The Artistic Evolution of Mahé An Emerging Artist

Emerging artist (and Brandon University student) Mahé immerses herself passionately in the world of poetry and writing. Her inspiration comes from nature, and she cultivates a deep appreciation for the beauty of words to weave captivating narratives. The fusion of electro and acoustic influences in her work testifies to her constant drive for innovation. Mahé has shone at various musical events, taking part in the Tremplin de Dégelis in 2023 and wowing audiences at the 7th edition of Talent d'Afrique in 2022. In recognition of the exceptional quality and creativity of her lyrics, she won a special mention in the Prix Mouffe competition in 2023. Armed with her guitar and auto-harp, she creates a unique musical experience, fusing her delicate poetry with a varied palette of musical styles.

Mahé recently released a new single called Story. Story is a song written from the heart, highlighting the fact that we are all made up of stories. Our lives are little stories filled with triggers, twists and turns. As the author of our story, we sometimes have the choice to decide on certain trajectories, but other times, life takes us far from the path we had mapped out. The song revolves around this question: How do you want to write your story?

As an artist, she stands out for her creative approach that transcends conventional artistic boundaries. Through a unique combination of theatre, poetry and music, she builds a universe where characters interact, nature comes alive with a consciousness of its own, and contrasts blend harmoniously.

Her creative process is deeply rooted in the construction of characters, each bearing specific values that she explores and reflects through her music. Her compositions, beyond celebrating simplicity, also serve as vehicles to embellish complex and sometimes sad themes, while highlighting life's inherent contrasts.

Her recent exploration of electronic music and the fusion of electro and acoustic influences in his work testify to her constant drive for innovation. Drawing inspiration from both natural sounds and electrical elements, Mahé creates a depth of sound that enriches her repertoire. Her creative process is a journey where nature takes on a conscious dimension, and contrasts intermingle to create a unique sensory experience.

As an author, composer and performer, Mahé draws her inspiration from poetry and nature. Using mainly guitar and auto-harp, she brilliantly blends her gentle poetry with the chords of her guitar. Each piece is a piece of the puzzle that forms her creative world. The result is a sensory journey where nature, consciousness and contrasts combine to offer audiences a unique and unforgettable artistic experience.

Mahé is a versatile and talented artist, determined to make her unique voice resonate in the world of music. 

Mahé's show is a captivating immersion into a world where music becomes the vehicle for expressing profound values. Mahé fashions characters who become standard-bearers for these values. Each performance becomes an artistic exploration, a journey where nature consciously comes to life, weaving subtle links between sounds and natural elements.  

On stage, Mahé comes to life. She sings, tells stories and shares her energy with the audience. Vibrating to the rhythm of cheers and applause, she creates a space of freedom where everyone can feel authentic. Her guitar becomes the extension of her poetry, marrying the sweetness of her lyrics to the different musical styles that characterize her repertoire.

In short, Mahé aspires to create a deep connection with her audience, sharing her love of music, poetry and authenticity on stage.

She will soon be playing a concert in Montreal at Café Tuyo on December 22, accompanied by her sidekicks Christopher on guitar and Pauline on piano.

You can discover her other songs such as La Fille du Soleil and the popular Your hand on all streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon music.

To become a real fan, however, you'll need to subscribe to her Instagram account @mahe.musique and her TikTok account @mah_erabesa. You'll discover more about the artist, her personality and her sense of humour through the short videos she frequently posts. And best of all, you'll always be the first to know!  

Instagram : @mahe.musique 

Tik Tok : @mah_erabesa 

Spotify : Mahé  

E-mail : mahelianarabesa@gmail.com 

Review of Elf: The Holiday Classic By: Janine Campbell

"Elf," directed by Jon Favreau and starring Will Ferrell as Buddy, is a delightful Christmas movie that continues to enchant audiences with its charm, humour, and heartfelt story.

At its core, "Elf" is a whimsical tale about Buddy, a human raised as one of Santa's elves in the North Pole. When Buddy discovers he's not an elf but a human, he embarks on a journey to New York City to find his biological father, Walter Hobbs (played by James Caan), while experiencing the wonders and challenges of the real world for the first time.

The film’s strength lies in its endearing characters and the heartfelt performance by Will Ferrell as Buddy. His childlike innocence, exuberance, and unwavering belief in the spirit of Christmas are not only hilarious but also endearing. Ferrell's portrayal captures the essence of Buddy's genuine and infectious joy, making him a memorable character that resonates with audiences of all ages.

