June 12, 2019

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T H O M P S O N R I V E R S U N I V E R S I T Y ' S I N D E P E N D E N T S T U D E N T N E W S PA P E R

VOLUME 28 · ISSUE 28 · JUNE 12, 2019

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MICROPLASTICS FOUND IN MUSSELS

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KAMLOOPS CELEBRATES LGBTQ2S+

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NEW KAMLOOPS CIDERY HITS MARKET

TRU officially welcomes new president Cailyn Mocci EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Ω TRU officially welcomes Brett Fairbairn into his role as the university's fourth president and vice-chancellor during the opening ceremony of convocation week. Amidst a sea of caps and

gowns of education and social work graduates, President Fairbrain swapped his academic garb for that of the president’s robe.

Fairbairn has been operating under the title of TRU president since December 2018 and it all became official at the first Spring Convocation ceremony honouring the education and social work graduates.

Fairbairn taught and conducted research in history, public policy and interdisciplinary studies at the University of Saskatchewan for over 30 years before taking on the leadership role at TRU.

See Brett Fairbairn Page 4

TRU President and Vice-Chancellor Brett Fairbairn recieves applause as he's presented the offical presidential robe at convocation on Wednesday, June 5. (Cailyn Mocci/TRU Omega)

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JUNE 12, 2019

NEWS

New mail-in drug testing service opens in Canada

BC-based service hopes to reduce stigma and harm associated with drug use Cailyn Mocci EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Ω

New drug testing project has launched in Vancouver with the goal of providing all Canadian’s the opportunity to know what is in their substance in order to make informed decisions.

Dana Larsen, Canadian author and longtime cannabis activist launched Get Your Drugs Tested to facilitate the analysis of street drugs.

This has been a passion project for Larsen who strongly believes that testing substances before they even touch the hands of

consumers would be ideal but this is the next best thing.

“Of course it would be better if people’s drugs were tested before they get them during the manufacturing process and they could buy legally and in a regulated and controlled manner but failing that, testing them before they take them is the next best thing,” Larsen said.

Get Your Drugs Tested is providing testing not only for those in the Lower Mainland but also across Canada. With the option for mail-in testing, Larsen acknowledges that he runs the risk of legal issues associated with trafficking.

“I’m not really too worried about that,” Larsen expressed.

“I’m more worried about saving lives, helping people avoid dangerous drugs, making sure they can have knowledge about what they’re taking and I don’t really anticipate any legal issues around this. I would be very surprised.”

To get a sufficient reading, those looking to test their narcotics would only need to send in a small sample. This sample would have to make up a minimum of 10 millegrams; which would later be destroyed after the results were given to the consumer.

Testing is available for most drugs including cocaine, ecstasy

and other psychedelic drugs.

Larsen also states that their readings can also detect Fentanyl but will test again with a Fentanyl strip since it is known to be dangerously potent at low doses.

Larsen is looking to reduce the stigma associated with drug use and help Canadians make an informed decision with what and how they use. Services such as this are available on select days and hours at Insight Overdose Prevention sites across the province but the stigma is still a barrier.

“I have trouble seeing some kid from Burnaby or Surrey coming down to the Overdose Prevention

Site to get their ecstasy tested,” Larsen said. “That’s a real barrier for people to go into a place like that. There’s less stigma involved, it’ll be an alternative option for people.”

As this program grows, Larsen is hopeful to open a storefront to make testing nearly instantaneous. Tests can be completed within an hour of receiving the sample in the mail.

Get Your Drugs Tested is currently asking for a $5 donation to cover the cost of employee wages to run tests.

For more information on how to utilize this service, visit getyourdrugstested.com.

TRU prof finds microplastics in mussels

Marine biologist Louis Gosselin’s research has found microplastic particles in almost all mussels Wade Tomko CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Ω If you’re like many British Columbians and enjoy the province’s delicious and bountiful seafood, especially mollusks such as mussels, there is a good chance you’ve ingested microplastics.

