 By Ashlynn Vernile '26
This freshly released single is a song I’ve “heard” a thousand times. On April 17, Olivia Rodrigo released her single “Drop Dead,” produced by Geffen Records and directed by Petra Collins. This track serves as the first taste of Rodrigo’s upcoming album, “You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love” (releasing June 12). While filming the video in the Palace of Versailles allows Rodrigo to embody a “modern Marie Antoinette,” the song itself feels stuck in her 16-year-old self. After listening to this song hundreds of times, I can tell you with full confidence: This is something you have 100% heard before. Looking back at her past albums like “SOUR,” released May 21, 2021, and “GUTS,” released Sept. 8, 2023, we have seen her personal growth. And while there has certainly been progress in her music career, she seems to be stuck in her “punk princess” box, afraid to lean into the maturity expected at her age. Columnists like Sarah Neighbor have already flagged the single's lack of originality, noting, “Olivia Rodrigo’s new single ‘Drop Dead’ feels like a step down in quality and originality compared to her previous work rather than expanding them.” These limitations are prominent in her new single. “Drop Dead” relies on the same quiet-verse, loud-chorus formula she began with five years ago. Lines in this song are easily things we’ve all written in our diaries: “Oh, one night I was bored in bed / And stalked you on the internet / It's feminine intuition.” Or the lyrics, “I've been droppin' hints all night / That I'd love if you held my hand, goddamn.” I mean, come on, this is a classic angry teenage girl trope. Critics notice the "safety" of her choices, too. Anya L. Henry, a contributor for The Harvard Crimson, argued, “Rodrigo is holding back by using such a familiar sound.” The single feels less like a signature melody and more like a safety net. While it’s effective for her audience, it honestly feels like Rodrigo is repainting a room she has lived in for five years. If this is the route she continues to follow, her “relatable” aesthetic starts to feel less like a diary and more like a costume. If “Drop Dead” is a window into her next album, there is little hope for a new Rodrigo; she might have already peaked with “SOUR” and “GUTS.” As a 17-year-old girl now, I hope to have more going for me when I'm in my 20s. Rodrigo should wish the same; maybe then her music will feel more like a career rather than just a repetitive teenage dream driven by three emotions.
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 by Sara Beaupre '27
From “Grey’s Anatomy” to “Scrubs” to “ER,” the trope of the medical drama has been done and redone 100 times over. But none of those shows dive quite as deep into the inner workings of the emergency department as HBO’s “The Pitt”. Each episode follows one hour in the Pittsburgh Medical Center, but in contrast to previous shows, “The Pitt” doesn’t revolve around the characters' personal lives interspersed with medical procedures. It is an adrenaline-filled, gritty reality of what healthcare workers go through daily. One of the major themes of this season was mental health. Healthcare workers see death, tragedy, and heartbreak every single day, and “The Pitt” proves that you can only take so much before you fall apart. Click "READ MORE" to read the rest of Sara's Piece  by Jazz-Lyn Roberts '26
A decade after the airing of the series finale, “The Vampire Diaries” remains a show I will always rewatch. It premiered in 2009 and quickly became one of the defining programs of its time, combining supernatural drama, romance and just enough insanity to keep you emotionally committed. The drama of a love triangle between "Delena" and "Stelena" (and even other "ships" like "Klaroline") is captivating. The suspense of a crumbling supernatural world and the characters’ fight to fix it is bewitching. This show lures you in before you realize it, fueled by the desire to know what happens next. Almost 10 years later, the major question remains: Is it still worth watching today? “The Vampire Diaries” thrives on its characters. Elena, Stefan and Damon are at the center of the plot. Their interactions, particularly the choice between the "hero" brother and the "villain" brother, kept fans engaged for years. Elena's undeniable chemistry with Damon creates a constant dilemma. Her timing in choosing between her love for Stefan and her love for Damon keeps viewers conflicted and fuels the suspense. What makes the show stand out even today is how emotionally charged it is. The program is not just about vampires; it explores grief, loyalty, identity and sacrifice. Even after years have passed, that emotional weight remains. However, watching it now, you can clearly feel some of the early 2010s TV tropes. The drama can be over-the-top, especially with the way characters die and are frequently brought back to life. Some plotlines become repetitious