The contrast of Buddy's naive, elf-like behaviour against the cynicism of New York City creates a wealth of comedic moments. From his exuberant excitement over everyday experiences to his quirky interactions with strangers, the film maintains a lighthearted and whimsical tone throughout. It’s this blend of humour and heart that makes "Elf" a beloved holiday classic.

The supporting cast, including Zooey Deschanel as Jovie, Buddy's love interest, and Bob Newhart as Papa Elf, complements Ferrell's performance brilliantly. Deschanel brings warmth and charm with her role, while Newhart's portrayal as the wise and caring Papa Elf adds depth to Buddy's journey of self-discovery.

"Elf" is not merely a comedy; it’s a film that celebrates the spirit of Christmas and the importance of family, love, and acceptance. Underneath the humour and joviality, there's a meaningful message about embracing one's uniqueness, finding belonging, and spreading joy to others.

The film’s visual aesthetics, including the vibrant set designs and colourful costumes, evoke a sense of holiday cheer. The North Pole sequences are whimsical and enchanting, while New York City during the festive season creates a visually stunning backdrop for Buddy’s adventures.

The soundtrack, featuring cheerful holiday tunes and a memorable score by John Debney, complements the film's joyful atmosphere, enhancing the emotional impact of key scenes.

"Elf" succeeds in capturing the essence of Christmas by delivering a heartwarming and entertaining story that resonates with audiences year after year. Its enduring appeal lies in its ability to evoke laughter, tug at heartstrings, and remind us of the magic that surrounds the holiday season.

In conclusion, "Elf" is a timeless holiday gem that combines humour, warmth, and a sprinkle of Christmas magic. Its universal themes, lovable characters, and uplifting message make it a must-watch movie that continues to bring joy and laughter to audiences, making it a cherished part of the holiday tradition for many.

THE BIG FIVE!

It’s that time again guys. It’s that time when I, Charles Adamu, lover of TV shows, get to reveal to you all who amongst the world of sitcoms will make it onto my “big five” list. Today, ladies and gentlemen, I will be confessing to myself as well as everyone else, the TV sitcoms that I consider the best of the best. But before I start yapping, let’s remind ourselves of those featured in my first article that revealed what I like to call the “close five”, because, let’s face it, if these guys I am about to reveal now didn’t exist, then those guys I revealed last time would probably be featured in this article. Anyway, let’s get into this rundown. We had New Girl in tenth place, One Day at a Time in ninth, Modern Family in eighth, Black-ish in seventh, and so close to featuring in the big five list, The Office, in sixth place.  Deep breaths, Charles… deep breaths… this revelation is not the end of the world. Okay! Let’s get into it, let's stop beating around the comedy and begin this tragedy. Here I go!

5. Brooklyn 99

“Cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool” - this might sound like a broken record but that’s just Jake Peralta trying to convince himself that something absurd that he most likely did, is just fine. Ladies and gentlemen, in fifth place, a round of applause for Brooklyn 99. I had a similar experience trying to watch this show as I did The Office. For some reason, I just found it hard to tap into the sense of humour; but once I did… it hit hard! Having won two Creative Arts Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series in the Musical or Comedy genre, Brooklyn 99 spans eight hilarious and emotional seasons which will keep you glued to your screens. The show follows the exploits of the lead character Jake Peralta and his diverse, lovable colleagues as they police the NYPD’s 99th precinct. At the start of the show, the 99th precinct is taken over by a new Captain named Raymond Holt, which includes Jake Peralta who was always so used to doing whatever he wanted whenever he wanted. The other employees included Amy Santiago who, after being irritated by the childish character of Jake Peralta, begins to see him in a different light as the seasons progress; Detective Rosa Diaz, a tough, overachieving, and competitive partner who, mind you, also starred in One Day at a Time, as well as Modern Family; Detective Charles Boyle, Jake’s best friend; Detective Sergeant Terry Jeffords, who was recently taken off the field after the birth of his twin girls; and Gina Linetti, the queen of sarcasm and confidence. Together, they navigate the day-to-day life of being part of the police force as well as trying to have a life outside work. Brooklyn 99 does a good job of tackling a lot of sensitive issues while retaining an amazing sense of humour through all eight seasons. If you have yet to watch Brooklyn 99, then I really don’t know what you’re waiting for. It’s on Netflix and I don’t think it is a Netflix original, so I advise you to watch it now before it gets taken off. (Boo Netflix!)