Recent research by TRU marine biology professor Louis Gosselin and his students has found that the majority of mussels off B.C.’s coast have microplastic particles in them. To one of Gosselin’s students in particular, Mae Frank, such findings are quite shocking.

“You hear about these things and you’re like, ‘Oh, it’s bad’ and you think of the big things like sea turtles or whales with stomachs full of plastic,” she said. “But since seeing that plastics are at the bottom of the food chain and also in things that I normally eat, and it is more sustainable to eat unlike red meat, it was kind of shocking to me.

While the knowledge of microplastics isn’t new, their existence has been known for at least twenty years, much of the research on plastics in our oceans has had to do with macroplastics, Gosselin went on to say.

“Everything bigger than about 5 mm in size is called a macroplastic and everything smaller than 5 mm in size is what we call microplastics. So at the high end of microplastics, if you had them in the palm of your hand you could see them, but then they go right down to nanometers,” Gosselin said. “The reason that we break it down and don’t call it all plastics, microplastics it’s not just a matter of seeing it, when you get to those small sizes they’re a size that small animals can swallow and ingest quite easily.”

Though Gosselin still isn’t quite sure whether microplastics are actually having a detrimental effect on marine life and the ocean ecosystem, he maintains that filter feeders such as mussels and other mollusks are the animals most affected by microplastics.

“There are a lot of animals in the ocean that we call filter feeders, they are not predators that chase big prey or eat kelp or algae. They filter water through little filters and capture microscopic particles and they ingest those. Mostly what they feed off are little microscopic algae and little animals we call plankton.

Those microplastics are in the same size range as those,” he said. “We don’t really have a solid handle on whether or not these plastics are actually causing damage. We’re not even at that part. We know for sure that these animals have plastics in their bodies.”

So how exactly do these microplastics get into our oceans, rivers and other waterways? Though they are now banned in many countries, including Canada, microbeads in toiletries such as bath and body products, skin cleansers and toothpaste were previously a large contributor.

Another cause is the eventual “breaking down” of large plastic items through wear-and-tear and UV radiation. As plastics are exposed to light and air, and rub up against each other, they get brittle and break into continually smaller pieces.

Yet perhaps the most surprising contributor to microplastics in our oceans is the fabric industry.

“More and more of your clothes are made up of plastic fibres,” Gosselin said. “If you ever buy a fleece or something with microfibres, it could be clothing, it could be linen for your bed. Most of our clothing, even cotton clothing very often has it, even some portion of polyesters.”

When you put your clothing in the wash, these plastic fibres naturally wear off and make their way into the sewer system, then rivers and eventually the ocean. Though we have only known about microplastics for the past twenty years, we have been producing them much longer. As such, they can now be found in the most remote parts of the world.

“We have been doing this for

long enough that by the time people realized that there are microplastics everywhere in the world,” Gosselin said. “Places that don’t produce any microplastics at all have them there. They are pretty much everywhere and they are the right size that these little animals can filter them out and consume them.”

Though Gosselin still isn’t sure whether these particles could be damaging, he does have a few theories on the problems that they could potentially present.

“They two ways they could cause problems is one, physical: where they damage the gut or tissues, or they just block the gut and don’t get digested. Another possibility is that these plastics tend to absorb chemicals,” he said.

Top: TRU marine biology professor Louis Gosselin. Bottom: Gosselin's research student Mae Frank. (Submitted) Yet microplastics in our oceans aren’t the only problem.

During fieldwork on Vancouver Island, Frank found that some of their samples had been contaminated by microplastics in the air. “[It] would be an interesting thing to go forward with, looking at them in the air, because we are definitely breathing them in anytime we

wear any type of synthetic clothing,” she said. “It is all over our bodies, it’s in our lungs. It has also helped me to think more and be more conscious of what I’m wearing.”

So what exactly can be done to mitigate the number of microplastics headed to our oceans?

While Gosselin believes better government regulations are key to reducing microplastics, that

isn’t the only option.

