, James Austin Johnson’s Donald Trump, Bowen Yang’s JD Vance, Dana Carvey’s Joe Biden, and more kooky impersonations of various elected officials.
By Logan Kreisberg
There was no doubt that the SNL writers had a great deal of material to work with after 2024’s “Brat Summer ” Joe Biden’s resignation, assassination attempts on Trump, the Olympics, and the rise of new pop stars were all addressed in the premiere of this new season.
Additionally, SNL continues to choose hosts with upcoming projects to promote, which has generated hype for new episodes of the season. They have also recognized the popularity of music artists like Billie Eilish and Chappell Roan, who have already performed. In the past half-century, SNL has skyrocketed the careers of many great comedians Although it is difficult to choose the next John Belushi or Will Ferrell in this generation, the talent of this cast still shines through the scenes.
In the third episode of this new season, SNL produced “Domingo,” a sketch that has blown up on social media The premise of the skit was bridesmaids Ariana Grande (host), and castmates Heidi Gardner, Ego Nwodim, and Sarah Sherman singing a parody to Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso” at a wedding reception. However, the lyrics revealed the bride’s affair with Marcello Hernandez’s Domingo on a bachelorette vacation
As of Nov. 21, the Domingo sketch has more than 102.3 million views on TikTok. The success of Domingo also inspired a later sketch where Charli XCX joins the bridesmaids for a parody of Chappell Roan’s “Hot to Go!”
Another way SNL has generated buzz in recent months was the theatrical release of “Saturday Night” on Oct. 11. The movie follows a young Lorne Michaels putting together the very first episode of SNL during the 90 minutes before the series aired
The film’s “en media res” direction perfectly captures the reasons that audiences fell in love with Saturday Night half a century ago Throughout the film, producers repeatedly ask Lorne what the show is supposed to be He eventually comes up with this: “It’s everything you think is going to happen in the city ”
SNL continues to give viewers hope in the form of comedy regardless of the state of the country No matter what is happening in the lives of Americans, it is a given that viewers can look forward to mostly hilarious sketches on Saturday nights at 11:30 p m (or Sunday morning reruns for those who go to bed at a reasonable hour).
Thus, The Pulse´s viewpoint of SNL 50 stands apart from other reviews of the show While it is undeniable that some of the authenticity and charm from the era of Belushi and Chase has faded, the content delivered to American screens hardly signals the end of sketch comedy.
Ariana Grande (host) and the talented cast of SNL performing "Domingo," a cover of Sabrina Carpenter's "Espresso " Taken by Will Heath (NBC)
THE PULSE | WINTER 2024 ISSUE
ELECTION CONT. FROM PAGE 2
As seen on CNN, President-elect Trump responded to his projected win by stating, “I want to thank the American people for the extraordinary honor of being elected your 47th president and your 45th president. This will truly be the golden age of America ” Directly speaking to his supporters, Trump declared, “The task before us will not be easy, but I will bring every ounce of energy, spirit, and fight that I have in my soul to the job that you have entrusted to me.”
Vice President Kamala Harris also responded to the results in a speech at Howard University in Washington, D C on Nov 6, formally conceding the election According to Time Magazine, Harris stated regarding her loss, “While I concede this election, I do not concede the fight that fueled this campaign the fight: the fight for freedom, for opportunity, for fairness, and the dignity of all people. A fight for the ideals at the heart of our nation, the ideals that reflect America at our best ”
The results of the Harvey Mock Presidential Election did not match the nation’s decision, however. As reported by history department chair Ms. Falcon, 63.3% of the 242 Harvey students across the Upper and Middle Schools voted for Kamala Harris, while 36 3% of students voted for Donald Trump
In the end, President Joe Biden plans to peacefully transfer power to Presidentelect Donald Trump, and the 45th President will be inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States Jan. 20, 2025.