4. The Big Bang Theory

“Knock knock knock, Penny”, “Knock knock knock, Penny”, “Knock knock knock, Penny”. Ladies and Gentlemen, in fourth place, is no other than the legendary The Big Bang Theory. The Big Bang Theory is hands down one of the greatest sitcoms of all time. The show originally centered around four nerds: Sheldon Cooper, Leonard Hofstadter, Rajesh Koothrappali, and Howard Wolowitz as well as a beautiful aspiring actress, Penny, who moves in next door to roommates (and best friends) Sheldon and Leonard. I’d like to start by saying that the person who played the character Sheldon Cooper is one hell of an actor. Jim Parsons, you are an amazing actor.  The character, Sheldon Cooper, somewhat sweet, incredibly smart, but incredibly unaware of social cues. Having entered college at 11, graduated college at age 14, attained his first Ph.D. at 16, and worked as a Senior theoretical physicist at The California Institute of Technology (Caltech), he was on his way to uncovering and proving String Theory. The show's sense of humour is amazing, because many jokes are so relatable. This show nailed it in so many ways but most memorable for me is Sheldon’s proposal. Look, I have watched a ton of sitcoms and they have all had their peak of romance moments but that of The Big Bang Theory is just something that remains with you forever. Whoever wrote that scene, my hat off to you. The show is such a good one that I felt like they just had to give viewers even more in the form of the spinoff show, Young Sheldon. Young Sheldon didn’t happen to make my list, but trust me, it was close. And so, if you were to find yourself craving more after watching The Big Bang Theory, then hop on Young Sheldon and I assure you that you’ll love it as well.

3. Seinfeld

This will surely not come as a surprise to anyone reading this article. Seinfeld is seen by a lot of folks as the GOAT of sitcoms. Unfortunately, I do not share that same opinion, but Seinfeld is definitely one of the greatest-s. What might come as a surprise, though, is the fact that as old as this show is, I just watched it this year. Jerry Seinfeld’s ability to use real-life situations and instances to create comical scenes is just top-notch. In fact, after watching the show, he immediately became one of my favourite comedians, because his comedy is just so relatable. The show featured four main characters: Jerry Seinfeld as himself, Elaine, George, and Kramer. And all four characters were hilarious. Seinfeld was comedy in its purest form. From Jerry who was also a stand-up comic in his show, to Elaine who got irritated by the littlest of things, all the way to Kramer who lived across from Jerry who was, in my opinion, the strongest character in the show, down to George who was just outright ridiculous. You have to watch Seinfeld. It’s like a rule of life. My favourite scene would have to be Elaine breaking up with her boyfriend because he wrote down a message for her on paper and he didn’t include an exclamation mark at the end of the message. Apparently, Elaine felt that the content of the message required an exclamation mark, and since he didn’t put one, she couldn’t be in a relationship with a guy who couldn’t decipher exclamation-worthy messages. This is how ridiculous the show is! You’ve just got to watch Seinfeld guys!

2. Friends

“So no one told you life was going to be this way. Your job’s a joke, you’re broke, your love life’s DOA….” — just me humming the intro song of Friends. 

“Oh My God”

“Pivot… pivot!”

“Seven… seven… seven…”

“I know!”

“How you doing?”

“We were on a break!”

If you wake up any Friends lover and you make any of these statements… you’d definitely leave a smile on their face, even if it’s snowing and it is 5 a.m. Friends is like an international anthem when it comes to sitcoms. Friends is everything a sitcom should be. Friends is the second on my big five list! Friends was one of the first few sitcoms I ever watched, and it’s so amazing that I still watch it to date. I have now completed the show four times and am on my way to completing it a fifth time. Go ahead and say it: “Charles, you are obsessed.” When it comes to jokes, especially jokes in relation to how it was acted out, Friends is king. I watched a couple of videos where they showed some parts of the script and how plain some jokes seemed on paper, but they were transformed into some of the most ridiculous Friends scenes. The actors and actresses suited their roles perfectly. It was like these guys were engineered for their roles. The show features five main characters: Ross Geller, a palaeontologist/professor, who had a high school crush on a lady who also plays a lead role in the show; His sister, Monica Geller, a cook/caterer who is so organized and uptight to some extent; Rachel Green, who almost got married at the beginning of the show but left the altar; Mr. “How you doing?”, Joey Tribianni, a sweet innocent soul who is also a certified playboy; Pheobe Buffay, who I think is loved by all who lay eyes on that show; and my favourite character, Chandler Bing, who was King of Sarcasm and “brilliant” jokes. Together, like in most sitcoms, they navigate the ups and downs of life and love. I still recall watching the reunion and going, “Damn, what a show this was!”