“One of the things we could do is change our municipal filtering systems to take account for those,” he said. “The other one is perhaps to approach the clothing industry. Those are the key to making changes, we have made so many changes over the years to different aspects when we’ve realized pollutants were a problem.”

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TRU welcomes new chapter of experienced-based networks

TRU students launch a new chapter of Net Impact with the inaugural event Cailyn Mocci EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Ω TRU Business students hosted their inaugural event for the new chapter of Net Impact on campus.

Using local experts from the community and campus students are able to find the hands-on experience before they reach the field.

Net Impact is a global network with over 400 chapters in over 40 countries. This leadership network is set to accelerate future change makers. Net Impact inspires and equips emerging leaders to build a more just and sustainable world.

Net Impact chapters also provide opportunities for students to take part in case challenges along with

other chapters, giving them the chance to put the knowledge they learn in the classroom to action.

During the first event, Net Impact founders; including Mari Vas, Jasmeet Nijjer and Graham Fast, welcomed a panel of community leaders to discuss sustainability in business.

The panellists spoke on many topics around sustainability in economics in a society that wants the most bang for their buck. The event brought sustainable initiatives together and connected with sustainability experts.

Panellists included TRU associate professor Laura Lamb, Kamloops professional Colin O’Leary and City of Kamloops Community Energy Specialist Derek de Candole.

“I see sustainability as a goal or target. It’s something that we strive towards and in order to get to sustainability, it has a lot to do with decision making,” Lamb said.

The panel discussed how current businesses could benefit from taking a more sustainable outlook, not only environmentally but also from an economic standpoint.

“If we’re going to do anything it has to be sustainable. If it’s not sustainable it’s not going to be there in the long run.,” O’Leary said. “We’re not looking at the short term game, but the long game.”

TRU Net Impact is looking to grow its campus network. If you’re interested in getting involved, you can get more information by emailing tru_grad@netimpact. org.

Laura Lamb (second left) spoke from the academic standpoint of sustainability during panel discussion. (Cailyn Mocci/The Omega)

The Reach announces new developments in the work Two new multi-family structures set for construction summer 2019 Cailyn Mocci EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Ω The Reach at TRU has announced plans to start construction on two new multi-family developments. The two buildings will be under the management of the Kelson Group.

The buildings will be located at 865 and 875 University Drive. The purchase of these lots completes the available land set for development in Phase One of The Reach’s Master Plan.

“Funds from the sale will support university initiatives such as academic research and student bursaries and

scholarships. We are now moving forward to Phase Two of our vision to enrich campus life by adding even more vibrancy to the campus,” Jennifer Stites, the President of The Reach, said.

“Legacy Square broke ground almost a year ago and we’re pleased with the progress our team is making and the interest we’ve already seen from potential residents interested in renting when we are officially open in the Fall of 2019,” Kelson Group’s Vice President of Operations, Jason Fawcett, said.

Each building will be five storeys and consist of approximately 40 suites.

One of the new structures will be featured for rent alongside a portfolio

of Kelson Group rentals in Kamloops while the second building will be developed as condos for sale.

“Developing market suites is again a change for our team, but the market in Kamloops is growing and we have great confidence people will buy into the unique and beautiful environment of The Reach, much like they have with Creston House by the Cape Group,” Fawcett said.

“With the number of inquiries received, we know the development community has taken notice and are looking to invest at The Reach. It’s a great spot for us to be in,” Stites said.

The team at Kelson Group will start construction this summer on the new

buildings, further enhancing the TRU campus as envisioned in the TRU Campus Master Plan.

“We have confidence in The Reach,”

Ω

Renderings of the two new Kelson residential buildings at The Reach. (Submitted)

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JUNE 12, 2019

NEWS

Brett Fairbairn addresses 2019 grads in his instalment as TRU President CONTINUED (COVER) Fairbairn spoke of a gift his friend gave him with a popular quote from naturalist and preservationist John Muir: “the mountains are calling and I must go.”

“The mountains have always called me and my family. The mountains have led us to many hiking trips. Well, now the mountains truly called me,” Fairbairn spoke of his move to B.C. “The mountains aren’t just a place to be but a place to learn and work.”

