The Antlerette
August 2022 Issue 1
California’s New Composting Law and Why It Matters
Adrian Bayardo, Staff
Donewithyourmeal?Don’tthrowyourleftoversinthetrash!AnewCalifornia law(SenateBill1383)ineffectthisyearrequiresallfoodwastetobecomposted with green waste. This law was passed with the hope of lowering methane emissionsfromfoodwastedecomposinginlandfills.Methaneisoneofthemain contributing factors to our rapidly changing climate, and it is even more detrimental than carbon dioxide. With catastrophic consequences of climate change being seen all over the world, the timing has never been better to implementthenecessarychangesforahealthierenvironment.
BeforeSB1383goingintoeffect,theonlymaterialsallowedinthegreenwastebin were plant matter like grass trimmings and tree limbs. Now, everything from meat,pasta,eggshells,fruit,vegetables,andmorebelongwiththegreenwasteto becompostedratherthanrottinginalandfill.Insteadoftossingyourleftoversin the trash, try putting food scraps into a smaller or separate container, then emptyingthatintothegreenwastebin.Don’tworry,youcanstilldumpfoodinto thegarbagedisposal,butit'srecommendedthatonlysmallerscrapsgointoreduce thestrainonwatertreatmentplantsthatfilterthematerials.
It’snotjusthomesthatareaffectedbythisbill;it’sbusinessestoo.California businessesthatdealwithfoodlikegrocerystoresarenowrequiredtodonate edibleexcessfoodtothoseinneed.Thisplanbothbenefitspeoplerelyingon food banks for their next meal and reduces the amount of food sent to decomposeinalandfill.Sincethebillisstillinitsearlydaysofimplementation, manycitiesandcountieshaven’tquitefiguredoutaplanastowhoisresponsible for food collection. This has left many small food banks and businesses strugglingtoimplementthelaw,andextremelyhighgaspricesandfoodprices havenotmadethisprocesseasier.Hopefullygiventime,guidelineswillbecome moreclearandthelawwillbeeasierforbusinessestofollow.
California’sgoalistorecover20%ofwastedfoodby2025,toreachthisgoal,we allneedtocontribute.Takingtheextracouplesecondstoseparateyourfood wastefromtheregulartrashcanissomethingwecanalldotofightclimate change.Californiais1ofonly2statestohaveabilllikethisinplace,andasthe mostpopulousstateinthecountrywehavethebiggestopportunitytomakea difference.Itwillbedifficultfornearly40millionCalifornianstoadjusttothis newlegislation,buttheendresultwillbeworthit.
Our Favorite Dwarf Planet Since 2006. Avani Kumar, Staff
In1930,PlutowasfoundbyClydeTombaugh,deemedthe9thplanetfromthe Sun,anditchangedthepathofourlives.Theoverwhelminglylovedplanetwas demotedbytheInternationalAstronomicalUnionin2006,buttheIAUwasnot expecting the major backlash that came with changing the order of the solar system.Solet’stalkaboutwhyPlutoshouldstillbeaplanet.
Firstly,theonlycriteriaPlutodoesn’tmeetisthesize,butit’s2022,andweknow betterthantojudgesomethingbasedonitssize.WhilePlutomaybetinytothe IAU,it’sbeenfoundtohavemountains,water,andmoons,soit’sbasicallyEarth’s introvertedsibling,andwestillloveitverydearly.TheIAUhad237peoplevotefor Plutotobecomeadwarfplanet,whichislessstudentsthanthereareinourentire school.WouldyouletourstudentbodydemotePluto?Ididn’tthinkso.
Neil Degreasse Tyson believes that Pluto, “Had it coming,” but if we ’ re being honest, why would we listen to a guy who mansplains science and harasses women?
TysonisknownforpromotingthedemotionofPluto,consistentlyprayingonits downfall.He’dbeenhatingPlutosince2000,notevenacknowledgingitasaplanet intheHaydenPlanetarium.
CharlesBolden,theformerheadofNASA,believesthatPlutoshouldbeaplanet, andgoessofarastoannounceitasaplanetinpressstatements,becauseevenhe understandsthatNeilisfaroffthemark.
The scientific argument that other similarly sized bodies, as well as Pluto, shouldalsobeclassifiedasplanetsfallsflat.Plutohasbeenthroughit,from becomingalovedplanet,togettinginvolvedwithNeilDegreasseTyson,tobeing wrongfullydemoted.Shedeservesanopportunitytoproveherself.Shemakes more important news than any other uninhabited planet, and rightfully so becauseshedominates.
TheIAUchangedPluto’sstatusbasedoncriteriaestablishedin2005,butrecent information has allowed us to learn that Mercury also does not meet all 3 criteria,yetwestilldeemitasaplanet.
Criteria1shouldbeenoughtodecide.TheIAUdefinesthefirstcriteriaas,“A planetisaplanetifenoughpeoplesayitis.”WhoaretheIAUtodecidewhatgets tobeaplanetandwhatdoesn’t?Noteverypersonwithatitleisdeservingofit, isn’tthatrightDOCTORNeilDegrasseTyson.
Iamnogenius,butIdoknowforafactthatenoughpeoplebelievePlutotobea planet, and that should be good enough for those 237 people. We make exceptionsconstantly,allowinganythingwithenoughpersuasion,sowhynot thistoo?IfweasapeoplecanconvinceJeffFowlertochangeSonic’smovie design,what’sstoppingusfrombringingPlutobackintothesolarsystem?
Writing a Complex Villain
Benjamin Carrillo, Editor in Chief
Whenwritinganystory,thepersonthatisthoughtofsecondtoyourmaincastof charactersistheantagonist.Theoneeveryonelovestohate.Theonethatsome evenlookforwardtoactivelyhating.Theonewhosemoralsarejusttheright amountofskewedwhereyoudon’tfeeldirtyforrootingforthemonoccasion,or theoneswhohaveasympatheticbackgroundthatmakesyoufeelbadforthefact they’veturnedoutthisway.Agoodvillaincandrivenotonlythecharactersin yourstory,butalsothereadertodoactionsthatwillchangetheirwayofthinking. Writingacomplexandcompellingantagonistisnearlyasmuchofafocalpointas writingagoodmaincastofprotagonists.