BUCHANAN CONT. FROM PAGE 3
When one looks at the 2024 GOP, it is impossible to not see Buchanan’s influence. The Republican party has doubled down on protectionism with Trump supporting relatively large tariffs Immigration has become the main issue for Republicans, with the incoming administration currently planning the “largest mass deportation in history.” Furthermore, the idea of a “culture war” has become a staple in American politics. With Trump’s landslide victory against Kamala Harris, it seems the nation has finally embraced Buchananism, if not Buchanan
So, why did Trump succeed where Buchanan failed? The most likely scenario is that Buchanan ran on predictions while Trump ran on failures Buchanan accurately predicted the effects of globalization Since Buchanan’s original campaign, some 5 million factory jobs have been lost. These losses have opened a lot of people's eyes to the failures of unrestricted free trade while hurting the “white working class” voters that Trump appeals to so heavily As Buchanan said in a Politico interview, “Those issues started maturing …Now we’ve lost 55,000 factories. When those consequences came rolling in, all of a sudden, you’ve got an angry country We were out there warning what was coming Now, on trade and intervention, America sees what’s come ”
While Patrick Buchanan may not be well known by the common American, his ideas have reshaped the modern American psyche The GOP is the “party of Pat” now Furthermore, young conservatives who have grown up in modern America are increasingly rediscovering Buchanan’s literature. As Americans, we should understand that the future of the right wing is Buchananism Buchanan put it best when he joked to Politico, “The ideas made it, But I didn’t ”
THE
Rohan Singh
Faculty Advisor
Virginia Holmes
Special Thanks: Chris Del Campo
HARVEY NEWS
THE PULSE | WINTER 2024 ISSUE
ALUM RETURNS TO TEACH AND INSPIRE
By Rohan Singh
This year, Harvey welcomed back a familiar face to the campus, as one of the new English teachers is also a Harvey alum Joseph O'Connell grew up in Peekskill, New York, and later moved to Cortlandt Manor He initially attended Walter Panas High School in Peekskill before transferring to Harvey for his junior and senior years. After completing his college education and gaining real-world experience, he has returned to Harvey to work as a teacher
Mr.O'Connell attended Iona University, where he double majored in English and History Reflecting on this choice, he explains that it allowed him to enter two fields he loves while keeping his career options broad. Both subjects helped him develop skills in analysis, communication, and understanding different perspectives, qualities that he values and now brings to the classroom His return to Harvey is a step toward realizing his longstanding goal of becoming an educator and contributing meaningfully to the lives of young people
During high school and college, Mr O'Connell worked many part-time jobs, which, he says, gave him valuable life skills that apply to teaching. From working in a coffee shop to delivering pizzas and scooping ice cream at Carvel, these experiences taught him communication, patience, and flexibility. Mr. O'Connell said, "Those jobs helped prepare me for teaching in unexpected ways I learned how to work with people, solve problems on the fly, and develop a strong work ethic "
To work with young minds, he kept his eye on opportunities to break into teaching When he saw an opening at Harvey, he knew it was time to make his move His past positive experiences as a student here made the decision an easy one. "I enjoyed my time at Harvey, so I took the leap, and they hired me." He has fully immersed himself in his role, adjusting to life as a faculty member at his old school and building his teaching foundation through the Fellows Program, giving him valuable classroom insights
As part of this program, he spent his first year at Harvey observing seasoned teachers, learning their techniques, and gaining a better sense of how to run a classroom. Now, he is stepping up to lead his classes. "The Fellows Program has helped ease me into teaching Watching different teachers in action gave me a good sense of what works and what doesn't, and now I have the opportunity to put those lessons into practice in my classroom " He sees this year as a stepping stone, building his skills and confidence while contributing to the school community he knows so well.
Other than the classroom, he works in Harvey's athletics and extracurriculars This fall, he coached football, and when winter rolls around, he will take charge of the weight room, helping students stay fit and focused. In the spring, he will help guide the boys varsity rugby team, bringing his passion for the sport to the students.
When he is not at Harvey, he is busy with his hobbies, particularly video gaming and sports He is a fan of reading and loves English and history, but he is also a regular gamer who enjoys playing EA Sports College Football on his PS5.
His go-to professional team is the Jets, while his favorite college team is the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, which fosters a competitive energy that adds to his athletic intensity as the offensive coordinator for Harvey football.
When asked what he loves most about Harvey, his answer is heartfelt. "Definitely the community here. Coming back to the same place I went to high school is pretty special, and I feel a real connection to the warm, welcoming atmosphere here " He adds that Harvey's unique blend of academic challenge and supportive culture are what makes it a standout experience for students and staff alike.
His enthusiasm and good vibes have already made an impact. Whether he's in the classroom teaching English or on the field coaching students, he is happy with what he is doing, and our community is thrilled to have him back on campus
Mr O’Connell in action teaching students
Photo courtesy of the Harvey website.
SPORTS NEWS
2024 ISSUE
MLB POSTSEASON SURPRISES THE PULSE | WINTER
By Jack Amann
The Major League Baseball (MLB) postseason is always full of surprises Yet, 2024 was the most eye-opening postseason since the Kansas City Royals won the World Series in 2015.