1. How I Met Your Mother

I bet you all were wondering, what in the world is the sitcom that I have decided to put ahead of shows like Friends, Seinfeld, and The Big Bang Theory? Drumroll please, and a standing ovation, as I introduce you all to the first on my Big Five list……. How I Met Your Mother. How I Met Your Mother is the first sitcom I ever watched. You might say that I perhaps introduced some bias in this list, given that it’s the first sitcom I ever watched, but I don’t think that’s the case. How I Met Your Mother, in my opinion, is one of the best written shows I’ve ever laid my eyes on. How I Met Your Mother is not just a comedy, How I Met Your Mother is not just a good watch, How I Met Your Mother is not just a way to have good laughs and pass the time, How I Met Your Mother is a beautiful, emotional, and well-written story, in which the lead character, Ted Moseby, spends 9 seasons telling his two kids a story of how he met their mother. 9 seasons! Weren’t those kids tired?! The show does an amazing job of showing the viewers the struggles of love and life. It centres around five main characters: Ted Moseby - the guy who was a low-key playboy but high-key spent the 9 seasons looking for true love. Ted Moseby was an important character to me because at times it felt like I was watching myself on TV. I had never related to a character on TV like I did Ted Moseby. He was the storyteller/narrator for most of the show, telling his kids in almost all honesty, all the trials, tribulations, good, bad, and ugly times he had gone through before he met their mother; Barney Stinson - the guy who to a lot of viewers, made the show what it was. Barney Stinson, just like Joey Tribianni of Friends, was the certified playboy of the show, but he was not just talented at flirting. Rather, he had developed a skill just to get the ladies. Barney, who was always in a suit for most of the series, and who always wanted his friend Ted Moseby to put on a suit, was himself a highlight of the show. Marshall Eriksen and Lily Aldrin - the high school sweethearts were an important part of the show, as they show us that love is not just pure bliss. Lily and Marshall spent most of the show as a couple but that never caused their characters to be diminished. Individually, they were both strong characters in the show and were just as ridiculous as the rest. Robin Scherbatsky - The star lady of the show. We see how it’s not always straightforward when men and women always hang out as friends. Emotions start to arise, hearts start to get broken, and best friends start to doubt themselves — Robin Scherbatsky being at the core of it all. 

How I Met Your Mother is such an amazing show that it’s been more than 5 years now and I still cannot get myself to complete the show. I still have three episodes left and I just can’t get myself you watch those last three. How I Met Your Mother is a story to hear, a story to watch, and a story you’d want to tell after you’re done watching it. So what are you waiting for?!

I did it guys! I finally revealed my top 5 sitcoms of all time. Before I conclude this article, I’d like to share with you the list of shows that were considered that didn’t make the top 10: 

Girls, Atypical, The Ranch, Pretty Smart, Two and a Half Men, Grown-ish, Mixed-ish, Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Superstore, Dead To Me, Kim’s Convenience, Mom, Bob Heart’s Abishola, and Young Sheldon. 

Anyway, it was awesome sharing with you all my love for TV shows, especially in the genre of sitcoms. I hope you try some of the ones I’ve listed here out. My name is Charles Adamu, and I hope to share with you my top TV shows in some other genre soon.

PLACES TO VISIT IN BRANDON

Although Brandon may seem small and quiet compared to a city like Toronto, there are still several activities to do here. Here’s a list of some fun places to visit here in Brandon. 

The Daly House Museum

Located at 122 18th St, Brandon MB R7A 5A4, The Daly House Museum is a small Victorian house that was once the residence of the Dalys and the Coldwells, two prominent families in Brandon, and is currently the sole pre-1900 building on 18th Street, a municipal heritage site and a magnificent example of Italianate architecture. As soon as you enter this museum, the 19th century is brought to life with its antique decor and exhibits, such as Mutter Brother's Grocery shop.


T-Birds Food Fun Games

This is an arcade and bowling alley that can be found at 2140 Currie Blvd, Brandon MB R7B 4E7. T-birds is a great place to hang out with friends and family. It has an arcade, a bowling alley, and a restaurant. There is never a dull moment at T-birds. The staff is very friendly, the food is delicious, and you can play for as long as possible!

