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(03/13/21 9:30pm)
by Arianna SergioThe opinions and views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the opinion of Byte or Byte’s editorial board. It’s no secret that the film industry lacks diversity and inclusion. In 2015, the Oscars were called out with the hashtag #OscarsSoWhite because every category listed lacked an artist of color. And I mean literally every category. This movement was the beginning of the shift that the film industry is slowly making to be more diverse and inclusive. When April Reign, a media strategist and advocate for diversity and inclusion, created the hashtag and spilled it onto every social media platform known to man, the Academy membership was 92% white and 75% male. Since then, the membership has improved. In 2020, the academy membership was 84% white and 68% male. The UCLA 2020 Hollywood Diversity Report is an analysis of the top-grossing films of 2018 and 2019. It includes a workplace analysis of 11 major and mid-major studios, which found that 91% of corporate-level executive positions were held by white people and 82% were held by men. Among all senior executive positions, 93% percent were held by white people and 80% by men.
(03/13/21 9:07pm)
by Mason KupiainenThe opinions and views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the opinion of Byte or Byte’s editorial board. Over the past decade, we’ve seen an increase in female directors given the opportunity to direct more high-profile projects including Wonder Woman, Charlie's Angels, Captain Marvel, and Mulan. Other films like Booksmart, Little Women, and The Babadook get high praise for their quality, as well as being directed by women. However, there have been many other great films from previous decades that were helmed by women that were exceptional, and maybe even better than ones directed today. However, they have not received the same praise or been even mentioned when discussing films directed by women.
(03/12/21 9:46pm)
by Conner Tighe
The opinions and views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the opinion of Byte or Byte’s editorial board.
As a raccoon in thieving wear, scales a wire overhead a museum, a turtle maneuvers the underground sewers searching for tech disaster while a large pink hippo sits patiently in the getaway van. This picture is all too familiar for fans of the Sly Cooper franchise, which has spanned a little over a decade. What made the series so unique was not its concept of a thieving raccoon, but its realistic appeal replaced by a world dominated by animal characters. Locations in the series-like the jungles of India, the city of Venice, Paris, and wastelands of Australia-were all run by animals in place of what would’ve been humans in any other game.
The franchise mainly has players sneaking around bodyguards and maneuvering thin wires overtop dangerous heights. Still, the series expanded beyond that, allowing fantastic boss fights, team-led operations, and the inner workings of a hacking device. You’ll find the police, often led by Cooper’s love interest Carmelita Fox, siding with Cooper’s gang at times, as circumstances force the two to band together for the greater good. No other game franchise before or after has taken such a creative concept and created a world so recognizable. It’s only appropriate to show why the series has lasted so long. From the first title released in 2002 to the latest released in 2013, here are the titles ranked from best to worst.
Sly Cooper 2: Band of Thieves
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Cooper’s second adventure turned out to be the most memorable in more ways than one. Band of Thieves took away the player’s limitations on scene and location by introducing open-world playability. Cooper, Bentley, and Murray return once again, this time allowing players to control all three characters depending on the mission. In addition to, providing the option to explore whichever city/town the gang is holed up in. The humoristic approach is again present in the second title and the familiar animated narration detailing Cooper’s life as a thief, continuing his lineage of master thieves. This bit will be explored in later titles. Interestingly, Band of Thieves is the only title in the series to feature a female character as the main antagonist.
Sly Cooper 4: Thieves in Time
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="388"] Image from Venture Beat[/caption]
The Cooper series' fourth installment was interesting if not inventive in its approach, compared to previous installments. When pages of the Thievius Raccoonus begin to disappear, Bentley gets the trio back together to discover what’s happening. As the title suggests, players will travel back in time and play as some of Cooper’s ancestors, like the inventor of sushi, Rioichi Cooper, and Western outlaw, Tennessee Kid Cooper, to unveil just what’s going on with the notorious Cooper handbook. The adventure again was incredible, like any other installment, but unfortunately, there was no fifth release. There was a small fight to get the familiar raccoon back on platforms again, but game developer Sanzaru Games claimed there would be no more signs of Cooper after Thieves in Time.
Sly Cooper 3: Honor Among Thieves
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="381"] Image from IMDB[/caption]
When Cooper learns of his family’s vault, locked away on Kaine Island, he gathers a team of experts to break into the vault under the control of Dr. M, the main antagonist of the game. Cooper and Bentley seek out Murray, who seeks a life of peace and meditation after having caused Bentley’s wheelchair-bound condition. Players will have a blast controlling the familiar trio and new faces like Penelope, a tech expert, the Guru, a wildman who has taught Murray how to find inner peace, and the Panda King, who was one of the antagonists of the original game. All the fun aspects of stealing coins, jumping, scaling over walls and wires, and escaping from dangerous foes are included in this installment. Although there were new characters and locations, the experience seemed like another copy of Band of Thieves. Sure, new characters were introduced, the classic animated humor returned, and beating up bad guys in ridiculous fashion stayed consistent, but it was something old at this point. The series giving its predecessor that much more credit for being the best in the series.
Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="378"] Image from Moby Games[/caption]
The trio’s first mission, players get to experience, involves a break-in of Inspector Fox’s office. The three retrieved a page of the legendary Thievius Raccoonus; a book passed down from generation to generation in the Cooper family. The book details all the tricks of the trade when it comes to being a thief. With this title being the first, it’s understandable the following titles only got better. Players can merely peruse museums, palaces, and temples with Cooper; however, they can collect coins to further upgrade Cooper’s skills, which were also expanded upon in later titles. However, one quality that makes this game stand out is the fact that players can buy the ability to slow down time, making the rest of the game a cinch.
Sources: Fanbyte, Sly Cooper Wiki
Images: IMDB, Moby Games, Pinterest, Venture Beat
Featured Image: Wireframe Magazine
(02/27/21 3:00pm)
by Lia Weisbecker-Lotz
The opinions and views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the opinion of Byte or Byte’s editorial board.
February is Black History Month and for a while now, I’ve wanted to write about Black punk bands. Punk has always been a community meant for those angry at the world, for screaming for change, for the chance to be heard, and most importantly, to be able to be themselves without backlash. Even so, after my last article on female punk bands, I realized that punk has not been so perfect at making sure everyone is heard and appreciated. But it’s the groups that aren’t as heard that are the most important to listen to. Black punk bands help spread not only a form of education as to what the Black community is going through, but also offer each other a sense of belonging in a largely white community. While the bands listed are Black punk bands, some are also infused with people of different races. However, this doesn’t change the importance or the impact of their messages and how they help the Black punk community. I do want to leave a disclaimer: I’m a white person who has never dealt with racism or its horrors, and I will never claim to. I can only hope to learn from the Black community about the problems they face and ways that I can support them through it.
Red Arkade
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="403"] Image from Afropunk[/caption]
Red Arkade is a high-energy, aggressive band from New York City. They released their first EP, Livewire, in 2016 which introduces the group’s main message: the desire for and importance of freedom. Red Arkade’s songs largely focus on being who you are and doing what you want with your life. Strangely for a punk band, their music is incredibly positive and invigorating, full of speedy riffs and hard-hitting drums. Red Arkade consistently mixes elements of hip hop and hard rock into their songs, which adds to their uniqueness in the punk community. Their latest EP, We Don’t Sing Pretty, was released in 2018 and seems to be about them claiming their spot as a punk band.
Big Joanie
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="401"] Image from Rolling Stone[/caption]
This London-based trio formed in 2013 to join a DIY festival and quickly started cranking out EPs. Big Joanie has become a haven where the members can “be completely themselves as Black women.” The three of them work to bring attention to the Black punk community in the UK and the fact that POC members of the punk scene exist. Big Joanie’s members even created the Decolonise Fest, an annual London DIY festival specifically for POC punks, and the Stop Rainbow Racism campaign. Their music is strongly reminiscent of post-punk bands, experimenting with heavy, harsh, and slow sounds. Most of Big Joanie’s songs center on the emotion behind the end of a relationship, full of a certain bitterness and longing. Some of their other songs discuss the racism they and others have dealt with from both individuals and society. Sistahs was their 2018 debut album, and they plan on releasing a follow-up album this year.
The TxLips
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="400"] Image from VOX ATL[/caption]
A musical collective, meaning that membership and participation are flexible and rotated, The TxLips currently have 14 members. Established and led by Gabriella Logan, this all-black, and mostly female group has been making music since 2018 and has been working toward its goal: to push “the status quo of what the world says artists of marginalized identities can do.” With a variety of artists, the music The TxLips produce is diverse, influenced by a lot of different backgrounds and genres. Many of their songs do contain consistent emotions regarding angst, anger, and the desire for a different life. In 2020, they released their album Prison of Life, which contains some remakes of songs from their original EP, Queens of the New Age.
FEVER 333
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="399"] Image from The Guardian[/caption]
FEVER 333 is a punk band that was created to be the soundtrack of the rebellion. They formed in 2017, debuting in the most punk way imaginable, an “unpermitted” demonstration at an LA landmark to share their ideas. Shortly after, FEVER 333 worked on releasing their first EP, Made An America, (its title song earned a Grammy nomination) a year later. The group’s songs are vehemently, unapologetically about the rampant amount of racism, xenophobia, misogyny, and general inequality in the U.S. The trio has songs calling out the unjust system capitalism is built on: “BURN IT,” “Walking in My Shoes,” “SUPREMACY,” “Soul’d Me Out,” etc. Often labeled post-hardcore, FEVER 333’s music is rapid and raucous, while experimenting with elements of rap, trap, and metal music. They use their latest EP, Wrong Generation, which came out in 2020, and continue to use their unique sound to spread their message demanding change.
