by Reilly Jaworski | Apr 16, 2022 | Advice, Opinion & Reviews
Children are equipped with certain habits and philosophies that often make them wiser than adults. There is something to be said about the energy and excitement that a child achieves when encountering even the smallest of joys. If you ever see a child walking in the street, watch as they stomp in puddles, even as their shoes get a little bit wet. For kids, a trip to the grocery store becomes a secret mission, and a walk in the park is actually a trek through an enchanted forest. While childhood brings about happiness, the natural flow of adulthood includes abandoning the magic of childhood. Starting in middle school and high school, we begin to take the smallest things in life for granted, even though they are the very things that should propel us to wake up every morning. Do not fret, though, because the magic that is lost is magic that can be obtained once again.
I want you to think about your daily routine. By changing how you perceive these tasks, and by getting reacquainted with some of your childhood hobbies, we are going to revive the magic in the things that you have to get done. Start visualizing at the very beginning of your day. Think right when your alarm queues you into the day. Are you frowning, straight-faced and tolerant, or happy and expectant? Some of the possible reactions that you may have in the morning correlate with how much sleep you may have gotten. That’s a whole other article that you should read, so we won’t touch on that right now. So, assuming you are well-rested in the morning, I want you to think of one good thing that you can do right away that will make your morning better. It could be anything from opening your shades to see the sunrise to stretching or making yourself a cup of tea. Little things make big things better. When your morning is good, the rest of your day will likely follow suit. Throughout the day and during the seemingly boring tasks, you have the opportunity to add in some bits of magic. And, if it doesn’t feel magical yet, don’t worry; we’re going to take care of that next.
Children have an amazing talent for being able to see things in the most positive way possible. As we grow older, we lose practice with this talent, but we never completely lose it; we simply have to work on it the way we work on homework, sports, and other things we care about. Some of us still naturally look at the glass as half full but still need help feeling this way when we are bored or not excited about anything. Others of us tend to look at most things negatively at first glance. We can fix our negativity by finishing every negative sentence with a positive “but” clause. For example, if you see that one of your favorite shows has been taken off Netflix, your first thought may be, “Are you serious? Now I don’t get to watch my favorite show!” Instead, your second thought should be, “But, I can try a new show that I might like even more.” Every negative thought should be ended with the addition of positive thought. “My mom is making me clean my room, and I don’t want to, BUT at least it will look nicer when I am done.” Simply changing the way you view inconveniences will make them enjoyable.
Why is it that we stop doing things that make us happy? This form of self-sabotage instigates countless problems in our adult lives. When did we stop being friends with everyone we came across? Why did we stop smiling at strangers and dancing in the grocery store? If there’s one thing I know, it’s that swinging on the swings is one of the greatest things you can do to nurture your soul, so why did you stop when you reached a certain age? The fearlessness that children embody is the very reason why you rarely see one sad. Or if they are sad, why they can rebound back to happiness a second or two later. Please sing your favorite songs at the top of your lungs, and please don’t worry too much about that test. I beg you to laugh at every joke and face every inconvenience with an unbreakable smile. I urge you to be a child for as long as you are an adult, and I promise you that there will always be happy things so long as you choose to see the happy things.
by Kush Bansal | Dec 14, 2021 | Opinion & Reviews
Ghostbusters are perhaps one of the most well-known franchises of comedy-horror. With the famous song by Ray Parker Jr, the movie’s incredible comedic cast, including Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd, and its 80s pop-culture references like Twinkies, the Ghostbusters are loved by all. But perhaps the most strange part of this franchise is that out of the three movies made, the original 1984 flick is the only one best received by the critics and audiences alike. It has been many years since we have seen a proper squeal that all audiences, new and old, can enjoy. Thankfully, Ghostbusters: Afterlife helps break the curse.