Riverbank Discovery Center 

Located at: 545 Conservation Dr, Brandon MB R7A 7L8

There are several activities at the Riverbank Discovery Center. During the summer I went kayaking. It was very relaxing. It is the perfect way to clear your mind, especially if you are feeling stressed and overwhelmed. The park is extremely beautiful and is great for picnics. Sometimes they’ll even host concerts!

Landmark Cinemas

Located at: Unit 100 - 1570 18th St, Brandon MB R7A 5C5

This cinema is a great place to watch movies with friends and family! Nun 2 is now showing. If you aren’t busy with school, try to watch a movie.

Check out these places before you are too busy with school. There are more places that didn’t make the list, but I will definitely try to cover it next time, See you later! 

Scream 6 Actually Blew Me Away: A Movie Review 

Scream 6 Actually Blew Me Away: A Movie Review 

By: Mallory Johnson

The newest installment in the iconic slasher franchise Scream 6 came out recently, and I finally got to experience a Scream movie in a theatre! I went in excited with very high expectations, as I am a huge fan of the movies. I watched them last year in my dorm as a way of making my way through some horror classics. I love how funny and self-aware the films are and Scream 6 does not disappoint. The movie stars legacy character Courteney Cox (Friends, 3000 Miles to Graceland), Melissa Barrera (In the Heights, Bed Rest), new scream queen icon Jenna Ortega (X, Wednesday), Jasmin Savoy Brown (Yellowjackets, Laggies), and more. The film follows Ghostface murders in the new setting of New York City. Before I go any further, a MAJOR SPOILER ALERT for Scream 6 and just in case, the whole franchise. Read with caution! Also, trigger warnings for gruesome murders, blood, gore, jump scares, death, grief, loss, stalking, gaslighting, near sexual assault, PTSD, psychosis, slutshaming, sexual content (heard, not seen), and gun violence. 

I am so glad that I loved this movie so much! After experiencing the Scream franchise initially in my dorm room, it was a blast going out to a movie theatre on a Saturday morning with my best friend Mandy and watching a classic slasher film. The kills in this installment were some of the most brutal ones of the whole franchise, which was a comment I had seen and heard in some advanced reviews. I loved how it was clear about the time jump after movie number 5, with us joining Tara and Sam a year later. The film explores mental health issues, with Sam on medications and in therapy. It is honest and realistic that recurring, surviving characters would be very traumatized after nearly dying and seeing others murdered. 

The tension and build up in this movie are phenomenal; I was on the edge of my seat multiple times. The return of the believed-to-be-killed-off Kirby Reed was fun, and I was morbidly fascinated by the shrine scenes. I whispered to Mandy, “it’s so morbid but so cool…it’s like a museum!” The film follows the same Scream formula, with the story opening on a brutal first kill that was twisty and unexpected to me. We then jump to our “Core Four” and follow them through the brutality for the second act, until we see the shocking Ghostface reveal in the end. I personally am a big fan of predictable slashers like the Scream movies because I find comfort in knowing what I am in for regarding horror. I watched the unpredictable movies Midsommar and Skinamarink and was terrified the whole time because of the anticipation of something terrifying happening. With Scream, the jump scares and tension are enough to make me jump and be on the edge of my seat. While I predicted one of the killers, I was still shocked at the whole reveal and was pleased! There is a scene (featured in the trailer) where characters are in a NYC Subway, on Halloween. The train is filled to the brim with people dressed in horror-relevant costumes and picking out all the easter eggs was a lot of fun! 

Overall, I was very pleased with this movie. I was disappointed that Neve Campbell, who played the iconic Final Girl Sidney Prescott, was not going to be in it. I felt like her absence worked for this movie though. Neve Campbell deserves fair pay for her work, as she was a staple in the movies. I give Scream 6 a 10/10 and am crossing my fingers for a seventh addition to the franchise! 

Lightyear Goes to Infinity and Beyond 

Lightyear Goes to Infinity and Beyond 

By: Mallory Johnson

I recently watched the Disney Pixar movie Lightyear, which came out in 2022. Basically, you do not need to have seen any Toy Story movie before watching Lightyear; it is the movie that Andy watched in the 1990s and loved so much he bought a Buzz Lightyear toy. The film stars Chris Evans (Avengers: Endgame, Captain America: Civil War), Keke Palmer (Nope, Hustlers), Peter Sohn (The Good Dinosaur, Monsters University), Taika Waititi (Jojo Rabbit, Our Flag Means Death), and more. The movie follows Buzz, a space ranger, who is stuck on a strange planet with this crew. Buzz and his crew encounter villainous robots who are determined to steal his only source of fuel. Before I go any further, SPOILER ALERT. Also, trigger warnings for death, bugs, jump scares, and flashing lights. Lightyear is available to stream on Disney+. 