“I’ve spent the last six months getting to know TRU and listening to people as well as getting to know the students,” Fairbairn added.

The general air around Fairbairn was cheerful and lighthearted as he thanked TRU for the warm welcome to the community.

Since his time at TRU, Fairbairn

has been working closely with the TRU community.

“A couple of weeks ago I got some evidence that my efforts were successful. I was walking past the Arts and Education Building when a social work student saw me and called out compulsively to me 'Hey are you that new president guy?',” Fairbairn joked.

“So, yes to those of you who haven’t met me, I am that new president guy.”

“I’m grateful to the students and the faculty and the staff of TRU for the warm and gracious welcome I’ve received,” Fairbairn said, “This is a community that gives the new president guy the benefit of the doubt and I’m very grateful. I aim to live up to TRU’s best hopes and aspirations.”

“Every university has a character, a history and a trajectory

for the future. So what is TRU’s story?,” Fairbairn said. “I once heard someone say this was the little university that could. There’s something in that but TRU is not so little anymore.”

Fairbairn spoke highly of the growing importance of post-secondary education.

“We are here today because education changes lives,” Fairbairn said, directed to the morning’s grads.

“I think it’s clear you’re graduating into a world that's full of opportunity and uncertainty but that’s fixed by the education you’ve received. Education has changed and will continue to change lives,” Fairbairn said to the incoming grads of 2019. “Education makes individual people better off, but it’s ultimately about making all people better off.”

Brett Fairbairn took his oath during the first ceremony of the Spring 2019 Convocation. (Cailyn Mocci/TRU Omega)

TRU visual arts professor awarded for his mentorship

Donald Lawrence recently received the Arts and Humanities Faculty Mentor Award Wade Tomko CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Ω Donald Lawrence, a TRU visual arts professor has been employed by the university for thirty years and in fact just recently he received his thirty-year pin. For the same amount of time, Lawrence has been mentoring students, pushing them to explore and be creative in their artwork.

Last month, Lawrence received the Arts and Humanities Faculty Mentor Award from the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) for his mentorship. CUR is an internationally-recognized body that supports faculty development for high-quality undergraduate research.

CUR Executive Officer Elizabeth L. Ambros went as far as calling Lawrence a “culture changer” in the field of visual arts.

“Professor Lawrence’s students have been profoundly influenced by his dedicated modelling of artistic inquiry and creative scholarship as an artist-researcher, incorporating what they have learned from him into their artistic practice and teaching,” she said in a press release. “His teaching, mentoring, and collaborative scholarship have distinguished him as a transformative ‘culture changer’ in the advancement of undergraduate research in the visual arts.”

Though Lawrence had previously received TRU’s

Undergraduate Research Mentorship Award in 2017, winning the CUR award came as a surprise.

“I was nominated by the university, by the research office.

Then I was shortlisted based on their nomination,” Lawrence said. “It’s the inaugural award for this. The Council on Undergraduate Research has had mentorship awards in the sciences for a while but I think this is the first year where they’ve introduced it on the humanities side.”

While Lawrence, much like many other TRU professors and instructors has been mentoring prospective students for much of his time at the university, his methods of mentorship tend to differ slightly from the norm.

“I think that what TRU does,

the one thing that TRU does well is looking to create these research opportunities for undergraduate students. That is something I’m not doing alone,” he said. “What I bring to it specifically is looking at how opportunities for undergrads in research can happen in visual arts settings and within our visual arts community. Then I localize that further and this was the case I made to CUR.” Examples of this include a camera obscura project Lawrence is currently working on it Nanton, Alberta and helping create youth programming at the Kamloops Art Gallery with the help of TRU alumni and undergrad research students.

While “localizing” doesn’t exactly mean working locally here in

Kamloops, Lawrence has strived to add a touch of community involvement to all the projects he conducts with students, no matter where they are.