Butwhatdifferentiatesagoodvillainfromagreatone?Well,forstartersthemost important factor in creating any sort of antagonist is making sure that their motivesexplaintheiractions,ajustificationisn’tnecessary,assomeofthebest villainsarenotatalljustifiedinthewaythattheyact,suchasCruellaDeVille,but westillunderstandwhytheyactthewaythattheydo,andtheiractionsarestill explainable.TogobacktotheCruellaexample,weunderstandwhyshewantsthe puppiesinthefirstplace:tomakeafurcoat.Thismotiveisunderstandable,and alignswithhermotivesthroughouttheentiremovie.Nowtoofferupascenario wherethismotivewouldn’tmakeasmuchsense:CruellaDeVillestillwantsthe puppies,butinsteadofdoinganythingtogetthepuppiestobehers,sheinstead showscompassionforthedogsandtheirownersonmultipleoccasions.Itjust wouldn’tmakeasmuchsense.Consistencyisdebatablythemostimportantpart ofanygoodstory,andwithavillainthisrulereignssupreme.Asanygoodvillain withoutagoodmotiveisessentiallyuseless.
Solet’sreviewsomeofthebestandworstexamplesofvillainsinmodernmedia.
While reviewing a different variety of media to choose some of the central antagonists I would use in this article, I couldn’t help but keep drawing comparisonsbetweencertainvillainsindifferentmoviesI’veseen.Oneofthe greatest villains, and movies I’ve seen in general recently, would be Edgar Wright’s2021horror/dramamovie,LastNightinSoho.WhileIwon’tspoiltoo muchaboutthemovieitself,what'simportanttomentionisthetwistvillain,and howmasterfullytheyareincorporatedintothefilm.Theentiretimethemoviehas you confused about what’s actually happening to the main character in her dreams,andwhothemysteriousSandiecharacteris.Whenthetwistvillainis revealed,herarcallofasuddencomestoaninterestingconclusion.Whatmakes hersoexcellenthoweveristhatallofheractionsalignedwithhergoals,whenshe (spoilerwarning)attemptstomurdertheprotagonistinthefinalact,shedoesitin awaythatalignswithalltherestofthepreviousstorieswelearnedabouther,and italignswiththerestofherstory.AnantagonistwhoIthinkpalesincomparison this year would be Wanda Maximoff in Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness.Wandaherselfhadjustifiedmotives,andtheywereunderstandable. HoweverwhatruinedWandawasthedevelopmentupuntilthispoint.Shewas portrayedasawomanwhowastryingtounderstandherpowers,andgrowfrom herwarcrimes.Makingheravillainwastrulycharacterassassination.
Making a good villain is the most important part of a story. Writing a good fictionalvillaintostirupdrama,addsomenuancedconversation,andgiveconflict tothemaincharacterisessential.Hopefully,byreadingthisarticleyoucometoan understandingofhowtowritebettervillainsinyourownworksoffiction.
An Ode to Deglazing the Pan
Alyson Coles, News Editor
Picturethis:you’vebeenrecommendedadinnerrecipebyafriend,anditlooks delicious,soyoudecidetomakeit.Asitsimmersonthestove,itsmellsamazing, andyou’resoexcitedtotryit,butwhenyou’redone,you’releftwithamessypan tocleanupandaprettyblandmeal.Wheredidyougowrong?
Maybeyoushouldhavedeglazedyourpan.
Now I’d like to preface this with: deglazing the pan doesn't work in every situation.Ifyoutrythismethodwhilemakingscrambledeggs,it'sprobablyjust gonnamakeyoureggssoggy.Butinmanycases,itisareallyvaluableandeasy techniquethataddsflavortoyourdish.
Whenmakingadishinwhichyouintendondeglazingthepan,havingaplan andfollowingaspecificorderiskey.Ifyourrecipeincludessweatingvegetables, searingmeat,oranyotherkindofcookingwherethefoodiscookedquicklyon highheatwithsomekindoffatpreventingburning,thenyou'regoingtowantto dothatfirst.Inthispartoftheprocess,smallbitsofwhateveryou'recookingget stucktothepan,andaseverythingcontinuestocook,theselittlebitscaramelize anddevelopdeep,richflavors.Thenextstepis,ifyouhaven’talready,season. Yourseasoningshouldcookinthedrypanuntilitisfragrant,whichindicates that the same caramelization process is happening. Since seasonings are generallygroundveryfine,theywon'tneedalotoftimetocook.
Atthispoint,yourpanisreadytobedeglazed.Firstchoosealiquidtoincorporate intoyourdish.Ifyou’remakingasauce,youmightadddicedtomatoesorabroth. Insomedishes,youmightopttojustaddwater,andtoletmostofitevaporateoff asyoucontinuecooking.Addalltheliquidinthepanatonce,andmakesureit's enoughtocoatthewholebottomofthepan.
Whentheliquidisadded,alloftheflavorfulbitsofcaramelizedfoodandspices getunstuckfromthepan,andwhenyoustir,theyareincorporatedintoyourdish, notonlyaddingimmenseflavortoyourmeal,butalsomakingcleanupeasier!
Who Is The Best Spider-Man?
David Cano, Staff
Spider Man,oneofthemostpopularcomicbookcharactersevercreated,has had many movies made about him. The first ever Spider-Man movie was releasedinthe70sandthemostrecentreleasedin2021.Therehavebeenmany actorswhohavehadtheopportunitytoplayPeterParker,butthemostpopular areTobeyMaguire,AndrewGarfield,andTomHolland.
TobeyMaguirewasSpider-Manfrom2002to2007,andwasapioneerforthe modern day superhero genre. The Tobey Maguire movies did a lot for the superherogenreandsetastandardforhowacomicbookmovieshouldbemade. Thesemovieswerealotofpeople'sintroductiontothestoryofSpider-Man, whichgivesitalotofpraisetoday.Thenostalgiathatpeoplefeelwhenwatching thesemoviesisunmatchablecomparedtoanyoftheSpider-Manmovies.Tobey MaguiredoesaperfectjobatportrayinganaccuratePeterParkerwithhowhe wastreatedatschoolandeverywhereelse.InthecomicsPeterParkerisageeky teenwhoisbulliedandgetstreatedlikeheisinferiorbythepeoplearoundhim. Maguire’sPeterParkerisalwaysgettingpickedonandgettingtheshortendof thestickbyhisclassmates,hislandlord,andhisemployers.Maguireaccurately representstheaveragelifeofPeterParkerandwhatwewentthroughwhenhe wasn't Spider Man. However, Maguire may succeed in accurately portraying Peter Parker, but he fails to accurately portray Spider-Man. Spider-Man is knownforhiswittycommentsandjokeswhilefightingandMaguirejustdoesn't deliverthat.
