Short Reviews #13

By: James Southworth

There are a lot of movies and music that I have been wanting to see/listen to. Unfortunately, I just don't have the time to dedicate a full review to all of them, so I'll just have to stick with shorter reviews. Here they are!

Movies
"Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse"
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

It's been way too long since we've had a Spider-Man movie I could call truly excellent. "Homecoming" is the only one in recent memory that came close to that marker, and at that it was still only good. I personally think the film is fine, and honestly the high school comedy aspects of it work better than the superhero aspects do. But now we have "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse". I think I can comfortably say this is the best Spider-Man film we're ever going to get. For all the love I have for Sam Raimi's trilogy (the first two in particular), this film is in a league of its own. First and foremost, I adore the theme of this movie: anyone can wear the Spider-Man mask. On its surface level this theme could be cheesy. But thankfully, we have the writers of the ingenious "Lego Movie" on board, so there's nothing to worry about. They put enough weight on the idea of heroism being universal, while also putting a comedic spin on it. This movie has multiple types of Spider-Man's which is awesome. There's so much with this hero that hasn't been done, and this movie explores that in ways that are smart and laugh out loud hilarious. For a Spider-Man movie, this film is surprisingly funny. There are so many moments here that are clever meta-commentary on other Spidey films, and then there's jokes that work well just within the universe of this film. The voice acting here is also great. Shameik Moore was a perfect choice for Miles Morales, giving to the audience an incredibly likeable protagonist who you endlessly root for. He's one of the most delightful characters I've watched all year, and I hope to see him in more films. Jake Johnson gives to us the best Peter Parker I've seen; once again, this is a character I could watch for hours. Hailee Steinfeld continues to have a successful acting career playing Gwen Stacy, and Nicolas Cage and John Mulaney are great (and often hysterical) in their respective roles as well. And man, the animation in this movie is something else! This film easily rivals any of the best animated Pixar or Dreamworks movies, and even surpasses some movies by both of those companies. I don't think I've ever seen a film animated like this. It's so interesting to see CGI animation married with some classic hand-drawn aspects. It gives this movie a timeless feel to it. Plus, this is the first Spider-Man film where it actually looks like a comic book. I was so awed watching the animation, and there's so much going on that I know I'll have to watch it again. The only flaws I have with the film is that there are some slightly cliched moments (the reveal of one of the villains wasn't as surprising the more I thought about it), and the main villain Wilson Fisk isn't as interesting as he could be. Still, the wonderful iterations of Spider-Man in this film, the stellar animation, and the masterful comedy throughout all make this film excellent. It's the best Spider-Man film, perhaps one of the best Marvel films, and certainly one of the best films of 2018.

"Blindspotting"
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

It is a hard art to address racism and white privilege in film without the theme sometimes coming across in obvious ways. Not so with the excellent film "Blindspotting". What this movie does so well is that it balances its dramatic, heavy moments with a really good amount of comedy. Racism is never treated as a punchline, but sometimes funny situations are played out to show how different races don't understand one another's culture. When this movie needs to have serious moments, though, it certainly has them. There are some haunting, brutal moments here that deliver some much needed messages. Those messages work because of the relationship between the two main characters. Collin and Miles are both very likeable characters, and you like their friendship even though the two couldn't be any more different. I loved watching these two work off one another; they felt so natural and like people you could encounter any day on the street. That's really due to the great performances. Daveed Diggs is instantly memorable as the main character Collin, showing to the audience the complexities of the black experience in the United States. You feel for this character so immensely and want him to succeed. You can at least sympathize with his struggles. That's due to how well director Carlos Estrada visualizes them. There are some excellent visual moments in here that symbolize Collin's fears, and they all work well (particularly a poignant dream sequence that is both theatrical and haunting). Rafael Casal is also great as Miles, offering an interesting counterpart to Collin. Whereas Collin is more reserved and thoughtful, Miles is very extroverted and vocal. This character's development is very fitting in context of the movie's theme. I really like where both characters ended up at the last part of the film. It's somewhat tragically reminiscent of America's environment today, but at the same time we see both characters at least coming to an understanding with one another. It's one of the more powerful moments in movies of 2018. I definitely recommend you see this one.

