Culture Trip by Ellen V Gale

TRAVEL • MUSIC • GAMING • FILMS

CULTURE TRIP Europe by Rail What to pack, how to get there and what to see

How to Become a Korean Pop Idol Do you have what it takes?

Nintendo: Keeping up With a Changed Industry Can Nintendo Switch it up?

Zooming: The Five Greatest Film Plot Twists Spoiler alert!

Mona

• Editior • Writer • Photographer

In todays world everything is new and updated. New films, music and games are constantly being produced and changed. With new technologies developing there are new ways to capture a different country, a building, and the history of a foreign place. Films and music allow people to escape; to become someone else for a few minutes. Gaming is similar - it allows you to transform into a different character in a whole new world, to be the hero. Isn’t travelling the same? You explore countries, cities and villages you’ve never seen before. Places you’ve thought about going, and now you have the chance to. With so many video games and consoles on the market how are you ever going to pick which one is the best? Have you ever wondered how the gaming giants became giants? Or perhaps you’ve been intrigued by a new game but weren’t sure about what to actually expect. Music and films are similar, with new technologies the visual effects are constantly pushing the limits and aiming for the best attention grabbing action. Music too keeps on changing, with more upcoming solo acts and groups than before. Exploring a country can be difficult, exploring serval? Nearly impossible. But there are tips and tricks to get the best possible deals and guidance to make your travel an easy, manageable and exciting one. Getting the opportunity to visit the history, culture, and soul of a country. And being taken back years into the cities past. Here you will read about all this. The excitement of traveling the world, news about the newest games, films and music. Enjoy Culture Trip. - Mona

Behind the Scenes

Ellen

Evelina • Writer

• Assistant Editior • Writer • Photographer

• Photographer

Jenna

Kyle

• Production • Writer • Photographer

Daisy - By Marc Jacobs

Eau So Fresh The new fragrance for women Photographed By Mona El Menschawi

This is a mock advertisment

Contents TRAVEL 8 • Europe by Rail by Ellen Gale 17 • Hiking in Switzerland by Mona El Menschawi 21 • Vineyard Tours by Mona El Menschawi 25 • Skiing with the Locals by Mona El Menschawi 29 • Jeep Safari Tour by Mona El Menschawi 33 • A New Life Abroad by Evelina Novakova 35 • Unique Bars in London by Ellen Gale 37 • Orkney: A Place of Historic Beauty by Jenna Dickie 43 • The Cornish Coast by Ellen Gale 47 • 8 Canadian Dishes for a Homesick Scot by Ellen Gale 49 • The Canadian Rockies by Ellen Gale

MUSIC 61 • How to Become a Korean Pop Idol by Jenna Dickie 63 • Badass Female Rappers to Look Out For by Evelina Novakova 65 • Hilltop Hoods by Mona El Menschawi 67 • RuPaul’s Drag Race: Werq the World by Mona El Menschawi

81 • Lara Croft: Game Changer by Kyle Low 84 • Great Non-video Games by Jenna Dickie

FILM 89 • Zooming: The Five Greatest Film Plot Twists by Evelina Novakova

91 • Why Black Panther is so Important by Ellen Gale 69 • Experiment: A Week Without Music by Evelina Novakova 92 • Film as a Historical Document by Jenna Dickie

GAMING 75 • Nintendo: Keeping up with a Changed Industry by Kyle Low 78 • Playstation or XBOX: Which One Should You Buy? by Kyle Low 80 • Gaming on the Go by Kyle Low

Discover the Swiss Alps

Photographed By Mona El Menschawi This is a mock advertisement

Travel

Photographed By Ellen Gale

Europe by rail

So you want to see Europe. Who wouldn’t? There’s so much to see, so much amazing food to eat. But, you’re on a budget. That’s okay! There’s so many ways to get around Europe cheaply if you know where to book. So that leads me onto my first hint:

Step One: The Interrail Pass Interrail offers a variety of passes that let you travel through almost any country in Europe. They range from 5 days of travel within a period of 15 days for £192, to unlimited travel for a whole month for just £470. The best way to decide which pass is right for you is to work out where you want to go and how long for, then check their website. Tell them your travel plans and they’ll suggest which pass is most suitable for your needs. If you’re not a European citizen, you’ll have to use an EUrail pass instead. But fear not, their deals start from just €376.

Step Three: How to get to mainland Europe Option 1: Fly. Flights are obviously the fastest way to get anywhere. Use flight comparison sites like Skyscanner to get the best deals. Be prepared to be flexible with your dates as well or you could end up paying more than you should. It might be £30 cheaper to fly the next day.

Option 2: Eurostar. If you decide to get the Interrail Global Pass, the EurosSo, now that you know where you’re going, you’re going to need tar between Brussels, Paris and London is included in the price. a place to stay. If you get a ticket that doesn’t include the Eurostar, you can book London to Paris in advance from £58 return.

Step Two: Accommodation

Unless you’re brave enough to try couch surfing (and for safety reasons I would advise against it unless you were travelling with someone), the cheapest way to find rooms while travelling is through Hostelworld. You can adjust your budget and filter the facilities you need, like access to a laundry machine. The website also shows hotels, campsites, and apartments, so you’re guaranteed to find the cheapest place. Route and pass, check. Accommodation, check. But how are you going to get there from here?

Our Interrail pass: £363 – Travel every day for 22 days Our outbound flight: £75 – London Heathrow to Nice, France Our inbound flight: £62 – Amsterdam to Edinburgh Our average hostel per night: £18 x 22 = £396 Total: £896

Step Four: W Interrail Pass

Bank Card

One of the most important things, so probably what you’re most likely to forget. Keep your pass with any additional train bookings you’ve made. It might also be a good idea to print off the addresses of hostels you’re staying at just in case. Luckily, the pass arrives in a waterproof pocket, so even if you get caught in the rain the important stuff should all be safe. Remember to check how often you can use your pass, and keep track of when you last used it. Hint: Most of the trains in Italy require you to pay an additional booking fee, so check in advance.

If you’re travelling abroad for a long time, the chances are you’re not going to want to take all your money in cash. Especially if some countries use a different currency than others you’re visiting. FairFX offer prepaid debit cards you can use anywhere. You simply load it with your own currency, and when you make a cash withdrawal or pay by card it will automatically convert it into the host countries’ currency. Check out their website to find out which card is best for you.

Journal and Pens For sentimental reasons, or for recommending people where to get a good pizza in Rome, there’s certain things you’re going to want to remember about your trip. At the end of each day, or when you’re on the train to your next stop, it’s worth writing where you went, what you did, and who you met. Who knows, in the future you might need it for writing a magazine article about them.

Headphones

Camera

Preferably noise cancelling ones. You’ll be spending a lot of time on trains. As stunning as the Italian countryside is, you can only look out the window in silence for so long. And if you’re travelling with a friend it’s a good excuse for a little time out from them. You’re going to be spending every day with them for a few weeks, and this is how you’ll stay sane.

Granted, with today’s technology your phone will probably do. But just in case this turns out to be the trip of a lifetime, you’re probably going to want to remember it in crystal clear definition. And remember how high quality we thought iPhone cameras were like three years ago? It also means you’ll have your phone as a backup if your camera dies in the middle of a day out.

What to pack Clothes

Medication

When you’re booking hostels, check to see if they have laundry facilities. It’ll make your life a lot easier if you only take three or four outfits with you. If you’re planning on visiting Cathedrals and places of worship, make sure to take something that’ll cover both your knees and your shoulders. Some places are particularly picky and will not let you in if they’re exposed. You should only need one pair of shoes – something comfy that you’ve worn before. But it might be a good idea to take a pair of flip flops in case of emergencies.

If you take any regular medication make sure you have enough for your whole trip. You may need to see a doctor to confirm you can pick up more than your prescription usually allows. You should also take some basic painkillers like paracetamol, as other countries have different medication, and you don’t want to be stuck somewhere not knowing what to take, and unable to communicate properly. Plasters are a must, no matter how comfy you think your shoes are. And if you’re going to southern Europe in the summer, insect repellent will be your saving grace.

Hat and sunscreen An obvious essential if you’re travelling in summer. Particularly if you plan to walk around and do a lot of sightseeing outside. Speaking from experience, sunstroke is not a fun thing to deal with on holiday. Although your skin will adjust to the sun after a few days, it’s best to top up with sunscreen throughout the day, so take it with you.

Chargers and Adapter

Toiletries

Modern European adapters should be suitable for all countries, but if you have an old one (pre ‘00s) it’s worth an upgrade. Make sure you have chargers for all your devices, because the last thing you want is for your camera to lose battery after the second day. Don’t bother taking your laptop. It makes you a target for thieves and it’s extra weight you can do without for a few weeks. If you leave your valuables in your hostel during the day be sure to lock them away just in case. No matter how friendly your dorm mates seem.

Be sure to keep shampoo and conditioner in plastic bags in case they do spill. You don’t want that ruining your three outfits when you’re at a hostel with no laundry facilities. If you’re travelling with someone, it’s worth buying a regular size bottle and sharing it. Be sure to pack plenty of deodorant, because mainland Europe is hot, and Venice smells bad enough as it is.

Our Route: Nice • Monaco • Pisa • Rome • Pompeii • Venice • Verona • Vienna • Prague • Berlin • Amsterdam ....................................................................................................................................................................

1. Nice, France So there we were, at Nice airport after our short flight from London. Months of planning had boiled down to this moment – we were finally starting our Eurotrip. It was that moment that we realised we hadn’t considered how we were going to get from the airport to our hostel. Luckily a sympathetic air steward showed us the way to the bus stop. Nice was just a pit stop for us. A place to stay while visiting Monaco to avoid paying the astronomical prices of accommodation in the small neighbouring country. But even with our limited time there, we had the chance to stroll along the beach and take in the sunset.

2. Monte Carlo, Monaco It was hot. So hot we spent about half our day in the Japanese garden, admiring the plants and koi fish because it was the only place we knew we could refill our water for free. When we eventually made it to the beach, the sun was so strong that it knocked us right out. We did come to long enough to crawl into the shade of an ice cream parlour where we tried to work out which yacht was the most expensive.

3. Pisa, Italy The iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa pose is a lot harder to master than it looks. You’ve been warned. You get bonus points if you somehow manage to get a photo without anyone in the background. It tends to look like the cast of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”. When you’re done, you should crash at Hostel Pisa. Bright and affordable, this hostel is barely a five minute walk from the station, and close to the tower too.