The Muslims
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="404"] Image from Scalawag Magazine[/caption]
Another trio, The Muslims are an all-queer punk band that was prompted by the aftermath of the 2016 election to come together. They released their first album, The Muslims, in 2017 where they specifically call out the Islamophobia that’s pervasive in the U.S. They regularly use satire and humor to make songs that both mock white supremacists, transphobes, fascists, etc. whilst furiously pointing out the impact they have on African-American, queer, and other minority communities. The Muslims’s music is energetic, fun, and full of disgust at the current state of society. The trio’s lyrics switch between clever and blunt and are always complemented by the gritting, potent riffs and drums. Gentrified Chicken was their last album; it was released in 2020 and is focused on the government’s failures in recent years.
The 1865
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="404"] Image from Musical Notes Global[/caption]
Created in 2017, The 1865 was launched by well-known music journalist and producer/director Sacha Jenkins. Jenkins has stated that he created The 1865 to be able to “voice his frustrations and expressions of the current political landscape.” The band is named after the year the Civil War ended and slavery was abolished. While this was a turning point in history, The 1865 uses their music to point out how slavery continued to have an impact on African-Americans. Their songs are based on the perspective of enslaved and previously enslaved African-Americans during that tumultuous time. The 1865’s music matches the intensity of their lyrics, with powerful bass lines and full of violent energy. Their last album came out in 2019 and is titled Don’t Tread On We!
Sources: Afropunk, Big Joanie, BTRToday, Chardine Taylor Stone, Ebert Fest, Facebook, Genius, IMDB, Indy Week, Kerrang!, Kill Rockstars, Kit Monsters, Gal-dem, Play Alone Records, Riot Fest, Spotify, The Fader, The Grammys, The Guardian, The Muzlimz, The Txlips Band, This Magazine
Images: Afropunk, The Guardian, Musical Notes Global, Rolling Stone, Scalawag Magazine, VOX ATL
Featured Image: Scalawag Magazine
(02/26/21 10:00pm)
by Conner Tighe
In 1975, Toni Tennille stepped on stage sporting a sparkly purple dress and a bob haircut. “Okay, let’s get it, honey.” she said, smiling. Husband and wife duo Captain and Tennille dominated much of the 70s with their keyboard and piano instrumentals. Their 1975 cover of Neil Sedaka’s “Love Will Keep Us Together” did more than just rack in popularity. It continued the common tradition of husband-and-wife musician groups, like John Lennon and Yoko Ono and Sonny and Cher. Unfortunately, the duo’s time in the spotlight didn’t last much longer than a decade, leaving the memories of the two that much more reminiscent.
Captain and Tennille were known for their love ballads, never straying from the slow, peaceful story of two in love. The two never fully joined the ranks of “stardom” after forming in 1974, but created eight albums and had an admirable career even with underlying issues. “Love Will Keep Us Together” was the band’s number one hit till 1979 when “Do That To Me One More Time” was released, which again hit number one in early 1980. In comparison, Richard and Karen Carpenter sang similar sounding music for those unfamiliar with the band. The Carpenters captured the essence of love and the perfect life throughout much of their career with hits like “We’ve Only Just Begun,” “Top of the World,” and “Can’t Smile Without You.”
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="409"] Image from Showbiz CheatSheet[/caption]
Daryl Dragon, known by his stage name Captain Keyboard, worked with The Beach Boys for five years until he joined Tennille in 1972. Tennille, at the time, was creating music for the musical Mother Earth which tackled environmental issues caused by large corporations. Tennille was and still is a gifted singer-songwriter. In an interview with Bob Andelman, she claimed that much of her career was for Dragon’s approval, which she never fully received. She blames much of his behavior on his childhood and growing up in a dysfunctional family, and says that he never said “I love you” once in all the years they were married.
Even after their career peak, the two continued working together until their divorce in 2014. The duo’s time together was mainly glued by a contract and a shared business that thrived for decades. Tennille claims she tried to “fix” Dragon, but it never happened. As much as it appeared that Tennille and Dragon were the perfect musical couple, it was a different story behind closed doors. In a 2016 interview with Insider, Tennille said, “People thought we had this fairytale relationship, and I knew that they would be disappointed.” Tennille wanted to marry Dragon initially but says they worked better as professionals, not husband and wife.
Two years later, Tennille published her memoir about her career and marriage to Dragon, writing on some difficult subject matter. To say the least, the two had a rocky relationship. Dragon dealt with tremors for much of his later life until his death in 2019 from kidney failure. Tennille is still sporting her same haircut from three decades ago, a decade where many would say was the happiest time of the duo’s life. But to Tennille, now is her time of freedom from a man she called her best friend for over 30 years.
Sources: CBSNews, Discogs, RateYourMusic, Rolling Stone, The Washington Post, UCR, USA Today, Village-News, YouTube
Images: Showbiz CheatSheet
Featured Image: NPR
(02/26/21 8:30pm)
by Mason Kupiainen
With the Infinity Saga wrapped up, it may feel like Marvel doesn’t have any more tricks up their sleeves. Phase Four recently began with the premiere of Wandavision, giving us a brief glimpse into what the next couple of years will look like for Marvel Studios. Wandavision marks the beginning of a story arc that will carry over into Spider-Man: No Way Home and concludes with Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. With the introduction of both the multiverse and characters that have been revealed that will be in Spider-Man: No Way Home, it’s looking like we’ll finally be getting a live-action version of the Spider-Verse, with Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield returning as their incarnations of the web-slinger. However, recent comments from Tom Holland have said otherwise. So, is there any factual evidence for the Spider-Verse?
Jamie Foxx and Alfred Molina
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="372"] Image from CinemaBlend[/caption]
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="373"] Image from The Hollywood Reporter[/caption]
The first clue that Spider-Man: No Way Home introduced the Spider-Verse was the announcement of Foxx returning as Electro. This came as shocking news since he previously played the character in The Amazing Spider-Man 2, with his performance not really liked by audiences. It’s still unclear if he’s playing the exact version from that film or an alternate universe version, but Foxx did let it slip that he wouldn’t “be blue this time.” Sometime after this announcement was made, another familiar face joined the cast. Molina was revealed to be returning as Doctor Octopus, the same character he played in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 2. His version, on the other hand, is beloved by audiences and continues to show evidence that Maguire and Garfield could be returning.
Doctor Strange and Wanda
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="370"] Image from DroidJournal[/caption]
Another returning character that will be appearing in this film is Doctor Strange. With the Doctor Strange sequel being titled In the Multiverse of Madness, and being the conclusion of the story arc set up in Wandavision and carrying over into Spider-Man: No Way Home, it feels right that the Spidey film will bring in other iterations of the character. Wanda Maximoff, who will be in Multiverse of Madness, has been rumored to be making an appearance in this film as well. If Wandavision does introduce the multiverse in the series finale, maybe Maguire and Garfield will surprise the world with a cameo.
Casting Rumors
Other than Foxx and Molina, there have been many other casting rumors for the third Spidey film. Willem Dafoe as Green Goblin, Thomas Haden Church as Sandman, and Charlie Cox as Daredevil have all been rumored to be making appearances in the film. If Dafoe and Church actually are in the film, then it would be hard to argue that we won’t be seeing the other Spider-Men. If this is true, there is a possibility of the Sinister Six as the main antagonist since we’ll have Green Goblin, Doc Ock, and Sandman all from Maguire’s universe, Elector from Garfield's, and Vulture and Mysterio from Holland’s. Having all three Spider-Men join together in the finale of the film facing off the Sinister Six would be a great way to end this trilogy, as well as keep audiences excited for the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Multiple Titles
Although the title has been officially revealed as Spider-Man: No Way Home, there were multiple titles revealed by the cast the day before. Those titles included Phone Home, Home-Wrecker, and Home Slice. Although none of these titles specifically refer to the multiverse, there have been theories about why three fake titles were revealed. One of those theories is that each of the titles refers to the three Spider-Men. The theory claims that Home-Wrecker is referring to Garfield’s Spider-Man destroying the lives of Gwen Stacy’s family, with Home-Slice referring to Maguire’s Spider-Man being a pizza delivery man. Finally, Phone Home refers to Holland’s Spider-Man calling Happy.
Holland’s Response
The main piece of information holding back the idea that Maguire and Garfield could be showing up in this film was a statement from Holland. During an interview, when he was asked about other Spider-Men showing up, he simply replied, “No, no, they will not be appearing in this film.” This should be taken with a grain of salt since he could simply be trying to cover up the secret that the other two Spider-Men will make an appearance. While there hasn’t been an official statement from the studio or those involved with the film that all three Spider-Men will be in the film, there also hasn’t been a statement that they won’t.
