by Kush Bansal | Dec 17, 2018 | Opinion & Reviews
Out of all the movies I have reviewed this month, this is my least favorite. Now I said the least FAVORITE. I like the movie but compared to other movies, it just doesn’t stack up. Needless to say, when I watched this movie for the first time this year, I thought it was a fun, enjoyable movie. Unlike other people who are probably going to slander me once this is posted, I didn’t love this movie to the point where I quote it every Christmas. The main reason why is because it simply didn’t pique my interest. Yeah, it’s a comedy and yeah, it was funny, but it still didn’t have that appeal in which Home Alone or Elf had (fun fact: this is the one movie that I have Christmas lights from). The acting and overall story is very good. It goes like this: As the holidays approach, Clark Griswold wants to have a perfect family Christmas, so he tries to make sure everything is in line, including the tree and house decorations. However, things go very bad quickly when his cousins come to live with him, not only trashing his house but also his Christmas. All things considered, I had a good time watching and I do recommend it to you (This, along with other Christmas movies that I have reviewed, are currently being played in movie theaters today for a low price. I encourage you guys to check them out as they’re cheap and also give you the full experience audiences had when the movie first came out). Regardless of the fact that I didn’t LOVE it, I am going to give this movie an A-. Thank you guys for reading and stay tuned for the final Christmas review on Thursday for Die Hard. Have a nice, non-snowy day (seriously, it’s like fall outside).
by Saber Slate | Dec 13, 2018 | Opinion & Reviews
Yet again, December has arrived with its negative temperatures and slush from the sky. And do you know what comes along with December? The holidays! A festive two-in-one deal.
But sometimes you’re sick of holiday traditions – maybe you hate always having to bake that cake for the family, or you’re tired of the same pair of socks grandma gets you every year, or maybe you don’t like doing the shoveling Christmas morning so your relatives can park in your driveway. And that’s okay – everyone needs a little change once in a while. Why do you think we have vacations?
So here are some fun ways to vacation from your usual holiday traditions this winter break, no matter who or what you are – yes, even the succulents on your window can get festive. The holidays are in the heart, not in the environment. Have some fun!
1. The Egg of Festivity
The Egg of Festivity is exactly what it sounds like: Gather around in a circle with family, friends, or whoever and whatever else you have lying around. Draw a face the best you can on the egg and set it back in the middle. Remember to show some respect for the egg. This is key – if you slouch or look uninterested this won’t work. Ask the egg a question, like a burning question about what you got for Christmas or if your friend is actually mad at you or forgets to text back. Shake the egg a few times then crack it . If the yolk breaks, it’s a no. If the yolk stays whole, it’s a yes! If you don’t like this method, maybe you can ask the egg for a Magic 8 ball instead next year, hmm?
2. Ultimate Snowball
One of the best things of the season, for most people living in Wisconsin, is the snow. For other’s, it’s the worst thing. But whatever stance you take on snow, there’s one thing we can all agree on – it’s cold, and it’s powdery, and it’s perfect for using as a projectile. Ultimate snowball is a wasteland of rules. Grab some friends (or some targets) and get together in an open space that can either be inside or outside, but outside is preferable. Use tactics like “The Blind Spot” (a rock covered in snow), “The Dirty Harry” (snowballs with more dirt than snow), or the author’s choice, “The January” (a solid ball of ice with a thin layer of snow on top). Go wild and compete to see who gets that last piece of grandma’s famous Jell-O.
3. Present Making
The true hallmark of the holiday season is the satisfaction of giving. Seeing the face of someone else open your present and smile is a feeling that one rarely gets to experience, unless you’re really generous or you go to a lot of parties. Imagine your family member’s face when they open that beautifully wrapped gift and find an uncooked piece of ham inside! The best gifts not only come from the heart, but are also usually found around your home – for example, some great stocking stuffers and tree-fillers could be individually wrapped grapes, water, one Kraft single in a box, a copy of Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 on Blu-ray, or the simple but meaningful spool of copper wire from Home Depot.
5. Family Fortnite Dance Competition
You already know we can’t have Christmas (or an article) without mentioning Fortnite. Another hallmark of the holidays is the time that we spend with others. That’s why this tradition might be perfect for any Fortnite lover out there! With the release of season 7 and the addition of festive skins like Merry Marauder and Ginger Gunner, this gives you the perfect reason to get together with your family and friends in your living room and do the hype like the world’s going to end. Orange Justice your way to a perfect holiday. Default dance throughout the night. Emote at holiday dinner and when receiving your presents. Whatever it takes to get that holiday Victory Royale!