In addition to winning the CUR Faculty Mentor Award, Lawrence is also starting another term as chair of the department, a role he has taken on in the past. In regards to his award, he’d like to thank friends, students and colleagues in and outside of TRU for their support. “[I want to] thank TRU for its supportive undergraduate research and my nomination for the award and to thank all of the alumni and current students that have been a part of this. As well as colleagues in and outside of TRU.”

Kamloops Pride celebrates LGBTQ2S+ community triumphs The rainbow flag flew proud over TRU in celebration of the LGBTQ2S+ community Cailyn Mocci EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Ω In celebration of International Day Against

Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, as well as the 50 year anniversary of the partial decriminalization of homosexual relations in the Canada, Kamloops Pride Society raised

D.J. Clarke held the Rainbow Flag as it was risen to celebrate the triumpth of the LGBTQ2S+ community. (Cailyn Mocci/TRU Omega)

the rainbow flag joining as one of the dozens of communities across Canada to do so.

President of the Kamloops Pride Society, Sam Numsen, led the crowd in a history lesson of the trials and triumphs of the LGBTQ2S+ community.

In May 1969, the Government of Canada partially decriminalized homosexual relations and while not 100 per cent perfect, this was a huge step in the right direction. Today, the LGBTQ2S+ community still faces resistance in their on-going fight for equality.

“With all these leaps forward, we still see acts of resistance towards the LGBTQ2S+ community in order to stand up for their rights, their safety and ultimately their humanity,” Numsen said.

“Many things have changed yes, but they haven’t changed

enough.”

Adopted in 1978 as the official flag of the LGBTQ2+ community, the rainbow flag is a strong symbol of the LGBTQ2+ cause. Kamloops Pride Society raised the rainbow flag along with many other communities in collaboration with Standing by our Colours.

Local Kamloops activist, D.J. Clarke, spoke openly about her experiences as a proud member of the LGBTQ2S+ community.

“When I came out to my co-workers, someone said ‘well just don’t butch it up too much’,” Clarke said, “Build a bridge and get over it. I’m queer, I’m here, get used to it.”

Clarke shared the same sentiments as Numsen in terms of room for growth in Canada “There's so much good that’s happened in the last 50 years for our community but unfortunately there are world

events in countries where the LGBT2S+ people are being openly denied their basic human rights,” Clarke said, “Doctors are given permission not to treat someone because of their sexual identity. And the war on women, don’t even get me started.”

In a world where an estimated 70 countries still view homosexuality as a criminal and punishable by prison or even death, Numsen urges communities to band together and pledge a life of kindness and empathy.

“I hope you will make a pledge as we’re gathered here, standing by our colours, to call out hatred and bigotry where we see it, to live with an open mind and practice empathy and to advocate for those in need who don’t have the power, privilege or position to advocate for themselves,” Numsen said.

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New cidery joins growing craft beverage market Woodward Cider Co. opens their doors just in time for the summer heat Cailyn Mocci EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Ω Looking for a new beverage to enjoy on the inevitably hot Kamloops summer afternoons? Look no further than Woodward Cider Co.; family owned and Kamloops local.

Made from 100 per cent B.C. apples and crafted right here in Kamloops, the Woodward brothers, Adam, Ben and Tim Woodward have launched the first craft cidery in Kamloops.

“The craft cider market is taking off. It’s small relative to other alcoholic beverages but it’s the fastest-growing category at 36 per cent. It just seems like the perfect storm. I’m really happy that the Woodwards are in front of that,” Trish Morelli, Executive Director of the Kamloops Wineries Association, said.

Created by local brothers Adam, Ben and Tim Woodward, Woodward Cider Co. is the business embodiment of the brother’s adventurous nature. All three brothers grew up on their parent’s farm, also known as Privato Vineyard and Winery, left to pursue careers in engineering before returning to their roots and creating the perfect summer sipping experience.

All three brothers had an itch for entrepreneurialism after some

time working in the engineering field.

“I wanted to do something a little more gratifying. Something for myself,” Adam Woodward said.

After some brainstorming and many glasses of cider, the Woodward brothers settled on crafting the perfect cider on the family farm. With the rise of the craft beer industry mixed with the propensity for gluten-free options, cider is high in demand.