Nice • Monaco • Pisa • Rome • Pompeii • Venice • Verona • Vienna • Prague • Berlin • Amsterdam ....................................................................................................................................................................

4. Rome, Italy When in Rome, you should try to cram in as many of the incredible tourist sights as possible. Make sure you have a map when trying to get to the Trevi Fountain though. The Roman Forum was particularly impressive, and far less crowded than the neighbouring Colosseum. Pro tip: If you visit the Vatican it counts as an extra country – and you can use you student card for a discounted entry! After taking in the Sistine Chapel, grab a bite at Pinsa ‘M Po pizzeria close by on Via dei Gracchi.

5. Pompeii, Italy Although it’s a pain to get to Pompeii is worth the hassle. Don’t be put off by the fact that Mt Vesuvius is an active volcano and could erupt any time. They didn’t tell us that until we’d already arrived. I can say that one day is not enough time to take it all in. We spent easily eight hours wandering around gladiator barracks and admiring intact wall art, and still barely covered a quarter of the site. With your ticket you’ll receive a colour and number coordinated map with an detailed book in your language which explains what each building or area is and information about it.

6. Venice, Italy Yes, gondolas are expensive. Yes, €80 for a half hour ride is a rip off. Yes, we totally did it anyway. It’s Venice. If you don’t go on a gondola, what’s the point in even going? Be prepared for tourists taking photos of you like you’re a tourist attraction. If you’re going in summer then beware, because the rumours are true - Venice does smell really bad! But it’s really pretty, so do it for the instagram!

7. Verona, Italy Verona’s main attraction is obviously Juliet’s house. Supposedly you touch the breast of the statue of Juliet to bring you luck in your love life. Or if you’re lucky enough to have already found someone you can add a padlock to the collection of love locks chained to the fence. It signifies that person was once a major part of your life, even if things don’t work out. Or if you feel like channelling your inner Juliet, you can stand on her balcony to get a better view of your potential true love in the crowd below.

8. Vienna, Austria Check out the Opera House. Although it is closed for shows during July and August, tours around the building run all year. If you happen to go when shows are running, you can get some very cheap tickets if you’re willing to be in the standing area. If not, you need only wander around the city centre, where there’s plenty of salesmen selling last minute tickets to shows across numerous venues across the city. In our case we got €25 tickets for an opera at Schonbrunn Palace.

9. Prague, Czech Republic Another location with an amazing free walking tour. If you stay at Czech Inn hostel you’ll be given a free shuttle bus to the start location. If not, don’t panic. You can find the group meeting at Wenceslas Square. You’ll learn the history of Prague and visit Old Town Square to see the oldest working astronomical clock. The tour ends at U Rudolfina pub on Krizovnicka street. And if for some reason it doesn’t, you should go there. Order the traditional Czech dish Svickova, which is much nicer than it sounds, trust me.

10. Berlin, Germany The U-Bahn (underground train) is a great way to get around in Berlin. But as the ticket machines are all self-service, let his be a warning. Don’t forget to validate your ticket after you buy it. Otherwise you’ll be fined €60 like we were. Get a birds eye view from TV Tower and be sure to check out the East Side Gallery – the 1316 metre long stretch that remains of the Berlin Wall. Then reward yourself for all that walking with a giant pretzel the size of your own head, or maybe some bratwurst from a street vendor.

11. Amsterdam, Netherlands One of the best nightlife scenes in Europe, you can kick-start your evening by visiting The Bulldog – the first ever coffee shop and the most popular. An often overlooked attraction is the Sex Museum – a place where you pay to have wax figurines flash you. Or you could head to the red light district to see a real life version. If you want a more sobering way to spend your time the Anne Frank House and Van Gogh museum are both within walking distance. Or you could always pick up some tulips for your mum at the flower market to prove you WERE thinking of her during your adventures.

Highlight of the trip - Zagarolo

About 20 minutes from Rome Termini lies one of Italy’s most interesting yet most overlooked towns. Zagarolo is home to about 17,000 people, surrounded by rolling wine valleys. Dating back to the 16th century, the town has a lot of history crammed into 28 km2. It’s where Pope Gregory XIV commissioned the revision of the bible, which was later known as the Clementine Bible. A painting in the Rospigliosi Palace depicts the task, and was contributed to by the painter Caravaggio. Of course, we had no idea about any of this when we booked the hostel.

On Sundays you have the chance to burn off some of this amazing Italian food if you sign up for the (also free) walking tour. The tour was given by none other than Wiki’s very own multi talented bartender, Matt. We made the short trek from the hostel to Zagarolo’s Old Town, where we made the revelation about Pope Gregory XIV. We meandered down picturesque Italian side streets until we ended up at the local farmers market. There you can find things like ice cream, made with fruit straight from the stall keeper’s own garden, in obscure flavours like watermelon. Or a bottle of wine from the grapes in the valley Being on a tight budget, we decided not to stay in central Rome. A bordering the town. But if it’s wine you’re after, the best time of 20-minute commute didn’t sound too bad after all. Wiki year to visit is early October. Every year Zagarolo celebrate the Hostel and Green Village was reasonably priced and included a wine harvest by replacing all the water in public fountains with free shuttle to and from the train station, so we didn’t think too wine, and it’s free to take as much as you want. hard about it. It wasn’t until we got there that we saw what we were getting for our money. Guests lounged in hammocks and Whether you’re going for the culture, nightlife, food, or weather, dipped their feet in the pool. Cuddled up in the book nook or Europe has so much to offer. So save up, book your trip and Bon crowded around the TV to watch the football. Hiding from the Voyage! sun in the shade of the patio with a bottle of wine, exclusive to the area. Our host excitedly told us we had arrived just in time for the pasta party that night and the walking tour on Sunday. Pasta parties, as it turns out, are a weekly event at Wiki. Everyone in the hostel comes together and helps prepare a massive portion of pasta. When it’s ready everyone sits outside at a table a mile long. There’s candles, and music, and bread baskets being passed around, and you instantly feel like you’ve been transported into a movie. If pasta isn’t your thing – but let’s be real, who doesn’t like pasta – there’s also a weekly pizza party that puts the traditional pizza oven to use. And the best part about all of this? It’s free. Wiki provides the ingredients, and you provide the labour.

Photographed and Written By Ellen Gale

Hiking in Switzerland In the summer, hiking is the perfect activity to do in Switzerland. Not only will you get a workout, but you get to experience and see a different side of Switzerland. The ski resorts will be open, so there are lifts that you can take up and down the mountain. However, if you want the full experience when exploring the beautiful swiss alps you will have to hike. Many glaciers have melted and in result lakes have formed at the top of mountains. Lac Lioson is near the ski resort Les Mosses, and the lake is 1890 meters above sea-level. There are two different trails to get to this lake; a beginner trail and an experienced trail. The difficulty between these two trails is immense, so if you are a beginner stick to the correct trail. The hike up to Lac Lioson is beautiful. You’ll get to see the green fields, flowers blooming and wildlife. There is even a small Native American style village with huts and traditional art that you can see on the opposite mountain side. Once you have reached the lake there is a small restaurant where you can reward yourself with some typical Swiss food, like cheese fondue, cheese raclette, and rösti montagnard, however, many people bring their own lunches. The lake water is quite cold, but it’s perfect for cooling off after the hike. There are even pedal boats available for you to rent and go on the lake. If you’re lucky there might be cows around the lake. Just roaming free, grazing and enjoying the sun just like you. Don’t worry, they won’t attack or bite you. They are extremely gentle. When hiking make sure you pack a lot of water and sun-cream. Wear loose clothing as well, as tight clothes can feel very restricted, especially when you are hiking up a mountain. At the beginning of this trail there is a small cottage, here there is a family that makes their own cheese. You can buy the cheese as a block or sliced, and of course in the traditionally swiss form of cheese fondue. Let me just say, living in Switzerland I have eaten a lot of cheese and cheese fondue, but by far the cheese we bought here was the best. Therefore, I highly recommend buying some cheese on your way down to your car to have as a treat when you get back home.

Photographed and Written By Mona El Menschawi

Vineyard Tours

Are you a wine lover? Or do you just love walking in a beautiful With so many different vineyards, you could spend a whole week country with the most stunning views? Either way, a vineyard visiting different ones and never see the same vineyard twice. tour in Switzerland is perfect for any occasion and any season. This is perfect for people who like to go hiking but want a break from climbing the tall mountains of Switzerland. In winter, vineyard tours are still available, since you can walk through the Swiss vineyards without needing a guided and paid Vignoble de Villette is a perfect example. You have acres of vines for tour. The perks of a paid tour is that you learn information and and grapes, and on the other side you have the beautiful history about the vines themselves, the grapes, the perfect mountains and the lake. The perfect time to go explore the temperature for the wine, the process of making wine, and the vineyards is in the summer. With the sun shining down, the grapes best part: you get to taste the different wines they make. The are out and getting ready to be harvested and with the perfect perfect place for guided tours are vineyards located in the view onto the lake, the city and the towns and villages below and Chardonnay region. surrounding the vineyards. However, you can simply enjoy the beauty of the vineyards by A lot of the vineyards trail lead to small villages or towns yourself. Whether you are walking the dog, or taking a stroll with connected to them, usually the owners from the vines will live your friends and family, the vineyards can be enjoyed whenever. nearby so they can check on their crops and make sure they are growing right and are protected from birds. While exploring the vineyards, the beautiful scenery of Lake Geneva and the Alps helps set the relaxing atmosphere. The vineyards are a perfect place when you want to get lost and step away from all the technology and sounds of cars and trains. In Switzerland, you will most likely find a vineyard on every They always have a way to bring peace to whoever walks around mountain or hill you come across. And each vineyard will lead them, or so the locals will say. to a trail for hiking or into a small town or village where you can explore the local foods and wines.

Photographed and Written By Mona El Menschawi

Skiing with the Locals Winter sports in Switzerland is a must. The swiss and the french This resort has the best of both for everyone to enjoy. The ski pass alps are perfect for any kind of winter activity, from skiing and prices vary depending on how long you intend to stay; a day pass snowboarding to sleding and even hiking in the snow. cost 61 CHF (£46). Switzerland offers many great ski resorts, with beautiful hotels Skiing is possible whatever the weather, yet the optimal weather and views. Yet there are some tricks and tips locals do every year for a perfect day on the slopes is sunny with clear skies and cold when wanting the best skiing experience. weather. This also makes it perfect weather conditions to sit outside in the sun and enjoy lunch after skiing. Europe’s largest ski resort is located in Switzerland, ‘Porte du Soleil’. Half of the resort is in the Swiss alps and the other half is For the ski resort ‘Porte du Soleil’ locals recommend eating and in France. There are over 200 ski lifts, 650km (400mi) of skiable drinking on the French side, as its cheaper than on the Swiss. Here areas, with 286 ski slopes and over 30 snowparks. you can get typical French food as well as drinks.