"Bad Times at the El Royale"
Rating: 4/5 Stars

If you're missing Quentin Tarantino-styled movies, then Drew Goddard's "Bad Times" will more than give you your fix. It's clear throughout the film that is who he was inspired by, but it doesn't mean he copies his style. This film is still highly original and interesting. Visually, the El Royale itself is quite interesting to behold. It's a product of the 70's and 80's while still having a bizarrely modern flare to it. The weird visual styles of the motel do a good job at representing how things are always off there, and the place is seemingly cursed to be one where bad things can and will happen. The characters that come into the hotel are just as colorful and interesting. Jeff Bridges is predictably great as Father Daniel Flynn, a priest who has more to him than meets the eye. I really liked what Bridges did with this character, making him mysterious enough that you want to know more, but not do detached that you don't understand a thing about the character's motivations. Dakota Johnson sheds herself of her "50 Shades" movies by delivering a performance that deserves admiration. I'm really glad she got put into a good movie, as her turn here more than proves that she can give a great performance when given an actually good character to play with. But honestly the highlight of the film might be Jon Hamm as Laramie. This character was not at all what I thought he was going to be, and I loved him for that reason. Hamm really knocks it out of the park in this role, giving us someone that is so cool to watch at every turn. I even like Cynthia Erivo as Darlene. I've never been a particularly big fan of her as a performer, but this type of role seems perfect for her. Because all of the main characters are so interesting, you like watching them interact. I only wish there were a couple more scenes besides the beginning one that gave the characters a chance to all be in the same room together. There were only a few roles I didn't care for as much. I think Chris Hemsworth did fine with the role he was playing, but his character was really just a cliched religious nut. He's the type of character we've seen hundreds of times before. I also felt that Cailee Spaeny played Rose a little too unbelievably. She wouldn't be an easy character to play, but I still wasn't entirely convinced by how Cailee played her. Still, if you're looking for an engaging watch, "Bad Times" is the movie for you.

"Roma"
Rating: 5/5 Stars

If there was a movie that could define what a year as harrowing as 2018 needed, this is it. This movie is jaw dropping and masterful because director Alfonso Cuaron isn't making an effort to be either of those things. In fact, he calls this film his most personal to date. It is both epic and intimate, huge and simple. There aren't many movies that can navigate those extremes, but this one does. Cuaron might right now be more known for "Gravity" and "Children of Men". And it makes sense: those two movies have more inherent commercial appeal to them. "Roma" doesn't necessarily have that same appeal, but I think it may still be better than both of the other movies (which is really saying something, because I adore "Children of Men"). Powerful waves of emotion washed over me as I watched main character Cleo going through her life as a servant for a middle-class family. When something big happens to her, she has to figure out how to balance this even with her complicated economic state. Cleo is an endlessly compelling character, a portrait of enduring strength married with a real vulnerability. This gamut of emotions is shown in heartfelt ways by newcomer Yalitza Aparicio. Her performance is so understated and nuanced that you may not even realize she is acting. I certainly only ever saw Cleo, and that was the amazing thing about her turn. She developed in a very natural way, being affected by events around her. She doesn't overact or anything, and sometimes can give you a sense of what her character is feeling simply through a subtle facial expression. Marina de Tavira as Sofia is also excellent in this film, and perhaps the best part about it. Her character has a lot of big emotional arcs to go through as well, and Tavira hits all the right notes. Even the child actors are great in this film, particularly Carlos Peralta as Paco. The film is shot entirely in black and white, which I thought was fitting. It gives this movie the right atmosphere it needs. Plus some of the shots are just so unique and gorgeous, and will probably be ingrained in my memory for years to come. Still, like everything else, the cinematography isn't trying to show off. Oftentimes, the camera simply lingers over an event, letting you take it in. Cuaron lets you naturally feel the emotions of what you're watching. There's no forceful musical cues or sudden camera angles. That embodies exactly what I love about this film. I feel like there's not enough to describe how much I love it. Please, please, watch this. It may just be the best film of the year.