6. Steal Christmas
There’s nothing stopping you. Just go full Grinch on ’em and steal your entire neighborhood’s Christmas. Steal the presents. Take the tree. Leave no evidence. No one will know it was you if you cry alongside them Christmas morning.
7. Mall Santa
This tradition might require you to be working age, however, you can always find loopholes. Step in for your local mall Santa (whether he knows about it or not) and let the kiddies sit on your lap this holiday season and tell you what they want. When they’re done, tell them what you want for Christmas. Should you encounter any crying or frightened children, be sure to cry alongside them to make them feel more comfortable. This applies to pets as well.
8. Spend Time with Your Family
The holidays are really about coming together at the end of the year and reflecting on how much fun you had. Before the new year comes around, be sure to savor those moments with your loved ones. Because that’s what traditions are all about! It brings the people together. The warm fuzzies in your heart is the real end-of-the-year treat and personally, it’s the moment my whole year leads up to. Sit back and forget about school for the week we’re gone and close your eyes and enjoy the special moments like your family sitting together and laughing among each other, or you and your siblings building snowmen outside and wrapping gifts for your parents, or baking cookies and going places with your friends. Holidays are in the heart.
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Happy Holidays everyone! What’s your favorite holiday tradition? Be sure to relax and have loads of fun this break!
by Kush Bansal | Dec 13, 2018 | Opinion & Reviews
This may sound stupid, but after I watched Home Alone I was scared to be in my house without my parents. Granted, that was when I was 6 years old, but something about Home Alone has resonated with me for the last 8 years. From the hilarious and violent scenes of Kevin torturing the house bandits to the simple fear of being left behind, this is my favorite Christmas movie (though I do also love Elf and A Christmas Story) but Home Alone simply has the norms of Christmas that relate directly to me. Now, this is a review, and if you haven’t seen Home Alone then this review is for you. For the rest of us reading, let’s simply look back to our favorite moments from this movie. The plot of this movie is when Kevin McCallister and his family are going to Paris; however, the McCallisters mistakenly leave for the airport without Kevin. As a result, he awakens to an empty house. Kevin becomes excited as his wish came true, well, until he realizes that two con men plan to rob him that very night. This movie is a blast because it not only introduces iconic lines and jokes but also teaches the important lesson of appreciating your family, making this movie a fit for all ages. In the end, I’m going to give Home Alone an A. Thanks for reading and stay tuned for my next review on National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation on Monday. As always, have a wonderful day.
by Kush Bansal | Dec 10, 2018 | Opinion & Reviews
T’was October 30th, 2004…a revolution in motion capture film came upon us. Yes, it was very weird that a Christmas movie was released during Halloween, but this movie is possibly the most mouth-dropping movie ever. Starring Tom Hanks and directed by Robert Zemeckis (director of Forrest Gump), The Polar Express is about a kid taking the train to the North Pole, and while it may seem straightforward, the main character grows as a person by learning about the true meaning of Christmas. I remember seeing this movie on Christmas 2006 (when I was 2) and being entertained from start to finish. While it only scored a mediocre 56% and didn’t make too much in the bank (310.6 million dollars from a 150 million dollar budget), I believe that it was the most mesmerizing Christmas movie ever made. Before I gorge into the visual spectacles of this film, I do believe that this movie suffered from a poor message being conveyed. While this movie was rated G, the message was way too dreamy and fantasy-like for kids. You could argue that it’s a kids movie; however, look at movies such as Toy Story and how it teaches the value of friendship. Other than that, The Polar Express is amazing. The acting from Tom Hanks is one of his best as he perfectly embodies someone who would represent the message of Christmas. The visual effects and sound design are also fantastic because of how they perfectly balance the plot as well as how beautiful everything looks. From every shot of the train to even the facial expressions, it all looks amazing. In the end, I give The Polar Express an A-. Stayed tuned to the Saber Slate for my next review for Home Alone, and as always, have an amazing day.
by Kush Bansal | Dec 6, 2018 | Opinion & Reviews
Can you remember the first Christmas movie you ever watched? You may have watched the Charlie Brown specials or the Grinch, but the one movie everyone seems to remember is none other than A Christmas Story. While movies such as Elf are all classic movies to watch on Christmas Eve night, A Christmas Story was the first in its genre to present itself to the modern audience. Your grandparents may have listened to Frank Sinatra’s Christmas album, your parents might’ve watched It’s A Wonderful Life, but you indulged in that classic known as A Christmas Story. Its plot is so simple: taking place at around the 40s, this movie follows Ralphie, a young neighborhood boy who wants one thing for Christmas, a BB gun. But of course, Ralphie’s mom declines, saying that famous line: “You’ll shoot your eye out”. The entire runtime of 1 hour 34 minutes carries the plot of Ralphie’s wild adventures. From eating soap to getting someone’s tongue stuck to a pole, this movie is a classic. Bob Clark, who was an infamous director in the 80s, simply recognized and familiarized with the interests of kids, going as far as filming a montage of how kids got special offers in the mail, which you have to see the movie to understand 😉 . In the end, I’m going to give this movie an A+. Stay tuned for my next review for Polar Express, and of course, have a fantastic day!