Sources: CBR, CinemaBlend, Geekfeed, Heroic Hollywood, Newsweek, The Hollywood Reporter, The Verge
Images: CinemaBlend, Droid Journal, The Hollywood Reporter
Featured Image: Mashable India
(02/19/21 8:00pm)
by Kellyn HarrisonThe walls of the dimly lit hallway leading to MU 123 are chipped with avocado green paint. The flooring has decades of hope, laughter, love, sweat, tears, and dirt from the bottoms of Ball State alumni's shoes caked into the tiles’ seams. Despite the age, the second you enter the quaint mirrored room in the Hargreaves Music Building, you are instantly transported into an environment full of dedication, goodwill, and support. Sounds of laughter, singing, chanting, and clapping all filter into the hallway. Even while social distancing, the Ball State University Singers bring students of all majors together to fill the charming room with passion and warmth.“You just get this giant family that consists of the current cast, alumni, and the director,” junior assistant company manager Kamryn Yenser said. “We are a very heavily student-run group. I mean our director does a lot of logistical things, but our organization holds its traditions to a high standard and that is what keeps us connected.” Alumna Samantha Ragusin pins freshman vocal music education major Zoe McNulty. Photo by Kellyn HarrisonTraditions include the biannual pinning ceremony. This is where new members receive their name tag and pin from alumni as an official initiation to the group. Tags and pins are to be placed over their hearts at every off-campus function. On Feb. 16, three members—Zoe McNulty, Joe Lowry, and Dana Rodriguez—were pinned by alumna Samantha Ragusin. Ragusin graduated last year after four years of being a University Singer. She led as the group’s dance captain for three years.“Everyone in the group has been overly kind and friendly. That moment [getting pinned] meant the world to me because it showed how much I was truly wanted in the group,” freshman vocal music education major Zoe McNulty said.The pinning ceremony was quickly held before everyone left the room in order to let the air in the room circulate. Despite this, you could still feel and hear the excitement filter in from the hallway.Allowing time for air circulation is just one of the many regulations the singers are required to follow as part of the COVID-19 safety precautions advised by the School of Music. This specific regulation was established following a summer 2020 study meant to test how germs spread while playing instruments and singing. The study suggests performances and rehearsals be held outside, but due to freezing temperatures, the singers are forced to cut rehearsal time by practicing in an enclosed space and following air circulation policies.Rehearsal time isn’t the only aspect cut from the singers’ schedules. According to University Singers' director, Alan Alder, the choir has cut most of their performances within the past year due to COVID-19. The group’s 56th Spectacular was canceled last year, and many out-of-state performances were rescheduled.Ball State University Singers sing "Happy Birthday" to freshman Communications and Spanish major Katy Shaffer and sophomore Digital Video Production major Rudy Ahlersmeyer. Photo by Kellyn HarrisonA large project that has been rescheduled for May 2022 included the singers performing in Carnegie Hall. This was originally scheduled for Memorial Day of this year.“Michael Davis is a former Ball State University Singer and director and is currently the assistant artistic director of the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir. He’s been invited to do a choral performance in Carnegie Hall,” Alder said. “He wanted the University Singers to come and be part of the core of the chorus. Learning the music was going to be one of the projects we were going to work on this semester.”However, this hasn’t stopped the group from forging ahead and entertaining local audiences. The group was able to perform once on Nov. 1, 2020, in Emens Auditorium. The venue was different from Sursa Hall’s modest atmosphere, but the singers needed a larger space in order to abide by COVID regulations and safely hold their large fanbase.“It just keeps us motivated. It provides a sense of normalcy for the group and the community. They can come and see a live performance all while being safe,” senior company manager Justin McMiller said. “The only challenge is taking an extra intermission at shows, so air can be filtered. So taking extra precautions like that is important, that way everyone is safe.”In doing so, the singers’ title as “Indiana’s Official Goodwill Ambassadors” continues to ring loud throughout the community.The Ball State University Singers plan to perform their 57th Spectacular in Emens Auditorium on April 9 and 10. Tickets will sell through the Emens Auditorium box office, and it is advised to purchase tickets in advance due to limited seating as required by Ball State COVID-19 policies and CDC guidelines.
(02/19/21 3:00pm)
by Conner Tighe
The opinions and views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the opinion of Byte or Byte’s editorial board.
Louis Lowry, known for books like Number the Stars, The Anastasia Krupnik Series, and The Silent Boy, reached her peak when she wrote 1993’s The Giver. Lowry wrote about 12-year-old Jonas, who was chosen to receive memories of his society’s past from the giver, Jeff Bridges. Although in today’s film industry we’re plagued by dystopia mania within series' like Divergent, The Maze Runner, and The Hunger Games; Lowry’s four-book series was different from all the others. These dystopian films include violence toward the government, including overthrowing leaders, taking over land, and bombing important buildings. She was able to tell a story of a government keeping humanity bottled up in one man, the giver, and how dangerous and cruel this burden can be. I believe the 2014 film’s lack of violence and blockbuster-esque appeal killed the film before it was even released, although it wasn’t the film’s fault that it didn’t continue.
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="285"] Image from Amazon[/caption]
Violence is a fantasy many of us crave to live which is why many video games, like The Grand Theft Auto Series, are popular. The Giver Series wasn’t written with violence in mind. I’m sure because the series was made for younger audiences and because of this, it could be one of the reasons why the film suffered at the box office. The Giver barely made back half its budget of $25 million at the box office, with only making a little over $12 million. In other words, this was a major flop with audiences.
At the end of the film, Jonas is seen holding Gabriel in a snowy forest, watching a nearby house decorated with Christmas decorations. For those who haven’t read the series, Jonas comes back into the story with the fourth novel, Son, which focuses on Claire, Gabriel's mother. But much happens in-between books two, Gathering Blue and three, Messenger; the latter I consider to be the best novel of the quartet. Jonas’ town known as “The Community” turns out to be just one of many other communities in the series; with Gathering Blue focusing on Kira, a young girl with an impaired leg and the ability to dye colors into the fabric for her community except for blue.
[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="306"] Image from The Agony Booth[/caption]
Again, we’re faced with questions the elders and higher-up hierarchy refuse to answer in the series repeatedly. As Kira survives in a community of poverty and is left to die after her mother dies, we realize Lowry is not only talking about conformity by the dangers of independent thought, but also the importance of class hierarchy. In the novels, the character’s worth is measured by where they stand on the class pedestal. It’s possible the quartet can be called “anti-government” propaganda and could be the reason why it’s considered a banned book on many occasions. Lowry portrays the government as controlling and tyrannical. An example is shown in the first novel and film with Jonas’ father injecting “broken” infants with a deadly serum. It’s not uncommon for authors to write with underlying themes and anti-government is one of the oldest tricks in the book. But the author weaves in more than one or two morals. Lowry discusses what it means to be disabled and treated less than, along with being treated as a statistic more than a human being.
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="247"] Image from The New York Times[/caption]
After Kira is saved in Messenger by friend Matty, referred to as “Matt” in Gathering Blue, readers can justify the actions of Jonas, Kira, and Matty. We have characters willing to die for their community, even enemies, to learn about life and experiences outside their own. Jonas was the first to attempt this and succeeded after arriving at a mysterious house via sled while carrying Gabriel. Thus, ending the film and leaving the viewers on a cliffhanger. Only this time, we don’t get an ending, not even a sequel. Don’t start something revolutionary if you don’t intend to finish it.
Another reason the series may not have continued was because of a lack of grounding with protagonists. Throughout the novels, readers are introduced to five main protagonists: Jonas, Kira, Matt, Claire, and Gabriel. Unlike the popular series’ that precedes it, like the ones mentioned earlier, Lowry’s quartet wanted readers to learn about the issue of dystopia from all angles: poor, rich, girl, boy, old, and young. The Giver was not about feminism, government exploitation, or even injustice but about what it means to be human. None of the protagonists seek to destroy anyone or challenge foes but to realize who they are under an oppressive environment. Witnessing emotion and learning difficult lessons are the relatable tendencies Lowry uses to empower her readers, and The Giver Series demonstrates this.
(02/17/21 9:52pm)
by Conner Tighe
The opinions and views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the opinion of Byte or Byte’s editorial board.
One of the best and longest-running video game franchises, Soulcalibur continues to show players what it means to strive toward a goal—and their destiny—through the means of using unique weaponry. No two characters have the same weapon or moveset, so I always experience new ways to combat enemies. With the overall plot taking place in the 1500s, without the use of gunfire and machinery, players fight melee with close-quarter weapons. Overall, the franchise introduces many enjoyable and durable qualities like customizable characters, upgrading weapons, maneuvering your small army, and taking down kings and queens with playable characters like no other. The franchise is currently in its sixth release. The game itself is incredible, and it seemed only appropriate to rank the top 10 best Soulcalibur fighters/characters.
10. Seong Mi-na
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="287"] Image from Wccftech[/caption]
To me, Mi-na is the female counterpart to Kilik with skills in long-ranged attacks, keeping enemies at arm’s length. Depending on which title you play in the franchise, this fighter can maneuver quick, devastating blows by swinging her halberd-like weapon—basically Kilik’s weapon but with a blade at the end. She’s determined, willful, and fights alongside love interest and friend Yun-seong, a man armed with a machete-like Chinese sword.
9. Chai Xianghua
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="286"] Image from Shoryuken[/caption]
Best friend of Kilik and a skilled swordswoman, Xianghua is one of the most graceful and kind-hearted characters of the Soulcalibur franchise. Armed with a traditional Chinese sword, the young woman is capable of doing serious damage to her opponents.
