A&E

Audiences ‘reflect’ on body image in new Disney+ short

By Nadine Fox Staff writer

“Reflect” is a short film currently streaming on Disney+ featuring its first-ever plus-size protagonist.

The animation is about a young ballet dancer named Bianca who battles with her reflection, hence the title of the film.

The director, Hilary Bradfield, said in an interview that she was inspired by her own issues with her self-confidence.

She shared that the dance studio felt like a great setting for the animation about body-image and self-love because of the predominant social mindset regarding the craft.

So many young girls develop low self-esteem and body insecurities by comparing themselves to their peers.

“It’s a part of the craft to be looking at your posture and checking things in the mirror, so it just seemed like a really good way to put her in that environment where the main character has to look at herself and she doesn’t want to,” said Bradfield in the same interview.

“When people watch the short, I hope that they can feel more positively about themselves and how they look and feel okay about the tough parts of their journey.”

The short is about overcoming body issues and self-doubt, and it taps into what it is like to struggle with body issues.

“Reflect” has been praised for exploring body positivity and emphasizing finding inner self love, strength, grace and power.

However, the praise has also come a bit of controversy. There has been some ongoing criticism with how the film encourages an unhealthy lifestyle instead of suggesting solutions.

Others, though, have criticized it for telling young girls that it is okay to be overweight because they will be okay in the end.

For some, the issue of obesity is not something that should be represented, just like anorexia, but addressed by suggesting changing to a healthier lifestyle.

I thought this film stemmed from good intentions: to encourage young girls not to compare themselves to others, which has a really positive message.

However, I can see how some people are concerned about the message being perceived in the wrong way, similar to how some people love the singer Lizzo for her confidence and what she stands for while others criticize her for “fat acceptance” and “encouraging obesity and unhealthy habits”.

The themes presented may be considered darker for the audiences that may watch it.

This representation, though, is meant to be an accurate depiction of overcoming struggles of self.

“Sometimes you go to the dark place to get to the good place. And that just makes the good place that much more beautiful,” said Bradfield.

At the end of the day, children’s minds are so precious and easily impressionable.

From that perspective, I can understand how everyone is looking at it from different angles because both sides of the argument are fighting for giving children the best possible message to take away.

Body positivity should not be about one type of look, but it should rather be about valuing yourself enough, despite your flaws, to feel at home in your own skin.

“Fat acceptance” is the idea that you do not need to change, nor should you want to, just because you are what society deems to be a “bigger” person.

We need to take away the idea of the ideal size, aesthetic or “reflection” of a person and look at their physical, mental and mental well-being.

Children should not be raised believing that their bodies are somehow wrong.

Films like “Reflect” emphasize the importance of allowing children to grow into themselves without society’s preconceived notions of the ideal size affecting their self-acceptance.

Contributed Photo

Bianca is the young the protagonist of the Disney+ short “Reflect.”

Celebrity costumes shock and surprise

By Bella Lee Staff writer

Halloween promises fun with trick-or-treating, decorations and being scared out of your mind at haunted houses.

However, there is an additional aspect that can be both impressive and controversial, and that is what celebrities wear for this beloved holiday.

For his concert at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles, Harry Styles transformed in Danny Zuko from famed musical and movie Grease.

He also performed a rendition of “Hopelessly Devoted to You” from the same production.

Kendall Jenner poked fun at a viral moment of her awkwardly slicing a cucumber during an episode of “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” by dressing up as a giant cucumber slice, complete with a fake knife.

Heidi Klum, who is no stranger to wearing the most eccentric and well-executed Halloween costumes, celebrated her first Halloween party in two years by dressing up as an enormous worm while her husband was dressed as a fisherman with a bloody eye.

Klum’s costume had a wide array of reactions, but it was undeniably original.

At the opening of Starchild Rooftop Bar & Lounge at CIVILIAN Hotel in New York City, musician Anderson Paak was dressed as a nun.

Celebrity couple Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel dressed as Harry and Marv, also known as the Wet Bandits, from the “Home Alone” movies.

There were a variety of costumes that, much like Klum’s, you would have had no idea who they were without explanation.

For example, actor Sam Richardson sported a head-to-toe ensemble of Skeletor from the “Masters of the Universe” franchise.

Machine Gun Kelly and Megan Fox complemented each other’s costumes, dressing up as Link and Zelda from the “Legend of Zelda” franchise.

However, their other religion-themed couple’s costume earned them a fair bit of backlash.

Jaden Smith, the son of Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, dressed up as Harry Potter, complete with Gryffindor robes and the famous round glasses.

Rapper Cardi B took her costume to the next level and painted her entire body yellow to dress as Marge Simpson, as did Lizzo.

Lil Nas X was one of many celebrities that had more than one costume for the occasion.

For one party, he dressed in a devil-like ensemble that appears similar to what is seen in his music video for “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name).”

For another party, the rapper dressed in a robot/alien-like costume.

For the premiere of The Jennifer Hudson Show, the titular host dressed up as Whoopi Goldberg’s character, Sister Mary Clarence, from “Sister Act.”

One particularly amusing costume was worn by Joe Jonas who dressed as Flo, the famous Progressive insurance spokesperson.

Among the great Halloween costumes included those that were done in pairs or groups.

One such example was singer Ciara and her daughter, who dressed as Serena and Venus Williams from their Got Milk? campaign.