AftertheboxofficeflopofSpider Man3,Sonydecideditwastimeforarebootof theSpider Manmovieswithanentirelynewfranchise.AfterMaguire,came AndrewGarfieldwith The Amazing Spider-Man,anewandimprovedversionof PeterParkerwithnewcharactersaswellasstory.AndrewGarfieldhadalotto
live up to after the first Spider-Man trilogy, which eventually led to its downfall.UnlikeMaguire,Garfielddidthemostaccuratejobatportrayinghow Spider-Manactuallyis.ThejokesandcommentsGarfieldmakeswhilefighting isalmostexactlylikehowitisinthecomics.Eventhewayhefightsanduseshis websisaccuratetothecomics,whichseparateshimfromMaguire.However, GarfielddidnotdoagoodjobatportrayingthegeekysideofPeterParker.In themovies,Peterisateenwhohasnicestyle,skates,anddoesn'thavetoputup withthebullyingthatTobeyMaguire'sPeterfaced.
AfterthevastsuccessoftheMarvelCinematicUniverseandanotherboxoffice flopwithTheAmazingSpider Man2,Sonydecideditwastimeforanother rebootwithMarvelbeingthemainproducer.AbrandnewactornamedTom HollandwasthelastandmostrecentactortotakeonthePeterParkername. Holland’sPeterisaperfectmixbetweenhispredecessors,withthegeekinessof MaguireandthefightingasGarfield.TomHollandhadmanycomicaccurate moments throughout his trilogy, some being his interactions with other superheroes that the other movies couldn't do because of licensing. Many believethattheMCUSpider-Manisthemostinaccuratebecauseofthefactthat Tony Stark made his suit, whereas in the other movies, a major character momentisPeterParkerhavingnohelpandmakinghissuithimself.Thisall changedin No Way Home wherePeterloseshisidentityandhastoliveonhis ownandcreatehisownthings,justlikehowthecomicsportrayedPeter.
AfterreflectingoneachSpider Man,Ihavecometotheconclusionthatitis entirelyuptotheindividualonwhothebestSpider-Manis,andthatallthreeof themhavetheirprosandcons.Inmyownopinion,IbelieveTomHollandisthe bestSpider-Manbasedontheevidence,butthereisnotanobjectivelyright pickforthebestSpider Manbecausetherearemanyfactorstoconsider.
Fishing for Conrad Fisher
Theboyyouhavelovedfor16summerswon'tconfirmhisfeelingsforyou.He hasayoungerbrother,yourage,whobeginstothinkofyouinaromanticway afterayearofyoubeinggone.Beforefeelingdifferentlyabouttheolderbrother, youhavearomanticmomentwithhisyoungerbrother.Isabel,“Belly”Conklinis putinthissituation.Inthetelevisionseries,TheSummerITurnedPretty,she decidestopushherfeelingsasidefromtheolderbrother,Conrad,andstarts something with Conrad’s younger brother, Jeremiah. She also experiences a romanticmomentwithConrad.Sheneedstodecidewhethershemadetheright decision,orifsheruinedeverything.HerearethemanyreasonswhyIbelieve ConradisthecorrectoptionforBelly.
Conraddiscoveredhismother’scancerhadcomeback.Hehadnobodytotell,so hesufferedalone.Hewasnotintherightheadspacetobeinarelationship,sohe deniedhisfeelingsforBelly.Heknewshedidn’tdeservetobetreatedpoorly enoughtobeinarelationshipwiththeversionofhimselfhewas.Asmanymay viewhimasabadpersonfornotopeningupinsteadof“treatingpeoplepoorly”, hedidn’tthinkitwashisplacetotelleveryone,hewaswaitingforhismomtoat leasttellhim,ifshewasn’tplanningontellinganyoneelse.Theonlythingsthat made Conrad happy were little moments he had with Belly. Even Conrad’s mothersaidheseemedlikehimselfagainafterheplayedvolleyballwithBelly.
Jeremiahisverycharmingbutalongwiththosecharms,heisthejealous,toxic typewhichiswhyIfeelheisnogoodforher.WhenhesawConradandBelly together,helitafireworktowardsthemjustsimplybasedonthefactthatthey
Ariana Velazquez, Staff
weretogether.Inthebookseries,JeremiahalsocheatsonBellywhenhewent onatripandwhenhetalkedtoBellyafterthat,hebrushedthesituationoffby proposing.
Conraddistancedhimselfwhenhefeltlikehecouldruinwhathehadwith Belly.WhileConradismoreofthemysterioustype,IbelievethatiswhatBelly needs.Bellywishesfortheexcitement,themystery,andthelovesheknows Conradiscapableofgivingandsheshouldbeabletogetthatafterthemany yearsof“fishing”forConradFisher.
Wait, You’re What?
Azriel Ezra Hu, Staff
Let’sstartwiththefacts:Someonewhoisaromantic(oraro)experienceslittleto no romantic attraction, or they experience it in a way different from the “conventional”way.Someonewhoisasexual(orace)experienceslittletono sexualattraction,ortheyexperienceinawaydifferentfromthe“conventional” way.Despitehowsimilartheyseem,theyarewhollydifferent-thoughtheyare commonlygroupedtogether. Now,let’sgetsomethingclear:No,asexualsaren’tbroken.No,aromanticsaren’t heartless.Yes,wearecapableofloveandofbeingloved.There’salotofstigmas, butit’sreallynotrocketscience.