26 Since this ski resort is so large, one day is simply not enough to try all the slopes it has to offer. There are chalets to rent at the bottom of the resort as well as hotels near the slopes and also in the village of Champery.

For beginners, or people who haven’t skied or snowboarded in a while ‘Les Mosses’ is perfect to get back on your feet. ‘Leysin’ is for more experienced people who just want to go skiing without having to worry about getting lost in a huge resort.

When visiting ‘Porte du Soleil’, you get beautiful scenery, If you want to save even more money, many locals usually bring whether on the Swiss or French side of the resort, with views their own lunches and snacks with them on the slopes in a of the surrounding mountains, forests and the small villages and backpack. The only thing they will buy are drinks. towns. So, whether you are learning how to ski or slowly getting back If you are a beginner in skiing or snowboarding the two best into the winter sport, Switzerland offers some of the best ski resorts to improve your skills on the slopes are ‘Les Mosses’ and resorts for you to find your perfect fit for the winter. ‘Leysin.’ Here, there are plenty of slopes for you to explore. ‘Les Mosses’ is the smaller of the two, and the majority of lifts here are t-bars. These kinds of lifts are when you stand and you get pulled up the side of the slope by the lift.

Photographed and Written By Mona El Menschawi

Jeep Safari Tour

Wanting to get a quick summer holiday in the winter? Tenerife is This trip allows you to see the natural beauty of Tenerife, along the perfect place to go. This spanish island offers many different with some history of how the island was created. activities year round, from a trip on a sailboat to a jeep safari tour around the island. On this trip you get to explore volcano Teide and walk around on the lava that is still present after its eruption in November 1909. The jeep safari tour picks you up at your hotel in the morning and At each stop you will see different sides of the volcano as well as drops you off after the 7 hour excursion for the price of ÂŁ31.50 per the National Pine Forest where the trees survived a forest fire in person. The tour is around Mt. Teide, the main volcano on 2012. Tenerife, Masca Valley, and through the National Pine Forest Park. Then, the trip goes to the villages of Garachico and At Mt. Teide there is a souvenir shop where you can buy Masca to enjoy free time and lunch. These small villages are honey that was made in the National Park, lava rocks and of tucked away within the mountainous terrain. course t-shirts and jumpers.

30 Tenerife is lucky to have warm weather all year round, therefore The clouds get stuck at the top of the mountain creating a rainy the it’s always perfect to do the jeep safari tour with the roof open, atmosphere, and once you get to the bottom the heat hits and the experiencing a full view of your surroundings from the car. sun comes out again. When you’re at the top of the mountain, you can feel the moisture of the fog and the clouds that are stuck at the From the road around Mt Teide and the National Park you can see tip of the mountains. other spanish islands, if the skies are clear. From the mountain you can see La Palma, Valle Gran Rey, and Las Palmas. All these When doing the Jeep Safari tour, your whole day is spent islands are volcanic, and some still active today. travelling and getting to see a different side of the volcanic island, going further away from the tourist shops and bars and When visiting the villages Garachico and Masca you get a sense exploring the local scene. And even though the trip is 7 hours of how the locals live, here you get a lunch break with typical long, you won’t feel tired and worn out by the end. Spanish food, such as varies different tapas and meats. The trip allows you to see a lot of the island in one day, and is The drive to the villages is an adventure, with long winding roads perfect for anyone and any age. built into the sides of mountains and a view of the ocean and other surrounding mountains. Because the mountains are so large, the weather change is quite special.

Photographed and Written By Mona El Menschawi

A New Life Abroad Travelling can take various forms and shapes – from a brief visit to the capital, to a safari in South Africa, to a life changing decision to move abroad. Settling for a whole new life in an unknown land is a journey itself, tough yet adventurous altogether. Stepping out of your comfort zone will reveal qualities you didn’t even think you possed until, well, if life gives you lemons. If you’re yet to squeeze a refreshing cup of lemonade, listen up for some changes you’ll most definitely go through.

Miss/Mr Independent

Emotional Rollercoaster

Now that you’re your own boss 1, 000 miles away from the real boss (hello, mum!), your fate is in your own hands. Where and with who will you go? Will you buy these £85 shoes or pay your bills? What’s for breakfast? You hold the answer. While it does give you a certain freedom, it might be overwhelming and can easily take a downturn. Insufficient funds and an empty fridge are no fun when mum is not around and you’re actually liable. Make sure you spend both time and money wisely.

Settling for new everything (lifestyle, language, commute, everyday tasks, etc.) means dealing with more mature emotions. You’ll take pride in the smallest things such as understanding the locals’ accent. You’ll also be incredibly lonely sometimes and the nostalgia will suffocate you on some of the dull days. Discover how to entertain yourself, meet up with people and build new friendships in order to receive healing from both home and your new place. The more you explore your abilities in such a different environment, the bigger the chance of finding happiness is.

Life Knowledge

Look Natural

Another survivor skill that you’ll acquire as a consequence of your decision to move abroad, is gaining an amazing amount of wisdom about everyday life. From mundane tasks such as a clogged sink or wine stains on your clothes, to essential survival hacks such as working the different programs of the washing machine and cooking – deal with it! Sooner or later, you’ll encounter your biggest fears and be brave – you will overcome majority of it. Even cleaning the toilet.

And that has nothing to do with your actual looks! The culture clash is 1000% guaranteed as you might even encounter cultures you haven’t heard of. Take time to comprehend the locals, their character, traditions and way of communication. And then grow, extend your knowledge to other cultures as well. Explore your new surroundings and discover some good places, and chances are that you’ll start feeling natural even when surrounded by the unknown.

Adulting Did you consider yourself an adult back home based on your freedom to stay out late and wander the nearby cities? Let me introduce you to the most stressful part of moving abroad as a student – paying a good amount of bills. Yes, you will most probably have to work. The real shock comes when you have to fill in a whole book worth of documents to open a bank account, deal with your council tax and energy bills. If you don’t pride yourself in differentiating between a gas and electricity key, then you’re truly a legend. Photographed and Written By Evelina Novakova

Unique

Bars In London

......................................................................... In London you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to bars. So skip ones with names like The Black Hart and the Red Lion, and head somewhere a little less known that has something truly unique about them. If you’re stuck on ideas, maybe this list will give you some inspiration. ..........................................................................

Whiskey Ginger

Arch 2 Green Dragon Court Borough London

Nearest Tube Station: London Bridge Underground Tucked away between the Borough Market and Southwark Cathedral, Whiskey Ginger scarcely looks like it has more than a few stools to spare. Yet this bar boasts a selection of more than 50 specialist whiskies, and a lengthy cocktail menu. Head upstairs for more seating and an open view of the Cathedral and commotion in the street below. ..........................................................................

Ballie Ballerson

97-113 Curtain Road London EC2A 3BS

Nearest Tube: Old Street If you’ve somehow managed to miss out the videos on social media, Ballie Ballerson is the adult ball pit cocktail bar that everyone’s been raving about. What started as a temporary pop-up business became so successful they opened up permanently in Shoreditch. This adult playground features three ballpits, a ball waterfall, a UV wall mural, face painting, and retro sweetie themed cocktails with names like Wham Bam Goddamn. Make sure to book a slot, as this place is popular with locals and tourists alike. ..........................................................................

36 ..........................................................................

Icebar London

31-33 Heddon Street London W1B 4BN

Nearest tube: Piccadilly Circus The only permanent icebar in the UK, this bar transforms every year with new sculptures and decorations. Kept at a constant -5C, this is surely the coolest place to have a drink in London. The glasses themselves are made of ice. Tickets include 40 minutes in the icebar (though chances are you won’t need that long) one free drink, and a thermal cape and gloves to keep you warm. You’ll also have access to the warm bar and restaurant – whether you’re waiting to go in or just trying to recover afterwards.

......................................................................................................................................................................................

Uncle Barts

87 Sloane Avenue Chelsea London SW3 3DX

Nearest Tube Station: South Kensington This place is perfect if you’re looking to impress your friends – or maybe just intimidate them. Barts is a true prohibition style bar, hidden in an apartment that you must pass through a hotel to get to. When, and if you find the bar, you’ll need the password to get in. But don’t worry, when you make a booking Mama Mischief will give you a clue. Don’t tell too many people about this gem!

Bounce Farringdon

97-113 Curtain Road London EC2A 3BS

Nearest Tube: Chancery Lane One of London’s most talked about locations, even celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow have found themselves at this ping pong cocktail bar. With 17 regular tables, and several Wonderball tables, you’re unlikely to be bored here. What is Wonderball you ask? On their website, Bounce describe it as a “new immersive activity. Using state of the art projection mapping, each Wonderball table becomes a giant computer game”. To know for sure, check it out for yourself.

......................................................................................................................................................................................

Happy boozing, drink responsibly! Photograhed and Written By Ellen Gale

Orkney... Orkney...

...a place of historic beauty

Orkney is not just a collection of small islands north of mainland Scotland, it offers beautiful landscapes and is rich in culture and history that are easily accessible for the public. Here are just a few that are worth a visit:

Ring of Brodgar The Ring of Brodgar is the third biggest stone circle in the British Isles with 27 of its original 60 megaliths still standing and being almost 104 metres wide. As it was built between 2500 and 2000 BC this monument is part of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

......................................................................................................................................................................................

Broch of Gurness The Broch of Gurness is the Scotlandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best preserved Iron Age broch village. At the centre of this village is the Broch or stone tower that reached up to 10 metres. This broch village has been archaeologically excavated providing an insight into the inhabitantsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; everyday lives with artifacts on display in the visitor centre. These excavations have been able to determine that the village began between 500 and 200 BC. As well as being an Iron Age village, it was also used by the Vikings who settled in Orkney from around 800 BC as a burial ground.

Fursbreck Pottery Fursbreck Pottery is part of Orkney’s Crafts Association, owned and run by Andrew Appleby who is known locally as ‘The Harray Potter’. With Neolithic Ovens for his pottery making, he has been able to keep the craft and culinary traditions of the ancient inhabitants of Harray alive.