or take longer than necessary. As the seasons progress, the plot grows more sophisticated (and occasionally chaotic), particularly with the constant introduction of new adversaries and otherworldly rules. Not every season is of equal quality, and long-time fans will acknowledge there are some rough patches along the road. Despite these hurdles, the show possesses a quality that many recent series struggle to match. It is easy to fall back into the story thanks to the cast’s chemistry and the dramatic highs and lows. It’s the type of show where you promise to watch just one episode, and suddenly you’re halfway through another season. Another reason it still works is nostalgia. For those who saw it during its first run, it recalls a distinct period in television history. The different tropes, plot twists and character developments are alluring and always recapture the audience's attention. Even new viewers will find something inviting in its shameless commitment to drama and romance. It does not strive to be subtle, and that is part of its appeal. For first-time viewers, the show offers a fascinating mix of the supernatural world and the normal one. So, is “The Vampire Diaries” still worth viewing almost a decade later? If you appreciate character-driven storylines, deep relationships and a combination of supernatural and emotional storytelling, this is for you. It may not be perfect, but its connection with its audience elevates it above the typical teen drama. It’s a show that stays with you, and that alone makes it worth the watch.  by Milena Brodowicz '27
Prior to watching “The Crown,” I had no interest in the British royal family, but this drama instantly hooked me. It makes viewers feel like they are a fly on the wall at Buckingham Palace. You feel as though you are there with everyone. The music, screenplay, and moodiness of the show enchanted me. It helps viewers feel personally connected to each family member and leaves them interested in what's to come next. “The Crown” is an award-winning drama on Netflix about the British royal family. It won a Golden Globe for best television drama in 2017 and the Golden Globe for best supporting role in 2024. This show has proven its worth among other amazing dramas, and I completely agree. After watching all six seasons, I have little to no negative comments about any. Click "READ MORE" to read the rest of Milena's review  by Janelle Trujillo '26
For some people, it’s hard to find a game or show to stick with, and I’m definitely one of those people. However, “Tomodachi Life” has caught my attention and has stuck with me since the day I downloaded it. Nintendo released “Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream” on April 16, 2026. It’s available for purchase for $60 and can be played on all Nintendo Switch consoles (1, 2 and Lite). This well-anticipated game has mixed reviews from people around the world, from Australia to England to the United States. There are things I’ve heard that I agree with and a few things I disagree with; however, opinions cannot change how addicting this game has been. I cannot deny the fact that I already have over 50 hours of playtime. Creating characters—whether they’re people we personally know, characters from media or even just our original creations—and watching their interactions while rooting for friendships and relationships is what makes this game so fun.  By Leo Escudero '26 Imagine you are in 2008, hearing about a new film. It’s mixed with high tech, excellent graphics and an unconventional style. A high risk, but a high reward. If you thought of "The Dark Knight," you would be right, but there was another film that didn't get the spotlight. This week there was a 4K restoration of a 2008 film called "Speed Racer". In the past, it has been criticized because of its confusing plot, disorienting pacing and loud graphics. It was a box office failure, grossing $92 million out of an estimated $120 million budget. Even though it was a failure, the movie has a small fan base seeing it as a highly creative and beautiful film. The directors, the Wachowski sisters (also known for directing "The Matrix"), made this movie focusing on seamless transitions, colors and lightheartedness. I understand why "Speed Racer" was rated poorly, but I loved it. It had some creative decisions that were seen as conventional movie flaws, but its greatness outshines those. As a student who struggles with focusing in school and a slight car enthusiast, I related to Speed. During the flashbacks of Speed as a child, he was uninterested in school and obsessed with racing. I loved this because Speed knows what he is good at, even if it goes against the fold.  Imagine you are in 2008, hearing about a new film. It’s mixed with high tech, excellent graphics and an unconventional style. A high risk, but a high reward. If you thought of "The Dark Knight," you would be right, but there was another film that didn't get the spotlight.