The first and biggest shock is the teams in the postseason this year. According to MLB.com, “The Detroit Tigers started the year with a 0.2% chance of making the playoffs ” They are in the same league as the Cleveland Guardians and the Minnesota Twins, two teams who were certain to make the playoffs. During the regular season, the Tigers lost 14 games in a row, which stopped when they played the Chicago White Sox, now historically the worst team in MLB history, losing 121 games
The other team that was a shock was the New York Mets The Mets were able to sneak into the playoffs in the last game of the season The Mets had a terrible stretch during the year, losing their first five games. At one point, they were 11 games under .500.
In June, the Mets partnered with McDonald's, allowing Grimace to throw out the first pitch. After this event, the Mets went on a roll, winning the next seven games. At the end of the month, the Mets, according to Fox Sports, “continued to play well through the end of the first half of the season and into September, clinching a wild-card spot in its penultimate regular-season game. Including the playoffs, the Mets went 63-38 since Grimace threw out the first pitch ”
In terms of news regarding specific players, Shohei Ohtani is one of the biggest stars in baseball and recently one of the best of the 21st century. During the offseason, Ohtani signed the biggest contract in North American sports history, signing for $700 million over 10 years with the Los Angeles Dodgers As of his first year, this deal has been worth every penny He became the first player in MLB history to have a 50/50 season, hitting 50 home runs and stealing 50 bases.
The Dodgers were the best team in the National League, winning 98 games with some of the best players in baseball, such as Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and the first-ballot Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw. The Dodgers were certain to win their division and play their rivals in the first round, the San Diego Padres The Padres got off to a hot start, winning the first two games, putting the Dodgers back on their heels, and looking like they will make it to the next National League Championship Series (NLCS).
Most people said the series was going to be over Still, by the time Game 4 rolled around, the Dodgers, for an unexpected reason, came back and tied the series with the help of superstars and their rookie pitchers Brent Honeywell Jr. and Bobby Miller Together, they threw 19 innings, striking out 16 batters
The American League Championship Series (ALCS) was between the Cleveland Guardians and the New York Yankees The Yankees were the best team in the American League (AL), winning 94 games and blowing past the two teams in the AL Central, the Kansas City Royals and the team that was the most skilled: the Cleveland Guardians The best player for the Guardians was Jose Ramirez, who is their strongest position player, while their other players are pitchers such as Cade Smith, All-Star Emmanuel Clase, and veterans Alex Cobb and Andrew Boyd
With the Yankees' stars, such as Aaron Judge, Juan Soto, and pitcher Gerrit Cole, it was not a surprise that they won the ALCS four games to one and had a big date with destiny The last time that the Yankees won the World Series was 15 years ago, in 2009. The Dodgers last won in 2020, when most people around the United States said it was a “Mickey Mouse Ring” because of the shortened season due to COVID-19
Fanbases worldwide were not shocked when they saw that the Yankees and the Dodgers would play each other in the 2024 World Series Both teams have the two highest payrolls, paying over $2 billion, and the four main superstars are paid a total of $1.5 billion for the next five years.
This World Series will go down in baseball history as one of the best Two of the most powerful teams faced off against each other, but there could only be one winner: The Dodgers.
Aaron Judge (left) and Shohei Ohtani (right) playing each other in the 2024 World Series Graphic made by MLB com
SPORTS NEWS
THE PULSE | WINTER 2024 ISSUE
JAYDEN DANIELS THE KING OF THE WASHINGTON COMMANDERS
The whole talk right now is circling about the sensational rookie quarterback, NFL star Jayden Daniels, leading the Washington Commanders to an unexpectedly strong start to the season Coming off a not surprisingly disappointing 4-13 season last year, the Commanders are now one of the hottest teams in the league with a 9-5 record (as of Dec. 15, 2024).
Jayden Daniels, the Heisman Trophy winner at Louisiana State University (LSU), has been electric, making him right now the unanimous pick for Rookie of the Year He has even been entering the MVP conversation, which has only been done once before in history by a rookie
Daniels was already a great quarterback at LSU, but when he transitioned to the NFL with a losing team, he fully maintained his skill level He was known for his versatility and ability to read a defense at LSU. His quarterback type is a dual threat, which means he is capable of making plays with his arms and legs This versatility made him a top draft pick, drafted second overall, and he's proving to be worth every bit of the hype
So far, according to ftnfantasy com, Daniels has thrown for more than 2,800 yards, 15 touchdowns, and another 600 rushing yards on the ground His chemistry with wide receiver Terry McLaurin has been off the charts already. McLaurin has been on the Commanders since 2018 and has never had a good quarterback to work with Thus, he is now enjoying his best season, thanks to Daniels's accurate passing and playmaking skills.