8. Ivy Valentine
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="289"] Image from YouTube[/caption]
A sophisticated scientist from London, Ivy Valentine remains one of the most classic characters from the franchise. She created her snake sword, which is capable of annihilating opponents with ease if one knows the right combos. Her father, the ghost pirate Cervantes de León, remains her primary opponent throughout the franchise as they battle with opposing views on Soul Edge.
7. Grøh
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="286"] Image from VG247[/caption]
Nicknamed “The Agent in Black,” this Norwegian soldier first appeared in the latest Soulcalibur installment, Soulcalibur VI. He’s a member of the Aval Organization, an ancient group with the mission to rid the world of what they call “Outsiders,” or those connected to Soul Edge. After failing to defeat Soul Edge’s wielder Nightmare, Grøh maintains a rocky relationship with the Aval Organization, hoping to redeem himself. He fights with a double saber, which can be used as two separate swords if needed.
6. Maxi
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="285"] Image from Wccftech[/caption]
Armed with a nunchaku, Maxi’s fast flips, kicks, and strikes are a homage to the late Bruce Lee. He befriends Kilik and Xianghua along their journey to destroy Soul Edge. Unlike other characters in the franchise, the fighter comments on his attire and good looks often when victorious against opponents, providing some comedy after destroying them.
5. Setsuka
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="285"] Image from Reddit[/caption]
This kimono-wearing assassin first appeared in Soulcaliber III, seeking revenge against swordsman Heishiro Mitsurugi. Setsuka is believed to be of European descent—specifically Portugal or England—but was raised in Japan. Concealed in the handle is her blade, which she seeks to use after her master, Shugen Kokonoe, is killed by Mitsurugi. Setsuka always sports her heeled geta shoes, which makes one wonder how she dives, slices, and performs devastating blows on opponents. She’s considered one of the fastest fighters in the franchise and sports brunette hair only in Soulcalibur III; in all other titles, she has blonde hair.
4. Taki
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="286"] Image from YouTube[/caption]
Sporting her demon protective armor and twin blades, Mekki-Maru and Rekki-Maru, Taki was one of the few mainstay female fighters of the series and a force to be reckoned with. She’s referred to as the “Shadow Huntress of Demons,” often referencing the evil energy and overbearing weight Soul Edge has on the world. Always seeking to destroy the evil sword, Taki uses quick strikes and kicking attacks, often leaving her opponents efficiently dealt with.
3. Heishiro Mitsurugi
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="290"] Image from DeviantArt [/caption]
Tradition sets apart this swordsman from all other fighters in the franchise as he battles his opponents on honorable terms. He’s continually seeking the strongest of the strong—never satisfied with being average in skill. Although he seems hard-headed at times, he shows mercy and believes strength comes not from one’s weapon, but their heart. Mitsurugi is also one of the few characters not seeking either Soul Calibur or Soul Edge, but experience handling a blade.
2. Siegfried Schtauffen
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="284"] Image from YouTube[/caption]
Considered the central protagonist of the franchise and sporting a large, flattened blade, the German-born soldier seeks to destroy Soul Edge. This is after being cursed by the sword with an evil seed in his body taking the form of his alter ego, Nightmare. Throughout the series, Schtauffen talks about honor and seeking the light of the world after accidentally killing his father in battle. Although he’s slow and methodical in his stance and fighting style, he’s one of the strongest characters, capable of defeating the giant Astaroth, an ax-wielding maniac created by the God Ares.
1. Kilik
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="286"] Image from Gamereactor[/caption]
A peaceful young man, Kilik was trained by an older gentleman, who is known only as Edge Master, after he set fire to Kilik’s temple following a brutal massacre. Trained in the Ling-Sheng Su martial arts and armed with a rod called Kali-Yuga, Kilik, alongside his friend/love-interest Xianghua, seek to destroy Soul Edge, after he was possessed by its evil energy to kill many of his temple friends. After his sister Xianglian saves him by putting a mirror-like necklace known as the Dvapara-Yuga around his neck, she becomes possessed, forcing Kilik to murder her. His fighting style allows ring outs—or when characters can easily be knocked off stage with ease—and keeps enemies at bay, so long as he keeps swinging the Kali-Yuga.
Sources: Masterpiece's of Japanese Culture, Soulcalibur Fandom, Steam, YouTube, Writeups
Images: DeviantArt, Gamereactor, Reddit, Shoryuken, VG247, Wccftech, YouTube
Featured Image: Taylor Sheridan
(02/17/21 10:30am)
by Mason Kupiainen
The opinions and views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the opinion of Byte or Byte’s editorial board.
On August 28, 2020, Chadwick Boseman tragically died from colon cancer, which he had been struggling with without letting it be known publicly. From starring in films like 42, Marshall, Get On Up, and 21 Bridges, Boseman brought to life many exemplary characters through incredible performances. However, arguably his most significant role is Black Panther, a character and film that have both become culturally iconic. After his death, Marvel remained silent with their plans on how they were going to move forward with the sequel and character until the Disney investors' meeting in December 2020. During the Marvel Studios presentation, Marvel President Kevin Feige revealed that they weren’t going to recast the role, nor use CGI to bring the character back. Instead, the Black Panther sequel will be focusing on the other characters from the first film, and further develop the world of Wakanda. While it’s understandable that Marvel wants to respect Boseman as much as they can, not recasting the role is a major mistake.
Cultural significance
As mentioned before, Black Panther has left its mark on our culture. Although he wasn’t the first black superhero to have a standalone film, his was the most successful one. In its full theatrical run, the film made over one billion dollars, becoming the 12th highest-grossing film of all time. One of the best aspects of the film was how it diverged from common stereotypes. In most films revolving around Africa, they portray it as a savage land that’s filled with horrors. Wakanda flips this stereotype on its head by showing the highly advanced land that’s vibrant and colorful, all the while still incorporating African culture into the mix. While this can still be achieved without T’Challa, the perspective through which we experience this world will be lost.
A fresh, new superhero
After 18 films, Marvel introduced a different type of character than we’d ever seen before. Although having a king of a mystical land as a superhero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe wasn’t new thanks to Thor, the perspective to the duty of royalty was new to T’Challa. His journey of becoming king of Wakanda and having to handle all the casualties that follow it made his character unique. He tried juggling many responsibilities and stumbled along the way. He’s also challenged in many ways that force him to stand up and do what’s right. This character became important for so many people, giving them a new superhero to be inspired by.
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="404"] Image from The Saxon[/caption]
Along with this, T’Challa is one of the best characters within the Marvel Universe and had many future possibilities as to where to take his story. While Marvel hasn’t announced if they’re going to write T’Challa out of the story or kill him off, letting him go without a proper conclusion feels wrong. While there are probably many people who agree with Marvel’s decision and want to honor Boseman’s legacy by not carrying on Black Panther, I see it differently. It feels like the opposite and is a dishonor to him and his portrayal of T’Challa by not carrying on the legacy he created. By bringing in a new actor to replace Boseman, Marvel would be finishing what Boseman started and continuing to inspire people with the character. Sure, they can pass the baton of Black Panther to a character like Shuri or M’Baku, but Black Panther 2 will probably feel strange if they simply wrote T’Challa out of it. The ending of the first film teases much more to come from him, so leaving all this behind would be disheartening to those who became invested in the character.
World of Wakanda
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="395"] Image from Barnes & Noble[/caption]
This might sound weird, but exploring the world of Wakanda in the sequel sounds like a bad idea, considering a similar type of series was just announced. Adding to their already stuffed plate of Marvel shows to come, Disney just announced another show in the works, a series focusing strictly on Wakanda and being developed by Ryan Coogler, writer and director of Black Panther. Having the sequel and a new series exploring Wakanda sounds redundant and runs the risk of diluting the specialty of the world. Although Wakanda is vast, rich, and filled with endless possibilities, it’s not very exciting to hear that Disney is trying to milk the property for all its worth.
Sources: BBC, Box Office Mojo, Deadline, Marvel, The New York Times, Variety, Vox
Images: Barnes & Noble, The Saxon
Featured Image: Quartz
(02/15/21 12:30am)
by Arianna Sergio
Once the Christmas season passes and we bid adieu to jolly St. Nick, the ruby and blush colored rose bouquets, countless brands of heart-shaped chocolate boxes, and colorful plush animals of all types as big as the eye can see start barreling in on the shelves. Tis’ the season for the only day of the year where it's socially acceptable and celebrated to be super corny and mushy with your lover. This day practically oozes affection. This kind of love is a challenge to flee from when it surrounds every move you make throughout February, so the majority of people either completely love it or completely hate it. I have certainly flip-flopped from one side to the other, but something that remains a burning question in my head is how did Valentine’s Day become a holiday?
Lupercalia and St. Valentine
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="414"] Image from Mental Floss[/caption]
This story kicks off with the earliest origin of Valentine’s Day: the pagan holiday Lupercalia. This holiday, which celebrates fertility, took place for centuries in mid-February. Lupercalia was one of the few pagan holidays that was celebrated 150 years after Christianity was legalized, showcasing how popular and influential it was within the Roman Empire.