by Saber Slate | Dec 3, 2018 | Opinion & Reviews
In November, even before Thanksgiving, Christmas had already begun in retail. Holiday decorations are already set up, and turkey time is over. A staple of the Christmas season in the 21st century is the seasonal Starbucks Holiday drinks, ranging from the peppermint mocha to the eggnog latte. This is the story of how I tried each of these new drinks to review.
My journey of self and surprises started on Monday, November 19. I had just gotten my hair cut again at the salon. Conveniently, I was within the Wyndham Village Shopping Centre, which is the home of our lovely Franklin Target store. Of course, within Target is a nice Starbucks location, which would be the perfect place to start because in 30 minutes I would need to walk next door to Pick N’ Save.
After lengthy consideration, I was able to decide the first contestant in my taste-test journey. The White Chocolate Mocha was my first choice. After around 5 minutes, my ~$5.00 drink was ready. My first impression was that this drink was very sweet. I almost couldn’t tell that there was coffee in this in the first place. More like a nice warm white chocolate milk with memories of coffee. Secondly, there was a bit of whipped cream which made it pretty creamy to start, but it gradually thinned out. It wasn’t as thick as a typical mocha is. Generally it was an enjoyable drink, despite its shortcomings.
The next drink that I taste-tested was in two days, Wednesday the 21st. This time, I stopped by the Target in New Berlin after a road trip and decided on a Caramel Brulee Latte from their Starbucks. Again, like most Starbucks drinks, it’s very sweet. However, the caramel flavoring is noticeable with this drink and is pleasant. The drink reminds me of the other caramel offerings that Starbucks has, but there’s an additional “burnt sugar” aftertaste that really reminds me of actual caramel brulees. It reminds me of Christmas morning. Again like the last drink, it was more like a warm caramel drink with underwhelming coffee flavors. I’m starting to think that Starbucks should take coffee out of its name because so far, there’s barely any in here!
The 23rd was Black Friday. What better day to get a Starbucks drink on Black Friday, in the mall? No better day, according to the long line of customers I was met with. This time I picked out a gingerbread latte and a chestnut praline latte to share with my mom. In my opinion, the gingerbread latte tasted more like ginger than actual gingerbread. Despite this, it was an enjoyable drink. Unlike the other drinks that I’ve tasted, there was a more prominent coffee flavor which was quite nice. However, that’s my personal preference.
I had a little bit of the chestnut praline latte that I bought my mom at the mall. To be completely honest, I don’t know what a chestnut tastes like at all, but the drink tasted oven-roasted like a chestnut probably is. There was the sweet taste of the praline too, being the burnt sugar or toffee kind of taste. It left me feeling warm and nice.
After a relaxing Thanksgiving break, on the 27th, I thought, What better way to give thanks than buying instant Starbucks coffee packets? I couldn’t think of a better answer, so I visited the local Starbucks to buy a peppermint mocha. When I first started drinking it, my first reaction was Wow, this is minty! and I thought it was going to be overpowering again. But they didn’t overdo it with this one and make it full-on toothpaste flavored. It was just enough mint to compliment the mocha flavor and not make either flavors feel like an afterthought or aftertaste. It was also enough peppermint to remind me of those golden days where I would eat peppermint candy canes all day without worrying about lasting health effects. Surprisingly, I have nothing bad to say about this one. It was enjoyable all around. If you like peppermints, mochas, mocha flavored peppermints, or peppermint flavored mochas, then this drink is probably for you.
The last two drinks that I tried were the lattes eggnog and juniper. The eggnog latte surprisingly tasted like actual eggnog and even seemed like it had the same consistency. There wasn’t too much of a coffee flavor, it felt more like an aftertaste to be honest. The juniper latte tasted a lot like how Christmas trees smell. I like Christmas trees, but not something that I’d want to drink in a coffee. I was pretty let down by this one, but everyone has their own personal preferences.
My personal favorite would have to be the peppermint mocha. It just seems right for the holiday season, more so than much of the other drinks. Obviously Starbucks drinks have their ups and downs and we all don’t have to like them, and they aren’t for everyone, of course. But the holidays are all about the good times with your family and friends, not a bunch of curiously overpriced drinks.
(image source: https://people.com/food/starbucks-holiday-drinks-calories-sugar-fat/)
