A&E

Lauren Nicolella

Features and Social Media Editor

I was practically born with every single lyric of Bohemian Rhapsody engraved into my brain, as well as singing along with the guitar riffs so I was instantly hooked on seeing it regardless of the reviews. I kept mentioning the film to my parents, so it seemed only right that I went out to see the movie for myself

I was in shock when I first saw the tweet that featured the first trailer of Bohemian Rhapsody. Tentatively, I clicked on it, hoping that the songs I’d grown up loving would be included. My eyes lit up when I heard the mashup of Another One Bites the Dust, Bohemian Rhapsody, and We Will Rock You alongside the stunning Rami Malek playing the legend himself, Freddie Mercury.

Bohemian Rhapsody is a biographical film that follows the story of British-rock band Queen, as well as the life of lead singer Freddie Mercury. It’s been a highly anticipated movie for nearly ten years and has sparked major interest in both the film and music.

Just like the song, the movie details the tragedies, operatic life, and careers of Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon. The film emphasized Queen’s familial bonds sticking together through hard times. The times were different and the way that they were able to produce such a new take on rock and roll has completely changed the music industry. Queen was so persuasive in the way that they could get a six-minute long song played on the radio, and the emphasis on that struggle and process is what has made me appreciate the song a bit more. I always grew up knowing the songs by Queen but never acknowledged them on a personal level.

I didn’t know any details or backstory of Queen beforehand, so it was really special to find out that Freddie and his family are actually from Zanzibar. I also had no idea that Freddie was such an active songwriter for the band because there are countless hit songs that are flawlessly done. Going more in-depth about Freddie’s sexuality and getting to see a real representation of him was truly something special that the directors added in. To me, it made Bohemian Rhapsody a more authentic film, because I felt like there was a real connection to Freddie himself and not some Hollywood character that was made up.

My favorite, and also the most emotional part of the movie, was the 1985 Live Aid charity concert at Wembley Stadium.

Days beforehand, I took the time to watch their entire set, knowing from the trailer that it was going to be a vital scene. Being shocked and overwhelmed is an understatement, and I mean that in the best way possible. They did every single thing: the same Pepsi cups, the microphone, the outfit (oh my god, don’t get me started on those iconic shiny leotards) and the dance moves. I watched a side by side video, and it really takes a lot of talent to replicate such an iconic performance.

Overall, I enjoyed this movie so much and I highly recommend everyone to go out and watch it, because it certainly has exceeded my expectations. It’s given me a new appreciation for Queen and the song Bohemian Rhapsody, and I hope it impacts others in the same way.

Check out the trailer here!

Eric Valenti

A&E Editor

On October 5, 2018, the film that has been remade three times over, is back again. This time, the musical love duo is played by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper.

If you don’t know the basic plot of the movie — the fourth to tell this tale–, the story follows the famous singer Jackson Maine. His career is at its height but the fame has been a bit too much for him and he has turned to alcohol. He meets an aspiring artist Ally and they quickly fall in love. She starts performing with him, but her career grows,  his begins to fade.

Though you may be thinking that this plot is really bare bones, it’s the actors that really make each version of these movies. The most recent version definitely set itself apart from the others. Lady Gaga is one of the most spectacular actress’s and she pulled this role off effortlessly. This, in fact, the best word to describe “A Star is Born”: effortless. Everything in this movie comes off as natural. Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga have a chemistry that a heavy movie go-er as myself has not seen in a long time.

The emotion that Cooper and Gaga bring to the screen is heart-wrenching. A larger theme in the movie is acceptance. Ally’s character in the film finds herself struggling to make it because she does not look like the girl that people wanna see. She’s a brunette with a big nose and doesn’t wear much makeup. She was real.

The only major issue with the movie was the pacing. At times, you could have left for the bathroom and come back and not be confused at all. But there were also times that the movie was too fast because of all the tours and music used to move the plot along.

Speaking of which, the music was splendid.

