The Voice

Childhood Rejuvenated

The revamped video game, Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, does not disappoint fans

By Owen Zimmerman
May 3, 2022

In the 2000s, there was a game that captivated the youth; it was a playground that nurtured our imaginations in ways that cannot be summed up in words....

“Poltergeist”: An Expected Disappointment

By Cierra Felton
May 28, 2015

I grab a fistful of popcorn and slowly eat it, piece by piece, until I can see my palm again. I pay close attention to the screen, waiting for something exciting to happen. Unfortunately, 'Poltergeist' failed to give me the enjoyment I craved. All of the thrilling scenes present in the trailer were the only decent scenes in the entire movie, most of which occurred in the first half hour. The film starts with the Bowen family moving into a new home. The daughter, Madi, suspiciously starts talking to her closet. Her parents assume she is just talking to her imaginary friends; unfortunately, they thought wrong. Later that week, the parents go out to a dinner party. While there, they find out some shocking news: their house was built over an old cemetery. While the parents are out, poltergeists attack the children, and capture Madi in the meantime. The remaining hour of the film is spent trying to get Madi back.

Song of the week: Ok GO seems to repeat themselves with “Here It Goes Again”

By Courtney Thomas
May 28, 2015

OK Go’s “Here it Goes Again” was released as their third single from their album “Oh No.” It was released Sept. 25, 2006. The song, although not very popular, the video was a chart topper. It features the band members doing intricate dance moves on six different treadmills. One can only imagine the amount of times they had to have fallen and retaken the video. “Here it Goes Again” has had over 26 million views on YouTube. OK Go actually performed their treadmill routine live at the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards. I think the song is catchy but has no real meaning other than things generally repeat themselves, over and over and over.

Restaurant Review: Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen offers many meal choices to choose from

By Mawa Iqbal
May 21, 2015

Despite the lengthy commute, long waiting time, and prices that lean more towards the expensive side, this restaurant is definitely the place to go for seafood lovers looking to spice up their friday night dinners with some flavors from the deep South. Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen, located about an hour away in Westmont, is a New Orleans-style restaurant that serves authentic Cajun cooking with a twist. The festiveness of Mardi Gras and Jazz music in the air makes you feel like you are actually in the French Quarter. Given the high cost of the food, I would suggest not making Pappas your weekly family eat-out, unless you have the money for it. My family and I typically go for special occasions, when we feel like celebrating and having a good time. And of course, Pappas is the perfect place for just that. The whole restaurant is like one big party, with friends having a few drinks at the bar and families clapping to the rhythm of the jazz quartet. After we picked up our menus, I realized that we had been staring at it with confused looks on our faces for about 15 minutes. So naturally, I started looking around at other people’s food to see what looks the most appetizing before I decided on what to order. The only problem was that everything looked good.

Twenty One Pilots has high potential with “Blurryface”

By Kat Gorospe
May 21, 2015

[M]aybe it is the unique alternative sound that got Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun their share of fame; or maybe it is the advantage of social media that got the word out. Whatever the case may be, the Ohio duo, Twenty One Pilots, is overhyped. I never paid much attention to new bands since I figured they would come and go just like every other artist has. However, it seemed that the talk of Twenty One Pilots was on the rise, rather than staying low-key (which their “original” fans would probably prefer).

“Pitch Perfect 2” fails to live up to standards set by the first film

By Rachel Brands
May 21, 2015

The sequel to 2012s ‘Pitch Perfect’ came out on Friday, May 15. The film featured all of the previous cast members from the first one, most famously Anna Kendrick and Rebel Wilson. The movie started with the Barden Bellas in trouble when Fat Amy accidentally shows her private parts to the entire crowd during the performance for the president’s birthday. This causes them to end up in a difficult competition that no American team has even won before. However, before they can do that, they must band together and “find their sound” again. That’s it. That’s the plot. For the record, I loved the first ‘Pitch Perfect.’ It was funny, entertaining, and the songs were wonderful. The writing was great and it kept me engaged the entire movie. Its unnecessary sequel was mediocre at best. The original movie was an amazing piece of film that should have been left alone. The sequel that has insisted on being dragged along behind it is an embarrassment to the entire franchise.