Botharomanticandasexualareumbrellaterms,justlikequeerorLGBTQ+.That meanstheyencompassaspectrumofidentities.Evenifsomeoneagreeswithan identity,theymaynotnecessarilychoosetolabelthemselvesassuch.It’stheir choice. Butwhat’sunderthoseumbrellas?Somewell-knownidentitiesareallosexual, alloromantic, grayasexual, grayromantic, demisexual, demiromantic, aceflux, andaroflux.Theseareonlyahandfulfromtheacespec(asexualspectrum)and the arospec (aromantic spectrum). Generally, if you ’ re alloromantic or allosexual,youexperienceromanticorsexualattraction respectively ina “normal”amountorina“conventional”way.
Thedefinitonsofbothgrayasexualandgrayromantictendtovaryfromperson toperson,butcommonassociationsincludeexperiencingattractionuncommon fortheindividual,experiencingattractiononlytowardsspecificpeople,or
experiencing attraction infrequently/at a low intensity/in an ambiguous way. Somepeoplewhocallthemselvesgraysexual/grayromanticmaynotbesurethat theyexperiencesexual/romanticattractionatall.
Demisexualreferstosomeonewhodoesnotexperiencesexualattractionwithout firstformingadeepbondwithanindividual,orsomeonewhomayhavelittleto no interest in sex. Demiromantic refers to someone who doesn’t experience romantic attraction without first forming a deep bond with an individual, or someonewhoonlyexperienceslimitedromanticattraction.
Arofluxandacefluxrefertopeoplewhofluctuateontheirrespectivespectrum. Someonepeoplemayalsojustchoosetoidentifyasaromanticorasexualandnot asamorespecificidentity.
Asexualandaromanticarealsoidentitiesjustlikegay,bi,andpanare.Asexualis a sexual orientation like homosexual, bisexual, and pansexual; aromantic is a romanticorientationlikehomoromantic,biromantic,andpanromantic.So,just likeyoucanbeabisexualaceoranaropansexual,therealsoexiststheidentityof aroace someone who identifies as both aromantic and asexual. Just like the individual identities, someone who is aroace may only use the term as an umbrella.
Asexualsandaromanticsaren’tdifferentfrom“normal”people.Weexperience lovetoo andeventhoughwearejudgedandexcludedfromsomeheteroand queercommunitiesalike-wearestillpeople.
Black Swan Movie Review
Kayla Rose, Staff
MyoverallreviewofBlackSwanwas5outof5stars.Ilovedthewaythatthe storyshowcasedbothNinaasapersonandLilyher‘counterpart’,andwhoNina seesastheBlackSwan.ThemoviewasveryfocusedonNinaasacharacterand thecharacterstudywasoneofmyfavoritepartsaboutit.Therewassomuch emotioninthestoryanditwashonestlyadevastatingendtoagreatstory,buta greatstorynonetheless.
NinaSayersisatwenty eightyearoldaspiringballerinathatliveswithher mother,EricaSayers,whoalsousedtobeaballerina.It’snoticedprettyearlyin themoviethatNinaisobsessedwithbeingcompletelyandutterlyperfect,from thewaythatshecompletelydisregardsalotofthingsthathappentoherwithin themovie.Ninaalsohasachildlikeand‘innocent’personality,whichisseenby thewaythatshespeakstohermotheronthephoneaftershereceivestheroleof theSwanQueen.Ninadoesn’treallyhaveverymanyotherinterests;herentire liferevolvesaroundballet whichcouldpossiblybefromtheinfluenceofher mother,Erica herdesiretobeperfect,andunfortunatelythemajorityofherlife beingsuppressedintoonehobby.
Nina’sstriveforperfectioniswhatdamageshermentalhealth.Shebeginsto showclearsignsofanxietydisordersalongwithobsessivecompulsivedisorder (OCD)asthemovieprogressesfurther.AfterNinagetstheroleoftheSwan Queen,shebeginstohallucinateadarkerpartofherselfandsuddenlybecomes obsessedwiththeideaofbeingtheBlackSwan.Lily,whatsomepeoplecall‘Dark Nina’,representstheBlackSwaninNina’smind,whoNinawantstobe,butis tooscaredtobecome.
Thismovieshowswhatalotofballerinasareforcedtoovercome,tobeperfect in any way that they can. Black Swan is an accurate representation of the dancingindustry,whichiswhyIthinkitshouldbeamoretalkedaboutmovie andisactuallymoreimportantthanpeoplethinkitis.
Monsters University: Why It Has a Great Message on Disability
TheDisneyPixarmovie MonstersUniversity delvesintothetopicofdisabilitythat notmanymoviesdaretoevertouch,oriftheydotouchonit’srarelyexecuted well.Thismoviefollowsasmall,roundmonsternamedMikeWazowskiwho wants to become the best “ scarer ” that there ever was by entering into the scaringprogramatacollegecalledMonstersUniversity.DespitehisandJames Sullivan’s,orSully’s,actionsbeingthecauseofthemgettingkickedoutofthe programforbreakingtheDean’sscreamcontainer,hecompetesintheScaring Gameswithhisenemy turned friendSullyinordertogethimselfandhisteam backintotheScaringProgram.Mike’sultimategoalinthemovieistobecome thebestScarertheworldhaseverseen.However,heismetwithmanysetbacks ashisphysicalappearanceisnotseenasscaryenough,alongwithhisgroupof friendsfromfraternity,OozmaKappa.
Mike faces a number of challenges throughout the movie, whether he is constantlytoldbyamajorityofhispeersthatheisnotscaryenoughtobecomea scarer,orheissimplyunabletobescaryenoughbasedonappearance.Itcanbe seenasasortofracism,butinrealityit’sableistaswellashavingtruthtothe statements thrown his way. While these monsters may be cruel, there is an unfortunate reality to their words. Despite his adversity and determination throughoutthemovie,Mikewillneverbescaryenoughtoscareakidinorderto harvestscreams.Mikeworkedhishardesttobecomeasscaryashecouldbe,but it’s more than just knowledge and skill, it comes down to his physical appearance.Heisamonsterthatrepresentsthephysicaldisabilityinthewayhe isn’tterrifying,meaninghecan’teverbecomeaprofessionalscarer.Hecould try,buthemayneveractuallybetakenseriously.