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="413"] Image from Catholic Online[/caption]
At the end of the fifth century, Pope Gelasius became the new pope and stopped anyone from celebrating Lupercalia. Shortly after he announced this, the Catholic church made Feb. 14 their feast day to celebrate the martyred St. Valentine. I have to preface that in the early martyrologies three various St. Valentine’s are discussed, all sharing Feb. 14 as their feast day, and because the historical records are very few and scattered no one can wholeheartedly confirm who the “real” St. Valentine is. The first St. Valentine was a priest who doubled as a doctor. He not only educated the fellow Christians in his community to follow Jesus, but he also aided people who were sickly. St. Valentine was a publicly recognized leader in his Christian community, and at the time Christians were tormented for their faith and were highly sought after and jailed, so he eventually became jailed and then beheaded. The second St. Valentine was a Bishop of Terni, then known as Interamna, and he also became jailed and then beheaded. The third St. Valentine suffered martyrdom with many others in Africa, but nothing else is known about him. Some believe that all of these versions of St.Valentine are the same person, but that hasn’t been confirmed.
Why is it associated with love?
There are copious theories as to why the holiday is associated with love. A few of the most popular being: that in the Middle Ages in France and England it was commonly believed that Feb. 14 was the beginning of birds’ mating season, which added to the idea that the middle of Valentine’s Day should be a day for romance; St. Valentine signed a letter that ended with “from your Valentine,” to his jailer’s daughter, who he fell in love with and healed from being blind to a certain degree; and lastly St. Valentine opposed Emperor Claudius II commands and, in secret, married couples to pardon the husbands’ from war. All of these beliefs can provide us with some sort of idea to entertain, since none of us will for sure know what the “real” reason is.
Next time you are shopping at your local grocery store purchasing some of the discounted limited edition Valentine’s Day treats, you can ponder about the mysterious theories that surround St. Valentine, why the pink and red doused holiday is celebrated for love, and how it came to be what it is today.
Sources: BBC, Britannica, Catholic Education, History, National Geographic, Saints Resource,
Images: Catholic Online, Mental Floss
Featured Image: History
(02/14/21 10:30pm)
by Lia Weisbecker-Lotz
The opinions and views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the opinion of Byte or Byte’s editorial board.
I love celebrating Valentine’s Day, but not for the reasons most people do. For many, Valentine’s Day is about spending the day with their significant other, showering them in love and care. For me, it’s about expressing my love and appreciation for my friends, family, and myself. I started this tradition in high school where I would make personal Valentine’s Day cards for all of my friends, or anyone I wanted to be friends with. I’d spend hours making these cards, using a list of people I enjoyed being with and a list of things they were interested in. I’d write down any puns I could think of that were also compliments and practice drawing cute versions of animals or characters they liked. As an example, I made one friend who liked hiking and camping, a card with a drawing of a s’more with a cute face below the words “I need s’more friends like you!” I wanted to remind people, especially the ones who weren’t in romantic relationships, that someone loves them. I wanted them to know that I listen to and care about what they’re interested in and passionate about. Because you shouldn’t have to be someone’s partner to be valuable to them.
For some reason, our society holds romantic relationships above platonic ones, making them seem as if they are milestones for everyone to reach. Family members that you haven’t seen in a while always end up asking, “Have you found a boy/girlfriend yet?” Depending on your sexual orientation, hugging anyone of the opposite gender immediately leads to someone asking, “Oh, are you guys dating?” This is especially obvious around Valentine’s Day, as all the commercials and rom-coms begin to play. But if this is the holiday of love, then why doesn’t it include all types of love?
When we’re children, we go around giving cards and candy to every one of our classmates, even those we aren’t very close to. Then at some point, we’re convinced that Valentine’s Day is only meant for couples and crushes. The way there’s an emphasis on romantic relationships, is a mistake. A majority of the most important and longest-lasting relationships are platonic. And there are people who aren’t interested in dating during a certain period of their life, or at all. Which should be normal. And it should also be normal to celebrate your love for friends and family on a day about love.
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="404"] Image from Mashable [/caption]
Of course, I’m not the first person to think friendships should be celebrated. In the TV show Parks and Recreation, the character Leslie celebrates “Galentine’s Day,” a day dedicated to her female friends just before Valentine’s Day. And people have started to take up the holiday, making it a day to celebrate the special relationship that comes with female friendships. In 2011, the UN declared July 30 National Friendship Day. Many people in the U.S. celebrate this day by posting photos of friends on Instagram or Snapchat and typing out what they appreciate about them. There’s even a National Self Love Day on February 13 that some celebrate.
Despite this, I think it should be Valentine’s Day where we can celebrate the love of friends, family, and ourselves. The people who dislike Valentine’s Day often dislike it because of the focus on and pressure for romance. Or simply because seeing others in a romantic relationship makes them feel lonely. But this is a day about reminding people that love exists for them. That they have friends who love them, and that they should love themselves. By genuinely making it a day for love, we can stop making people feel alienated or like they’re missing out. Honestly, sometimes, it seems that only people who are in love get to experience happiness on this day. That if you can’t get or simply don’t want to have a date, you’ll never get the joy of this love-crazy day.
Platonic relationships are just as, if not more, important than romantic ones. When romantic relationships fail, it’s our friends and family that we rely on to help us through. When we’re insecure or worried about something going on in a romantic relationship, it’s our friends and family we turn to for advice. Platonic relationships are the backbone and basis of love. Family provides you roots and friendships help you grow. Self-love is the product of that growth, being able to enjoy, not only time with others, but with yourself should be prioritized. Because you have to spend every second of your life with yourself.
Valentine’s Day can and should be, a special day for everyone. To love and be loved, is a special feeling that is not always romantic. So don’t forget all of the people who are here to support you through every dip and rise you go through in life.
Sources: Her Culture, IMDB, Instagram, National Day Calendar, The Atlantic,
Images: Mashable
Featured Image: History
(02/12/21 10:00am)
by Brandon Carson
The opinions and views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the opinion of Byte or Byte’s editorial board.
Australia’s King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard are the only known band with 16 albums, two official live albums, a wide variety of styles, and an entire universe linking them together. Formed in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, each record they make is a new unique take on their sound, starting from surf/garage rock in 2012 and currently landing in the microtonal sounds they tried back in 2017.
King Gizzard is the hardest working band to date. Before 2020, the band was constantly touring, even during their five-record-run of 2017. Each record builds their discography a floor taller, allowing for variety in their already energetic live shows. But not only are they just making the music, they also constantly tie together storylines, create characters, and build worlds inside these amazing records.
(02/10/21 7:00pm)
by Kellyn Harrison
The opinions and views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the opinion of Byte or Byte’s editorial board.
Ball State’s 41st annual Unity Week Celebration was held the week of Feb. 1. Unity Week only comes around once a year, but it aims to encourage a long-lasting understanding of diversity and solidarity amongst Ball State students through a series of entertainment-based and informational events. On Feb. 4, “Dare to Speak” invited students to a zoom call with speakers Carlos Andrés Gómez and Katie Kramer. There, attendees found themselves in a diverse community and a conversation of equity. Students and speakers alike shared their stories and provided strength to those who reached out.
“Words speak just as loud as actions when it comes to social justice,”- Dare to Speak.
Strength can come in many different colors, ages, sizes, genders, social-economic statuses, sexualities, etc., and the “work is never done” when it comes to expressing this. Nor is the work ever done when it comes to expressing how each person, no matter social identity, should be granted the same level of respect and safety. “Dare to Speak” expressed all this through the art of poetry. Providing a voice to many who may be speechless regarding the topic of their own social identity.
The Art of Justice
“Dare to Speak” was created through the partnership of Gómez and Kramer. When asked how “Dare to Speak” came to be, Gómez said they were continuously booked at the same venues and after a while, started collaborating. They found their writing adhered to the same idea of social justice. Now, together, they read poetry to communities in order to bring attention to many societal discrepancies. Topics include gender and sexuality, race and allyship, and mental health and grief. All of which, at least one speaker can provide a personal experience with. Placing empathy and vulnerability within each community they speak to. Paving the way for promoting allyship to those who also identify within each of these topics and making discussion with those who feel the same easier.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcIGTfhANVM&feature=youtu.be
During the zoom call, Gómez and Kramer talked about how strange it is to be reading poetry over the internet or to be communicating only with our eyes because of masks. Kramer said it has forced us to become empathetic and patient because of the challenge masks and technology now play in interacting with people. We are forced to use these characteristics when we can’t hear people very well or vice versa because of masks. Another instance would be the tendency for web calls to continuously have a network connection, something we faced in the meeting. Kramer tied this idea into how society should focus these characteristics on social justice and allyship.
Vulnerability is not a weakness; it is a strength
Independently, each provided their own stories and applied a poem to the topic presented in their experiences. Gómez is a Colombian American poet and author. He is known for his poems “Where are you really from?” and “What Latino Looks Like.” Both of which talk about his experiences living as a Latinx in the United States, where justification of nationality is evident. Where people doubting your answer to “Where are you from” let alone asking the question, is apparent. Where stereotyping social identities and making assumptions is the norm. A definition Gómez used to describe “playing Wheel of Fortune'' with someone’s nationality or race. This was what Gómez talked heavily about in the call, especially after opening up about concerns he had about his biracial children growing up in the United States. After showing this vulnerability, there were several students who also shared their experiences with people questioning their nationality and race. Many of which pointed out a trend of people asking for proof of their race or nationality. Gómez explored the idea of questioning the validity of someone’s social identity when he stated, “What does someone’s race or identity have to do with anything?” This is related to society’s need to establish one’s social identity in a conversation for the sake of separating the identity of those involved. Isolation and objectification both being huge underlying themes within the discussion.
