Nerds rejoice with “Dungeons & Dragons” film

ALEX HOBEN editor-in-chief alexandra.hoben@my.tccd.edu

The daring and darling world of “Dungeons & Dragons” has been brought to the big screen in the best way possible in “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.”

This movie was able to do something that most nerds back in the early 90s could have only dreamed of: it made the world of fantasy tabletop roleplaying look as cool and breathtaking to the masses as it does to the players themselves.

With a star-studded cast, fantastic special effects and heart-pounding fight choreography, the viewer is brought into a vibrantly beautiful world of magic and adventure. Where dragons and dwarves are real and more than likely trying to kill you, and riches beyond your wildest dream are possible if you’re only crafty enough to get them.

The main group of characters, led by Chris Pine’s character Edgin Darvis, are a rag-tag group of people who band together to fight a common enemy, and if that doesn’t scream the start to a “D&D” campaign then nothing does. The group consists of the standard makings of any fantasy party: a bard, a barbarian, a sorcerer and a druid. All that’s missing is an acrobat.

The story is pretty basic, but in this case that simplicity made the overall experience easier to enjoy. The worst kinds of fantasy stories are the ones that require hours of pouring over dark and dismal lore just so that you can understand the movie that you’re watching. None of that’s required for this one. It’s just that those who have spent a lot of time playing “D&D” will recognize so many more references than the ones who didn’t.

It’s obvious that the people who were behind the writing of the movie cared about the games and had played one or two campaigns themselves. The movie references several items, spells and even places all within “D&D” lore. The group travels along the “Spine of the World” the great mountains in the north all the way to the bustling city of “Neverwinter.” Both of these are very

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recognizable names in the “D&D” world but to non-player viewers would just be cool fantasy names.

The actors put on a pretty good performance in this movie as well. Chris Pine has a great on-screen presence that really helped nail a lot of the comedic beats. Michelle Rodriguez, though not the first person you’d think to be in a nerdy movie, plays a fantastic barbarian and has some of the best fight scenes in the movie. Regé-Jean Page did great, as expected, and added an element to the movie that would be fantastic to explore more in a sequel if it’s ever made.

The villains and monsters in this movie are well-made. The special effects for the magic and the mayhem that happened during the fights was well-done. Even the costuming of the characters themselves looked like they just stepped out of the “Player’s Handbook.” This movie made “D&D,” a game that has meant so much to so many people but was stigmatized for the longest time, approachable and enjoyable to the general public. People will now be looking up what owlbears are and how Sophia Lillis’ character Doric could turn into one, or what kind of spells Justice Smith’s character Simon could learn, or even just look up what kind of instrument Chris Pine kept playing in the movie. “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” is an action-packed, magic-filled and heartwarming tale that seasoned players and non-players alike can enjoy, and maybe those who haven’t played before will consider trying it because of this movie.

Across

3. Health Resources and Services Administrator acronym.

6. Florida’s current governor, Ron ______.

9. The first name of the protagonist of the “Prom Pact.”

11. A proposal to someone to accompany them at prom.

13. “But as a political view of him, it’s not that great. I don’t like _____. I think that’s like a personal thing for him that he likes to do.”

15. _____ is a formal charge or accusation of a crime.

17. Trump was charged with a 34-felony count of falsifying business records in the ____ degree.

18. Twitter and Instagram are social ________ platforms.

19. “She said she remembers being young and watching her father develop prints or family photos in the dark room and she saw the process as ______.”

21. The protagonist of the play “Proof.”

23. Name of the play SE campus will premiere on April

19.

24. On Twitter, a post is referred to as a _______.

26. “She said her view on art in general is that it helps you understand what your ____ are, whether that be images, painting, sculpture or music.”

27. Twitter is currently by Elon Musk, the man behind the ______.

29. A formal high school dance at the end of the year.

32. Area of knowledge that includes the topics of numbers, formulas and related structures, shapes and the spaces in which they are contained, and quantities and their changes.

Down

1. “Dungeons & _______: Honor Among Thieves” is a fantasy film based on the lore of the tabletop roleplaying game “Dungeons & ________.”

2. Chinese _______ Party.

4. Sites like Facebook have changed the _______ of millions of people.

5. A gift for charity.

7. United Network for Organ Sharing acronym.

8. Chris Pine plays a bard in the movie “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves,” ______ Darvis.

Japanese cartoons.

12. “Former President Donald Trump was indicted on Tuesday in a ______ court.”

13. A social

NINA BANKS campus editor nina.banks@my.tccd.edu

Disney+ made a romantic comedy, and it wasn’t half bad. It doesn’t meet the legendary status of other rom coms on the streaming platform but the “Prom Pact” certainly gave its all.

Released on Mar. 31, “Prom Pact” follows Mandy Yang, an ambitious high school senior who was waitlisted to Harvard and is willing to do absolutely anything to get accepted. In her case, this means tutoring the school’s golden boy Graham Lansing to get a letter of recommendation from his father, a Harvard alum senator. But along the way, Mandy develops feelings for Graham and begins to debate whether Harvard is worth risking her relationships for.

The movie takes heavy inspiration from the 80s. The whole movie leads up to the 80s themed prom. Throughout the film are references to 80s movies. Including a promposal based on the iconic Tom Cruise dance from the movie “Risky Business.”

In typical rom com fashion, Mandy is the exact opposite of Graham. She shares similarities with Kat Stratford, the outspoken feminist protagonist of “10 Things I Hate About You.” She lacks school spirit and believes school dances are severely outdated. Graham on the other hand is the most popular boy in school. Athletic and unafraid to indulge in the stereotypical pleasures of high school.

Do not be fooled by the fact that this is a high school movie by Disney. The film features scenes of high school parties with the infamous red Solo cup and even a crude sex joke. The language or content isn’t wildly explicit.

However to a viewer like me who expected an operating table clean movie, this may come as a surprise.

The movie’s plot was predictable, but enjoyable nonetheless. What was not predictable, however, was the relationship between Mandy and her best friend Ben Plunkett. In most rom coms, Mandy and Ben would’ve ended up together after one of them realizes that they are hopelessly in love with the other. But in the “Prom Pact,” this is not the case.

The platonic chemistry between Mandy and Ben is refreshing. They have a ritual every Friday night involving bookstores, movies and ending the night by sharing a plate of waffles. There is no question that there is love between the two, but it remains strictly platonic with no inkling of possible romance. Who would have thought that genuine male-female friendships were one of the things we were lacking in representation?

Inevitably, Mandy tarnishes her friendship with Ben after prioritizing Graham, but she apologizes and makes up for it in the way they know how — waffles.

The actors do a phenomenal job in their roles and help the delivery of the script. Milo Manheim, who plays Ben, delivers his role in such an endearing way that even his awkward bits come off as charming.

If cheesy rom coms, prom and indecision about waffles are your forte, I highly recommend the “Prom Pact.” Don’t let the Mickey ears deter you from a good time.