Cadence Rinelli, Staff
AfterhefindsoutSullycheatedatthelastgameintheScareGamesbecausehe didn’tthinkMikecouldscaretherobotickidonthehardestlevelforscaring, MikerunsoffintooneofthedoorsthatstudentsmadeintheUniversitythat leadtothehumanworldtoproveheisscary.Itisonlyafterhegetslaughedat bythelittlekidsandisunabletoscarethemiswhenherealizeshewillneverbe abletoscarelikesomeoftheothermonsters.However,hefindsanotherwayto somehow be involved in that career path by becoming an assistant to the Scarers.Thisrepresentationshowsalternativewaystoassistincareersrelated topossibledreamjobs.Somepeoplemayneverbeabletodocertainjobsdueto certainphysicalormentaldisabilities,butthismovieshowsvariouswaysin whichpeoplewithsuchdisabilitiescanpursuetheirpassions,despiteitbeing indirect.Mostmoviesoftenhavemomentswherethemaincharactermakesit their goal, but this movie flips the script and shows the reality of these situations.
Monsters University has its quirks and some flaws that are not always appealing to the audience. Though the message that it’s actively conveying throughitsplotandthroughthesupportingcharactershelpMikeunderstand howhecanstillcontributetobeingaScarerwithoutphysicallybeingone.It allowsforkidsandevenadultstounderstandhowtheunfortunaterealityofthe worldfunctionsforcertainprofessions.
Jasmine Should Have Been the Villain of Aladdin
Ailidh Ruthven, Staff
Aladdin is a relatively decent movie, especially for one of Disney’s earlier productions.Noonecandoubtit’saclassic.However,it’seasyforanyonewho looksatthemoviewithamorecriticaleyetoseethatthereareplotholesand unansweredquestionsthroughoutthefilm.But,mostoftheseissuesliewiththe movie’s villain. Some of the best villains are the villains we connect to, the villainsweunderstandbutstillcannotcondone.Jafarisnotthisvillain,but Jasminecouldhavebeen.
Jafarisaflat,cookie-cuttervillain.He’snarcissisticandpowerhungry,though whatheactuallywantsisdebatable.DoeshewanttobecomeSultan?Isthatwhy he wants to force Jasmine to marry him? But why does he want to become Sultan?Justforpower?WhydoesheneedtobecomeSultanifhecanalready mindcontrolthecurrentSultan?Andwhydoesheneedthegenielamp?There’s lotsofquestionsthatareneveransweredinthefilm.
TheconceptforthemovieAladdinissurprisinglydark,thoughlayersofmusic, dance,andcomedylatheredontopdoeswelltodistractchildrenfromthisdark foundation. A princess, who grew up isolated from the outside world with animalsasheronlycompanions,hasonlythreemoredaysbeforeshemust chooseaprincetomarryandgiveupthelittlefreedomshe’sbeengivenher wholelife.Shehasn’tevenhadtheopportunitytotrulyliveherlifeandyetshe mustalreadychainherselfandherfuturetoamanshe’lllikelyonlymeetonce beforehavingtochoosewhotomarry.
Jasmineisshownmultipletimesinthemovietobethekindofpersonwho wantsherfreedomanddespisesbeingtreatedlikeproperty,yetsheshowsno realagencythroughoutthefilm.Jasmineisthedamselindistress,forcedtoleta mansaveherinsteadofdoingsomethingaboutthesituationherself.Attheend ofthemovie,Aladdinandthegeniesavethedayandherfatherdecidesthat Jasminecanmarrywhoevershewantsafterall.Ifthelawcouldbechanged fromtheverybeginning,whydidheonlychoosetodosoaftertheeventsofthe movie?Didhesimplyfeelhehadnochoicenowthattheboyshewantedto marrysavedhisneck?Thatseemsrathersuspiciousofafatherwhoclaimsto lovehisdaughter.
Takingallofthisintoconsideration,itbecomesclearthatJasminehasobvious motivationandjustificationformorallyquestionabledecisions,ifshewould justmakethem.Sowhatif,insteadofwaitingforrescue,shetookthesituation intoherownhands?Whatifshemurderedherfatherinordertopreservethe littlefreedomshe’sgiven?Whatifthen,whenJafartriestomanipulateheras well,shekillshimtoo?ShewouldlikelytheninheritthetitleofSultan,andthe guiltofkillingherfatherwouldhelpdrawherfurtherintoavillainousspiral. Aladdin,whomshewouldhavemetandfallenforbeforemurderingherfather, wouldhavetofightbetweenhisfeelingsforherandwhat’smorallyright.He couldevenusehiswishesgiventohimbythegenietotryandhelphergoback towhoshewas,buteventuallyfindthatshe’stoofargone.
AbittragicforaDisneymovie,butamuchmorecomplicatedconceptthanthe original story. A darker version leaves a lot more at stake and leaves the characterswithmuchmoreinternalconflicttobeexplored.Ifthemoviewentin adirectionwithJasmineasthevillain,thestorywouldmakemuchmoresense and would have fewer unanswered questions. Her motivations as a villain would be much clearer than Jafar’s and would add to the stakes for the protagonist.Notonlythat,butastrongfemalevillainwithtrueagencywould sendabettermessagethanastereotypicalmalevillainandadamselindistress. Evenamoresanitizedversionwouldhavebeengreatlyimprovedbyastrong femalevillain.
The Misplace
Spruce Rants-Bigam, Staff
IfyouweretoaskoneReedBryant,highschoolisaprettymiserableplace.It’s filledwithallsortsofhorriblethings:homework,essays,bullies,awfulfoodthat -let’s be honest- is probably radioactive. Everyone is always looking for an excusetobeoutoftheclassroom,sowhenhissubstitutehistoryteacheraskedif someonewouldbewillingtotakeattendancetotheoffice,hewasoutofthedoor andawayfromthehorrorsofpossiblyhavingtotakemorenotesonchildlabor duringtheearly20thcenturyinseconds.
Thesubwasclearlyoutofhisdepthandlikelyhadnoideawheretheattendance officewasrelativetohisclassroom,soReedfiguredhehadafewminutestowalk around before being dragged back by campus security. He had just ducked aroundthecornertoavoidMrs.Clarson,becausehewasprettysureifhegot another detention he would be up for Saturday school. He had just leaned againstthelockerswhentherewasaverylargeBANGfrombehindthem(andno heabsolutelydidnotscreambecausehewasabigkidthankyouverymuch).