The best way to describe this movie is: Top Gun: Maverick (and the original) meets the Star Wars movies, with a small dash of Toy Story. It is a very fun movie that is perfect for fans of the Top Gun and Star Wars movies! I am a huge fan of Top Gun (the second movie was one of my favorite movies of 2022, and I had a Top Gun-related Halloween costume in 2022!) so this was right up my alley. 

The movie has typical Pixar movie tropes: it breaks your heart but puts it back together before the credits roll. There is a heartbreaking scene near the beginning, and I predicted a small scene at the end yet was still sad when it happened. The voice acting in the film is very well done, I kept trying to guess what each character’s celeb voice was! Buzz is Chris Evans, which I told the friend I was watching with “that voice sounds familiar.” She asked me to guess other character’s voices and I did not recognize them! 

I loved how there was very natural and normalized lesbian representation in this movie. It is wonderful that young children get to watch this movie about a space ranger on missions that happens to have a lesbian best friend. There is not a big coming out scene, and there is zero homophobia. Buzz tells his friend that he’d love to meet “her” after she lets him know she is seeing someone. The casualness of the scene is refreshing. 

Overall, I had a great time watching this movie, and I am so glad I finally checked it out. I give it a strong 10/10 and highly recommend checking it out if you enjoy Top Gun, Star Wars, or both, and just want a fun Disney Pixar movie to watch. 

Amazing SciFi Shows That Are Still Great To Binge Watch

Amazing SciFi Shows That Are Still Great To Binge Watch

By Ronnie Kayla Neiman

Science Fiction is an amazing genre. It is often called “sci-fi,” and it is a genre of fiction where the content is imaginative but based on some degree of scientific realism. It relies heavily on scientific facts, theories, and principles as support for its settings, characters, themes, and plot-lines, which is what makes it different from fantasy.

There are a number of SciFi shows that range from a few episodes snd up to numerous seasons. Science fiction seems to bring out such an intense fanbase, no matter the success of the show on networks. A good example of that is Firefly which lasted only 14 episodes but was so popular with fans that it received its own movie years later. Star Trek also has a number of series, each had its own range of success with the fanbase. The original series lasted only three seasons but is very popular and celebrated sixty years after it first aired.

Image Credit: wall.alphacoders.com 

1.Stargate SG1

A show that followed a low--budget film from 1994 simply titled; Stargate which starred Kurt Russel, and James Spader. A movie where a ring-like object nearly two stories tall was found in Egypt and allowed an air force team accompanied by an archeologist to another planet inhabited by humans lorded over by an alien species that looked human on the outside. The show changed the casting but kept the original premise of other-worldly travel through a wormhole, saving humans and other species from a race of aliens that portrayed themselves as gods. The series follows a team, called SG1, the primary team for the Stargate program as they travel to other worlds, make allies and fight their enemies. 

The team remains largely the same for the entire ten seasons of the show, though lead Richard Dean Anderson left at the end of season eight, but continued to make guest appearances for the rest of the series and one of the movies that followed. 

The series lasted ten seasons and had two movies and two spin-off series.

Image Credit: Creative Commons 

2.Stargate Atlantis

Stargate Atlantis is the first spin-off series related to Stargate SG1. This show was originally supposed to follow right after the end of Stargate SG1 as a series but the other show continued and Atlantis aired simultaneously with the last few seasons of SG1.

This show followed the primary team of Atlantis but also focused on the running of the City of Atlantis, which was a technologically advanced city designed to sit on the surface of a massive body of water with the ability to sink under the surface and would also function as a massive spaceship.

This series only lasted five seasons and sadly had no movie to follow, though a third series, Stargate Universe followed the year after the cancellation of Atlantis. It was much less successful than SG1 and Atlantis.

Image Credit: art.alphacoders.com 

3.Battlestar Galatica (2003)

A show that was remade from its original series that aired in 1978. The show was remade shortly after the horrible events of 9/11 and this show focused on a lot of political, economical, and human rights issues of a group of people trying their hardest to keep their species alive while been chased by the enemy that destroyed their colonies. Battlestar Galactica is a three-hour miniseries starring Edward James Olmos and Mary McDonnell with an ensemble cast.