The synopsis of Ghostbusters: Afterlife is as follows: when a single mom and her two kids arrive in a small town, they begin to discover their connection to the original ghostbusters and the secret legacy their grandfather left behind. The original movies were directed by Ivan Reitman, with his son Jason Reitman directing Ghostbusters: Afterlife. This was important to the film as it allowed for the legacy of the original films to carry on into this movie, which masterfully pays homage to the original and creates something memorable for new audiences to enjoy. For one, the acting is very enjoyable. McKenna Grace does a great job at being the primary protagonist going through the movie and discovering the legacy of the Ghostbusters and who her grandfather was. Finn Wolfhard does great as always, and so does newcomer Logan Kim, who surprisingly does a good job at handling both comedy and serious scenes. But perhaps the main stand-out of the movie is Paul Rudd, who brings his best in elevating every scene he is in, with one standing out in particular. Ghostbusters: Afterlife also does a satisfying job at referencing the original films. Unlike Ghostbusters 2016, which was a complete reboot and forgot about the original films, Ghostbusters: Afterlife is a direct sequel, and respects the legacy of what the Ghostbusters meant to fans and the people behind the movies alike. This movie is heartfelt and has some of the best ending battles I have seen this year. If I had any flaws, it would be that this movie would’ve probably done better in a bigger setting versus being in the middle of nowhere and that this movie would have been better to watch around Halloween, but overall I had a great time watching Ghostbusters: Afterlife.
I highly recommend you see this movie over the holidays, as it is still playing in theaters and is worth the watch. I am going to give Ghostbusters: Afterlife an A-. Thank you as always for reading my reviews, and of course, have a great rest of your day!
by Reilly Jaworski | Nov 11, 2021 | Opinion & Reviews
If you’re anything like me, you have a strong affinity for Halloween, but, surprisingly, really don’t like being scared. Are you wondering how you should proceed with your Halloween festivities with this sort of affliction? I’ve got you covered. Here is a list of my favorite Halloween movies that contain no shortage of Halloween flair, but are, thankfully, devoid of any jump scares.
1. Hocus Pocus
Quite possibly the prime Halloween movie, Hocus Pocus is one you’ll want to watch before anyone can scold you for neglecting it. Featuring ancient witches and spells, a talking cat, and the atmosphere of the ’90s: this movie has it all.
2. The Haunted Mansion
Quite possibly the most fun and inventive Halloween movie, The Haunted Mansion is an underrated charm you shouldn’t forget to check off your list before November 1st. Based on the famous Disney ride, the Haunted Mansion features intricate imagery and a unique storyline with no deficit of lightheartedness, courtesy of Eddie Murphy.
3. Corpse Bride
Being my favorite Tim Burton movie, Corpse Bride is a beautifully told story of the fragility and importance of life. The imagery alone is enough reason to watch this movie, let alone the melodic voice of Johnny Depp, clever writing, and original soundtrack. This is a must-watch movie, even outside of October.
4. Beetlejuice
The most humorous of the movies on this list, Beetlejuice is a classic you should be sure to watch to avoid references flying over your head. Additionally, any movie with an iconic Michael Keaton character is one you should put on your to-watch list ASAP. You may even be inspired to dress in a black and white striped suit and a green wig this Halloween.
5. Hotel Transylvania
For our cartoon-oriented readers, Hotel Transylvania is the perfect Halloween movie to relax to, not having to pay attention too heavily. Featuring a hotel packed with notorious (but friendly) monsters, one voiced by our school favorite, Adam Sandler, this movie contains no shortage of Halloween appeal.
6. Halloweentown
While not my favorite Halloween movie, many swear by it as being the perfect comfort movie. This movie will surely get you feeling Halloween-y without being put through any sort of apprehension.