......................................................................................................................................................................................

Skara Brae Skara Brae was built about 5000 years ago, long before the Egyptian Pyramids and is the best-preserved Neolithic settlement in Western Europe. Also a part of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the site was discovered in 1850 after a storm tore the grass and sand preserving it away. As it was so well covered, the buildings and their contents are largely well-preserved. The visitor centre allows you view ancient artefacts like gaming dice, tools and jewellery. Whist there, it is also a good opportunity to visit the 17th century mansion Skaill House.

Saint Magnus Cathedral Known as the ‘Light in the North’, St Magnus Cathedral was founded in 1137 by the Viking, Earl Rognvald, in honour of his martyred uncle St Magnus. The red and yellow sandstone building took over 300 years to make and is not only a great example of Romanesque architecture but the furthest north cathedral in Britain.

......................................................................................................................................................................................

The Earl’s Palace The Earl’s Palace is regarded as one of the best examples of renaissance-style architecture in Scotland. Construction of the Earl’s palace began in 1607 under the Earl Patrick Stewart, allegedly forcing Orcadians to work without pay, jailing and torturing those who did not comply. The palace was completed in 1607, but Patrick Stewart was shortly arrested, and executed for his crimes.

The Italian Chapel La Bella Cappella Italiana was built by 200 Italian prisoners of war who had been captured in North Africa. Originally sent in 1942 to build the Churchill Barriers, they were granted permission to build a place of worship. Built from two Nissen huts joined end to end and the interior decorated with plaster. Most of the paintings done within the chapel were by a prisoner from Moena, Domenico, Chiocchetti.

......................................................................................................................................................................................

The Land Orkney itself offers more than just historical sites. With bird watching trails and beautiful landscapes it has something for everyone.

These are just some of the wonderful, beautiful and historic places Orkney has to offer but there are many more. Just hop on the Ferry to Orkney and visit!

Photographed and Written By Jenna Dickie

The Cornish Coast

Glendorgal

Stay Here:

Hotel

• Hotel rooms • Self-catering homes and apartments • Pool and gym • Dog Friendly • Beaches within walking distance

Glendorgal Hotel Lusty Glaze Road Newquay Cornwall TR7 3AD 01637 874937

Eat here:

Lusty Glaze Restaurant

Within walking distance of the Glendorgal Hotel, Lusty Glaze Restaurant sits directly on the beach. In the summer enjoy soaking up the sun as the walls of the terrace retract to let in a cool breeze; and in winter cosy up by the fire. The trek down the infamous 133 steps down the cliff are well worth the views.

Lewinnick Lodge If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking for something a little more accessible with equally stunning views, Lewinnick Lodge is just a short drive, on the edges of Newquay. Situated on a headland cliff, this restaurant specialises in catch of the day, but with an extensive menu thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s something for everyone. To wash it all down try Dark and Stormy from their cocktail menu.

Lusty Glaze Restaurant Lusty Glaze Road Newquay Cornwall TR7 3AE 01637 872444

Lewinnick Lodge Pentire Headland Newquay Cornwall TR7 1QD 01637 878117

Dog

Friendly Beaches

With miles and miles of golden coastline, it can be hard to decide which beach is best. Due to the number of tourists that flock to Cornwall each year, many beaches have restrictions on dogs during the summer months or year round. To be sure if your four legged friend is welcome itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best to check the Cornwall Beach Guide online for the latest updates. All beaches should be clearly signposted though, so donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t worry too much. To get you started, some of the most popular beaches with dog owners are Watergate Bay, Fistral Beach, Godrevy and Gwithian Beach. Remember to pick up after them!

46 If you want to do more than simply walk along beaches, why not try something else in Cornwall? Visit Landsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; End to take a photo with the iconic sign. Try your hand at surfing lessons, offered at most beaches. Go seal watching on a fishing boat. Explore the coastâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s many caves and rock pools. Take a trip to the Marconi Centre in Poldhu, where the first ever transatlantic radio signal was sent. Discover what Cornwall has to offer.

Photographed and Written By Ellen Gale

8 Canadian dishes for a homesick Scot When people talk about culture shock, they tend to picture being People ask me what I missed most about Scotland while living in tossed into another continent, where people don’t speak your Canada, and the answer is pretty easy: food. language or share your religion or have the same Starbucks order as you … or Starbucks at all. None of this sentimental stuff about friends and family. I could still speak to them. You can’t Facetime the taste of a kebab after a Okay, so maybe that’s a bit far-fetched. I don’t think there’s a night of bad decisions. corner of the earth that Starbucks hasn’t infiltrated. With that said, Canada does have some of its own delicacies to What doesn’t come to mind is a drunken Scot crying at 3 a.m. offer, even if going all the way to Banff just for a beavertail is after a night out because there’s no kebab shops in Canada. And a little excessive. So here’s a list of the top Canadian foods that I mean real kebabs; not this meat on a skewer thing they all think have been a source of comfort until I was reunited with British I’m talking about when I say that word. kebabs.

1. Beavertails

Why, dear God, why does it seem beavertails are exclusive to Banff National Park? Is this a local vendetta against city folk, devised as a cruel punishment? Thankfully, Calgary has a food truck called BeaverTails that serves the fried dough pastries, but it doesn’t appear to operate year-round. In the meantime, beavertails are worth the trek to Banff when you want something deep fried and smothered in chocolate. Or cinnamon, or maple, or whatever floats your boat pretty much.

the line at pancakes. There are certain things that maple syrup shouldn’t go with. Fudge? Cookies? Candies? Enough already. We get it, we’re in Canada.

3. Poutine

This is generally what comes to mind when you ask actual Canadians about their cuisine. Syrup is an afterthought. Although the rest of the world obviously has some version of poutine - chips with cheese curds smothered in gravy and pretty much anything else that comes to mind - Canada seems to be the only one that 2. Pancakes and Maple Syrup bothered to give the dish a name. In the United Kingdom we call They may hate to admit it, but this Canadian stereotype is delicious. And if you get them from Denny’s they even come with it cheesy chips and gravy. It’s generally only acceptable to eat when drunk or when a person has absolutely no dignity at all, so a knob of butter on top, just like the movies! But I have to draw to see it on the menu of a regular café was something of a shock.

48 4. Timbits

I’m pleased to announce that Glasgow recently opened the first Tim Hortons in Scotland, so I’ll be making regular trips to get my fix of these delicious testicle - shaped snacks. I say snack, but let’s be real. We know I’ll be getting a box of 20 and eating all of them in one go.

5. Wings

Don’t get me wrong, I know we have wings in the United Kingdom too. It’s just that a plate of 12 for $2 would blow most Brits’ minds. That weekly deal guarantees at least one social interaction per week, which, if you’re a university student, isn’t necessarily a given. I was in Canada long enough to try nearly every sauce and rub on the menu. But in the third week I discovered sweet chilli, so what’s the point in bothering with the rest? The hot wings were an immediate no go. What’s the big deal with bragging that you can eat spicy food anyway? Everyone knows it’s just going to sting on the way out.

6. Kraft Dinner

It’s toxic. Let’s just get that out there. They make cheese from powder. That’s not natural. You know deep down it’s killing you with every bite. But it’s so grossly good that you just don’t care enough to avoid it anymore. Heinz macaroni cheese has nothing on KD. Except, perhaps, real ingredients? Don’t quote me on that one though.

7. Grilled Cheese

Now, with this one you can know for sure if there’s real cheese in it. The homemade ones anyway. Again, not exclusively Canadian, but I sort of forgot they existed until I moved in with someone who lived exclusively on grilled cheese and pizza pops. There’s nothing better to snuggle down in front of Netflix with than a grilled cheese. Especially when the glow of your laptop screen isn’t bright enough to highlight the fact that you burned one side. It’s another bonus if you’re skilled enough not to set off all the fire alarms in the house while you’re at it. Trust me, your flatmates will thank you for it.

8. Kebab Substitutes

Obviously nothing will ever compare to the hunk of meaty mystery that is a British kebab, but I was able to find similar things to sate my cravings. Having tried My Donair and Slouvaki Time, I can confirm they both taste far too realistic to compare to a proper British donner kebab. But that doesn’t seem to stop me somehow finding myself in line for them at the mall, when all I went in for was bread and milk.

Photographed and Written By Ellen Gale

Hopefully some of these will help until you can be reunited with haggis and irn bru. Watch out for the moose!

The Canadian Rockies

Banff National Park Johnston Canyon â&#x20AC;¢ Lake Louise

• There are five major National Parks part of the Canadian Rockies; Yoho, Jasper, Banff, Kootenay, and Waterton.

Did you know?

• Kootenay National Park is the only park in Canada with both glaciers and cactus plants. • Kimberley mine produced 75% of the lead used by the Allied Forces in WWII. • Mount Robson is the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies at 12,972 feet (3954 metres). • The Rocky Mountains are 76 million years old. • The Canadian Rockies cover a total area of 180,000km squared (69,498 miles squared). • Upper Waterton Lake is the deepest lake in the Canadian Rockies at 317 feet deep (97 metres). • There are more than 1000 types of flowering plants in the Rockies, and over 300 species of bird. • The Canadian Rockies are home to 53 species of mammals. • Over 3.6 million tourists visit Banff National Park every year. • Castleguard caves are Canada’s longest cave system.

• The Bow River in Banff flows as far as Hudson’s Bay.

• Banff National Park is Canada’s most visited park, although Jasper is the largest.

• A permit is required for all visitors to Banff National Park and is • Banff Town has a population of 7500. available at the Park entry gates and visitor centres. • The largest dammed lake in Banff is Lake Minnewanka and the largest natural lake is Hector Lake. • Banff if Canada’s oldest National Park and was established in 1885.

• Banff National Park has over 1000 glaciers. •The name Banff is derived from Banffshire Scotland, the birth place of two of the original directors of The Candadian Pacific Railway.