By Rohan Singh
One of Daniels’s most unforgettable moments so far was in the NFL Week 8 game against the Chicago Bears, when the Commanders were down three in the final moments. Also, on the last snap, Daniels launched a miraculous 52-yard Hail Mary touchdown pass to Noah Brown, securing a dramatic 18-15 victory According to ESPN, this play, which they called a “once-in-a-lifetime” throw, sent shockwaves through the league, showcasing Daniels' ability to perform under pressure.
According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Daniels held onto the ball for a shocking 13 seconds before unleashing and throwing the game-winning pass, making it the longest recorded time-to-throw for a touchdown since the statistic was tracked in 2016. This clutch performance was a testament to his resilience, especially considering he was dealing with a left knee injury throughout the game
Daniels’ arrival in Washington has significantly changed the Commanders from a struggling franchise to serious playoff contenders. Under the leadership of new head coach Dan Quinn, the team has found a great rhythm, combining a solid defense with an explosive offense led by their star rookie quarterback.
Coach Quinn and Daniels work well together with their toughness and leadership In a YouTube video on ESPN after a tough loss to the Eagles on Nov 14, Coach Quinn states that Jayden’s resilience is unmatched “He’s been battling through pain, but he’s still making those game-changing plays that are making our team win so many games,” Quinn said
For a team that was rock bottom last year, having a player like Daniels has been a game-changer. With more divisional matchups coming up in the following weeks, all eyes will be on Daniels to see if he can stay at this high level of play and carry the Commanders into the playoffs.
If Daniels can continue his great playmaking, in these high stakes games, it would strengthen his case for both the Rookie of the Year and possibly the MVP award. The Commanders' fanbase is hopeful that, with Daniels leading the charge, their team could make a deep playoff run for the first time since the 2005-06 NFL season
Jayden Daniels wins the game in overtime.
Photo from AP News
Released Oct. 11, 2024, “We Live in Time” has made millions at the box office, earning a 78% on Rotten Tomatoes Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh, starring as the two main characters of the movie, have an undeniable chemistry that engages viewers in their relationship. A perfect couple that is easy to root for, it is hard not to be charmed by Garfield’s goofy shyness and Pugh’s fiery soul
Director John Crowley had the opportunity to reconnect with Garfield during “We Live in Time” after years Seventeen years ago, in 2007, Crowley directed “Boy A,” Garfield’s first feature film.
“We Live in Time” follows Almut Brühl and Tobias Durand through their relationship’s ups and downs The initial scene suggests the return of Almut’s ovarian cancer, which casts an ominous shadow over the 104-minute film from the very start Unique to the tear-jerker are the chronological skips with no time stamps
Even within the crowd of those who enjoyed the film, this choice confused the majority of viewers, as the only indicator of a passage of years was Almut’s haircuts, and eventually the birth of her daughter, Ella. The way The Wall Street Journal puts it is, “Blink and you’ll miss a life-altering development.”
Three time periods span the movie One is throughout multiple years, another is around six months, and the last is only 24 hours. These timestamps are not clear unless viewers research the film afterward
REVIEWS
THE PULSE | WINTER 2024 ISSUE
THE TICKING HEARTS OF
“WE LIVE IN TIME”
By Daniela Rynott
However, without the skips, the couple’s meeting would not be as impactful As Tobias roams the streets clad in a robe, holding a stack of biscuits, he ends up being hit by Almut’s car, as shown in the trailer At this point in the film, viewers have already been exposed to the couple and Almut’s struggle with cancer, so the silly manner in which they meet brightens the mood, providing a glimmer of sunshine in the cinema room
Overall, the pivotal moment of the movie was the scene where Almut births Ella in a gas station bathroom. Even in the eyes of critics, the intensity of the moment was portrayed magnificently Director Crowley even went so far as to tell The New York Times that the scene was “the reason he wanted to make the movie in the first place ”
Nick Payne, the film’s screenwriter, said the scene “should almost feel like the final moment of labor is happening in real time and we’re sort of bearing witness ” In the midst of the changing time periods, the childbirth scene acts as a grounding moment in the film. The stoppage of time is further shown by the pre-birth scene when Almut and Tobias are stuck in unmoving traffic Lines of cars stand still in the tunnel, creating an atmosphere of tranquility within the internal chaos that the couple is experiencing
To perfect her acting, Florence Pugh told The New York Times that she listened to her sister’s voice recordings in which she demonstrated her breathing during labor. The shooting for this scene lasted for more than 48 hours, totaling eight runs
Garfield experimented with a bit of method acting, in which he dove head-first into the scene with no context about what was going to happen. In an interview at the A24 studio, he said, “I wanted to feel very overwhelmed and confused and I wanted to find out what I needed to do within the moments of the scene ” This choice gave the scene an unparalleled sense of reality, providing a chaotic atmosphere that mirrors what couples feel in real life
Speaking to IMDB, Florence Pugh described “We Live in Time” as a career highlight A frequent commentary among watchers was that Pugh’s dynamic character was the central focus of the film, even though she co-starred with Garfield An accomplished chef, her character is often in the spotlight, especially as she struggles with a cancer diagnosis and is constantly changing physically and emotionally On the other hand, Garfield’s character, Tobias, can be seen as a more static figure.