Testing and production for Woodward Cider Co. started late Summer 2018 and after nearly a year and many sacrifices later, these brothers are ready to bring these crisp and refreshing flavours to the public.

Adam Woodward joked about having to sell his beloved snowmobile to buy a carbonation tank to make your ciders bubbly. “You’re welcome,” Woodward teased during the media soft launch on Wed. May 15.

The Woodward Brothers praised the supportive community of fellow cider crafters of Left Field Cidery and BX Cidery, as well as the all-encompassing support from their parents John and Debbie Woodward; owners of Privato for over 30 years.

Those involved with Woodward Cider Co. are proud to be adding to the growing number of successful local businesses.

“This is about our local agriculture. It’s about our local farmers. It is about our local agritourism opportunities that are really growing in Kamloops. It’s about a proudly made Kamloops artisan product,” Morelli said.

Woodward Cider Co. launched three products for the summer; Blue Tractor (Modern Dry), Send It (Raspberry Infused) and 5 Liner (Not so Dry). All products named to commemorate their adventurous spirits and lives growing up on the family farm.

“We’re always out mountain biking, snowmobiling or whatever crazy activity whether it’s paragliding in Switzerland or whatever we’re always trying to send it and go for it. It means to do it without much thought,” Adam Woodward on the name Send It. Woodward Cider Co. will be open weekends and holidays throughout the summer. To take home their refreshing cider to enjoy with friends and family visit the Cidery at 5505 Westsyde Road or check select Kamloops locations.

Top Right: Woodward Cider Co's Send It Raspberry infused cider was a hit with crowds, Bottom Right: Brothers (left to right) Adam, Tim, and Ben Woodward shared the beginnings of the company, Bottom Left: The Woodward brothers along with Kamloops mayor Ken Christian cut the ribbon opening Woodward Cider Co officially on Wednesday May 15. (Justin Moore/The Omega)

B.C. government provides $3.26 million for Open Textbooks Students applaud the government’s $3.26 million funding towards open education resources Wade Tomko CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Ω Earlier this year, the B.C. government announced a funding infusion for the development of open education resources (OERs). This $3.26 million in additional funding will be going towards the government agency BCcampus, who are responsible for the creation and promotion of OERs. In short, the funding will allow BCcampus to create and enhance open resources such as textbooks, online assignments and practice exams that will be available free for students and instructors at B.C.

post-secondary institutions.

According to B.C. Federation of Students (BCFS) Secretary-Treasurer Sheldon Falk the funding is a huge victory not just for BCFS, but for students across B.C. “This is a great victory for the campaign and we’re really excited moving forward,” Falk said. “$3.26 million in funding will ultimately save students millions of dollars over just a few years. Back in 2012, there was a $2 million investment to create a bunch of open education textbooks. That program has already saved students over $9 million and that is the great thing about open resources, once that textbook is created

it continues to save students money over and over and over.”

Much of this funding infusion will specifically be directed to areas that have been typically underserved when it comes to OERs, such as early childhood education, science and technology, engineering, trades, health and business.

Out of the $3.26 million, $260,000 has been earmarked for engineering alone.

Textbooks costs have long been a barrier to education for many students in B.C., Falk added. According to BCFS 49 per cent of students have said they are taking fewer classes because of textbook costs,

while 65 per cent of students report opting to not purchase an assigned textbook. Additionally, 27 per cent students have said that they are dropping courses because of the cost of textbooks.

“This is actually not a new issue, it’s a problem in B.C. for sure, but the cost of textbooks is a problem all across Canada,” Falk said. “It hasn’t always been this way, just over the past decade the cost of textbooks has risen 82 per cent, which is a lot higher than inflation obviously.”

While this funding may be a great victory for the Open Textbooks campaign, BCFS isn’t ending the fight there.

Falk says that the next step is to bring more awareness to OERs, as well as supporting students’ unions in adopting more resources on their own campuses.