• Banff town is at an elevation of 4,537 feet (1,383 metres), which • Banff National Park’s peak season is July and August. makes it the highest town in Canada. • Banff National Park is the third oldest National Park in the world. • Banff National Park has over 1600km (1000 miles) of hiking • Skiing was introduced to the Banff and Lake Loise area in 1909 trails. by Swiss and Austrian Mountain Guides. • Johnston Canyon is the busiest hiking trail in the Rockies. • Lake Louise ski resort is home to Canada’s mostpopular Alpine ski race; The Lake Louise Winterstart World Cup. • Banff National Park has over 2468 campsites open all year round. • Lake Louise ski resort is the second biggest in Canada after Whistler Blackcomb ski resort, in British Columbia. • Banff National Park is home to the endangered Woodland Caribou. • Lake Louise remained a Native secret until 1882 when a Stoney Native led a Canadian rail worker named Tom Wilson to the • The coldest temperature ever recorded in Banff, was - 33.3 lake who originally named it Emerald Lake. degrees celcius (- 27.94 degrees farenheit).

Johnston

Canyon

......................................................................................................................................................................................

Lake Louise

......................................................................................................................................................................................

Banff Photographed and Written By Ellen Gale

Spotify for Students only ÂŁ4.99 Photographed By Evelina Novakova

This is a mock advertisment

Music

Photographed By Ellen Gale

How to Become a Korean Pop Idol ____________________________________________________________________________________________ The 2018 Winter Olympics opening ceremony in Pyeongchang Once you’ve secured that contract you might think that you’re showcased some of the hopes and dreams of children in Korea, ready to debut, but the reality is you have to train for several years one of which was becoming a Kpop Idol. under your label for what is usually over the legal limit of 9 hours a day, earning these contracts the name of ‘Slave Contracts’. In To many watching this show, becoming an Idol seems like the addition to that the contract often controls where you stay, easiest dream to achieve. However, those in this industry, would schedules mandatory exercise, diet plans and weigh-ins, sex have to disagree. Just the road alone to becoming an Idol is very education, etiquette lessons and your fashion. As a trainee, labels difficult. often hold the right to drop you if you do not improve, but may charge you for all the costs if you decide to leave before the The first steps to becoming an idol begins way before you even contract is up. pass your auditions to become a trainee. That’s right, you have to undergo intense pre-audition training that only allows you to The companies then handpick their favourite trainees and offer become an official trainee. them contracts up to 7 years long. If you are lucky enough to be one of the very few to secure a debut, the competition is very high As the Kpop industry is hugely competitive, many people start with hundreds of groups debuting each year in an already training as a child at home, taking supplementary lessons in dance, crowded market. The debut itself is just as hard as the training singing and acting, and attending the many academies dedicated with even stranger working hours. Only the most successful to developing these skills. It is often helpful to learn additional groups achieve any fame with most disbanding or reforming into talents for appearances on shows. As well as being fluent in new groups for debuts. Even those who have debuted still have to Korean, many hopefuls also learn English, Japanese and constantly train and improve. The path of an idol is never Mandarin as Idols often have to record their songs in multiple ending, but once achieved it opens up more gateways into acting languages in hopes of becoming global stars. and hosting shows. Once confidant enough in your skills it’s time to audition. On average, people audition over 30 times before securing a contract with a company, which can last 2 to 4 years. These contracts merely accept the applicant to be trained under their regimes, you are not guaranteed to debut. Each of the companies you audition for has different criteria that they judge as more important, such as visual aesthetic over talent. Some companies also allow you to send in videos rather than audition in person. An agency may reject you for a reason that another may praise you for. As well as auditioning for companies, much like in the West, there are of course TV shows that you can try out for. If you’re super lucky, you might get scouted just by walking around in Korea, or through social media posts.

Becoming an Idol requires a huge work ethic, skills and talent. You have to be a hard worker that will not give up. It takes years of resilience and dedication much like any other profession. Being a Kpop idol is not just a job, but a lifestyle commitment.

Photographed and Written By Jenna Dickie

Bada$$ Female Rappers to Look Out For

“I want people to know I’m a force to be reckoned with” Tinashe

4. CL

2. Tinashe

CL or Lee Chae-rin is a South Korean pop and hip-hop artist. Rising to fame as the lead singer of the kpop band 2NE1 in 2009, CL has been surrounded by controversy with her expressive style and extravagant projects. Her solo tracks in Korean achieved an all time high on the commercial charts, providing her with an opportunity to collaborate with worldwide names such as Diplo and Skrillex. Watch out, because the singer and songwriter made her American debut in 2016 and has set an eye on the worldwide fame.

The critics-favourite American artist started off her musical career in a 2009 band. Tinashe followed up by going solo in 2013, releasing her first mixtapes which were widely acclaimed by the music critics. Since then, she is bursting with fresh music, releasing both solo albums and collaborations, always making sure she dominates the music charts.

Listen to: “MTBD”, “The Baddest Female”, “Hello Bi**es”

1. Cardi B

3. Stefflon Don

Listen to: “Faded Love”, “All Hands on Deck”, “No Drama”

Where to even begin? Cardi B is a synonym of fire-flow, deep beat and killer rhymes. The newcomer blew up majority of the music charts internationally and set the stages of big music awards ablaze with the release of her first commercial track “Bodak Yellow.” As an ex-stripper, Cardi stays bold and defends her newly established superstar status on every occasion. “Bodak Yellow” rose her to the title of the first female rapper to top Billboard Top 100 since 1998 and to stay day for three consecutive weeks. Just a few months into the industry, Cardi B became the first female rapper to feature 3 songs on Billboard at the same time. Her further collaborations with Bruno Mars, Migos and G-Eazy keep her in the spotlight – give it up for Cardi!

Stephanie Allen is fairly quickly rising to fame, so you’d better follow her fast pace to a skyrocketing success. Her British-Jamaican origin gives the London rapper a typical Jamaican flow which is hard to miss in her songs. She debuted several singles which didn’t make it to the charts, but made an impression on the local hip hop community. Stefflon’s commercial success and recognition came just a few months ago with the release of “Hurtin’ Me” featuring French Montana. Peaking seventh position on UK’s charts, it granted her access to collaborations with Jax Jones, Skepta and J Balvin who masterfully mixed her Jamaican style with various music genres. Listen to: “Bodak Yellow”, “Bartier Cardi”, “Motorsport” She’s definitely here to stay. Listen to: “16 Shots”, “Cigarettes”, “Ding-A-Ling” Photographed and Written By Evelina Novakova

HILLTOP HOODS Hilltop Hoods. That name will probably mean nothing to you, unless you’re familiar with this Australian hip-hop trio. Suffa, Pressure and DJ Debris recently went on a North America Tour to show off their newest album ‘Drinking from the Sun’ and the remastered version of ‘Walking Under Stars’. This dynamic trio formed in Adelaide, Australia in 1993/94. The name Hilltop Hoods originates from the suburb Suffa and Pressure were raised ‘Hilltop.’ They were inspired by American rap icons like Public Enemy and KRS-One, and got their big break with their debut EP ‘Back Once Again’ in 1997. Their first album, ‘A Matter of Time’, appeared in 1999, but sadly DJ Next - who was their first DJ - dropped out of the group. But the trio recovered, finding a new DJ and dropping their single ‘Left Foot, Right Foot’ in 2001.

Fortunately, I was in Toronto, Canada when this trio was on tour. I was lucky enough to get two tickets as an early birthday present from an Aussie friend. The concert was on Little Italy and New Toronto street, in a club that was transformed into a concert hall. Suffa and Pressure definitely know how to get the crowd going, letting people sing into the microphone, having one on one conversations and pulling people up on stage. Since my friend and I managed to be right at the front of the crowd, we both got the opportunity to sing and speak to them several times throughout the concert. The concert was mad. And I mean insane. Everyone was drinking, everyone was dancing and screaming the lyrics at the top of their lungs. The atmosphere was incredibly fun and just like on a night out or any other concert, you make friends with the people around you.

Finally, in 2003 Hilltop Hoods got their big commercial breakthrough. With their new album ‘The Calling’, they became the first Australian hip-hop group to achieve gold status. I was surprised that so many people in North America had heard of this trio; I was only recently introduced to their music and they Later, they collaborated with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra came all the way from Adelaide Australia. in 2007 for their ARIA award-winning album ‘The Hard Road: Resung.’ Collaborating once again in 2016, they reinvented their For their last song, the trio requested that everyone must take tracks from the albums ‘Walking Under Stars’ and ‘Drinking from off one piece of clothing and then wave it around. Of course, my the Sun.’ friend and I happily stripped off.

66 I took my bra off, she took her shirt off, because why not? Let me tell you; there were t-shirts, bras, and underwear flying around left, right, and centre. Finally, at the end of the concert everyone slowly made their way out of the hall. Yet some people stayed behind, my friend and I decided to stay behind as well. After all, we had no where we needed to be. We were all hopeful that Suffa, Pressure and DJ Debris would come back out, just for a few minutes. That didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t happen. So eventually we made our way to the exit, still high off of that amazing atmosphere and slightly drunk we got in a taxi and went back home. The next day we were still buzzing from the night before, and singing our favourite songs from the concert.

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Photographed and Written By Mona El Menschawi

RuPaulâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Drag Race: Werq The World

68 RuPaul’s Drag Race has quickly become one of the world’s most watched TV-shows. This show is about drag queens battling to be crowned the best drag queen. They must create their own outfits, act, sing, lip sync, and be able to work in groups.

dancing and lip syncing. Kim Chi performed a Japanese song, dressed in a kimono, and her performance killed. Latrice Royale - where do I even begin? My second favourite drag queen, she is ‘chunky yet funky’ and has the best sense of humour. She gave an R&B/hip-hop lip-sync performance that made everyone in the RuPaul is a huge advocate for equal rights, whether you are gay, crowd scream their heads off. transgender, bisexual or anything else. He has also done huge charity work for AIDS research and has donated thousands for Miss Peppermint, a drag queen who has now identified as a charities and homeless shelters for the gay community. transgender female, performed her own songs and dance. Shangela also performed her original song ‘Werkin’ Girl’ with Voss Events decided to sponsor RuPaul’s Drag Race and some killer choreography. Valentina, the Latina queen. She performed of the most popular queens decided to tour the world. ‘RuPaul’s a traditional Spanish version of a lip-sync, she sang in Spanish Drag Race: Werq The World’ gave shows in every major city in while dancing the tango with three very attractive topless men. the world. Last but never least, my favourite drag queen. Violet Chacki. Violet gave a stunning burlesque strip tease show, with the October 25th, New Toronto and Riverdale street. Here, the drag traditional strip dance music. But she wasn’t done. Stripping show would give their one and only Halloween edition show. The down to a shimmering bra and underwear - with suspended socks, show was hosted by Bob The Drag Queen, and had seven other I might add - still wearing high heels, she gave a trapeze queens lined up to perform and put on a show. performance in a hoop suspended above the stage, later moving above the crowd. To get the show started, Lady Bunny, one of RuPaul’s oldest friends was the DJ, getting the whole crowd into the mood. Later, To wrap up this jaw dropping performance, all the queens came Bob The Drag Queen appeared with a stunning lip-sync out in pairs singing RuPaul’s most famous songs. At the end Bob performance. She then went on to introduce the other seven The Drag Queen introduced them all once again, and with each queens; Acid Betty, Kim Chi, Latrice Royale, Miss Peppermint, drag queen named, the crowd only cheered louder. Shangela, Valentina, and Violet Chachki. At the end of the night, my friends and I were still riding high Bob The Drag Queen performed his original song ‘Bag First’. after seeing the queens right in front of us on stage, that we have Even if you have never heard this song before it will 100% stick only ever seen on TV. With no voice, and a sore throat we got in your mind. Acid Betty gave a really intriguing laser show while the subway back to campus for a much needed nights sleep.