On the contrary, film lover and Harvey student Benji Cutler voices a popular opinion when he says, “Garfield fully immerses himself into Tobias’ role and becomes an authentic, human character. He beautifully complements Pugh’s emotional turmoil with his care and unwavering loyalty as a partner.”
Visually, the movie is mostly made up of pastel colors, providing a soft glow amid the characters’ strife The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) criticized the visual quality, saying, “Visually, the film has a fairly bland palette, and the cinematography often has a gauzy, softly blurred look, as though a few tears were delicately applied to the camera lens ” The WSJ critique goes on to say that an awkward atmosphere is created “between the film’s indie style and its sludgy sentimentality ”
ON PAGE 15
"We Live in Time" movie poster featuring Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield Photo taken from IMDb. Originally by STUDIOCANAL.
REVIEWS
THE PULSE | WINTER 2024 ISSUE
‘WITH ONE LOOK’ AT “SUNSET BOULEVARD”
By Logan Kreisberg
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s revival of “Sunset Boulevard” has made its way across the pond and found a home in the St. James Theatre in New York City. The Nicole Scherzinger-led production closed in London Jan. 6 and began previews on Broadway Sept 28 As reported by Playbill, Scherzinger reprised her “Oliviernominated performance as faded silentscreen star Norma Desmond for New York audiences, making her Broadway debut.”
Joining the ranks of Patti LuPone and Glenn Close, Scherzinger’s portrayal of Desmond certainly lives up to the performances of her predecessors The production is rounded out with Tom Francis as Joe Gillis, Grace Hodgett-Young as Betty Schaefer, and David Thaxton as Max Von Mayerling; their performances also received Olivier nominations during the production’s West End run
Compared to past iterations, this version of “Sunset Boulevard” was transparent and stripped back. The set was simplistic, consisting of only a few chairs; the costumes were modest and lacked color; the actors had no props onstage With these directorial choices, the actors only had their bodies and voices to tell this complex and distinguished story.
While the production’s direction may have brought out incredible performances from the cast, it did not necessarily strengthen the storytelling of the show.
A major theme in “Sunset Boulevard” is suffering through the trials and tribulations of Hollywood. As Joe Gillis spends more time with Norma, he journeys down a gilded path of corruption. Thus, without the elaborate sets and props to physically represent Gillis’s desires, certain aspects of the character’s arc get lost in translation
The production’s minimal take also erased the Golden Age tone of the musical Between the book and music of “Sunset Boulevard,” the show clearly takes place in 1950s Hollywood. However, with directorial choices to make Scherzinger twerk and mimic “TikTok trends” during her dance breaks, audience members can easily become confused as to when the show is supposed to be set
Reviving a musical and bringing it to Broadway is not an easy task; contemporary producers often feel the need to bring a striking and defining element to their shows For example, the current production of “Romeo and Juliet” offers a modern “circle in the square” approach and features songs by legendary producer Jack Antonoff. Similarly, the 2019 revival of “Oklahoma” preserves the original book and score, but brings the darker elements of the musical to the forefront The producers of “Sunset Boulevard” recognized these trends. They knew the way to ensure a long and successful Broadway run was through reinvention. However, the production took this a step too far
This notion is best exemplified by the opening of Act 2 Backstage, Francis greets other members of the cast, including a player dressed as a monkey. Rather than seeing the actors onstage, audience members view a live video clip (which is projected on a screen in the theater) of Gillis walking around Times Square while singing the entr’acte Although fans of the show can recognize the primate’s significance as the monkey that Norma murdered in her first song, it is nearly impossible to pick up on his reason for being in this sequence without prior knowledge
Additionally, this song marks Gillis’ descent into Hollywood corruption and is typically staged through the character swimming in Norma’s pool While an interesting directorial choice, sauntering around New York City is nonsensical in regards to the plot.
Despite these criticisms, Nicole Scherzinger shines bright on the St James stage. Her performances of “With One Look” and “As If We Never Said Goodbye” were showstopping, granting her multiple standing ovations Ultimately, Jamie Lloyd’s experimental and minimal take impeded upon the brilliance of Andrew Lloyd Webber and this talented cast. However, Scherzinger’s talent alone makes this bewildering production worth seeing.