Billie Eilish and Jesse Rutherford were criticized for a costume calling attention to their eleven-year age gap, dressing as a baby and a grandpa.

“Riverdale” alumni Lili Reinhart, Madelaine Petsch and Camila Mendes appeared as a trio for the third year in a row, all dressed as the Sanderson sisters from “Hocus Pocus.”

Of course, as they do every year, Neil Patrick Harris and his family won Halloween.

Harris, his husband and their two children each dressed as fast-food mascots, with Harris as Ronald McDonald, husband David Burtka as the Burger King and twins Gideon and Harper as Colonel Sanders and Wendy, respectively.

Although Halloween has sadly departed us, we can continue to fondly remember each of the costumes we were able to enjoy thanks to our celebrities.

‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ pays tribute to Chadwick Boseman

“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” poster.

Contributed photo

By Megan McKay Staff writer

Marvel released a new film over the weekend, which has had a record opening upon hitting the big screen.

“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” has been highly anticipated as it is the sequel to the original “Black Panther,” a favorite of many Marvel fans.

“Black Panther,” released in 2018 became one of the highest grossing films of all time earning $1.4 billion worldwide.

The film also quickly became a cultural phenomenon as it made history as the first big-budget superhero movie featuring a Black hero, Black director and majority Black cast.

Additionally, “Black Panther” is a historic film because it correctly depicts Black heritage and celebrates African cultures, which have often been misappropriated in the past.

The film won three Oscars among other accolades, and it was just as successful commercially.

Fans have been long awaiting the return of the superhero film, but the feeling is bittersweet.

The film originally starred Chadwick Boseman as the Black Panther/King T’Challa.

However, in 2020, a year full of tragedy, the acclaimed star passed away at age 43 after a four-year battle with colon cancer. Boseman battled in secret, with only his closest friends and family knew of the immense struggle he faced.

Following his death, the world mourned the star and celebrated his contributions to the film industry.

During his short career, Boseman truly became a real-life superhero as he was constantly sharing the significance of shining spotlights on black communities.

Following his untimely passing, a hole was left in one of the most important franchises in the Marvel Universe.

Without Boseman, the sequel is undeniably different than initially planned, but it will serve as a memorial for the acclaimed actor.

The film is offered as a tribute to Boseman’s passing, and his character T’Challa is given a proper send off by the filmmakers and actors that loved him so dearly.

Instead of replacing T’Challa and crowning a new King of Wakanda, his death is a formative portion of the plot.

“Chadwick Boseman was an immensely talented actor and an inspirational individual who affected all of our lives professionally and personally,” said Marvel President Kevin Feige in an interview. “His portrayal of T’Challa the Black Panther is iconic and transcends iteration of the character in any other medium from Marvel’s past.”

Feige described how they continue to honor Boseman’s legacy and the legacy he helped build as the King of Wakanda.

With the impact of his death, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” acts as a story of grief and tribute, both on- and off-screen.

Fans can expect to experience a Marvel film unlike ever before.

The film borders the fourth wall with the depiction of a real-world tragedy expressed through the characters and audience as they grieve both Chadwick and T’Challa.

The new film has brought in over $180 million sales domestically from the weekend, making it the second biggest opening of 2022 behind Marvel’s Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness, which was released in May.

The film received an 84% on Rotten Tomatoes compared to the original’s 96%.

Compared to its predecessor film, critics have agreed on one thing: that the loss of Boseman weighs heavily on the film.

Critics acknowledge his character’s importance to the impact of the story, so it is not unexpected that the original is superior.

However, there is still a strong appreciation for the intricate world of Wakanda and the action-packed story.

The film is undoubtedly worth the watch for Marvel and Boseman fans alike.

Hurst Hot Take: “Normal Gossip” podcast

Emma Coppolo A&E editor

While it is not socially acceptable to acknowledge, gossiping is one of the most enjoyable ways to spend time with friends.

However, the social repercussions of this kind of conversation make it less than ideal.

For this reason and others, I’m obsessed with a podcast called “Normal Gossip.”

Host Kelsey McKinney compiles juicy stories from listeners across the country.

After anonymizing the story to refrain from exposing people’s private lives, McKinney presents the story to that episode’s guest.

Firstly, she and the guest discuss their feelings on gossip in general.

McKinney then tells them whatever story she has chosen for the week.

I think one of the best aspects of the podcast is the format it is presented in.

McKinney takes a sort of choose-your-own-journey” approach, asking the guest what they think each person should do in a given scenario.

While some scenarios seem predictable, there is always a shocking twist.

One of my favorite episodes is about a family controversy that has spanned decades.

This specific story is about four cousins, one of which flushed a hot dog down their grandpa’s toilet at a family function.

None of the children confessed even after being interrogated by the parents and grandparents.

Even as adults, everyone had their theories, but a confession had never been made. That is until a confession is made to the grandpa on his deathbed. The grandma notes that he refused to tell her, but his hypothesis was correct for all these years.

As the story unravels, listeners get to make their predictions, as well.

The conversational tone of the podcast makes you feel like you are in the room with McKinney and her guest, which makes it even more fun.

Some episodes, such as “Hot Dog-Gate,” are light-hearted and inconsequential. Others have serious implications that make you wonder how people could act in that way.

All episodes, though, reel you in and hold your attention until

Contributed photo Cover art for Kelsey McKinney’s podcast, “Normal Gossip”