Photographed and Written By Mona El Menschawi

Do you ever step out the door and reach for your headphones?

Have you felt the panic of not finding them in your pocket on the way to your desired destination?

If so, maybe you are one of the many people who are used to doing their everyday activities with the beat of their favourite song.

Experiment: A week without music Music, maybe the divine art closest to humans, is occupying a serious amount of our daily life. Regardless if it’s the car radio or the speakers in the café where we like to sit, it’s always there. But how much is too much? As someone who puts her headphones on first thing when out the door, I began to wonder, am I missing parts of everyday life, or am I helping myself actually stay sane during the 24 hours of the day?

Focus

No Inspiration

To me there were hardly any pros of this exhausting experiment. Music has been proven to raise people’s happiness and reduce While my mind felt occupied with all of my problems, my body stress, making them more inspired and productive. on the other hand was eager to receive its music getaway. I can confirm that this article was a tough challenge for someone Instead of managing to focus on the things I was supposed to be who’s been deprived of music for so long. doing, without listening to music I only managed to focus on my problems. Music provides a channel to your emotions – have you Oversaturation not listened to that sad playlist when you’re down just to satisfy It is definite that you can only obtain a certain amount of your feelings? information in a day without feeling overwhelmed. Music is means to get away from everyday life. The only advantage at this point was that I actually focused on creating a “to-do” list on the go, since my brain was not otherwise I came to the conclusion that I’m not that excited to hear about occupied. how someone’s 13-year-old daughter demanded 80 pounds of pocket money or the old lady’s story of how she was distraught Communication from seeing a completely naked man in the town streets. On the first day of the experiment I got talking to two people. Normally with headphones on I never pay attention to the Confidence surrounding people. However, though they both only asked me Have you ever felt overly-fierce when Demi Lovato’s ”Sorry Not for spare change, it’s still a win-win situation. Sorry” comes on? Or like you want to put on your fake lashes and slay the sidewalk in your favourite high heels while Little Mix’s With music playing, there’s never an awkward question or the “Power” is your background track. confusion of something you never heard in the first place.

Mood Swings

We are all prone to mood swings. Now imagine having that one song stuck in your head and knowing you cannot actually sing along to it until you listen to it. It’s like never ending torture. This experiment forbids you from singing Hozier or jamming to Dua Lipa out loud to make yourself feel better which further burdens the brain.

Music, regardless to what and where, is empowering, inspiring and somehow calming. While science keeps proving its soothing abilities for both the mental and physical health, you should not deprive yourself of a few minutes of happiness in a world of your own with your music. Photographed and Written By Evelina Novakova

Audiance A2

This is a mock advertisment

Photographed By Ellen Gale This is a mock advertisment

Monster Hunter World Play to Slay

Available on Playstation and XBOX

Photographed By Ellen Gale

This is a mock advertisment

Gaming

Photographed By Kyle Low

Nintendo: Keeping up with a changed industry

Nintendo is the oldest manufacture and game developer in the current generation owning many of the greatest games series of all time. However, in recent years the industry giant has failed to adapt itself to the changing habits of a new generation of gamers.

The company has been a huge player in the gaming industry since the launch of the NES (Nintendo Entertainment System) in 1983. The console was powerful and enjoyed strong software support through the debut of Mario, Legend of Zelda and 3rd party game series: Final Fantasy.

New gaming habits are pushing away the desire for dedicated video game hardware. The rise of the smartphone has enabled They continued to push through expectations by releasing the users to play easily, and for a very small price or even free. SNES (Super Nintendo Entertainment System) where hit titles such as Donkey Kong and Mario Kart were born. These games Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s interesting to look at Nintendo because they fit into an would continue to go to this very day, becoming key software industry that moved on past what Nintendo are still doing. How titles for every Nintendo console. have they managed to stay so long and what will they do to keep going? The biggest credit to Nintendo comes from the N64 in the mid 90s. Although not a complete success, it was the beginning of 3D However, Nintendo is not alone, Microsoft and Sony are direct gaming and games such as The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time competitors to the big N and have dominated the market with and Super Mario 64 set the bar for 3D games. Nintendo coming third place in recent years. The Xbox and PlayStation platforms have proven to be more than a match for Nintendo can also easily be recognised as the ones responsible for Nintendo platforms. the creation of portable gaming with the launch of the Game Boy. It would be difficult to pick anyone who grew up in the 90s who Nintendo is a winning company that has enjoyed years of didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know or own a Game Boy. continued success with their software titles. Super Mario created the blueprints to the platforming genre back in the late Over the years, Nintendo has continued to release gaming 80s. The Legend of Zelda showed that there was more to gaming platforms; Gamecube, Wii and Wii U alongside portable devices; than just 2D and Pokemon pushed the boundaries and proved a Game Boy Colour, Game Boy Advance [Game Boy Advance SP game can be more than just a game. and Game Boy Advance Micro also released as revisions of the console], DS [DS Lite, DSi and DSi XL] and 3DS [3DS XL, 2DS, New 3DS and New 3DS XL]

76 A manufacturer can easily develop a power machine, but Shigeru Miyamoto said: “There are more opportunities for Nintendo’s strengths come from it’s in house games. It’s fair to consumers to come into contact with a mobile phone than our say without these games Nintendo would have went away a long own gaming devices.” time ago. For example, in 2006 Nintendo released the Wii which only had a small improvement over the previous console, the GameCube. The Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 were direct competitors to the Wii at the time and were both High Definition capable console with superior hardware. Despite these obvious difference the Wii held its ground with top quality software titles from Nintendo as well as new experiences with the Wii’s motion controllers. The Wii was a true game changer for game controllers. The Wii U was the successor to the incredibly successful Wii, but has failed to capture the same success. The Wii U is a messy platform that doesn’t really know what it is. The only desire to own a Wii U is to play Nintendo games such as Mario and Zelda. This is how Nintendo can always assure that there will be some customers even if the platform is a failure. People who want to play Nintendo games must use a Nintendo console, because it’s the only platform that has those games. There is one way that Nintendo has maintained a solid grip in the gaming war against Microsoft and Sony, but even this strategy doesn’t guarantee a future for the company. This became clear in 2014 when Nintendo announced their entry into the mobile phone platform. However, it wasn’t until earlier 2016 that the promise to take Nintendo IPs to a new platform was fulfilled. Pokemon GO was made available to smartphones and certainly took the world by storm with its groundbreaking gaming experience. Pokemon GO is an Augmented Reality game that uses the phone’s camera to show Pokemon hiding in the real world through the players phone screen. This showed how Nintendo’s original creativity takes a game and creates a completely new experience, It’s a clear sign that even the creator of the software fears that one never seen before. potential customers will wander away to other platforms that are more accessible than the outdated devices Nintendo currently Why has Nintendo taken so long to release their games on another offers. platform? In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Shigeru Miyamoto, the creator of Mario and Zelda noted that Nintendo Expanding their games to a different platform isn’t the only new would backed away from mobile platforms because they weren’t strategy the company has adopted to keep themselves relevant. power enough. The announcement of their new gaming console “Nintendo Switch” has become a game changer.

Traditionally, Nintendo has released two platforms of gaming similar to their own. This is why they chose Apple as the first hardware in each generation. A handheld and a games console platform to receive the game. hooked up to a TV. For example, the Wii U is their current games console and the Nintendo 3DS is their current handled. Shigeru Miyamoto said: “it’s very streamlined. And I think just from a philosophical standpoint, there are elements of their However, they have taken a new direction with the Nintendo design that are similar to ours. So that’s why we’re bringing it to Switch. The Switch is a hybrid of the two concepts that combines iPhone first.” the portability of a handheld and the functionally of a home console. The Switch can hook up to a TV and function as a In March 2017 Nintendo embarked on a new journey into the next handheld. generation with the Nintendo Switch. The company faces fierce competition against Sony’s power hog PS4 Pro and Microsoft’s This breaks the cycle Nintendo has kept up with since their Xbox One X 4K gaming machines. beginning and is proving that the company is truly having to adapt their ways to stay alive in the market. Merging two consoles With a new experience to play console gaming and the entry to together is a bold move on their part. the mobile platform, Nintendo has many tricks up their sleeve to keep themselves relevant in a changing market. The gaming However, Nintendo isn’t the only company with their eyes set on industry has changed, but Nintendo is ready to take on these new changing the gaming industry cycle. Sony has made its mark with challenges with once again a new gaming experiences. reinvention following the announcement of the PS4 Pro this year. The PS4 Pro is an upgrade from the original PS4 model released in 2013. The console offers more power for increased performances, as well as 4K enabled gaming. This is the first time a console has been drastically improved within the same generation. Microsoft also has a newly upgraded Xbox One, the Xbox One X. There’s no doubt that Microsoft are also trying to reinvent the gaming cycle to keep their platform relevant and updated. Does this mean that Nintendo’s new console is already outdated with Sony and Microsoft’s mid generation refresh? Nintendo has always been about the gaming experience opposed to maximising gaming graphics, so perhaps the Switch can swing customers to a new experience rather than fancy looking graphics. Perhaps the Nintendo Switch is a way to capture and steal back an audience lost in the mobile phone platform. With the ability to take the console anywhere it certainly tempts users who prefer gaming on the go, but will it be enough? The biggest temptation to mobile gaming is the free or very cheap games available to download on the platform. Can Nintendo create a balance of low-cost quality titles for their gaming hardware? Or will this be a separate division for their mobile plans? Nintendo are already on their way to dominating the mobile platform with Mario Run, Animal Crossing and the upcoming Mario Kart Tour. Despite releasing their own games on iPhones and iPads, Nintendo still feel that they should begin only with products

Photographed and Written By Kyle Low

PlayStation or Xbox: Which one should you buy? The gaming market has become a crowded space. For a new comer it’s a world of confusion when it comes to deciding what platform to pick with so many available. Do you go for a PlayStation or an Xbox One? Although it is simply just two consoles there is a lot more to it. To put it simply there isn’t a right choice. It comes down to the personal preference of the person buying the product. Each platform has its own advantages and its own line of exclusive games.