Nicole Scherzinger taking the stage for previews of “Sunset Boulevard.” Photo by Marc Brenner
REVIEWS
THE PULSE | WINTER 2024 ISSUE
THE BEST STEAKHOUSE IN NEW YORK CITY
Wolfgang's Steakhouse in Manhattan has timeless elegance and gourmet comfort, leaving this restaurant one of the most desired places to celebrate an event or simply have a great meal It is evident where their reputation that brings customers through the door comes from: their steak quality, seafood freshness, and impeccable service. From the sizzling porterhouse steaks to the impressive seafood tower, Wolfgang's is sure to please with its fine quality, great taste, and lively experience It is a favorite among those seeking a refined but vibrant atmosphere
Our night out at Wolfgang's was a family affair, as I went with my father, mother, and brothers. From the time we walked in the door, we knew it would be a feast to remember Appetizers included the famous seafood tower, which outdid all expectations in every way The stack soared high with a selection of oysters, shrimp, lobster, and crab. Each element of the tower was perfectly chilled and incredibly fresh to showcase the quality that Wolfgang's is known for. The food was as flavorful as it was tender, and every bite felt like a treat For the seafood lover or anyone wanting to start their meal with a little something special, the seafood tower is a must Its combination of presentation and taste makes it well worth the price – a way to set the stage for what would come.
For the main course, my brother and I ordered the famous Wolfgang Porterhouse Steak, one of the most recognized dishes on their menu The anticipation was raised when the server came out with the steak sizzling in a scorching pan The immediate and strong smell filled the air around us, indicating a feast about to happen.
Brandon Levine WOLFGANG’S
By
Presentation by Wolfgang is a trademark and a wonderful part of the dining experience, like the taste itself The steak was perfectly cooked, crispy, flavorful, tender, and juicy With every new bite, it was full of rich and savory flavors that showed the quality of a steak and Wolfgang's attention to detail in his cooking process. My brother Lucas summed it up best: "This is hands-down the best steak I've ever had " The porterhouse was large enough for us and provided a perfect mix of the filet and strip cuts for a complete steak experience It made the highlights of the meal
The rest of us indulged in our steaks when my brother Sam ordered Wolfgang’s 2-pound lobster – a great option if one is not the biggest steak lover The lobster was just as impressive as the steak, and Sam raved about it "If you're not here for the steak, definitely try the lobster," he said, thrilled with his choice. This was a giant, juicy lobster full of flavor, with a sweet and delicate taste that married very well with the other components of the meal. Wolfgang's does not skimp on any part of the menu to make sure the very high standards they create are met The lobster is no different This is an excellent selection for any seafood lover or someone looking for another non-steak option that won't disappoint
The service was excellent. Our server was attentive and knowledgeable, offering helpful insights into the menu and ensuring we had all we needed. They struck just about the right balance, offering attentive service without being intrusive and letting us have our meals at our own pace The staff’s professionalism and friendliness contribute much to Wolfgang’s reputation and explain why this place has captured the fancy of many people for special occasions
While almost everything about the meal was perfect, one detail enhanced the experience: their famous onion bread rolls. The rolls were divine, with an onion undertone that gave them a nice turn, but they were served cold. A little warmth would have elevated them, making the flavors pop and serving as the perfect beginning to the main course. The minor detail would turn an excellent meal into a flawless one
Another important part to note is the price. For quality food and service like this one, readers should know that this experience comes with a hefty price tag, but it is well worth it, especially for those special occasions To stress, Wolfgang’s is not the choice when you are on a tight budget.
Few dining experiences outshine Wolfgang's Steakhouse Whether one goes there to celebrate, enjoy a family meal or a great dinner, Wolfgang's has something for everyone. It is worth visiting for those who like a nice, cooked steak and seafood in style With the quality, ambiance, and service combined, Wolfgang’s will remain one of our top-of-mind restaurants whenever we want to have memorable meals, and we're already looking forward to having dinner out again
Wolfgang's signature steak fresh from the kitchen! Photo courtesy of BestSteakRestaurant
REVIEWS
THE PULSE | WINTER 2024 ISSUE
Official “Chromakopia” album cover Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.
After three years without a new fulllength album from rapper Tyler, the Creator, he has finally released his latest project, “Chromakopia.”
Released Oct 28 of 2024, “Chromakopia” debuted at the No 1 spot on the Billboard 200 and has remained on top of the charts for numerous weeks.