Music 
"Burning Alive" by Crazy Eighty-Eight
Rating: 3.5/5 Stars

Comedian and YouTuber Jarrod Alonge has created a side project along with fellow YouTuber Lauren Babic and As It Is lead vocalist Patty Walters. Because of this arrangement of pretty well-known individuals, I was very interested to see how this project turned out. I was not disappointed. This whole album is a tribute to both classic movies and early 2000's metalcore (heck, the name of the band is inspired by "Kill Bill"). Every track here connects with a movie, with some of them being more clear than others. I actually really liked how the band used the movies as inspiration for song subjects rather than just reiterating plot points of the movie. They don't ever mention movie characters or anything like that, rather they incorporate some of the themes the movies had. I like this album a bit more musically, though, as the band derives inspiration from metalcore groups like Underoath. There are a lot of good things to say about the album. The best moment here is easily "Nitroglycerin", a banger of a track that is endlessly listenable. I've had this song on repeat for the past couple of weaks. Babic is incredible on the mic here, having some of the most brutal screams I've ever heard from any vocalist, male or female. Her cleans are also really good, having a raw talent to them. The epic "My Friends, You Bow to No One" is another significant highlight, drawing inspiration from the equally epic "Return of the King". I love the guitar work in this song, as well as the interesting musical sequences the song goes through. Other highlights include the powerful rock ballad "Tears in Rain", the catchy punk/rock styled "I Am Tetsuo", and the brutal "Bastard from a Basket". There are a couple of weak points, such as the somewhat underwhelming acoustic cut "Hannah" or the overall forgettable instrumental segments. The good parts of this album are really good, though, and make it more than worth a listen.

Favorite Songs: "Nitroglycerin", "Tears in Rain", "My Friends You Bow to No One", "I Am Tetsuo", "Bastard from a Basket"
Least Favorite Songs: "300 Pages", "The Shimmer", "Hannah"

Harry Potter Movies Ranked

By: James Southworth

Merry Christmas, everyone! For the holidays, I wanted to do something a little different. Last year, I talked about some of my favorite Christmas movies and songs. This year, I wanted to talk about some movies that I've never gotten a chance to discuss: the Harry Potter franchise. Overall, it is one of the better series at doing creative but still faithful book to movie adaptations. It is not without its flaws (in fact, I don't think any movie in the franchise is perfect), but I still love these movies for bringing my favorite book series to life. Plus, the holidays are a perfect time to watch these movies, so I figured this would be just the right time to talk about them. Here's my ranking of all the Harry Potter movies.
 
8. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2

This along with "The Crimes of Grindelwald" mark the only two Harry Potter films where I dislike more of them than I like. I remember coming out the movie the first time in a bit of denial of what I had seen. I think I was trying to convince myself that this was the best possible conclusion we could've gotten to the series. But it's really not. This is the only film where I feel like they did a real disservice to the book it was based on. The movie tones down the really dark feel the finale of the book had, which makes the victory feel underwhelming. Heck, no one in the movie even seems that excited when Harry does vanquish Voldemort. Instead, most people are just nodding their heads nonchalantly to him. In the book, the battle between the two had so much more weight. The death of so many key characters affected everyone, so there was an intense atmosphere. Everyone was watching the battle. In the movie, no one is watching; it's just Harry and Voldemort. The battle doesn't even go like it's supposed to. The movie also feels way too quick. It's the shortest in the franchise when it should've been the longest. They don't address one of the most key components of the series: the revelation that Dumbledore may not have been as good as everyone thought. I also felt the acting wasn't as good as it could've been. Daniel Radcliffe was great, but it felt like both Rupert Grint and Emma Watson felt like they weren't contributing much to the film at all. The part where Harry breaks the Elder Wand made my blood boil, as the book clearly shows why that wouldn't be the right thing to do. The very ending is made laughably bad as all our main characters have phony looking make-up on in an awkward attempt to make them look older. It's actually sort of sad. The last images we have of this series looks like an amateur did it. The other films are all at least good, and most of them are great. It's sad that the series ended out on a bad note, and I just have to wonder what went wrong.

7. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

I used to not be a big fan of this movie. And don't get me wrong, I still have my problems with it. That's why this one still ranks low, as it has some of the biggest issues of any of the better HP movies. But when this movie works, it really works. The times when the film really shines are when it focuses on the relationship between Dumbledore and Harry. I had not been entirely convinced up to this point that Michael Gambon was the right person to play Dumbledore. He seemed a little too harsh, whereas Dumbledore is overall a very kind character in the books and only shows his menacing side when he needs to. Gambon in this film is the perfect embodiment of Dumbledore. I loved every second with him in it. The way him and Radcliffe work off each other is stellar. I also felt that Harry's relationships with Ron and Hermione were at their best here. I appreciate that this film balanced their friendships, whereas the other movies seemed to more explore Harry's friendship with Hermione (as opposed to the book where Harry and Ron's friendship is most heavily explored). The ending of the movie is excellent as well, really doing a good job at setting up all of what the seventh movie would contain. There is a dark tone that pervades this film, sometimes to the point where it's overbearing. But the ending of the movie shows that there can be a light at the end of the tunnel, which is exactly what the HP movies want audiences to believe. There are some issues to this film, though, and they aren't entirely the film's fault. I always felt that the sixth HP book made the romance between Harry and Ginny very forced. If anything, it felt to me like Harry and Hermione had more chemistry, and that was what I thought the books were always going to build up to. The movie actually does a slightly better job than the book at giving the two characters some moments together, but it still feels awkward. This might partly be due to Bonnie Wright as Ginny being the overall weakest link as far as the younger actors go. This movie also tries to be a romantic comedy every once in a while. I don't know why they're trying to do this, as it doesn't at all mesh well with the very dark places this film goes to. I just wish the bits that were trying to be funny were taken out, because they can sometimes be cringe inducing. Thankfully, there's still a lot of good in the film to enjoy.

6. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

I didn't like putting this film so low, but it does still pale in comparison to many of the other HP films. It's not particularly awful, but it also doesn't stand out quite as much as some of the other films do. I do like how the film basically turns into a murder mystery, where Harry, Ron, and Hermione have to come together to solve something that seems unsolvable to everyone else. There's some really great moments in this movie between the characters here. The most identifiable highlight of the film is Kenneth Branagh's performance as Gilderoy Lockhart. He is absolutely hysterical in this film. He plays the character exactly as I pictured him to be in the books. I couldn't see anyone else playing this character. In fact, that is the advantage of these Harry Potter films. They take on these great British actors to play the professors, so all the professors are instantly memorable. Maggie Smith is as great as ever as McGonnagall, Richard Harris gives an excellent (and tragically final) turn as Albus Dumbledore, and of course it seemed as if Alan Rickman was practically meant to play the role of Professor Snape. There are some great visual moments in this movie as well, from the gorgeous look of Hogwarts to the eye popping look of the Basilisk which still holds up today.

5. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

The Goblet of Fire probably had the hardest task of all the movies: much like the book, it had to transition its readers from the more lighthearted and innocent tone of the first three books to a much darker atmosphere with the inevitable return of Voldemort. Thankfully, this movie does it very well. Out of all the HP films, this is the one I hear most often cited as the top favorite by other people, even those not familiar with the series. I can see why; it probably has the most commercial appeal. It's the most action-packed, filled with lots of fun visuals. Harry's challenge against a dragon is one of the most instantly iconic moments in the films. The way it's presented is breathtaking and heart-pounding. The events that occur at the Yule Ball are alternately hilarious and purposefully awkward. I love every second of it. Getting to see Harry and Ron's reactions to having to dance is hilarious. Emma Watson really showed herself to be the strongest link of the three main characters in this film as well. This was the movie when I really started to appreciate her performance. She doesn't ever force her character's traits, and instead seems to perfectly embody who Hermione is. The ending of this movie is bone-chillingly dark. Director Mike Newell knew just the right way to instill a sense of dread into the viewer. Seeing Voldemort's return still sends chills up my spine because of just how evil and wrong it feels. Other highlights include the effectively subdued performance of Robert Pattinson as Cedric and Brendan Gleeson's very memorable turn as Mad-Eye Moody.

4. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1

For the longest time, I would've called this film my favorite of the Harry Potter series. I don't quite stand by that now, but I would still contest it has some of the best moments of any Harry Potter movie. I love this movie for just how much it embraces the book's very dark and more grounded tone. Sure, there is some magic in the beginning half of the book. But in reality, it's not that much. Instead, like the book, the movie more focuses on the strained relationships between Harry, Ron, and Hermione. It's sort of a back-to-the-basics, and I love that. The viewers have seen these three's friendship come full circle, and it can be hard to watch them have an almost falling out. But when they do come back together, it's a very nice feeling. When the magic does happen in the film, it doesn't feel out of place. It brims with a new sense of intensity. Spells feel like they have a real weight into this film; every character casts magic like they mean it. You can feel the sense of survival every single character is striving for in this new time where Voldemort has all the power. The performances of the main actors are at their strongest here. It really feels like Radcliffe, Grint, and Watson all knew exactly how to play off each other. They made the right character beats at the right times. David Yates is the director that I feel overall gave Harry Potter the tone it needed for its ending half. You can see that better than ever here.

3. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

My appreciation for the first HP film has increased the more I've seen it and the more I've thought about it. Out of all the movies, it's the one that most closely follows its source material. A lot of character lines are straight out of the book, and the movie honestly doesn't take that much material out. It is one of those model examples of how to purely adapt a book into a film. The sense of wonder and awe this movie has about the magical world is exactly what the early Harry Potter films needed. The books enraptured so many reader's hearts with the wonderment and mystery of the magical world. We all wanted to go to Hogwarts. We all wanted to be friends with Harry, Ron, and Hermione. We all wanted to take Defense Against the Dark Arts and Transfiguration. The movie gives readers that same sense of awe that the books provided us. Hogwarts is incredible to look at. The movie gives us all the right visuals and atmosphere to give you this sense that you're in an incredible realm that you don't want to leave. This movie also makes it so easy to like Harry. You feel for Harry's struggles with living with people who don't love him, and you cheer him on as he finally discovers who he really is. The way the movie introduces every character here is pretty much pitch perfect. If there were any problem I had with the film, I guess it would be that there are points where it feels like it's just filling time. It's not like I'm complaining that I get to spend more time with all these great characters, but it still does sometimes feel like parts could be cut. Still, HP1 is excellent, and I get a wave of nostalgia and excitement every time I revisit it. I couldn't have asked for a better first HP movie.

2. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

If you want a Harry Potter movie that brims with atmosphere in every shot, then you've come to the right place with "The Prisoner of Azkaban". I was somewhat tempted to put this as my number 1, as it is very close in competition with what is actually my top spot. Alfonso Cuaron directed this movie, and man I think it would've been cool to see him direct the rest of the films. He knew exactly what to keep from the book and what details to keep out. Because of that, there's hardly a moment of this film that feels inessential. Every single thing in this movie is important because it directly affects Harry. There are so many things to appreciate about this movie. The feeling of doom is ever present. The way that Cuaron presents the Dementors makes them some of the most memorably frightening entities in the film, only barely beaten out by Voldemort. You can feel their power in their ability to make anyone, even the strongest of wizards, feel hopeless and inadequate. They do cleverly play into Harry's own feelings that he's just not good enough, no matter what he does. We also get to of the best casting choices in any of the HP movies: David Thewlis as Lupin and Gary Oldman as Sirius. I love how both of these actors portray their characters, giving them so much life and personality. I also think this movie did a great job with the Time-Turner scene, which I imagine can't have been easy to pull off. It doesn't feel illogical or stupid because it only happens for a little while, and it's very engaging. The only real issue I have with this film is that I didn't like how Michael Gambon played Dumbledore. Like I mentioned earlier, I always felt he played him too harsh in comparison to Richard Harris's pitch perfect interpretation. Still, there is PLENTY to enjoy about this excellent film.

1. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

I'll admit, I think I have the most nostalgic bias to this film. It was the first PG-13 film I got to see in theaters, and I got to see it as a surprise birthday present from my parents. I remember how I sat in the theater incredibly excited as I watched the film, and loving every second of it. I think I still love it now for different reasons. Out of all the HP books, I think "Order of the Phoenix" is my least favorite because it reveals some of J.K. Rowling's flaws as a writer (which would unfortunately show up in her screenwriting for "Crimes of Grindelwald"). The book is almost 900 pages, and it doesn't need to be. It has way too many unnecessary subplots, and too often Harry is acting like an annoyingly angsty teenager. The movie is the second shortest of the films, but unlike HP7: Part 2, this movie doesn't feel like it moves along too quickly. It takes out all the fluff that the novel had, and keeps all the essentials. This means we can focus on the things that really worked about the book: the formation of Dumbledore's army, Harry's touching relationship with Sirius, the despicable things that Umbridge does, and the final epic battle between Dumbledore and Voldemort in the Ministry of Magic. All of these elements work, especially Harry and Sirius's relationship. I notice that a common theme in what I love about the HP movies are the simple things. The magical parts are great, but I just love the way that all the characters interact more than anything else. Gary Oldman is stellar in this film, making Sirius Black perhaps the most likeable character in any of the movies aside from Dumbledore. And then on the other hand you've got Umbridge. Many people agree that Umbridge is more hate-worthy than Voldemort, and I can see where they're coming from. At least Voldemort lets his hate for others be known, whereas Umbridge tries to disguise it under layers of political niceties (clear but effective political commentary from Rowling). Imelda Staunton plays Umbridge almost too well. Alan Rickman is another significant highlight in this film, being alternately hilariously cruel and incredibly sympathetic. I even found the relationship between Harry and Cho Chang to be effective (whereas for the most part the romantic elements of Harry Potter feel forced in both the books and films). The final battle Dumbledore and Voldemort is my favorite moment in any HP. There isn't another fight that comes remotely close to how visually stunning and white knuckled intense this one is. You feel the immense power of both characters. Plus, this was the first moment where I actually started to warm up to Michael Gambon's turn as Dumbledore- he actually felt like the character rather than a pale imitation. The main three characters are also at their best here, with Daniel Radcliffe having some weighty material to deal with. He nails it. Rupert Grint is also particularly strong in this film.