Whirlingaroundinwhatwasdefinitelyanappropriatemomentofconcern,he warilyeyedthelockers.AtfirstReedconsidereditjustbeinganotherstudent alsoshirkingclassworkandjustchoosingtobeobnoxiousaboutit,butquickly realizedthatthelockerswereupagainstawall itwasn’tpossibleforsomeoneto havebangedontheothersideofthem.Eyesnarrowedinsuspicion,heleaned forwardandplacedhisearagainstthelockertryingtolistenandseeifmaybe somethinghadwormeditswayinside,likeapossum.Helistenedintentlyfora momentbeforesighinganddecidinghe'dsimplyimaginedit,butashepulled awaytherewasanotherviolentBANGthistimeaccompaniedbythesoundof
somethingmovingaroundinside.Stumblingbackwards,Reed’seyeswidened inshockandbegantowaterslightlybecauseowthatwasrightinhisear.The lockersvibratedslightlywiththeforce,andeversoslowly,Reedreachedoutto pressapalmagainsttheshudderingmetal-onlytorearbackasthelocker slammedopen,andapairofbrightblueeyespeeredoutathim,disappearing justasquicklyastheycame.
STOPONE
NowReedisbynomeansafool.He’stakenanAPexamortwoandmaintained asteady3.5GPAthroughouthiseducation-soheknowsdamnwellthatthose arehumaneyes,andahumanshouldnotbeabletofitinoneofthepathetically smalllockersathisschool.Butacloserlookattheinsideofthelockersrevealed somethingverypeculiar thelockerscouldn'thavebeenmorethanafootdeep withflimsyslatecoloredwallsliningthesides,yetwhenReedstaredintothe cavity,itwasallblack.
Afteramomentofdeliberation(andhonestlytherewasnocontest,gobackto classorinvestigatethefunkylockerspace,itwasaneasychoice),heshovedhis headthroughtheopendoorandfelthisjawdropinamazement.Insidewasa giantblackspacewithtwomagnificentmahoganydoors,onetoeachsideof him.Therewasagiggleofftohisleft,andthenthedooropenedafractionofan inchtoletinasharprayoflightbeforeshuttingwithabang.
Reedlaunchedtherestofhisbodythroughtheopeningandracedofftothe door,notcaringasthelockerslammedshutbehindhim.Heskiddedtoastop andwrenchedthemassivedooropen,andwasimmediatelyblindedbyallthe color.Itwaseverywhere,aneonorangechair,brightyellowwalls,apurple table,anditjustkeptgoing.OnceReedwasabletoprocesssomethingother thantherainbowthatseemedtothrowupintheroom,hewasimmediately takenbackbytheamountofstuffthatlitteredthefloor.Brokenpencils,coffee-
coveredtextbooksthatweredefinitelyolderthanhim,hairbrushes,evenanold lunchboxthatlookedlikesomethingwasgrowingonit.Hespuninwonder (and slight disgust because seriously what was with that lunchbox??) and abruptlystoppedasherealizedtherewassomething,wellsomeonesittingin thatGodawfulchair.Theyweredrapedacrossthearms,feetbouncingasthey held a book above their head and hummed. Reed moved to step back and immediatelyregretteditasheknockedintoapileofstuffandsentitcrashingto thefloor.Thefigureinthechairlazilyglancedoverathim,andgaveanimpish smile.
“Don’t look so worried man, it’ll fix itself in a minute,” they said airily, “M’namesCharlie,yours?”
STOPTWO
ReedblinkedatCharlieforamoment,debatingwhetherornotheshouldsay something.Worstcasescenario,theymightturnouttobeacrazyaxemurderer andhe’dneverseehisfriendsagain,butanyonewhositsinchairslikethatto readisprobablysafeenough.“Reed,myname'sReed,”hesaidslowly.
Charlierocketedupfromthechair,“Wait,ReedBryant?IthinkI’vegotyour jacket,theblueoneyouleftatthelibrarylastmonth.”Thebookwastossedto thefloor,whichhurtReedimmensely,andtheybeganrummagingthroughone ofthemanypilesofstuffonthefloor.
“Souh,whatisthisplace?”Reedasked,hopingtowhateverhigherbeingthere maybethathesoundedcasualandnotasdisorientedashefelt.
Charliedidn'tevenpausetolookathim“Idunno,IlikecallingittheMisplace though.Seemsfitting,right?”Thensuddenly,theyshovedtheirhandintothe centerofthepileontheirleftandpulledoutReed’sjacketwithatriumphant shout.ReedjuststareddumblyatCharlieforamoment.Hehadn'tbeenableto findthatjacketanywhere,andsuddenlythisguyjusthadit?
“Isthisnotyourjacket?‘CauseIcouldhaveswornthiswasit.”
Reed shook his head, “No, no it is mine. I’m just, a little lost?” he replied, gesturinghelplesslywithonehandtotheroomwhilsttakingthejacketwiththe other.
Charliesnickered,“Wellduhofcourseyou'relost,youcan’tbeintheMisplaceif you 'renotlost.”TheyweresmilinglazilyatReed,andReedfeltlikepullinghis hairoutinresponse.
Hesighedharshly,”Okay,thenwhatistheMisplace?”
“Well,”Charliepaused,drawingoutthewordforanobnoxiouslylongtime,” TheMisplaceiswherethingsgowhentheygetlostorforgottenoncampus. Maybesomeonelefttheirtextbookinaclass,orabottleofperfumefelloutof theirbag,itdoesn'tmatter.Itallendsuphere,likeyourjacket.”
Reedpinchedhisnose,”Okay,thenhowareyouhereandwhy?”
It was like a switch had been flipped in Charlie, the easy going demeanor vanishedandReedinstantlywantedtotakebackthequestion.
“Peoplegetlostandforgottentoo,”theymuttered,”andIendeduphere,just likeeverythingelse.”
Theatmospherehadturnedawkwardandpainful,andReedhatedit.Glancing aroundatthepilesthatsurroundedthem,heranahandthroughhishairand said,”Idon’twanttogobacktoclass,youhappentohaveanyboardgamesora deckofcards?”