Traditionally, Tyler has created new music every two years, but this cycle was broken a year and a half ago when he released an extended version of “Call Me If You Get Lost” rather than a new record. While the extended edition added some fantastic cuts to the album, such as “Sorry Not Sorry” and “Dogtooth,” fans of Tyler have been starved of a new album for the past three years Finally, this October, we received his latest creative effort, “Chromakopia.”
It was announced Oct 16 of this year that Tyler released a new music video on his YouTube channel titled “St. Chroma.” The video teased his new album and showed off Tyler’s latest persona, “St. Chroma.” In the video, Tyler adorned a mask of his own face with his hair shaped into horns In the past, Tyler has taken on a new character with the release of each of his albums, whether it is Flowerboy or Igor for the albums of the same name. Each persona has reflected where Tyler was creatively, and with the introduction of “St Chroma,” it seemed we would be receiving a darker record
“CHROMAKOPIA” THE MASK IS OFF
By Connor Harrington
As Tyler continued to tease the release of his album through music videos for the singles “Noid” and “Thought I Was Dead,” it was confirmed that Tyler's new album would focus on more self-reflective themes Tyler is vulnerable on these songs. Rather than being a song about Tyler loving the fame his career has brought him, “Noid” is about Tyler being skeptical or even afraid of it “Thought I Was Dead” further pushed the themes of isolation and the fear of fame Tyler put forth on his first single for the record
The album has also generated hype due a plethora of features ranging from all types of styles Some standout features include Daniel Caesar’s beautiful vocal melodies on the opening track, “St. Chroma,” and unexpected features from Sexyy Red and Lil Wayne on the song, “Sticky ” And while a Sexyy Red feature may seem off-kilter for a Tyler record, Tyler always manages to let artists shine in their own respective styles on his records.
Although the tracklist is consistent for the majority of the record, some tracks just don’t hit as hard as others and don’t fit into the overall style and scope of the album. Tyler opens the album on a high note with three fantastic arrangements, “St Chroma,” “Rah Tah Tah,” and “Noid ” Each song does a great job of showing Tyler’s rapping ability while still putting on display his versatility as a musician. The production of the tracks is dark and eerie while still retaining Tyler’s eccentric personality Each song grounds the narrative of the album: Tyler’s paranoia and skepticism of his fame
Moving forward with the record, Tyler introduces us to another one of its core themes, romance and relationships, on the songs, “Darling I” and “Hey Jane.” On the song “Darling I,” Tyler really dives into his need for intimacy and his lack of monogamy, while “Hey Jane” is about pregnancy Conceptually, both of these songs are interesting, yet they don’t stand out all that much in the narrative, maybe even taking away from the overall theme of the record Regardless, these aren’t bad songs, and “Hey Jane” is one of the better tracks on the record
Reaching the halfway mark of the record, “I Killed You” and “Judge Judy” feel more like leftovers rather than finished songs “I Killed You” dives back into the more “horrorcore” centric style of Tyler while still mixing in dreamy instrumentation. “Judge Judy” feels more like a “Call Me If You Get Lost” leftover that was just thrown on the album “Judge Judy” is easily, in my opinion, the worst track on the album Not necessarily because the song is terrible, because it’s not; it just hardly stood out to me, and I almost forgot it was on the track list.
Following up these songs, we are treated to two highlights of the album, “Sticky” and “Take Your Mask Off.” “Sticky” is a banger of a track and has some fantastic features from GloRilla, Sexyy Red, and Lil Wayne Each of these artists gets a chance to shine in their respective style while the song still feels like it belongs on the album. Yet, transitioning to “Take Your Mask Off,” Tyler becomes personal again, reflecting on trying to not hide behind a mask and to be true to himself
REVIEWS
THE PULSE | WINTER 2024 ISSUE
THE BEST PANORAMIC PARKS IN THE COUNTRY
By Arav Shah
Why are national parks so breathtaking, and why should you visit them in your lifetime? Well, these parks have some of the most stunning views in the world, and they conserve and protect nature. The best national parks have great, beautiful scenery. Those are Yosemite and Yellowstone National Parks.
Yosemite, located in the Serene the Sierra Nevada in California, has some of the best views in the world because of its breathtaking nature, cliffs, and domes. Yellowstone, too, is another natural beauty in this world, as it is on top of a volcano The Yellowstone caldera is the volcano's name This is why Yellowstone has many scenic thermal pools and geysers The last time Yellowstone erupted was 640,000 years ago, and we are still 90,000 years from possibly another eruption.