This week there was a 4K restoration of a 2008 film called "Speed Racer". In the past, it has been criticized because of its confusing plot, disorienting pacing and loud graphics. It was a box office failure, grossing $92 million out of an estimated $120 million budget. Even though it was a failure, the movie has a small fan base seeing it as a highly creative and beautiful film. The directors, the Wachowski sisters (also known for directing "The Matrix"), made this movie focusing on seamless transitions, colors and lightheartedness. I understand why "Speed Racer" was rated poorly, but I loved it. It had some creative decisions that were seen as conventional movie flaws, but its greatness outshines those. As a student who struggles with focusing in school and a slight car enthusiast, I related to Speed. During the flashbacks of Speed as a child, he was uninterested in school and obsessed with racing. I loved this because Speed knows what he is good at, even if it goes against the fold.  By Alex Harrison '26
The most boring month of the year, late February 2026, had nothing going for it. We are close to the end of the school year but still far away, there are no fun holidays, and there is really nothing to look forward to. I was stuck at a tedious DECA state competition, unable to even sit comfortably in a restrictive suit and tie. The competition swallowed an entire Friday, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. While at this event (which I won, of course), I was sweating and stressing while scrolling through TikTok, when I had a sudden wave of happiness. The next “Resident Evil” game was coming out the next day. Sitting at that competition, I probably looked like a dork getting excited over videos of people playing the game early in other countries, but then I realized I was surrounded by dorks anyway. For the rest of the day, I was reading up on the new features, and it got me hyped. The game definitely lived up to the excitement, though it had parts that were absolutely horrible despite the praise they received online. On Feb. 26, 2026, the ninth “Resident Evil” installment of the main franchise was released to consoles. The game is half survival-horror and half action as you switch between characters. You play as Leon Kennedy, a D.S.O. agent tasked with stopping Umbrella (an evil version of big pharma) from creating deadly viruses and selling them to the highest bidders. You also play as Grace Ashcroft, an FBI analyst with a secret that builds the story's tension. Leon’s side of the story is purely action-based, while Grace’s segments are pure survival-horror. I have played a decent amount of “Resident Evil” games since I was young—specifically when my brother would force me to play them just to scare the life out of me. Because of this, every time a new game comes out, it feels nostalgic. Overall, the game does an amazing job balancing its two halves, but the action parts feel bland and rushed. Specifically, when you get to Raccoon City as Leon, you feel like you're losing your mind; you’ll likely find yourself looking up YouTube videos on how to progress after running in circles for two hours. I am even replaying the game currently with my brother, and when he was only an hour into this section, he was so annoyed he had to pause the game and walk away just to clear his head. The moral of the story: If you can get past that part without turning the console off, the game is a blast. Graphics-wise, this game is outstanding and showcases a level of animation that raises expectations for the entire industry. The combat feels more alive than any previous entry; certain attacks with short, heavily detailed animations make the experience more enjoyable. The "injured" animations are especially effective; when playing as Grace, her panic causes her to bang into walls and trip over obstacles. The story features two endings, one of which will make your jaw drop. This branching path hasn't been done in recent games and ensures you actually pay attention to the plot. While the story feels like a breath of fresh air, it does have some plot holes that will hopefully be explained in future DLC. I would give “Resident Evil Requiem” an 8/10 rating. I hate to rank it that low, but that Leon section in Raccoon City makes you want to throw your Xbox out the window and put your controller in the garbage disposal. Aside from that single segment, the horror aspect will have you terrified and yelling “RUN FASTER” at the screen the first time you play.  By Emily Beaupre '27
I sat down in front of my TV one afternoon prepared to be awed by the No. 1 movie on Netflix’s list. I watched the trailer first to make sure it was worth it. I thought it would be a good time. And boy, was I wrong. “Roommates” is a film directed by Chandler Levack and starring Devon (Sadie Sandler), a college freshman who ends up rooming with a nightmare in human form named Celeste (Chloe East). I found it on Netflix’s Top 10 list and half-expected it to be gone the next day. The entire movie is a first-hand story told by a counselor named Dr. Schilling (Sarah Sherman). She was Celeste and Devon’s RA and is now dealing with a different pair of roommates who claim to despise each other. She starts telling the story by staring out into the quad and saying, “Oh, it could be so much worse.” I feel like director Levack missed something between the script and production. This film had so much potential, but it lacked a “wow” factor to keep people thinking about it. Because in all honesty, it’s a good premise if done right. Devon is a shy girl with a loving family who becomes best friends with a fun, outgoing girl named Celeste who has a terrible family. Maybe a bit cliché, but entertaining all the same. Click "Read More" to read the rest of Emily's review  Photo Credit: LA Times By: Gabriel Rivera '26