Charlie’s face cracked into a wide grin again and they jumped off to go rummagethroughanotherpile,babblingallthewhileaboutwantingtoplay Monopolywithsomeonebutnoonehavingdroppedbyinyears.Eyeswide, Reedstaredasayellowboxthatlookedlikeitwasheldtogetherbyscotchtape andhopewasyankedfreeandCharliesprintedovertohim.
“This,”theybeganproudly,“isabonafideoriginaleditionofMonopoly,made in1935.Youready?”
Reedjuststaredasafewpuzzlepiecesclickedintoplaceashestaredatthe personinfrontofhim.Nobodyhadvisitedinyears,thereweretextbooksthat had been out of date for several decades, and now Charlie yanked out an originaleditionofMonopoly.“Charlie,”hewhisperedsoftly,“Charlie,what yearisit?”
Charliejustkindoflookedathimwitharaisedeyebrow.“Don'tlooksoscared, itwas1938whenIendeduphere,butit’snotthatbigofadeal.Timepasses differentlyinherethanoutthere,that'swhyIstilllooksoyoungandbeautiful. Honestly,Idon'tknowhowitworks,”theyshrugged,“butit’sdifferentfor everyone who passess through. The last girl had to leave after ten minutes becauseshewasagingsofast.Cameinafreshman,wentoutlookinglikeamom withthreekids.”
Reedfeltincrediblyoffkilter.Charliewasinhereforalmostacenturybut hadn’tagedaday,andalmostcompletelyalonefromhowitsounded.They didn'tevenseemtocarethattimewasmovingonwithoutthem.Absently,they tooktheboxfromCharlieandwalkedoverthehorrificpurpletableandbegan settingupthegame.Afteraminute,herealizedCharliewasstaringathim dumblywherehehadleftthemstanding.
“Youaren’tleaving?”theywhispered.
Snorting,Reeddidn'tevenpauseashewascountingoutthemoney,”Why wouldI?It’snotlikeI’vegotmuchtogobacktorightnow,andIdon'tseemto beagingtooquickly.Idon’tseetheproblemwithagameofMonopoly.Besides, yousoundlikeyoucouldusethecompany.”
Charlieracedovertothetableandsatdownwithaheavythunk.“You’llleave eventuallythough,won'tyou?”theyinquired,eyeswide.
“Maybenot,”Reedreplied.“There'snotmuchformetogobacktoasidefrom poorgradesandcrappyfosterhomes.You’vegotatelevision,andeitherfood andwateraren'tissueinhereoryou’vegotawaytogetsomefairlyeasily.I thinkitsoundslikefunhonestly.”
“Yeah,yeahitdoessoundnice,”andslowlyCharlieleanedbackinthebright green(wasthatvelvet??)chairthatcompletedthehorrifictableset.
Finally,thegamewasallsettogo,andReedheldoutthelittlebagoficonsto choosefrom,“Thenlet’splay.”
Smiling,Charliereachedinandpulledoutthetophat,“Yeah,let’s.”
Why Steve Harrington Is the Best Stranger Things Character Kai Hancock, Staff
HeissupportiveofRobin,hislesbianbestfriend.EversinceStevefoundout Robinwasgay,hebecamereallysupportive.Hewouldhypeherupwhenshe hadacrushonsomeoneandencouragehertoaskthegirlout.Robinhadasked Stevetokeephersecretofbeingattractedtogirlsbecausebackinthe80sbeing anythingotherthanstraightyouwouldgetmadefunof.Stevekeptitasecret fromeveryoneandasfarasweknow,heiskeepinghersecretuntilthedayhe dies.NotevenDustin,hisbestfriend,knewRobinwasalesbian.
His friendship and maternal relationship with Dustin was very important; throughoutthewholeshowStevehasbeenthereforDustinnomatterwhat.He alwaysprotectshimfrommonsters,bullies,school,etc.SteveisthereforDustin whenhehelpswithanything;whetheritbegirladviceorgoingtosearchfor clues,MamaSteveisalwaystheretohelp.HemakesDustinfeellikenomatter whatpeoplethink,DustinisthebestsonStevehaseverhad.Theyhavealotof funtogetheranddoeverythingwitheachother.Theyalwaysjokearoundwith eachotherandcareabouteachother.
FrombullytoMamaSteve,readallabouttheSteveHarringtonweknowand love, and the reasons behind this great mom. Steve Harrington is the best characteranytimeoftheday,alotofpeoplearoundtheworldlovehim.Steve hascomealongwayfrombeingabully.Hischaracterdevelopmentisacrucial partofwhyheisthebestandhascomealongway.Season1Stevewassucha jerktoeveryoneandwasthetypical80sjock goodhair,stupidhumor,and meantoeveryonewhoisn’tpopularorajockylikehim.Thenwhenhemet Dustineverythingchanged.Stevebecameabetterguy,supersweet,funny,and protectiveofDustinandhisfriends.
He has shown growth throughout the years. When we look at Steve from Season1toSeason4,weseeabigchange.Season1Stevewasajerk,acting “cool’’,butbullyingNancy'sfriendBarb,fightingoverNancy,andoveralljust beingajerk.AstheseasonsgoonandheisnotwithNancy,heisamomof8 kids,onbettertermswithJonathan,andhegotridofhisbullyfriends.Wesee himgrowintoabetterperson.MamaSteveisstartingtounderstandandaccept more.Heisbeingnicertopeopleanddoesn’tcareiftheyareorwere“popular”, takingmoreresponsibilityforhisactions,steppinginwhenheseessomething wrong.Imeanhegotbeatupthreetimesforhiskids,whereSeason1Steve wouldnever.
Stevehasmanydifferentnamesandhismostpopularinhigh-schoolwasSteve “TheHair’’Harrington.Hishairissofullofvolume,superfluffy,andprobably reallysoft.Stevetakeshishairveryseriouslyandwon'tletanyonetouchit.And God forbid someone ask him to give out the secret of how he makes it so amazing.TheonlypersonhehastoldhissecrettoisDustin.
All these reasons show that Steve Harrington is the best Stranger Things character.Whodoyouthinkisthebest?