Some of us enjoy Halloween despite our diversion to horror. For those of you with this predicament, I hope you now find that there are a good amount of Halloween movies that skip the scare scenes.
by Kush Bansal | Oct 27, 2021 | Opinion & Reviews
True story: in the 2014 hack of Sony Pictures, a hack sprouted from Seth Rogen’s 2014 comedy The Interview, it was revealed that Sony Pictures was planning to share the rights of the Spider-Man characters with Marvel Studios after the poor response to The Amazing Spider-Man 2. What a miracle, right? Well, note the word “share.” Of course, Tom Holland’s Spider-Man made quite the bang within the MCU, and stars in the third MCU Spider-Man movie this December (his sixth MCU movie overall), however, Sony wanted to get a piece of the cash-pie. So what did they exactly do? Make The Amazing Spider-Man 3? Make Spider-Man 4? Nope. They made Venom. Starring Tom Hardy, this 2018 movie focused on our favorite super-villain Eddie Brock fighting Spi-wait, fighting another bad guy?? That’s right, a Venom movie without Spider-Man, something so unnecessary, yet it grossed over 800 million dollars at the box office even with negative reviews. So, of course, they made a sequel. But surprisingly enough, this one is decent.
The plot of Venom: Let There Be Carnage is the following: Eddie Brock is still struggling to coexist with the shape-shifting extraterrestrial Venom. When deranged serial killer Cletus Kasady also becomes host to an alien symbiote, Brock and Venom must put aside their differences to stop his reign of terror. This movie is a significant upgrade over its predecessor. For one, its runtime is just over 1 hour and 30 minutes, making it a tight, quick, and a movie that cuts to the chase; something I liked compared to the bloat its predecessor had, which is surprising given that it was only 20 minutes longer. What the sequel gets right is doubling down on the relationship between Brock and Venom, something that was a highlight of the first one. This movie also picks up on the action, adding fewer but crazier set pieces and action scenes. The acting, while mostly over-the-top, works and isn’t as dry and stale as the first one. The special effects are great, and given that the movie’s budget is $110 million it was apparent that they used a lot of the budget for the character design of Venom and Carnage which looked straight from the comics. Overall, this movie is entertaining, however, its story is weak. The character of Carnage is significant in the Spider-Man comics. Carnage to Venom is what Joker is to Batman. While Woody Harrelson conveys the psychopathic personality of Cletus Kasady well, his character development throughout this movie felt underwhelming and wasted. This was apparent as this movie was rated PG-13 when in the comics Carnage has some of his iconic moments doing some R-rated things. The story felt very rushed in that I left the theater not caring much about what happened in the movie. Unlike its predecessor, I felt that the sequel could’ve spent some more time developing Carnage and Venom while not dragging the pacing. This movie felt too fast and was essentially the 1st and 3rd act of a movie, skipping the 2nd act that most movies have to develop their characters. That being said, I had a much better experience this time around compared to watching the first one.
Overall, this movie is an enjoyable time to indulge in some mindless action and enjoy the better performances this time around. In the end, I am going to give Venom: Let There Be Carnage a B-. Thank you for reading my reviews, and as always, I hope you have a fantastic rest of your day!
by Reilly Jaworski | Jun 10, 2021 | Opinion & Reviews
Even though it doesn’t feel like it, summer (and graduation for seniors) is becoming visible, waiting for us as we approach the finish line. With summer in mind, the most iconic high school movies of the 80’s are brought up in the same line of thinking. So, without further ado, here is a definitive list of the best John Hughes high school movies (I’ve left out the mediocre ones), ranked from worst to best, so that you can watch them before the school year draws to a close.
- Pretty in Pink
I’ve seen this movie at least seven times and I change my opinion of it, particularly of the ending, each time. This is a movie about a wishy washy upper class boy, tending to care more about the perceptions of his friends than his own feelings, who falls for a lower class girl that happens to be too good for him. With a memorable soundtrack featuring the best bands of the 80s and the ability to make you laugh and cry (characteristic of any John Hughes film), I would recommend this movie to anyone who doesn’t shy away from the forbidden love trope.
- Sixteen Candles
While incredibly unrealistic, this movie brings forth several opportunities for laughter as well as oozes every bit of the 80’s and what it’s like to be in high school- at least, what we all wish it was like to be in high school, as I can all but promise everyone reading this that your crush will not fall in love with you purely because they notice you staring at them. Despite its penchant toward the improbable, this movie is fun and you’ll likely want to watch it again and again.