Well there it is- my ranking of every Harry Potter movie! What are your rankings? I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Top 10 Best Hit Songs of 2018

By: James Southworth

Somehow, for the mainstream 2018 music was even worse than last year. I thought that we had hit a pretty significant low last year, but that I was sadly proven wrong. In a year of incessant album bombs, streaming pushing stuff to the top that didn't deserve to be there, and WAY too much Drake making the charts, it was hard to be optimistic about anything on the Billboard Hot 100. Nevertheless, I still tried my best to keep track of the hits. I like to try to keep an open mind with everything. Despite all the bad, there was still a decent amount of good that made the charts. And I would say the highs this year are a little higher than last year's (though keep in mind the lows are much lower than 2017 as well). Here are my top 10 hit songs for 2018!

Honorable Mentions: twenty one pilots- "Jumpsuit", Charlie Puth- "Done For Me", Shawn Mendes- "In My Blood", Eminem ft. Joyner Lucas- "Lucky You", Taylor Swift- "Delicate", Post Malone- "Stay"

10. "Nice For What"- Drake

Wait what? A Drake song actually managed to make my top 10 best? Trust me, I'm a little shocked as well. I even complained in my intro here that there was way too much of Drake that saturated the Hot 100. That is very much so the case. Pretty much his whole 24-song album "Scorpion" came onto Billboard all at once, and it sets a troubling precedent that any album could make it onto the charts easily. Nevertheless, we did get at least one good song on the album. Unlike many Drake cuts, this song actually has a nice peppy beat to go along with it. It's something that I can easily nod along to. Drake's relaxed flow works to near perfection against this more upbeat sound. Why doesn't he do this more often than his typical "sad rapper" shtick that he always seems to latch on to? If he had more songs like this, maybe I'd enjoy his songs more. I also like the lyrical content of this song, as Drake celebrates strong, independent women everywhere. This isn't done in a super annoying or pandering way (unlike a certain other song about girls that is making my worst songs of the year). Instead, Drake does it in a way that sounds genuine. I think most all listeners can agree with the sentiments he is expressing, which is why this song did so well. I'm glad it had success. Maybe we can get more songs like him in the future for that reason. I certainly hope so.

9. "Sit Next To Me"- Foster The People

I'm really mad with myself that I forgot to include Foster The People's stellar album "Sacred Hearts Club" somewhere in my top albums for 2017. Somehow, I just completely forgot about it. I didn't expect it would be Billboard Hot 100 that would give me the chance to briefly talk about this incredibly underrated band. You probably know them from their huge hit "Pumped Up Kicks". If you aren't a big fan of them, then there's a high chance you haven't heard any other songs by them. Thankfully, this cut had modest success on the charts. In would often hear it whenever I turned the radio on or if I was in public. Anytime I did, it just put a smile on my face. I think part of the reason is the song just has this relaxing, cheerful vibe to it. The way electronics and guitars are put together in this track is tastefully done. It creates a sound that is really satisfying to the ears, and reflects the type of sound that FTP does the best. This song isn't super profound or anything; in fact, its theme is simply about two people trying to get to know one another better through casual conversation. I think there's something to be gained from the simple observation that sometimes all we need to do to get into legitimate relationships with one another is being in closer proximity, both physically and mentally. It's something that the world needed to hear this year, and FTP does great at presenting it in a lighthearted but still poignant way.

8. "High Hopes"- Panic! At The Disco

As I listened more and more to Panic's album "Pray for the Wicked" this year, its initial effects wore off. While I still appreciate it for its theatrical energy and bombast, once you go past that there isn't a whole lot to dig in to. Even the constant usage of brass instrumentation and big synths can get tiresome after a while. The lyrics also tend to be pretty uninteresting. I still enjoy "High Hopes" quite  a bit though. It was a pleasant surprise to see a track by Panic chart in the Billboard top 10 when Brendon Urie is not usually someone you'll see on the charts. I do think this song was a breath of fresh air for the Hot 100, though. In a year where a lot of pop songs were middle of the road- not too fast and not too slow- this track instead goes full on upbeat. The use of trumpets in this track works quite well and will easily put a smile on your face. The lyrics are typical of a pump-up/motivational song, but it's not to the point where its eye-roll worthy. The fact that the song is also sort of a thank you note to Urie's mom gives it a bit of a unique, touching aspect to it. The chorus in this cut is ever catchy. Any time I hear this song, it takes me days to get out of my head, and I'm not gonna complain about that.