Sony PlayStation 4 The PlayStation 4 is the latest offering from Sony succeeding the PlayStation 3 in 2013. The first thing you will notice is that there are two editions of the console; PlayStation 4 Slim and PlayStation 4 Pro. The slim model is a refreshed edition of the original PlayStation 4 released in 2013 with a slimmer form factor and has identical hardware with the exception of the optical port. The console is capable of outputting 1080p HDR. The PlayStation 4 Pro however, is Sony’s “monster machine” that is capable of playing games in 4K HDR and has improved hardware to boost performance of many games available on the platform. The PlayStation 4 is also the only home console that offers Virtual reality with the PlayStation VR. If you’re in the market for a cheap full gaming VR experience, then the PlayStation 4 is the right pick. The console also sports critically acclaimed exclusives such as Horizon Dawn, The Last Of Us Remastered, Crash Bandicoot n’ Sane trilogy and Shadow of the Colossus.

Microsoft Xbox One Much like the PlayStation 4 the Xbox One is the latest home console from Microsoft and also comes in two editions. The Xbox One S is the standard console that features slightly improved performance over the original Xbox One that was released in 2013 and is capable of outputting visuals of 4K HDR. However, the console is only capable of providing Native 4K for video stream. The console also holds the advantage over the PlayStation 4 with its ability to play 4K Blu-Rays opposed to just standard Blu-Ray Discs. All games will go through an upscale to 4K from the standard resolution the game offers. Microsoft other offering comes in the form of the Xbox One X which is a direct competitor to the PlayStation 4 Pro. The Xbox One X is capable of outputting 4K HDR and boosts huge hardware performance to greatly improve the vast library of games the console offers. Microsoft have also implemented backwards compatibility to Xbox 360 games whether digital or disc. However not all Xbox 360 games are compatible and are made available on a monthly basis. In terms of exclusives the Xbox One offers the hugely successful Halo series, Quantum Break and Forza Horizon which all take advantage of the power of the Xbox One X. Each console has their own amazing offerings, but it will always come down to which games and what features the player is looking for. Whether you pick a PlayStation or and Xbox there is plenty of fun to be had in either platform. PS4 Slim from £229 PS4 Pro from £349 Xbox One S from £209 Xbox One X from £439 Photographed and Written By Kyle Low

A Celebrating 1 year of Switching it up!

“Five Stars!” Gamer76

“Awesome!” Gamer77

“My kids love it!” Bob “Would definetly “Gaming innovation Photographed By Kyle Low play again!” at its finest!” This is a mock advertisment Gamer78 Gamer79

Gaming On The Go Back in the 80s, playing video games on a small device outside your home seemed like a concept you would only see in Star Trek or Doctor Who, however with the introduction of the Game Boy in 1989 it become a reality.

The most popular portable dedicated gaming devices today are the Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo Switch. With their physical buttons and gaming hardware it makes it easy to play your favourite games from the gaming giant. The Nintendo 3DS also has a strong gaming library dating back to 2004 thanks to it’s backward compatibility for Nintendo DS. Sony also have their own device, the PS Vita. However since it’s launch in 2012 the device has struggled to appeal and has since been long forgotten.

A lot has changed since the original Game Boy launched, a black and white portable device that took your favourite game characters outside of your home. Nintendo dominated this market for two decades with Sony dabbling their attempt with their own portable version of the PlayStation. On the other side you have the many Android Smartphones and tablets ranging However, times have changed and with the from manufactures such as Samsung, launch of smartphones and tablets, they Huawei, Sony, Google and many more. have become a game changer in the Apple offer strong offerings in their iPhone portable gaming market. With Apple and and iPad line-up, with each device strongly Google releasing their own platforms; optimised with their iOS software. Android and iOS that showcase a vast Whichever device you pick there will be library of free games making it easier to a huge library of games waiting for you. play games on the go. With the Google Play Store and App Store easily at your fingers, you have access to thousands of games, free and paid. Which device should you pick up to play games though? That is a question that depends on your personal preference to games. Are you a gamer who wants to play the latest and greatest games from the world’s biggest gaming giant? Then switching to Nintendo’s devices would suit best. The Nintendo Switch and 3DS offer true gaming experiences for themselves and well know gaming developers. The Nintendo Switch is the only device you will find Skyrim, Doom and Dark Souls to play on a portable device without requiring some kind of subscription and internet connection.

However, if you want to play light hearted games and don’t fancying paying huge amounts of money for them, then going towards smart devices is an ideal move. The Google Play Store and App Store offer enjoyable and free games such as Candy Crush Saga, Angry Birds and infinite runner games such as Temple Run. Even SEGA has begun to release full free version of all time classics such as Sonic the Hedgehog and Golden Axe.

Whichever platform you decide to play on there will always be a strong line-up of games to keep you occupied when you’re out and about or just fancy a little get away from the TV at home. Just remember to take that 15-minute break every hour!

Photographed and Written By Kyle Low

Lara Croft: Game Changer The 1980s and 1990s were the beginning of a new era for gaming with newcomers Super Mario and The Legend of Zelda from Nintendo and Sonic The Hedgehog from SEGA. The games featured strong leads that people admired to be. However, there was a distinct lack of female representation in these games other than standard “Damsel in distress.” The female character was always rescued by the male and it became a repetitive trend for the gender. The Super Mario series went by the concept of Princess Peach constantly needing rescued from Bowser, with The Legend of Zelda series going by the same rules. Even the Sonic the Hedgehog series had a female character, Amy Rose, sometimes needing Sonic to come save her as well. Nintendo did have a female lead in the gaming series “Metroid” however, the identity of the characters gender was not revealed until the games ending after she removes her suit. Unfortunately, her true identity is revealed by her wearing a bikini. It wasn’t until 1996 that a true female lead emerged, Lara Croft, in the gaming series Tomb Raider. Lara Croft was as female as they could come, but did everything male characters did and more. Tomb Raider was also one of the first true 3D gaming experiences alongside Super Mario 64. From the day Tomb Raider was released in 1996 Lara Croft become an instant star in the industry and beyond. The attraction of her “bad ass” attitude inspired many female players to make their own mark in the world. Meagan Marie was inspired by Lara Croft and is now the senior community Manager at Crystal Dynamics (Tomb Raider) and author of 20 Years of Tomb Raider. However, despite being a worldwide popular character, Lara Croft has gone through some essential changes to keep up with a competitive market. In 2003 the original developer Core Design was replaced by Crystal Dynamics after releasing two failed games that damaged the character and series reputation. Crystal Dynamics rebooted the game series and character by giving her a more relatable character with a stronger back story. Lara Croft was given an emotional story regarding the loss of her Mother with the release of Lara Croft Tomb Raider Legend in 2006. The games story continued with Lara Croft Tomb Raider Anniversary and Tomb Raider Underworld. The games featured the same sexually stylised Lara Croft in the previous games but added an emotional personality to her. Despite the success with the games many were still criticising her unrealistic body, overall sexualized character and deemed her an embarrassing representation for women in the industry.

82 In 2010 Crystal Dynamics announced another reboot to the game series by reimagining Lara Croft with an original story. Lara is stripped away from her dual pistols, tank top and hot pants and given a makeover that better represents her character opposed to her looks. The new game would feature an inexperienced Lara Croft he is determined to make her mark in the world. Crystal Dynamics decided to call the game simply Tomb Raider to mark a new start for Lara Croft. The game was official released on March 3rd 2013 and become the fastest selling Tomb Raider game since the original in 1996. Since then Crystal Dynamics have released a sequel; Rise of The Tomb Raider in 2015 and plan to release the next game later this year. Lara Croftâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s presence in the industry has inspired more developers to create powerful female leads such as Aloy from Horizon Zero Dawn, Ellie from The Last of Us and Bayonetta. These are only a small fraction of the outstanding females characters that can be found in the gaming industry. Despite having her ups and downs Lara Croft still stands as one of the most iconic gaming characters of all time and represents a female icon once dominated by males. Lara Croft may have gone through a few changes, but it has all helped to make her the true icon she is today.

Photographed and Written By Kyle Low

The Voting Game

Just an excuse to judge your friends!

Photographed By Evelina Novakova This is a mock advertisment

Great non-video games with strategy and critical thinking

One Night Ultimate Werewolf A fast paced game for 3-10 players in which everyone plays a role with different powers. Whether you’re team Werewolf, one of the Villagers or the Tanner who is on a team of their own, no single game will be the same. With only ten minutes to each game, the Villagers must quickly find and kill the Werewolves, the Werewolves must convince the Villagers they’re a Villager and avoid death, and the Tanner, well you want to get killed.

Ticket to Ride Any of the Ticket to Ride franchise is great, but for newcomers to this game I recommend the Europe version. It’s exactly the same as the original version, minus the boats. By collecting different coloured train cards, even a special rainbow one, players can lay their train tracks across Europe. However, you need to be quick to plan your routes, if others take the tracks your destination can become unreachable. Stations can help to a degree but as this game is based on your end points you need to decide where to lay and when to let a track go.

Cluedo A classic that has been re-released over time ranging its g ameplay still holds up today. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s your classic murder mystery game that still requires you to strategically ask questions to figure out who the murderer, it might even be you!

Scotland Yard In Scotland Yard, one person plays the role of Mr. X. who is able to use transportation to move around from place to place on the London map. The other players are detectives trying to move into the same space as Mr. X. who must be located based on his mode of transport. It often requires teamwork to corner Mr. X. as there are often many transport routes they can escape with.

Risk Risk is a strategic game of world domination! With diplomacy, conflict and conquest players roll dice to control their armies and territories, whilst forming alliances with the other players waging war. By occupying all of a players territories, they are eliminated from the game. More than one person can wage war on a player at once, so you have to be careful not to spread your army too thin.