When talking Lady Gaga, it’s no surprise she was amazing. Gaga’s voice wasn’t put too much of a challenge, most likely because the writers want too much flash for a movie about an authentic love story. The music overall was really wholesome and songs that people can listen to with someone they care about. Specifically the song “Shallows”. Jackson Maine invites Ally on stage to sing her original song. At first, Ally is apprehensive but she eventually gets over it and gets on stage. Let me the first to say that their voices were synced up amazingly. The use of the blurred lights made Gaga look like some sort of goddesses. She naturally has a higher singing voice so to hear that complimented with Cooper’s deep voice makes “Shallows” have this hybrid rustic soul pop feel. Enchanting would be the best word to describe the relationship between these two in this song/scene.

This was Bradley Cooper’s first-time singing and he’s not half bad. Is songs with Gaga were a delicious fusion of rustic and pop, but his songs on his own were just as enchanting.  The song “Black Eyes” is exceptional. Cooper’s voice is quite low and makes his voice seem like he’s really singing from his soul. He sounds like a country singer meets blues. It’s all heart with Cooper and we only get a glimpse of the song because it gets cut off for a scene change but it really grabbed my attention.

Everything in this version of “A Star is Born” was really comfortable, which I mean in the best of ways. It felt like the actors were picked well, the music suited the film and everything just complimented each other. If you plan on seeing the movie or don’t have the interest to see the movie at all, I strongly recommend that you do, (go with someone you care about.) I saw it with [describe who you saw it with and how it made you connect.]. This movie will teach you that the deep end of the pool is dangerous but sometimes its better than the shallows.

Taylor Green

A&E Editor

My Tamagotchi Forever is a smartphone adaptation of the popular 90’s digital pet game. The app was released earlier this year on March 15th and has been making a wave in the Science Leadership Academy community ever since.

In the game, you are the caretaker of a creature starting from when it’s a baby to its adulthood. You have to feed them, clean up after them, and keep them entertained.

Senior Ayala Silverman had a lot to say about Tamagotchis. As someone who owns two of the original egg-shaped devices, she is an avid player.

Silverman remembers her first Tamagotchi. “When I had my first Tamagotchi, I dropped it in the toilet.” Silverman admits.

Silverman has had partial success in trying to raise two new Tamagotchis. “Recently I got two new ones. One of them matured to an adult already. I forgot to feed my other one so it died.”

That is a common criticism that people tend to have about the original handheld game. If you forget about your Tamagotchi, you will see an 8-bit tombstone and ghost floating ominously in the background.

Silverman then talks about how the app can be more efficient. “I think that there are a lot of benefits to the app. It’s easier to just carry it on your phone than to carry the original handheld egg.” She shares. “It’s simpler to take care of them too.”

Silverman also has feelings about the smartphone adaptation of the game. “It’s very nostalgic. I feel as though whenever a game gets revamped and put on a more modern device, it loses its charm compared to when you would just play it on the original console.”

Recently, Senior Eric Valenti has been playing the smartphone version of the game. He enjoys it now, however, he was a bit apprehensive at first.  

“I first heard about it from one of my friend’s Instagram pages,” Valenti shares. “At first I thought it was weird, but I decided to download it and give it a shot.”

Valenti also has experience with the game. “I played the original Tamagotchi when I was younger because my brother had one and he passed it down to me.”

Valenti enjoys the new features on the app, saying that it gives the player more options. “On the original pocket game,

the graphics are very limited, which is annoying. There also weren’t that many activities to do. For the app, you can actually play games with your Tamagotchi.” Valenti shares. “They can even graduate and get a career once they mature.”

Valenti also shares that he had the Nintendo DS game. “For the DS game, you could decorate the town and still take care of Tamagotchis. It was very similar to The Sims.”

A new aspect of the app is that money is incorporated through the coin and gems system. You can earn coins by playing games or completing challenges with your Tamagotchi. However, you have to buy gems.

Valenti admits that he finds some of the aspects annoying at times. “Sometimes your Tamagotchi will want to do an activity that has gems and you can’t afford it.” Valenti shares. “Also, there are adds on the game that you have to watch if you want to receive a gift.”

However, the game has the ability to create new friendships. “It’s still a fun game. People in my friend group really enjoy it and gives us something to bond over and talk about.” Valenti shares.

Overall, My Tamagotchi Forever has some pros and cons. Bringing back a classic inevitably evokes a sense of nostalgia among most people. However, some would say that the game loses its appeal due to its modernization. Yet, it still has the ability to bring people from different generations together.