“No matter the environment, identities matter,”- Dare to Speak
Kramer identifies with the LGBTQ+ community and talks heavily about what it means to be human. Her poems discuss what it means to grow up as a queer woman and reach a point of healing while grieving. Through her poems, she advocates for trans rights, mental health awareness, and feminism. All of which push for more awareness of the diversity of gender and mental health of those around us. Pushing for more respect for those within society. Kramer touched on all of these ideas during the meeting. She pointed out not only the importance of understanding each community/social identity, but understanding that sexual identity, gender, and race should not be treated separately. That they should all be treated with equal respect, especially when they intersect. Kramer stated, “Just because you identify as queer does not mean you have overcome gender. Gender and sexuality are two different things and they shouldn’t be.” The poet referencing the major divide between transgender and gay people within the LGBTQ+ community. Furthermore, Kramer stressed that gender and sexuality are only your business. They are your business to share with people and shouldn't be forced if uncomfortable. The call for safety and the end of violence was a large topic within the discussion. Kramer provided examples of her family having to think about possible threats just because of her and her husband’s social identity. All of which opened the discussion of promoting the overall safety for all social identities facing a fear of oppression and violence.
When asked how the poets keep from freezing when talking about emotional topics, they concluded vulnerability is not a weakness, instead, it is a strength. Instead of viewing your vulnerability as a flaw, view it as a stepping stone to personal growth and cultivating stronger interpersonal relationships. Kramer said people look for vulnerability because it makes people feel more connected to each other especially during a time of isolation and fear. This is why Kramer and Gómez share their stories with others in hopes of encouraging strength, unity, and diverse communities. Something Ball State’s Unity Week strives for each year it is held. Implementing the hope that such values will be upheld well into the future.
Sources: Ball State University, Bass/Schuler Entertainment, Carlos Live, Dare to Speak, Facebook, The American Prospect, YouTube
Images: Kellyn Harrison, UPB
Featured Image: Bass/Schuler Entertainment
(02/09/21 2:40pm)
by Arianna SergioThe opinions and views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the opinion of Byte or Byte’s editorial board. A Fourth of July’s worth of fireworks, a light-up tunnel, and masked dancers oh my! The camera fades out from the classic Pepsi Super Bowl Halftime Show logo and zooms into a neon Las Vegas-inspired welcome sign, featuring: a globe of the world, an old and new Pepsi sign, pink tulips, a dancer, and of course, the Weeknd wearing his signature After Hours glittery scarlet blazer sitting in a decked out Mercedes-Benz. From here the camera pans with the singer as he walks toward the front of the stage and sits on the edge; the choir’s sound-enhancing sounding ethereal. A crimson-eyed “angel” descends from the ceiling and the choir gets progressively louder, singing more eerily and hauntingly, as they wear Star Wars-esque C-3PO masks. This worked in favor of creating the ideal atmosphere for his much-anticipated performance. The Weeknd, known offstage as Abel Tesfaye, waits a few seconds before he opens up with “Star Boy.” He kept the performance of this song fairly low-key, besides the cluster of fireworks going off above the grand choir. He relied solely on his smooth vocals and his happy feet.
(01/31/21 10:59pm)
by Arianna Sergio
The opinions and views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the opinion of Byte or Byte’s editorial board.
Lately, I haven’t been able to stop listening to Dominic Fike. No matter what I do, I find myself pulling up his Spotify profile and pressing the shuffle button, so much so that it has become a part of my daily schedule—like second nature. I first discovered Fike in 2018 when his song “3 Nights” blew up. Whenever I was driving I would turn on the radio and instantly hear the beginning chords to that song. Normally when I hear a song that is overplayed on the radio I immediately change the station or shut off the radio altogether, but not with this song. This time it was different. For some reason, I became mesmerized by this song and addicted to his voice. Every time it ended I found myself hungry and craving more. Alas, I never ended up hearing any more music from him let alone hearing anything about him. It was like he fell off the face of Earth. This past July, I was browsing through Spotify’s new releases and I saw an album titled, What Could Possibly Go Wrong. The cover drew me in, with the neon salmon words of the title smeared to the right and the aesthetic mountain landscape in the background, so I clicked on it. I was shocked, to say the least, when I saw Fike’s name attached to it. From the moment I pressed that play button it’s been an album I consistently go back to every day.
Why don’t you know Dominic Fike?
The 25-year-old artist really emerged out of nowhere. As a child, Fike would always play music. When he was ten, he received a guitar and taught himself how to play it. When he got older, Fike joined a local formative rap collective called Backhouse. Born and raised in Naples, Florida, Fike and the rest of Backhouse started making waves in the local scene and began culminating a following. Fike shifted gears and started focusing more on himself and his craft and, soon enough, he released his solo music. Some of his early music that is still online is an EP titled Dishwasher and a single titled “Jada Pinkett,” but everything else has ceased from existence. He released the EP Don't Forget About Me, Demos in December 2017, which was recorded while he was on house arrest for battery of a police officer, as an independent artist while he was serving time in Collier County Jail. The EP ignited a very public bidding war from a handful of record labels who wanted to sign him. He ended up signing with Columbia Records for around $4 million and his music that was already posted was taken down and re-released months later through Columbia.
Don’t Forget About Me, Demos
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="291"] Image from Amazon[/caption]
“3 Nights'', needless to say, is the breakout song on this EP, generating a whopping 536 million streams, and being what put Fike on people’s radars in the first place. This song talks of the evolution of a relationship: going from someone not being fully interested in someone else, to falling in love with them, to then hesitantly straying away. Even though this song amassed the most attention, with its prominent guitar strums and carefree, sunny chorus, it isn’t the best song on the EP. The two songs that are tied for best song in the EP are “She Wants My Money” and “Babydoll.” In “She Wants My Money,” Fike sings about an ex-lover who only wants him for his money, but Fike needs his money more than his ex, so he doesn’t give in. The lyrics, “Look, f**k 'em, I gotta get the money too/ I got three to protect, I need a money tree/ Like, what you need the money for?” showcase his clever lyricism and play on words with Fike counting from 1 to 4. In “Babydoll,” Fike gets personal and opens up about his upbringing. He vulnerably sings about his father being a “pimp” and not being in the picture and how his mother dealt with drug abuse. This song makes you want to bop your head up and down to the retro bass that shines though. In “Westcoast Collective” Fike takes the listener back on his journey of living on the west coast in a house with a substantial group of people, aka Backhouse, and being an unknown rapper wishing for a discovery of some sort. This was before he adapted the alternative pop genre he has mastered today. In “Falling Asleep,” Dominic Fike sings about consciously distancing himself from people because he has a difficult time trusting others. He also gets candid about the pitfalls of his latest fame and wealth. This EP is as transparent as any artist can get for how fresh Fike is to the music game. Fike lays it all out on the table and he definitely serves.
What Could Possibly Go Wrong
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="293"] Image from Pitchfork[/caption]
The common themes on What Could Possibly Go Wrong are the trials and tribulations of being in a relationship and Fike reflecting on his roots, upbringing, and where he hails from. One characteristic that I love about Fike is that he literally couldn't care less about the fame that goes hand-in-hand with being a “celebrity.” In “Cancel Me” he discusses some of the stresses of his newfound rise to fame. He mentions living in LA being overwhelming and how he wishes that he could just go back to his family. He hopes that people “cancel” him, or that people stop supporting him. “Cancel culture” has become an extremely common phenomenon in recent years. Fike raps the lyrics, “I hope I never, ever have to go on TV/ Mothaf**ka, Jimmy Kimmel does not wanna meet me,” and this lyric is one of the strongest on the whole EP. It oozes sass and character, which I personally appreciate in lyrics, and it gives the listener a small taste of Fike’s personality. “Why” is the standout in the album. It’s catchy beyond belief with its simple yet enticing chorus paired with Fike’s delectable high-pitched vocals about having chicken tenders with a lover. “Chicken Tenders,” blends his signature alternative pop sound with R&B, as he sings about living lavishly with his lover. As its title suggests, “Vampire” gives the listener an eerie Halloween in the summer. The creative aspect is what makes this music video hands down the best music video Fike has ever released. In “Wurli,” Dominic sings about being in a toxic relationship and how he can’t help but feel like a “glorified doorstop.” “Florida” is the final track on the album. Fike ends the album by reflecting on where he hails from and sharing how he’s “still the same” man as he was before fame and fortune and how he remains grounded. What Could Possibly Go Wrong is an exceptional debut album for the young artist highlighting all of his strengths as a musician and putting his one-of-a-kind voice on a pedestal.
BROCKHAMPTON, Kenny Beats, and what’s next
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="420"] Image from The Fader[/caption]
Some notable features Fike has done are in “Peach” by Kevin Abstract, a rapper/singer in BROCKHAMPTON, “Hit Me Up,” by Kenny Beats and Omar Apollo, “Stop Selling Her Drugs” by Bakar, and “Dominic’s Interlude” by Halsey. Fike has a close relationship with the hip/hop group, BROCKHAMPTON. Abstract directed a video titled, “This is Dominic Fike,” which was posted to the BROCKHAMPTON YouTube channel. In this video, Abstract does a deep and raw interview with Fike, which then shifts into an offhand “3 Nights” music video.