Song of the week: “Bad Blood” deviates from other songs in “1989”

By Courtney Thomas
May 19, 2015

[T]aylor Swift’s new album has received a lot of praise in the past eight months. The album, “1989” has had four hit singles, all on the top-ten list. The music video for “Bad Blood” was released yesterday and has already had over four million views in last 24 hours. The version from the music video is different than the version on Swift’s album; Kendrick Lamar is featured in the new version. The video has many guest appearances from stars like Selena Gomez and Jessica Alba. It is a very futuristic video, think Divergent’s Dauntless training. It is a different feel from the popular video, “Blank Space” but nonetheless, it is a great music video and song.

Song of the week: “Kings and Queens” reminds us of the approaching summer

By Courtney Thomas
May 12, 2015

30 Seconds to Mars came released the now popular single, “Kings and Queens” on Oct. 13, 2009 on their third studio album “This is War.” It peaked at number one on the US Alternative Songs and was 82 on the US Hot 100. In the music video, there is a group of kids riding around on their bikes in Los Angeles and at the Santa Monica Pier. The way that the music video was filmed was so beautifully done; there were scenes of just silhouettes of the bikers against the sunset, and there were shots of them up close too. The music video reminded me of summer and what it is like to not have a care in the world.

What to Watch: “Pulp Fiction” provides many twists and turns

By Tyler Lopez
May 12, 2015

Today, we see boring films with lifeless characters and flat story plots. But in 1994, legendary director Quentin Tarantino gave us the unique and fantastic film called “Pulp Fiction.” Just over 20 years have passed since this film opened in theaters, but it stands as one of the best films ever made with a massive cult following and critics still praising the film. Not many films present themselves quite like “Pulp Fiction” does. The story is set out of order, with numerous intersecting storylines that involves Los Angeles mobsters, fringe players, small-time criminals, and a mysterious briefcase. But, with all of these stories together, it makes “Pulp Fiction” a great film. The film opens with a husband, “Pumpkin” (Roth) and wife, “Honey Bunny” (Plummer) sitting at booth in a diner talking about past robberies that have committed. They converse about how a place like the diner they are in is a good place for a robbery. Pumpkin tells his wife to steal the patrons’ wallets to double their profits. With their minds set, the couple pull out pistols and proceed to stick the store up.

Song of the week: “Under Pressure” provides the perfect dose of inspiration

By Courtney Thomas
May 6, 2015

In the last four weeks of school, Queen’s “Under Pressure” reminds us to stay cool. The song was released on Oct. 27, 1981. It peaked at 29 on the U.S. Music Chart, and it was number one in Argentina, Netherlands, and the UK. The music video features different forms of pressure destroying things, which is a cool, literal spin on a music video. Think of this song when the last few weeks make you want to pull your hair out. Think of this song when you can not sleep at night because you are too stressed about finals. Play this song when you need a pick-me-up-inspirational song.

“The Avengers: Age of Ultron” proves to please many fans

By Tyler Lopez
May 4, 2015

In 2012, theaters across the globe were filled to the brim with Marvel fans, moviegoers and critics alike. They were stupefied by the dazzling CGI, loud explosions, violent battle scenes and the star-studded cast that portrayed Earth’s saviors: “The Avengers.” Almost three years later, even more people gawked in great awe at the silver screen as the new film, “Age Of Ultron,” danced spectacularly before them. Those people smashed box office profits and were in store for a real treat. Instead of opening with a long winded villain background story, “Age Of Ultron” opens with a fantastic battle. Captain America (Evans), Thor (Hemsworth),Hulk (Ruffalo), Black Widow (Johansson), Hawkeye ( Renner) and the beloved Iron Man ( Downey Jr.) are in the midst assaulting a Hydra base in Eastern Europe in the hunt of Wolfgang von Strucker, who has stolen The Scepter and experimenting on humans.

TV Blog: Enjoy a unique cloning story called “Orphan Black”

By Rachel Brands
May 4, 2015

“Orphan Black” is a drama created by Graeme Manson and John Fawcett, and starring Tatiana Maslany. The show airs on BBC, yet is filmed and takes place in Toronto, Canada. “Orphan Black” focuses on the morality of human cloning. This theme is introduced when the protagonist Sarah Manning takes on the identity of a woman she saw commit suicide who looks identical to her. Sarah later finds out the woman is Beth Childs , a police officer, and realizes she is in over her head. Sarah then finds out a truth that will shock her even more: she and Beth are part of a large group of clones.