Not once in my life have I heard a blend of hyperpop and rock like this, and Slayyyter executed it in the best way she could have. This album is the perfect mix between chill, emotional music that you’d listen to in bed and hardcore beats that get you moving. After a long intro, we reach the first song of the album, “DANCE.” It has pretty much what you’d expect in an album this big: good mixing, amazing vocals and overall a solid track with not much to talk about. Now, let’s get three songs out of the way real quick. “CRANK,” “YES GODDD” and “I’M ACTUALLY KINDA FAMOUS” all encapsulate the same feeling: noisy, but in a very good way. These tracks capture the essence of screamo metal in a poppy tone, with distorted, screamy vocals and heavy bass. My personal favorite of these three is “YES GODDD,” as it incorporates more rock and metal elements than the others, which is very clear when you listen to the live version. “GAS STATION” focuses more on lyrics and serves as an emotional song that, according to Slayyyter in an interview, is actually about her father and a time he left her at a gas station. This song, along with “UNKNOWN LOVERZ,” works very well as they are two of the calmer songs on the album. These two tracks make me want to relax and think about life, but also make me want to start dancing at the same time. Now, onto some of the best songs in the album. I can’t decide which one of these is my favorite. “OLD FLING$” and “$T. LOSER” both have absolutely beautiful vocals and make you feel like you’re in the clouds. “Brittany Murphy” focuses on very deep themes and, had the album not blown up the way it did, would’ve been the last song Slayyyter released and would symbolize the death of her music career. Overall, this album is a must-hear for anyone who loves loud music like metal and hyperpop. Even if that’s not your style, this album is still worth checking out for the calmer tracks. REVIEW: ‘FC 26’ Scores with Authentic Gameplay, Even if Corporate Greed Still Plays Defense4/24/2026  by Leo Najarro '26
Football isn’t just about stats and physics; it’s about the high-stakes drama that unfolds over 90 minutes. “EA Sports FC 26” manages to capture that magic better than ever, delivering a technical evolution that finally prioritizes the soul of the sport over arcade-style speed. By introducing a distinct split between authentic and competitive gameplay, the series offers a more grounded experience. Playing on "authentic" mode at World Class difficulty transforms the match into a tactical chess game where dribbling feels "sticky" and intentional. Even the goalkeepers have evolved, using new AI to study your habits and guard the net like actual world-class athletes. That said, while the action on the pitch is arguably the best it has been in years, the “off-pitch” side is more uneven. Career Mode feels more engaging thanks to Manager Live challenges and unpredictable moments like player injuries or coach delays, but the heavy push of the Season Pass into single-player modes is a distraction that is hard to ignore. If you can look past the monetization, the improved core gameplay and the new archetype system in clubs are deep enough to make it a solid upgrade, though it still feels like EA is only a small step away from getting the balance right. Unlike the repetitive “friendlies” from “FC 25,” these have players set up specific squads for short, high-intensity tournaments. The result is that the "meta" stays fresher, and you are less likely to see every team looking identical within the first month. In Career Mode, Manager Live challenges add a narrative layer that was previously missing. It is no longer just about clicking through menus; you are making real decisions that can shape the entire season (often under pressure), like handling a mid-season injury crisis or managing tension in the locker room. “EA Sports FC 26” feels like what “FC 25” should have been from the beginning. It fixes the physics “glitchiness” that too often made players trip over each other, and it introduces teammates with smarter AI who actually make creative runs. For Career Mode fans, Manager Live challenges keep things feeling less repetitive with fresh storylines to chase. Omer, a Wethersfield High School senior, says, "Whether you're under the lights at Cottone Field or playing on the world stage in ‘FC 26,’ the goal remains the same: You play for the name on the front of the jersey so they remember the name on the back. Once a Blue Eagle, always a Blue Eagle." If “FC 25” left you annoyed because it didn't feel responsive enough, then “FC 26” is a must-buy upgrade. It strikes a much better balance between being a simulation and still feeling like a fun, engaging video game.  By Xzavian Gomez '26
The popular game “NBA 2K26” was released Sept. 5, 2025, but for some odd reason, many people had opinions that most of us were not expecting. We’ve all heard the complaints: the game "fell off," "it’s not the same anymore," or the movement is different and the "vibes" are gone. These are prime examples of people who simply can’t adjust to change. The “2K” franchise never fell off. With new settings, professional mechanics and better graphics, “2K26” is 100% worth buying. |
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