To best describe Fike is to say that he’s a wildcard. Fans can’t predict his next move, but just anticipate that one is coming. Fike recently posted a short video to his Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube of him blindfolded with a baseball bat and hitting a number two piñata while a nameless song, presumably by him, plays in the background. All these posts are followed with the caption, “What’s next?” One can only infer that the number two signifies his upcoming second album; meaning the new music drought will shortly be over and fans of Fike will be able to see the light of day again.
Sources: Florida Arrests, Instagram, Merriam-Webster, Soundcloud, Spotify, The Fader, Twitter, YouTube
Images: Amazon, Pitchfork, The Fader
Featured Image: GoRadio
(01/30/21 7:34pm)
by Conner Tighe
The opinions and views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the opinion of Byte or Byte’s editorial board.
In the city of Cartagena, Columbia, Nathan Drake -just kicked out of a museum for attempted theft- scours the city searching for another way in. An older gentleman spots the boy—witnessing his talents for thieving. Fast forward at least a decade, and the two are scouring the Rub’ al Khali desert, jungles of Borneo, and more. Uncharted’s heartfelt and thrilling journey began in 2007 and continues to capture movie-like escapades over a decade later. With three releases on the PlayStation 3 and three on the PlayStation 4 (including The Nathan Drake Collection), there’s more to return to even after several playthroughs. Here are the Uncharted installments ranked.
1. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="282"] Image from DeviantArt[/caption]
Drake finds himself in a serious pickle when a simple thief job goes wrong. Uncharted 2 expanded upon our wildest imaginations when Drake travels to Asia to seek Shambhala while on the run from the psychotic war criminal, Zoran Lazarević, who is also seeking the ancient city. Drake’s longtime mentor and friend, Victor Sullivan, returns but is MIA in most of the game, unlike the prequel. Journalist Elena Fisher returns in the sequel running into Drake by chance in Nepal. Introduced to this action-packed sequel is treasure hunter Chloe Frazer. The three intermingle in a comedic love triangle throughout the game.
The game improved its wonky combat system introducing more gun selection, combo selection, and a “very easy” difficulty level, which allows players to enjoy the ride rather than worry about dying over and over. The locations players explore, including Nepal, Tibet, Borneo, and the Himalayas, are breathtaking in their graphics, even 11 years later. Uncharted 2 is by far Drake’s most exciting adventure and includes his most formidable foe to date.
2. Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
Although as fun as it was, Uncharted's fourth installment didn’t live up to the hype. Overall, the game is excellent as all games in the series are, but I couldn’t ignore plot pieces that seemed thrown in to create or solidify an ending to Drake’s adventures; like Nadine Ross and her military group Shoreline as well as adding Drake’s long-lost brother, Sam, who was never mentioned in previous installments.
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="268"] Image from PCMag[/caption]
Now working as a diver in New Orleans for a salvaging company, Drake longs for adventure as his life has slowed down. Like Drake’s luck, trouble always seems to find him when Sam shows up years after believing to be dead after a prison breakout. The brothers travel in search of Henry Avery’s treasure, one of the most notorious pirates of his time, to pay off Sam’s debt to drug lord Hector Alcazar. Sam’s reasoning is later revealed to be a myth.
The combat, graphics, and overall gaming mechanics with jumping, swinging on ropes, and climbing walls were at their peak in this fourth installment. Drake’s family and childhood were not explored as much until this title, so the aftereffect feeling isn’t as powerful when it's delivered here. There are more treasures to collect in Uncharted 4 than all the other titles, and it’s a semi-open world allowing players to remain in one level but with the ability to explore vast amounts of it, collecting treasures and stirring conversation with characters about the environment. The levels are mostly explorable for players to scale walls and drive around in a jeep.
3. Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="260"] Image from DarkStation[/caption]
All the adventure began when Drake and Sullivan stumbled upon a German U-boat in the Amazon, trapped in the jungle. As the search for El-Dorado steers this fun-filled story, the mechanics, like shooting enemies and jumping across cliffs, can create intense agitation as players will find themselves falling to their deaths several times. Drake will grab ledges most of the time, but don’t count on it. This seemingly small issue becomes increasingly more annoying as the game progresses. However, don’t let that steer you away from a fantastic story. Fisher and Drake travel to a mysterious island searching for gold and discovers a curse that inhabits the Spanish colonists who invaded the island centuries earlier. The score, done by Greg Edmonson, is incredible standing in memorability with John Williams’ Indiana Jones score and was expanded upon in later titles. As Sullivan, Fisher, and Drake sail into the sunset, players will find the adventure has only just begun.
4. Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="256"] Image from Eurogamer[/caption]
Drake’s third adventure takes players to the Middle East in search of the lost city, Iram of the Pillars. Katherine Marlowe, an old flame and former employer of Sullivan’s, also seeks the lost city competing and butting heads at times. Although the locations and overall story were a bit drab, the villain organization was its most interesting point. There’s a connection between history and the present day with Marlowe and her group of mercenaries representing a secret society Sir Francis Drake was a part of when Queen Elizabeth I sent Drake to find the city. The villain shows how far a group is willing to go to obtain an artifact sought after for centuries using a specialized drug on victims to obtain information and bend their will.
Familiar faces Fisher, Frazier, and Sullivan return, and players are introduced to new ally Charlie Cutter. The game emphasized the combat system to the point where, at times, players had no choice but to fight hand-to-hand with their enemies. The game's beginning has players engage with enemies in a London bar crashing through windows, using bottles, pool sticks, and chairs to knock out foes. All the usual gun fighting and exploring are back in the third entry.
5. Uncharted: The Lost Legacy
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="242"] Image from PlayStation[/caption]
Taking away the focus on Drake, Uncharted: The Lost Legacy features Frazier, back after last appearing in Uncharted 3, and Nadine Ross, who was one of the antagonists of Uncharted 4. Players will scour the jungles and ancient temples of India in search of the Tusk of Ganesh. The two women, along with Sam who doesn’t show up until toward the end, race to find the Tusk before Indian insurgency leader Asav finds it first.
Keeping its consistency, all of the recognizable gun fighting and taking cover from enemy fire returns to this installment. One of the differences the game has is the introduction of only a handful of levels. Each level has several tasks and is an open world that allows players to explore their heart’s content. I wasn’t a fan of the makeup, but the game delivered amazingly. Frazier and Ross’ backgrounds are explored more as they were merely side characters in the previous installments. According to Happy Gamer, there’s been talk for the Uncharted franchise to continue with the next release this year on the PS5.
Sources: Entertainment Weekly, Happy Gamer, IMDB, Push Sqaure, Uncharted Wiki
Images: DarkStation, DeviantArt, Eurogamer, PCMag, PlayStation
Featured Image: The New York Times
(01/26/21 3:00pm)
by Mason Kupiainen
The DC Extended Universe has had a history of announcing line-ups of films only to change their plans a few months later. Whenever a film comes out and something works within it, they generally announce random spin-offs and sequels that never see the light of day. For example, after Suicide Squad was released, DC announced plans for Deadshot, Harley Quinn, and Gotham City Sirens films, none of which ever came to fruition. Because of this nature of suddenly announcing films to only wipe them off the schedule, it may get confusing as to what films are and aren’t coming out. To that end, this list will break down the confirmed DC films in the works.
Batman
Arguably the most famous hero of all will not only be getting one film but two. Robert Pattinson will star in his own film, but it is still unclear how it connects to the DC Universe. Originally starting out as a standalone film for Ben Affleck’s interpretation of the character, it slowly morphed into this strange, unclear, yet exciting interpretation of the Caped Crusader. However, it was also recently announced that Warner Brothers is gearing up to create another series of Batman films with Affleck’s interpretation of the character, but with another actor in the role.
Flashpoint
A standalone Flash film has been in development hell for a while now. After burning through countless directors and release dates, we finally have some stability. As of now, the film is scheduled to release on July 2, 2022, with Andy Muschietti, director of the two It films, set to helm the project. The project also slowly morphed into an adaptation of the Flashpoint storyline, with both Ben Affleck and Michael Keaton set to reprise both of their roles of Batman in the film. Adapting Flashpoint is a strange choice for the Flash’s first outing as it revolves around changing timelines, but at this point, I’m just wanting any theatrical movie for the Flash.
Shazam and Black Adam
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="299"] Image from Game Radar[/caption]
Similar to the Flash, Black Adam has dealt with multiple release changes. now, will not be in Shazam: Fury of the Gods. Zachary Levi has mentioned Dwayne Johnson will be portraying the character and, as of that Black Adam and Shazam won’t cross paths until Shazam 3. Moving forward with the characters, it’ll be interesting to see how DC brings the two into the rest of the universe, or if they’ll keep them contained within their own mini pocket universe within the DCEU.
Aquaman 2 and The Trench
After the release of the first Aquaman film, James Wan was attached to direct the sequel. There’s no word on where the sequel will go, but judging from how the first film ended, it’s likely that Black Manta will be the main antagonist of the film. Aquaman 2 wasn’t the only film announced, but also a spin-off focusing on the Trench. With Wan’s background in horror, being the one to start the Saw, Insidious, and The Conjuring franchises, it makes sense he would be interested in making a horror film within the Aquaman world. There hasn’t been a director attached, but producers have said the film will arrive before Aquaman 2.
