The Guide

‘The Kissing Booth 2’ Hits Every Teen Romance Cliche While Still Missing the Mark

★★☆☆☆ In spite of widespread negative reviews of the original May 2018 film, Netflix’s “The Kissing Booth” is back. Thanks to the first … [Read more...] about ‘The Kissing Booth 2’ Hits Every Teen Romance Cliche While Still Missing the Mark

★★★★☆ I’m 7 years old again, telling my mom to keep the car engine running so we can finish the song “Teardrops on My Guitar,” hoping … [Read more...] about Taylor Swift Returns to Form With Minimalist Production, Nuanced Storytelling on ‘folklore’

With the berry-picking season in full swing, there’s no time like the present to harvest buckets of berries. As the temperature in … [Read more...] about HOMEMADE GOURMET: Buckle Up for Blueberry Season

Art has become a product. The commodification of art is a sad trend plaguing any number of media. Nowhere is this more prominent than in … [Read more...] about START/SELECT: 2020’s Lessons in Class and Gaming: E3

Pre-World War II, Japanese cinema had little real influence on the U.S. film industry. Then came Akira Kurosawa. Throughout a … [Read more...] about THE REEL DEAL: Kurosawa, the Cultivator of US Pop Culture Icons From Across the Pacific

While the COVID-19 pandemic has kept many of us in our homes and away from the intense summer heat, it hasn’t quelled my craving for my … [Read more...] about HOMEMADE GOURMET: It’s Just My Cup of Acai

The ending is everything. This is true of many pieces of media, and video games are no exception. The ending is the last thing a … [Read more...] about START/SELECT: A Revolutionary Resolution in ‘Pyre’

At first glance, film noir may appear as little more than simple crime thrillers best suited for numbing distraction on a rainy day, further … [Read more...] about THE REEL DEAL: Amid Uncertainty, Film Noir Demonstrates the Influence of Civil Strife, Disruption, Ambiguity

As the summer season commences and temperatures consistently hit the high 80s, I have found myself constantly craving sustenance to … [Read more...] about HOMEMADE GOURMET: A Tasty Twist on ‘She Loves Biscotti’ Lemon Bread

Given the recent murder of George Floyd among many others, it feels inappropriate to divert any attention whatsoever from the urgent and … [Read more...] about START/SELECT: Press Pause, Seek Out Black Voices