Why Prehistoric Insects Are So Attractive
Samantha Ramon-Azvedo, Staff
Example:MeganeuropsisPermiana,whichIfondlycallMegaP.Itsclosefamilial resemblancetoamodern daydragonflymakesitafamiliarface.MegaPisone ofthelargestinsectseverrecorded.Withawingspanof28inches,itwaspretty big.Duetotheirlargesize,theyruledtheskieswiththeirstrong,veinywings. They’rea”growifyouwannasurvive”kindofspecies.Notparticularlybecause ofpredators,butbecausetheatmospherewassooxygen-saturatedthatifthey didn’tgetbiggerthey’dgetpoisonedbyit,anddie.
ScientistsestimatethatMegaPwasmostlikelyasecondaryconsumer,meaning itmainlyateherbivores,likeinsects,smallamphibians,andsmallvertebrates. Sotheyweremeateaters:big,bloodyandpowerhungry,whichIknowisa fantasytosomeofyou.MegaPhasamultitudeofsmallappendagesattheendof theirabdomen.Andwhiletheirpurposeisrelativelyunknown,it'sestimatedto beformating,layingeggs,anchoring,oralloftheabove.
Nonetheless,thereisnothingunappealingaboutthesebeautifulcreatures,and thereisnothingwrongwithasmall moderatecrushontheseattractivebeings. Theirstrangelureentrapsallthatlookintotheirhugeadorableeyes.
ScienceBreak:
Thegeneralconsensusofscientistssaythatthebiggestsizeaninsectcouldbeis dependentonhowmuchoxygenisavailableforrespiration.Andconsidering thattheyranrampantintheCarboniferousera,whereoxygenlevelswereatan estimated35%(comparedtotoday's21%),theywouldbeseenasabominationsin
Youcan’treasonablysaythatyouweren’tattractedtotheideaofhugeinsects thatcouldeatyoubeforedinosaursevercould.Theideaofbugsbiggerthanyour headhasastrangepullthatmanyentomologistsfallpreyto,andnowyouwill too.today'stime.Theirwingspanwascomparabletobaseballbatsandtheirbodies wereaslongasbowlingballpins.Theycoulddefinitelytakeyoursmallerdogs inafight,andmightevenwin.Theyhadaseriesoftrachealtubesthatled oxygendirectlyintotheirinternaltissues,whichiswhytheyweregrowingto suchsizes.Andwhileitsoundsgoodinthemoment,thesecondtheoxygenin the atmosphere dropped, they either had to adapt by getting smaller, or outrightjustwentextinct.
The Perfect Apple Pie
Diana Cruz, Copy editor
Anapplepiewillalwaysbetheclassicholidaydesserttosharewithlovedones. Withtheflakycrustandthesweetandsavoryfillingyoucannevergowrong. Perhapsyoufeelasthoughyourlocalbakeryhastheperfectapplepiebuttrust me it does not get better than having the perfect apple pie recipe at your fingertips.Thismouthwateringapplepieiswortheverycrustflake.Speakingof, that’sactuallyexactlywherewebegin.2½cupsofallpurposeflour,¼cupof sugarand¼tspofsalt.
Youmustfirstcombineallthedryingredientsinonebowl.Afterwards,youcan addallyourwetingredients.Ifyouhavesaltedbutteryoudon’thavetoaddsalt toyourdryingredientsbecauseitcouldoverpowerthedough.Whenpreparing thewetingredients,makingsureyourbutterisfrozenwouldbeeasierbecause youcanproperlygrateitanditwillcreateasoftflakinesstoyourcrust.1cupof frozengratedbutter,¼cupofwater,2tbspofvodka.
Atthispointallyourwetingredientsanddryingredientsshouldbecombined. Doubleitsoyoucanhavealatticeforthetopandbottom,thevodkaisoptional, manylikebakingwithalcoholandothersprefernotto.However,alcoholwhen itcomestobaking,heightensandenrichesflavors.Thealcoholwilleventually burnoffintheoven.Oncealliscombinedyoucanuseapastrymattofurther pressthedoughandwrapinplasticfoodwrapwhichyou’llplaceinthefridge whileyoustartonyourapplepiefilling.7apples(GrannySmith),¼cupof strainedlemonjuice,⅔cupofsugarand3tbspoficewater.
You’regoingtopeelyourapplesandcutthemevenly.Thereasonwhyyou’d wanttouseGrannySmithapplesisbecausetheyhaveatarttastewhichwill balanceoutwiththesweetness.After,youaregoingtotossthemaroundina
bowlwiththerestoftheotheringredientssoitcanallcombineandthenyou’re goingtoneedasautepansetonmedium/highheatandaddahalfstickofbutter andyourapplemixoncedissolved.Withintwotothreeminutesyouwilladd cornstarchandflouraswellascinnamonandatadofnutmegforflavor.½tsp of cinnamon, 1 tbsp of cornstarch, 1 tbsp of flour, and nutmeg to your preference. Oncealltheingredientsareaddedyouaregoingtomixthem.Youthenwill coverthepanandleaveonmedium/highheatforseventoeightminutes.The cornstarchwillthickenthefillingandusuallyyouwouldjustusecornstarch andthenseparatetheapplesfromtheexcessoftheapplestoleaveonthepan andthickenuptoglazetheappleswith.However,whatIfoundsavestimeis addingapartfrom1tbspofcornstarchatablespoonofflour,youwon’tneedto standthereforafewextraminutesallyouhavetodonowisstraintheapples fromtheirgoldenexcessandthenmarinatetheapplesinit’sthickjuiceand nowallyouhavetodoismakethecrusttopping.1egg,and1tbspofcream. You’regoingtomixboththeeggandcreamandsetasidewhileyouaddyour applefillinginyourdoughwhichyouwillrolloutandplaceonyourpiedish. Onceyousuccessfullyputyourapplefillinginthecrust,youaregoingtoadd lightwhippedbutterontopofthespreadedapples.Thispreventsthejuices frombubblingwhilebeingbaked,finallyyou’llplacetheseconddiscofdough ontop,securetheedges,anddesignitasyouplease.Onlythenyouwillbrush theegg/creammixontopandyou’lladdcinnamonsugarwhichwouldbe¼cup ofsugarmixedwith½teaspoonofcinnamonandsprinkleontopofyourpieto yourliking.Ifyou’renotafanofcinnamon,granulatedsugarisanoption. Finally,yourperfectapplepieisreadytogointheovenatfourhundreddegrees fahrenheitforthirtyminutesoruntilniceandgolden.