Wonder Woman 3 and Amazonians
Patty Jenkins will return to take the reins on Wonder Woman 3, but before the film is released, a spin-off is planned to set-up the film. Although Jenkins won’t be directing the spin-off, she and Geoff Johns came up with the story that will somehow fit in with the three Wonder Woman films. Although the plot of the spin-off hasn’t been revealed, getting the chance to explore Themyscira will be interesting to see.
Joker sequels
Even though the Joker film was set up to be standalone, it was only a matter of time before a sequel was announced. Todd Phillips has been working on a story for the sequel, while Warner Bros. has reportedly offered Joaquin Phoenix $50 million for two more sequels. There’s no word on where the sequel will go, but it’ll be interesting to see how they explore the character of Arthur.
The Suicide Squad
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="298"] Image from Variety[/caption]
James Gunn has written and directed the soft reboot of the franchise that will be given an R-rating. The film will be released on Aug. 6, with an HBO Max spin-off series of John Cena’s character Peacemaker in the works. A sequel to this film hasn’t been announced, but Gunn has said that a sequel is “definitely a possibility.”
Superman
For fans of Man of Steel, there is still hope for a sequel. J.J. Abrams has signed on to direct a Superman film, with the possibility of the return of Henry Cavill. Nothing has been officially announced to allow Abrams the chance to tell the story he wants. However, Superman is too iconic of a character to just let the story sit on a shelf. Right now, all we can do is hope and pray that Abrams chooses to bring back Cavill.
Sources: CBR, Cinema Blend, Collider, Comic Book, Den of Geek, Entertainment Weekly, Indie Wire, Inside the Magic, Screenrant, Syfy Wire, The Verge, Vanity Fair, Variety
Images: Games Radar, Variety
Featured Image: The Verge
(01/24/21 8:00pm)
by Mason Kupiainen
The opinions and views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the opinion of Byte or Byte’s editorial board.
2021 is ramping up to be a big year for films. Most people are aware of the bigger films like Fast 9, Matrix 4, and Black Widow. However, there are many smaller films coming out that have the potential to be better than the blockbusters. Some of them were pushed over from last year, adding to the stuffed year. While there are many, many films slated to come out this year, here are five films that are looking to be hits.
Cherry
The first film, directed by the Russo Brothers after doing Avengers: Endgame, Cherry stars Tom Holland as an Army medic turned opioid addict. Holland recently proved that he can be an Oscar-caliber actor in The Devil All The Time, showing that he has the ability to pull off this type of role. The Russo Brothers are also a force of nature behind the camera, showing that they can handle action sequences well. The fact that they also chose this film to be their follow-up to Avengers: Endgame, the highest-grossing film of all time, is intriguing. Making the biggest box office film of all time, they had the potential to probably make whatever film they wanted, which interests me as to what drew them to this project.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5bH6O0bErk
The Green Knight
The Green Knight was originally scheduled to release in May 2020, but it’s finally being released in July of this year. With incredible talent including Dev Patel, Alicia Vikander, and Joel Edgerton, and talent like David Lowery behind the camera, it gives the film confidence in its quality. Along with this, the trailer sets it up to be a much different and darker take on the King Arthur story than we’re familiar with. It also feels as if we are getting a breath of fresh air within the crowded fantasy genre. By being produced by A24, it also gives confidence that the film will turn out to be a hit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoJc2tH3WBw
Nobody
From the creators of the John Wick franchise comes a new action hero. Starring Bob Odenkirk as the action hero, the trailer promises white knuckle action sequences, in the same vein as the action handled in John Wick. Although Odenkirk isn’t known as an action star, he looks great in the film and has proven in his previous works like Breaking Bad to be a fantastic actor. The director, Ilya Naishuller, hasn’t directed anything notable besides Hardcore Henry. That film, while not particularly good, was an interesting experiment as it was literally seen from the main character’s eyes, similar to a first-person video game. Jumping from that film to this one seems like an interesting move for the director, but one that piques interest. As an action movie junkie, the John Wick films are some of my favorite films in recent years, it’s exciting to see what the creators will do next.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZti8QKBWPo
Last Night in Soho
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="456"] Image from IndieWire[/caption]
Edgar Wright’s last film, Baby Driver, was an incredible divergence after doing comedies including Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz. Wright returns to direct another turn in his career with the psychological horror film, Last Night in Soho. Since the film has been kept under wraps, not much is known about the premise beside it dealing with some sort of time travel. Wright has proven himself to be a fantastic director with his own unique voice and style. From how he shoots and edits scenes, to his clever and witty style of dialogue, it’s always invigorating when a new project is released by him. Knowing he can go beyond his comedic roots to explore different genres makes this film all the more compelling as we don’t know what an Edger Wright horror film will be like, but I have faith that he’ll deliver a fun, thrill ride.
Willy’s Wonderland
Nicholas Cage has been making some interesting career choices in the past decade or so. From great films like Color Out of Space and Mandy to last year’s disastrous Jiu-Jitsu, he’s starring in a low budget horror film that seems like a knock-off of Five Nights at Freddy’s. The behind-the-scenes photos and recent trailer have teased that Willy’s Wonderland could be a ridiculously fun, thrilling movie. With the movie being set in a Chuck E Cheese-style of a restaurant, the designs of the animatronics and look of the film give it a unique flavor. It seems to have a dark, gritty look, but also a tone that shows the filmmakers aren't taking it too seriously. With hopefully another great over-the-top performance from Cage, this movie has the potential to quickly turn into a cult hit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0v27rfaoB2Y
(01/20/21 8:30pm)
by Conner Tighe
The opinions and views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the opinion of Byte or Byte’s editorial board.
Lasting six seasons and winning over 30 awards from its inception in 2009 to 2015, Fox’s groundbreaking show Glee celebrated inclusivity, equality, and what it means to be in high school in a way no other show had before or afterward. Although it took place in fictional Lima, Ohio, despite being filmed in Los Angeles, the show captured small-town Midwestern madness that many of us can relate to. Creator Ryan Murphy made the comedy musical expand upon High School Musical, going beyond the stage and deeper into the lives of what made singing so special when nobody else thought it was. Years afterward, the aesthetic was replicated to the best of its ability with NBC's Rise, which lasted only one season. Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist explores the life of Zoey Clarke (Jane Levy) who has the ability to hear people’s thoughts and desires through performances from the people in question. The show is in its second season which began in early January. In my opinion, the show merely mirrors Glee’s aesthetic while not capturing its true essence. Rise, on the other hand, is on the more musical side of things. Although Rise was decent in its plot and carried through with its musical ensembles, Glee still reigns supreme and most likely will forever.
Glee left no genre untouched with over 700 performances on the show. During the pilot, the last performance of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” was influential in many ways. First, with its underlying message of resistance and not giving up on your dreams, the song propelled the glee club to continue singing amidst backlash from the school and principal. The song became something more meaningful after the death of Cory Monteith’s character, Finn Hudson.
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="459"] Image from Medium[/caption]
The song was the first performance in the show, with Rachel Berry (Lea Michele) and Hudson collaborating their vocal skills. Berry had a dream of landing a role on Broadway and a career in New York, and she performed the song in front of judges during season four. Later on in season five, the song was sung again with the remaining members of the glee club. “Don’t Stop Believin’” was the glee club's glue and base and a celebration of the beginning of a club that started small.
Each character had their unique abilities like Brittany Pierce’s (Heather Morris) dancing, Hudson’s leadership role, and Berry’s vocal range. The characters came from their own backgrounds, with each character explored throughout all six seasons with the introduction of an additional cast in season four. Some characters fought and struggled with one another while others faced struggles within themselves. Some of the more relatable storylines were Kurt Hummel’s (Chris Colfer) struggles with being gay in high school and Hudson’s struggles with being a straight male in the glee club and quarterback of the football team. Toxic masculinity, teen pregnancy, homosexuality, fear of criticism, alcoholism, and many other real-life struggles were tackled in the show.
Although the show came with its heartfelt moments and success, over the recent years, the cast has been affiliated with tragedy with three members gone; most recently, Naya Rivera sadly drowned in early July. It’s unlikely that any cast members will forget about a show that brought people together through music and struggles that many of us face. The characters felt real to the point where I felt like the school and the oppressive environment acted incredibly well by Jane Lynch’s Sue Sylvester were real.
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="468"] Image from Hollywood Reporter[/caption]
Glee ended with Berry making it big on Broadway, even winning a Tony award for her efforts in the fictional musical Jane Austen Sings. Each character went in their own directions, some staying in Lima while others moved to Los Angeles, Kentucky, and New York. The final episode, “Dreams Come True,” featured all the remaining cast members singing “I Lived.” Although the ending was decent, Murphy revealed in a 2013 interview that the show was meant to end differently. Berry would’ve returned to Lima after Hudson started his own glee club with him asking her, “What are you doing here?” And Berry would reply, “I’m home.”
There’s perhaps no other show out there in recent years that took something laughable—a musical—and turned it into something so relatable and heartfelt in every way possible. There’s little to hate about Glee with its character development, emotional roller coaster of a storyline, and musical numbers that celebrate a wide range of artists. The cast truly felt like one big family with their issues and celebrations together.
Sources: ABC 7, Bustle, Cinema Blend, IMDB, Insider, International Business Times, Inquiries Journal, NBC, The Young Folks
Images: Hollywood Reporter, Medium
Featured Image: The Outspoken Oppa