“The B.C. Federation of Students is going to be supporting students’ unions in advocating for more adoption of these resources on their own campuses, getting more faculty on board and raising awareness and we’ll be doing that by working with BCcampus and prioritizing the creation of resources to fields that are underserved and to ensure that these students are part of the conversation in moving forward,” he said.

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JUNE 12, 2019

ARTS

John Wick 3: Parabellum Review It all started cause they killed his dog Morgan Hunter CONTRIBUTOR Ω There are many characters that characterize action. Terminator, Rocky, Mad Max to name a few.

And standing alongside them as the newest member of legendary action heroes is John Wick in his latest installment.

John Wick 3 revolves around mercenary John Wick as he tries to escape any and all assassins in the world and leave their organization with his life. First and foremost, anyone hoping to enter an artistic character piece designed to hold an intense philosophical meaning will not appreciate this movie at all. No spoilers, but there’s one scene where ninjas try to kill Wick with katanas while riding

motorcycles. So it's implied that it's not going for the deepest of meanings.

A major plus to this film that puts it on par with the original is the world building that the film does. It comes off as an in-depth, crime-ridden world with a deep underbelly of killing yet controlled so no regular joe becomes caught in the crossfire. Also, the dogs wear bullet-proof vests so that's also cool.

The main draw of this series, however, is Keanu Reeves as Wick. The 54-year old action star continuously brings a layered performance to the roll, both having merit in doing his own stunts (and be aware, some of this stunts are Tom Cruise level rough) and holding such a calm demeanour as a man who is tired of killing yet

can, somehow, not be killed.

The story itself is alright, however, shifts abruptly three quarters of the way in, which is a bit jarring. It plays out well enough though there doesn’t seem to be a lot of motivation for it, as well as it sticks the landing with an out-of-nowhere ending that sets up the next installment.

However, feels a little cheap compared to the details within the rest of the film before it.

There is already confirmed that there will be a John Wick 4, and it's unclear whether or not the series will simmer into bad action territory. For now, John Wick 3 gives a solid ending of a trio of films dedicated to a man whose revenge for his dog has led to the deaths of hundreds of people and has been entertaining every step of the way.

Disney classic remake: A wish come true!

Disney remake Aladdin proves to live up to the classic 1992 film Kait Lampard CONTRIBUTOR Ω

The 2019 remake of Aladdin is a show of pure spectacle! A loyal but

rejuvenating take on the original, the movie is a wondrous journey that will have you enthralled from beginning to end.

The story follows the original, and is not very divergent, but does well

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in building the characters’ story arcs and relationships with one another.

The cast does a wonderful job, especially Will Smith as the Genie, who gives a wonderful performance that is funny as well as heartwarming. It may be a different style from Robin Williams, but if you can’t replicate Robin, then find an actor with his own unique style of humour.

Aladdin is still his charming, adventurous self and also has plenty of comedic and heartwarming moments. There is also Jafar, who is not only younger than his cartoon counterpart, but we are also given some more insight into his motive and backstory.

The actress for Princess Jasmine is also highly noteworthy, with a performance that is so powerful and genuinely passionate; a perfect fit for this film.

The effects in this film are very well done in this film, especially in the Cave of Wonders and during the musical numbers, but once in a while, they will look a little off. The production and costume design were absolutely astounding, with beautifully intricate details to the characters costumes and sets that are grand and ornate at times or others that are minimalistic and humble.

The music is, of course, the most memorable part of the original Aladdin, and the remake does not disappoint, especially with the songs “Friend Like Me” and “Prince Ali” which are full of spectacle and have incredible choreography. We are

also given a new song from Jasmine called “Speechless” which is a beautiful message of female empowerment.

The only problem with the songs is the fact that Jafar doesn’t get to sing and that his villain song was cut from the film, but it would have seemed out of place for that song to randomly appear

anyway.

Overall, this film was a remake that was a little by the numbers but managed to make viewers feel refreshed and immersed. With a great production design, gorgeous costumes and beautiful musical numbers. This film will take you to a whole new world.

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