- Weird Science
Though I’m embarrassed to admit it, I’ve never seen this movie, so I’ll have to take my own advice to watch this one before the school year ends. However, I have it on good authority from several parties that this is a funny and mindless movie that should definitely be seen and enjoyed. So, you can take their word for it and I guess I will too.
- The Breakfast Club
Still holding up today, this movie is probably the most realistic on the list and an accurate representation of the different personalities you may find through the halls of school. The beauty of this movie is that it shows that representatives from every group or clique in school have the ability to come together as friends, because no one is that different from everyone else. This movie will teach you that everyone struggles, even people whose lives you’d originally deemed as shining images of perfection. This is a movie that I recommend to every single person because everyone will surely get something out of it.
- Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
The crème de la crème, the prime teen movie and mother of all John Hughes films, Ferris Bueller’s day off. If you’ve ever had a teacher say, “Bueller?” after saying someone’s name in attendance, I can tell you with the proudest certainty that this movie is where that reference stems from my friend, and many more for that matter. The story features a universally beloved high school student and his two friends as they play hooky from school and make their mark in Chicago. Funny and unpredictable, this movie is one that anybody with senioritis or a general hankering to get out of school can surely appreciate, thereby making it the perfect movie to watch just before summer break.
High school doesn’t last very long, which makes some people smile and others frown. No matter who you are, though, or how you perceive these four years, any and all of John Hughes high school movies can be a surefire source of joy for you.
by Kush Bansal | May 5, 2021 | Opinion & Reviews
For the first time in this country, schools offered the option of attending school virtually or in-person. Coming after the COVID-19 Pandemic that left millions jobless and homeless, it also left students school-less. The 2019-2020 school year wrapped up in the messiest way possible, with teachers struggling to motivate students to complete their work, parents struggling to balance work and teaching their kids the concepts they needed to learn, and the students themselves who had to navigate the pressure of finishing school on a high note while learning on a 12 inch screen with terrible internet. It was hectic, and this year educators vowed to make the experience smoother and more efficient for both virtual and in-person students…however with this school year ending, it’s safe to say that many are still left disadvantaged from this system.
While this has been an issue that I have been taking notice of for a while, it wasn’t until my Government class that I started to get involved in resolving this issue. For our American Government class we have been working on our Civic Action Project, where as a group we decide on what needs to be fixed in our community and work towards a possible solution. Our group chose to research the impact that the COVID-19 Pandemic has had on schools in Franklin: We researched data about the concerns parents have, how teachers and students felt about their performance throughout virtual school, and what possible solutions were available. In fact, RAND Corporation surveyed 1,082 teachers and 1,147 school leaders from their American Educator Panels in October 2020.
The questions asked were about the teachers’ experiences during the 2020-21 school year so far:
- ⅔ of teachers said that the majority of their students were less prepared for grade-level work than they were at this time last year (around November 2019 before the pandemic).
- 56% of teachers said that they had covered only half, or less than half, of the curriculum compared to what they would have gotten to by this time last year (around November 2019 before the pandemic).
- Only about 1 in 5 teachers said that they were on the same schedule compared to the years prior.
We sent a survey to the elementary and middle schools as well as shared it within the high school. The data we found was that students at FHS are mixed in their opinions about their performance and opinions in virtual school, however, there still is a need for virtual help (results from April 24, 2021):
- 46.8% of the 188 respondents reported that they find themselves needing additional assistance or a tutor.
- 24% of the 188 respondents reported that they would like to be tutored by a high school student after school through a Google Meet.
Our overall goal is to establish an after school program where high school students who are interested in completing volunteering hours can come in after school to Mr. Nettesheim’s room (who has agreed to be the advisor for this activity). Those who need help will send their material to the tutors and will join a Google Meet so that everyone will be socially distanced. If you are interested, keep a lookout on this website for more information for when this club is officially created.
If you would like to be surveyed about this, please do through this link: Civics Project Survey – Virtual School. Thank you for reading this article to learn about this issue and how we are looking to fix it, and I hope you have a great rest of your day!