7. "Back to You"- Selena Gomez

I never thought that I'd say the best thing that came out of Season 2 of the TV show "13 Reasons Why" was Selena Gomez. And yet, here we are. If you saw my review of the second season of 13RW, then you know that not only was I disappointed by it, but I actually hated it for the most part because of the messages it gave to its audiences. However, Selena Gomez's track "Back to You", meant to promote the show, is actually pretty good. It keeps its messages relatively safe, but still relatable. I think there is a certain sincerity to this track as Gomez expresses her desire to love this person no matter what the circumstances are. She knows that even when she is with someone else that this person will still be the one she will ultimately go back to. Now how this relates to the show, I'm not exactly sure. But I think it will resonate with Gomez's key audience. I think appreciate this song less for the lyrics and more for its musicality. The track keeps things fairly simple. The electronics and synths are incorporated in such a way that it's not too annoying to hear them. In fact, they create a sort of comforting and chilled atmosphere. That atmosphere works very well for the themes that are used in this cut. There's a drop in this track which serves as the hook, and I like that part of the song as well. It's something that I hum along to in my head often. Gomez's vocals are what lift this song from average to good. This is probably the first time I've really loved her vocal performance. She's not trying to show off, nor is she playing it too safe. Instead, she's being confident in her talents while not being overtly showy about it or anything like that. Her voice is soothing and brings the emotions of the songs home, making it worth multiple listens.

6. "Youngblood"- 5 Seconds of Summer

This is yet another artist that I never thought would see the light of day on any of my charts. This band has often been referred to as a boy band, and I suppose there are parts of them that fit that convention. They are all young guys that are very popular with a teenage female audience. However, unlike some boy bands, not all of them sing, and all of them are actually able to play different instruments. They also frequently tribute classic rock and punk/rock in their songs, which is definitely not typical of the boy band genre. I've never been the biggest fan of the way they use these styles though, as it always sounds so sanitized and fake. This song, though, is actually quite excellent. I've had it on repeat throughout the year. The intensity this track has feels legitimate. Lead vocalist Luke Hemmings even lets his voice have some raw nuances to it. I really like his singing style throughout this song, as he lets his voice reach some intense highs that the band hasn't attempted to do before. The chorus of this song is probably one of the best choruses of any hit song this year. I think part of that is due to the usage of gang vocals. Gang vocals can be a tough thing to do, but thankfully this band does them without making it sound cheesy or forced. All of them joining together gives this song an effective ability to work live; I can totally see audience members chanting along to it. I also think the usage of actual bass and guitar is awesome, giving this song a rocking sensibility. There's also some electronic flourishes that will help this track appeal to pop audiences. This song has a wide reach, which is why I think it did so well, and it deserved its success. Definitely check it out!

5. "Finesse"- Bruno Mars ft. Cardi B

Even though I've never been a big fan of whole Bruno Mars albums, it seems that he is incredibly good at making singles. Songs like "Uptown Funk" and "24K Magic" have always been songs I've enjoyed from the first time I heard them. This adds yet another Mars single that I can have a great time with. I love how this song tributes the 90s. You can see it in both the music video (which is just pure 90s nostalgia all over the place) and the musical style. The way that the electronics and booming drums are used just screams this time period. As always, Bruno is incredibly confident on the mic. I actually sort of like the arrogant persona he takes on in many of his albums, as he just owns it. I think he does this personality better than the sort of sweet guy persona on songs like "Grenade" and "Just the Way You Are". I also think Mars just enjoys his arrogant persona, as so many more of his songs embody it. This song is a perfect showcase for his voice, as he gets to hit some really great high notes here. I even think Cardi B works well in this song. I usually can't stand her rapping style, mainly because it reminds me too much of Nicki Minaj. I'll give Cardi more credit than Minaj though: when Cardi raps well, she can have a great flow. Her and Mars have some top notch chemistry, working off of each other in fun ways. You'd be hard pressed to not nod your head along to this track, or at least get the urge to break dance.