The series follows immediately after the destruction of the Twelve Colonies of Kobol by the Cylons, a race of mechanical beings that developed the ability to have human-like Cylons. The survivors of humanity search for their original home; Earth while being chased by the Cylons and dealing with numerous issues that plague the fleet. 

The pilot was a two-part mini-series followed by four more seasons and two prequel movies titled Razor and The Plan. This series is placed on a lot of most-watched lists because of the issues the show dealt with which include abortion, domestic terrorism, and election stealing. It received large amounts of awards for its special effects, storytelling, and acting.

Image Credit: wallpaperaccess.com 

4.Star Trek: The Next Generation

This series was the spin-off to the original Star Trek series, though it was over twenty years after the Original Series aired. As with the original Star Trek, TNG was still very much about exploration, "boldly going where no one has gone before". Similarly, the plots captured the adventures of the crew of a starship, named the USS Enterprise-D.

There were 178 episodes produced over a total of seven seasons, making it the longest-running Star Trek series to date, and the adventures of the crew continued onto the big screen in four movies.

Image Credit: wallpaper-house.com 

5.Star Trek: Voyager

This series of star trek was aired when Star Trek Deep Space Nine was half-way through their own series, though finished years after that series had finished. Voyager was the third spin-off to the Original Series. Star Trek: Voyager (VOY) focuses on the 24th-century adventures of Captain Kathryn Janeway and her crew aboard the U.S.S. Voyager. The crew of Voyager combines forces with the crew of a destroyed Maquis ship in order to find their way home. Stranded over seventy thousand light-years from Earth, the crew tries to make the journey home while also adhering to the doctrine of exploration that Starfleet prides itself on. 

Due to its great distance from Federation space, the Delta Quadrant is unexplored by Starfleet, and Voyager is truly going where no human has gone before. Voyager is fast and powerful and has the ability to land on a planet’s surface. It is one of the most technologically advanced vessels in Starfleet, utilizing computer circuitry that incorporates bio-neural circuitry. 

Voyager aired 172 episodes over seven seasons from 1995 until 2001. While it didn't run for as many episodes as TNG did, Voyager was able to discover numerous new alien species and was better balanced with its gender ratio, with a female lead and several strong supporting female characters. 

Image Credit: wall.alphacoders.com 

6.Warehouse 13

A unique series in that its genre is considered Science Fiction but it is also described as a dramatic comedy and supernatural. The series follows U.S. Secret Service Agents Myka Bering and Pete Lattimer when they are assigned to the secretive Warehouse 13 for supernatural artifacts.  As they go about their assignments to retrieve missing artifacts and investigate reports of new ones, they come to understand the importance of what they are doing.

Somewhat of a short-lived series with six seasons, but only 12 episodes in season 1, 13 in both seasons 2 and 3, season 4 was its longest season with twenty episodes and just six episodes in its fifth and final season. 

 These are only six possibilities of different Science Fiction shows to watch. There is always more to find, more to watch, and many more to love As Warehouse 13 is described; "Welcome to Endless Wonder."

My Policeman: A Movie Review 

My Policeman: A Movie Review 

By: Mallory Johnson

The movie adaptation of the novel of the same name by British author Bethan Roberts recently came out; the film initially had a very limited theatrical release (only in the United States and United Kingdom) and then came out worldwide on Prime Video. I watched it the day it came out, and I loved it. It stars musician-turned-actor Harry Styles (Don’t Worry Darling, Eternals), Emma Corrin (The Crown, Pennyworth), David Dawson (Luther, Peaky Blinders), Gina McKee (Notting Hill, Atonement), Linus Roache (Mandy, The Chronicles of Riddick), and Rupert Everett (My Best Friend's Wedding, The Happy Prince). Before I go any further, SPOILER ALERT. Also, trigger warnings for homophobia (internalized and externalized), outing, discussions of death, nudity and sexual content, and brief scenes of homophobic violence. The movie is a drama mostly set in the 1950s, and it follows a forbidden love. The story is based on a book that I read, and it translates very well to the screen. 

The movie is very different from Harry’s last movie (yet they’re set in the same decade for the most part). Harry was very passionate about My Policeman - he read the book and memorized the whole script before his audition! You can tell how passionate he is about this film because his acting was a lot better. The story's tones are also totally opposite; Don’t Worry Darling is an upbeat thriller (bordering on horror) and My Policeman is an emotional drama about lost time. I loved the casting in the movie, David Dawson and Emma Corrin nailed it and make unlikable characters loveable. The film deals with heavy subject matter, and I truly believe that it was handled well; the director said that there was an entire queer cast so that is great. I also loved how it was set and filmed in Brighton, UK, it was cool reading scenes and then seeing them being brought to life! 