86 Exploding Kittens Although this game does require some luck, it is largely down to the strategic playing of the cards that allows someone to win. You have to know when to skip, attack or even shuffle the deck. And itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s even sweeter when you avoid death, only to explode the person next to you out of the game.

Forbidden Desert Although a sequel to the game Forbidden Island, it still uses cooperative gameplay, Forbidden Desert uses the fresh approach of an ever-changing board and individual resource management to make the game more strategic. You and your teammates must work together to recover a legendary flying machine under and ancient city and escape the scorching heat and sandstorms of the desert.

Scrabble Scrabble is another classic game that requires strategy and critical thinking, whether it be making a word with your letters or a strategic placement on the board. The best part of Scrabble is that there are worldwide tournaments which use added strategic elements like game clocks, time control and tracking sheets. Whether for fun or competitively Scrabble is a great game to play.

Photographed and Written By Jenna Dickie

Â£4.99 Every Film Everyday All Day Photographed By Ellen Gale

This is a mock advertisment

Film

Photographed By Ellen Gale

Zooming: The five Greatest Film Plot Twists The cinema business is probably one of the most complicated and competitive jobs out there. With a constantly increasing demand and overuse of certain stories for creating endless remakes, directors and writers are facing the challenge of coming up with something entertaining for today’s viewers. And with this, comes the plot twist which can be described as the production team saying: “Expect the unexpected!” This is the moment which can either write history or lower the film’s standards. Here are some top picks on some masterfully handled plot twists that awed the audience. SPOIlER ALERT!

1. “Shutter Island” by Martin Scorsese

2. “The Orphan” by Jaume Collet-Serra

Scorsese’s brain-twisting thriller follows the story of US marshal, Teddy Daniels, who’s been assigned as an investigator at Shutter Island’s mental hospital. Teddy and his partner take over the case of Andrew Laeddis and his wife, who is said to be a patient on the island after killing her own children. She appears to have beaten the tough security and is now on the loose, but as marshal Daniels will discover, her story is not the most shocking one at the hospital where “sanity is not a choice”.

The majority of the films in the horror genre turn out to have quite a twist in order to keep the viewers on the edge. However, this one could not have been foreseen in any way. The Coleman family is trying to fight the loss of Kate Coleman’s baby and her subsequent alcohol addiction, by focusing on the adoption of the witty Estonian orphan, Esther. The Coleman kids have polar opinions on their new 9-year-old sister which awakens Kate’s suspicion. Soon enough, she’s in for a surprising turn of events.

Plot Twist: The almost 3-hour-long film progresses to the revelation that marshal Daniels is actually one of the most notorious patients of the hospital, and his own suspect. His real identity is the man who he initially comes after, Andrew Laeddis, and he’s been put in care after killing his wife who murdered their three children. Scorsese brilliantly reveals that the investigation is just part of Laeddis’ treatment, his partner is his psychiatrist and the only way for him to “die as a good man” is lobotomy.

Plot Twist: The seemingly innocent Esther triggers a sinister chain of events which climaxes with her trying to seduce her stepdad. Kate digs into Esther’s past and is horrified to discover that the girl is actually a 33-year-old woman who suffers from a syndrome causing dwarfism and has been a patient of a mental hospital, escaping after posing as a small girl. Kate has to fight for her family after her daughter goes on a killing spree at home.

3. “Murder on the Orient Express” by Kenneth 4. “The Village” by M. Night Shyamalan Branagh Kenneth Branagh’s murder mystery based on one of Agatha Christie’s most celebrated novels captures the viewers’ attention with this film’s fine details. Inspector Hercule Poirot is riding the Orient Express on his way to a well deserved holiday, when a murder shocks the train’s exquisite passengers. Poirot makes use of the train’s breakdown to investigate each of the passengers, leading him to an unbelievable discovery. Plot Twist: While investigating each of the 12 remaining passengers on the train, Poirot digs out an old case of a wealthy man’s daughter who was abducted and then murdered. It turns out that all of the passengers are connected to the crime in a way – they are relatives or friends of the father. They are also the killers of the 13th passenger – the man who murdered the child.

Covington is a small 19th century isolated village in Pennsylvania with heavy rules. The eldest in the community raise their children to believe in the pact made with “the ones we don’t speak of” – creatures hiding in the woods surrounding the village. If the villagers don’t enter the woods, the creatures won’t enter Covington. Lucius and blind Ivy are two of the village’s youngsters, and he is a firm believer that there’s something suspicious about the pact. However, after he is attacked he needs medicines from town and Ivy is ready to invade the woods to save him. Plot Twist: Lucius’s fiancé Ivy Walker’s father(don’t know if this sounds right or not M) Edward admits to creating the creatures who are actually the elderly villagers. Most of them keep locked boxes with their past lives, revealing that Covington is actually a place isolated from the modern society and created by Edward himself after he suffered the murder of a relative.

____________________________________________________________________________________________

5. “The Others” by Alejandro Amenábar Amenábar’s shaking thriller shows us mother of two, Grace, awaiting the return of her war veteran husband and deals with her servants’ unexplained leave. She soon replaces them and the new servants are now helping her take care of her “photosensitive” children who start seeing “the others” around the house. Bizzare events convince Grace that her house is haunted and her new servants are actually dead. While trying to save her family, Grace encounters the worst of the spirits – a blind lady. Plot Twist: The lady sits on a table shaken by Grace, while she tries to communicate with her kids. The blind woman snaps out of her trance, noticing the other people around the table that Grace is actually dead – she shot herself after smothering her own kids. The ghosts haunting her house are the actual living owners and she refuses to leave them alone, making them sell the house while Grace fights to prove she is a good mother, even in the afterlife.

Photographed and Written By Evelina Novakova

Why Black Panther Is So Important After months of anticipation, Black Panther finally roared into theatres in February. In its opening weekend the film grossed over $200 million, and became the second-highest four-day grossing movie in history, after Star Wars: The Force Awakens. The all-star cast which includes Chadwick Boseman, Michael B Jordan, and Daniel Kaluuya, to name a few, bring Marvel’s 18th movie in the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) to life. The film follows T’Challa (Boseman) as he returns to Wakanda to become King following the death of his father. However, when an enemy threatens his rule, T’Challa must harness the power of the Black Panther to prevent his country being dragged into a world war.

Molly defends the directors’ choice to include both aspects, saying “traditions are a part of the culture, and you can’t make an African movie without culture and tradition … Most African people have moved forward in technology. You can make traditional dishes, there are just different tools to cook them with.”

Critically acclaimed for its visuals, direction, and action sequences, perhaps Black Panther’s greatest achievement is its casting. The first predominantly black Marvel movie has been praised by celebrities and the public alike. When meeting the cast, actress Sandra Bullock reportedly cried. She explained how much the film meant to her as the mother of two black children, as it provided strong role models for them as the first black superhero movie.

Black Panther is revolutionary by its mere existence, and will undoubtedly pave the way for more movies that feature a strong black cast. The movie has already had a positive effect around the world. A video of a middle-school class breaking into an impromptu dance party after finding out they would be seeing the movie even went viral. The school’s founder said the movie was included in their teaching as it was important for the children to see themselves represented on screen.

21-year-old student, Molly, discussed why she thought the movie Although it has already had such an amazing effect, there is still was so important: some issues the movie failed to address. “They could have done something more current with racism from white people” Molly said, “instead of focusing on colonization and slavery.” However, as T’Challa will be a main character in Marvel’s upcoming Avengers: Infinity War, we can expect his story to develop further, and hopefully see how he interacts with the other heroes.

“The message that the film provides is clear; we need equality. That’s not going to happen until we can all accept each other.”

Molly goes on to explain how the film deals with racism by having the villain oppose the oppressors by attempting to share Wakanda’s resources with underprivileged communities, and says it’s a great way for children to learn about race in a simple way. “Black kids everywhere can finally see some strong black characters on the big screen.” After the movies’ release, some people commented that Wakanda was too unrealistic due to their technological advancements coexisting alongside traditions such as trial by combat.

Photographed and Written By Ellen Gale

Film as a Historical Document “The time has come to seriously examine the approach of historians to cinema in general and the historical film in particular.” Anirudh Deshpande Economic and Political Weekly Can films really teach history the way books do? Of course not. But the platform of films can be classed as a more modern form of historical documentation that allows the audience to experience a visual representation of the past. However, there are certain genres of the film medium that are generally more In terms of history, books and films serve accepted. Biographical films and different purposes. Both mediums use documentaries are usually held in higher documents and artefacts from archives as regard than most other blockbusters based references. Both tell a story from a on historical events or set in a specific time period of history. Both follow a narrative period. Biographies, as they are set by their creators. And both are subject usually about a well-known historical to their time’s view of these events when figure, and are often accepted as being they were created. The difference is more accurate since the main character history books usually state facts, include usually is glorified or villainized for the descriptions from archives or use pictures audiences’ entertainment. Documentaries of the items preserved from their history are considered more trustworthy as they era; films present these facts and appear more legit by using historians to descriptions in the form of a visual comment on the information and a narrative suitable for audience viewing. documentary actively which shows their Books rely on the ability of the reader to research into the topic through a narrator or visualise the events in their mind, films discussions of these facts. These two film re-enact these events, usually involving a genres use many of the same techniques condensed timeline. that any Hollywood blockbuster film uses. Almost all of them use forms of Neither books nor films can accurately re-enactments to demonstrate and represent the past as it was, yet books are construct the events being portrayed as considered to be more authentic; probably they were, all are restricted by a budget because it is the traditional way for and by the director’s artistic vision along history to be recorded. Books themselves with the aid of advice from historians. If present historical data as the written word a documentary and biographical film are and with differing statistics and historian considered pretty accurate forms for viewpoints yet, just like films, exact covering a historical topic, surely other accuracy is not always possible or films could be accepted into this category guaranteed. too.

The films themselves do not even have to be about an actual historical event to be classed as a historical document. Films that have fictional plots but are based in a historical time period can also be counted as a form of historical documentation. For what the history books lack in visual representation, films can make up for it, with a large amount of films actually portraying events, times and ideology fairly accurately. A film may not present the order of events in the correct timeline, or even miss out some information altogether, but some films serve the purpose of using fictional characters to present the different ideologies of that time. As long as the time period is accurately represented, whether through costumes, ideology or the technology of that time, it is still presenting historical data through a visual medium to the audience.

Photographed and Written By Jenna Dickie

2901201808032018