Yosemite, located in California, is known for its famous cliffs, such as El Capitan, on which the climber Alex Honnold reached the top without any ropes. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, El Capitan reaches a height of 4800 ft, and notes that there have been 31 climbers who have died from attempting to climb the notorious cliff
According to Travel Yosemite, there are many vertical rocks, waterfalls, and streams that attract visitors. The main attraction at Yosemite is the Yosemite Falls. According to the National Park Service, it is the tallest waterfall in North America as it reaches a height of 740m Yosemite Falls has three main parts: the upper falls, the middle cascades, and the lower falls In the wintertime, there is an ice cone that is created on the base of the fall which is 322 feet, which will convert to a 25-story building.
Yellowstone has two loops, the lower and upper, as they are included in the 142-mile grand loop drive across Yellowstone It can take up to seven hours to complete both loops, as the national park is in Wyoming and Montana.
The national park has a lot of wildlife and a great ecosystem as well, because the animals people see can range from elk, moose, and bison to wolves, black bears, and grizzly bears.
As stated by Road Genius, there are an estimated four million visitors to Yellowstone each year Old Faithful is one of its most prominent tourist attractions. According to NPC GOV, the average eruption time is 92 minutes; it also erupts 3700 to 8700 gallons of boiling water and reaches a height of 106 to 185 feet According to the National Park Service, the average temperature is 169 7, as well
Another iconic spot in Yellowstone is the thermal pools, which are very popular, and one of the hot springs, the Grand Prismatic Spring, reaches a height of 189 degrees Fahrenheit, as stated by Smithsonian Magazine Also, the mud pots are comparable to hot springs but have little water and are a bit smellier due to the hydrogen sulfide gas.
As stated by USA Today, there are more than 10,000 thermal spots and over 500 geysers. Yellowstone is one the largest and most intact natural ecosystems on the planet. According to Yellowstone Forever, it also has the largest number of mammals in the lower 48 states
From landscapes, wildlife, hiking, waterfalls, geothermal activities, and giant sequoia groves, these national parks have it all. Yellowstone is mostly known for its thermal activity and wildlife, while Yosemite is known for its granite walls and waterfalls Both have a lot of similarities, but they have their differences as well There are certainly some of the wonders of nature in this world. There is a reason why so many tourists go each year and why you should make it a place you should visit once in your life.
Photo of Yellowstone National Park by Arav Shah.
REVIEWS
THE PULSE | WINTER 2024 ISSUE
The movie has gone viral on TikTok, mainly appealing to the younger generation, as The New York Times reports that 85% of the movie watchers “were under 35 years old.” Something to keep in mind before seeing the movie is that it is R-rated and includes adult scenes. One viral video led to a trend of people posting crying selfies and videos on TikTok. The New York Times continues, saying, “A24, the film’s production company, has leaned in, distributing branded tissue packs at select screenings on opening weekend.”
Adolescents, millennials, and parents alike have been struck by the closing scene of the movie Providing a full circle moment to one of the earliest scenes, Tobias teaches his daughter how to crack an egg in the manner that Almut had taught him. This memorable moment leaves watchers teary-eyed and sentimental.
Overall, “We Live in Time” is a bittersweet movie that is the perfect watch for viewers who appreciate aestheticism and a meet-cute love story
“CHROMAKOPIA”
CONT. FROM PAGE 13
Finishing off the record, Tyler closes with the tracks, “Tomorrow,” “Thought I Was Dead,” “Like Him,” “Balloon,” and finally, “I Hope You Find Your Way Home.” The back leg of the album ends on a high note with some fantastic tracks. Ending on a high note with the song “I Hope You Find Your Way Home” leaves the listener with a really nice sentiment: find whatever place you need to be at.
Ending with this in mind, Tyler really urges his fans to be who they want to be, urging them to take their masks off like he has Tyler has always been an eccentric personality in the music world, and him speaking to his audience in that way is touching
Overall, “Chromakopia” is an enjoyable listen and shows Tyler’s growth as an artist and him really coming to terms with a lot of his skepticisms and insecurities. While not the best in his discography, “Chromakopia” is most definitely not an afterthought in his growing library, and it is possibly an important steppingstone to more ambitious and introspective projects
“Chromakopia” rating - 8/10
THE PULSE RECOMMENDS HOLIDAY MOVIES EDITION
Ms. Holmes
The Holiday (2006)
Logan Kreisberg
Love Actually (2003)
Benji Cutler
The Holdovers (2023)
Daniela Rynott
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)
Ted Clement
How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966)
Jack Amann
The Polar Express (2004)
Rohan Singh
Home Alone (1990)
Arav Shah
Die Hard (1988)
Connor Harrington
Klaus (2019)
Brandon Levine
Elf (2003)