Overall, I really loved this movie and am so grateful to see Harry acting in his element. The flash forwards and the flashbacks were timed great, and I am glad that the flashbacks were given priority. I give it a strong 10/10 and am so glad I can watch it over and over again!

Meet Me at Midnight: A Review of Midnights by Taylor Swift 

Meet Me at Midnight: A Review of Midnights by Taylor Swift 

Part 2

By: Mallory Johnson

Next comes the self-written shocker Vigilante Shit, where Taylor talks about how she is getting revenge against (unnamed in the song, but fans figured out that it was) Scooter Braun, who deeply wronged her in her master’s situation. She talks about exposing his cheating to his (now) ex-wife and exposing his white-collar crimes to the FBI. She also says that he was doing lines of cocaine and crossing all her lines! My favorite lyrics are, “while he was doing lines/and crossing all of mine,” “she looks so pretty/driving in your Benz….” and “picture me thick as thieves with your ex-wife.” Track nine is another one of my favorites, and it is the glittery Bejeweled, which has an equally glittery music video. It is basically a fun version of her Folklore track mirrorball. She says in the chorus, “best believe I’m still bejeweled/when I walk in the room, I can still make the whole place shimmer!” I love the “nice” effect in the chorus! My favorite lyrics are “did all of the extra credit then got graded on a curve/I think it’s time to teach some lessons” and “some guy said my aura’s moonstone just cause he was high” and “what’s a girl gotta do? A diamond’s gotta shine!” She brings the mood down with the pretty yet sad song Labyrinth. She sings about her worries as she is falling in love again. My favorite lyrics are the very first ones, “it only hurts this much right now/is what I was thinking the whole time.” Song eleven is another fun, petty song - and is called Karma. She sings vaguely about people who have wronged her, and in the chorus, discusses all the good things that she has - because she has not done anything wrong, karma is good to her. 

My favorite lyrics are “Karma is the guy on the screen/coming straight home to me!” This refers to her British actor boyfriend Joe Alwyn. She slows it down on the twelfth song Sweet Nothing, which was written with Joe Alwyn under the pseudonym William Bowery. The song is a very sweet love song about loving despite the noise. My favorite lyrics are “On the way home/I wrote a poem/you say, ‘what a mind’/this happens all the time.” The final song on the standard edition of the album is Mastermind, in which she sings about how she schemed and planned for her and Joe’s relationship to work. She says, “what if I told you none of it was accidental?” My favourite lyrics are “I laid the groundwork, and then saw a wide smirk/On your face, you knew the entire time.” The first song on the 3am edition is called The Great War, and it discusses hardships in a relationship. My favourite lyric is “there’s no morning glory/it’s war it wasn’t fair.” The next song is a heartbreaking song about grief called Bigger Than the Whole Sky. 

My favourite lyric is “every single thing I touch becomes sick with sadness.” Moving on, the next song called Paris is a fun poppy bop that I love. She describes pretending that her and her lover are in Paris instead of where they are. My favourite lyrics are, “Let the only flashing lights/ be the tower at midnight.” This refers to them not needing to worry about paparazzi camera flashes, only the Eiffel tower flashes. Next is High Infidelity, which is about cheating. My favourite lyrics are “do you really want to know where I was April 29th? /Do I really have to chart the constellations in his eyes?” Next, we have Glitch, which has fun alternative beats/effects which I love. My favourite lyrics are “five seconds later, I’m fastening myself to you with a stitch.” Next is another favourite of mine, the heartbreaking Would’ve Could’ve Should’ve, and is about the emotional abuse and grooming she experienced when she dated John Mayer when she was nineteen and he was thirty-two, told through religious trauma metaphors. The most heartbreaking (and my favourite lyric, possibly on the whole album) is “give me back my girlhood, it was mine first.” I also love the lyric right before that one which says, “living for the thrill of hitting you where it hurts.” The album closes with the slow ballad Dear Reader, in which Taylor gives the listeners advice, then turns around and tells us not to take it. My favourite lyric is, “no one sees when you lose/When you’re playing solitaire.” 

Overall, I genuinely really love this album - I love the production, to me it sounds a lot like the album Melodrama by Lorde, which makes sense because producer Jack Antonoff worked on both albums. The album feels like a warm hug, and I am so grateful for it. I (obviously) give it a strong 10/10 and cannot wait to see where Taylor takes us next!