4. "All The Stars"- Kendrick Lamar ft. SZA

I don't have a whole lot to say about this track, but I still really love it. Kendrick Lamar was tasked to create songs for the incredibly successful Marvel movie "Black Panther". I generally liked most tracks off the album, but "All The Stars" was clearly the best. Lamar, as always, is excellent against this track. I like how he leans into the more accessible parts of his rapping style here. Lamar is the type that can shift between making songs that are a little off the deep end in terms to what the radio will play, and then he can go and make a song that embraces mainstream tendencies while still remaining pretty original. SZA may actually be the highlight of this track, though. Like I mentioned last year in her collaboration with Maroon 5, I think SZA is a vocalist that deserves to be watched. I'm glad she's getting wider acclaim, though it's still not nearly enough for her talents. Her natural confidence oozes throughout this entire track. She has such a charisma to her, and this song shows her personality very well. Musically, this song combines hip-hop with pop and it makes for one of the most fun songs of its genre in years.

3. "Shallow"- Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga

I didn't get to talk about "A Star is Born" in terms of movies I reviewed this year, but I did go and see it. I thought it was excellent. Bradley Cooper, of course, did a great job in it and really got to embrace some vulnerable parts of his acting skills. It was Lady Gaga who shocked me. I really thought she didn't stand a chance on the big screen with how weak she was as an actor in Season 5 of "American Horror Story". But her role here as an unsure singer who finds love was perfect for her. Gaga owns her role in this film. There were a lot of original songs in this film, and those moments were where both Cooper and Gaga shown the most. "Shallow" is a superb showcase for both of their vocal talents. Cooper gets to embrace his inner country/rock persona in this song, and it really works. I love his gravelly, bass tone. It has a visceral sense of power and emotion to it. And Gaga... wow does she knock it out of the park. When I first heard this song in the theaters and her part came up, my jaw dropped. She really gets to show the full range of her voice here. You can feel the powerful emotions welling up in her as she sings out this track. The lyrics of this song are some of the best of any hit song this year: "I'm off the deep end, watch as I dive in/I'll never meet the ground/Crash through the surface where they can't hurt us/We're far from the shallow now". This song is all about embracing risk-taking in terms of your loved one, and being there for them, even when the waters are too deep. I love that message, and it does reflect the tragic but touching love story of the two characters in this film. The movie is incredible, and this song is as well.

2. "No Tears Left To Cry"- Ariana Grande

I'm sure that Ariana Grande didn't realize how much she'd need to make this song her battle cry this year. It was both Grande's best and worst year. She's experienced more artistic success than ever this year, having her first ever single hit number 1 on the Hot 100. Her new album "Sweetener" experienced both critical and audience success. But in this same year, she experienced a lot of hardship. She had to try to let go and not blame herself for the Manchester Bombing, she get unfairly blamed for her ex-boyfriend Mac Miller's overdose, and she got engaged and quickly divorced from Pete Davidson. This song came out after the Manchester Bombing, but before all the other hardships Grande experienced. This song is all about Grande trying to move on from negativity and instead focusing on the good parts of her life. This doesn't mean dismissing the negativity or living in blissful ignorance. The lyrics have Grande discussing simply how she wants to pick herself up and try her best to live. As a vocalist, Ariana sounds as effortlessly talented as ever, proving to be one of the best female vocalists in the modern age. She marries modern pop sensibilities with 90s R&B to make a song that ultimately feels timeless. I can see myself coming back to this song years from now and it still holding up. The fact that the song is so much fun to listen to on musical, vocal, and lyrical levels only makes it work that much more.

1. "This Is America"- Childish Gambino

I feel like it's almost too obvious that this song gets the top spot. But come on, it deserves it. Donald Glover aka Childish Gambino crafted a song that creates a harrowing but dishearteningly accurate depiction of American culture for oppressed minorities. His anger and discontent with the way America is for minorities feels justified and powerful. I think almost everyone can agree with at least a part of what he is saying in this track. The political commentary is not divisive or promoting hate, but rather it's Glover making talking about things that just need to be talked about. It helps that the lyricism is excellently crafted: "This is America/Don't catch you slippin' now/Look how I'm livin' now/Police be trippin' now/Yeah, this is America/Guns in my area". This song is a bit of a genre bending track as well. It starts out with a bit of a gospel influence before going into a big trap banger. There's even some acoustic guitar thrown in parts of the song. There's also a shift to a trap style before going into the catchy R&B influenced chorus. This genre bending seems to be a fitting tribute to black culture and fits in with the thematic arcs the song promotes. I especially love the end of the song, where sound wise it turns very dissonant and sounds like something straight out of a horror movie. You've probably already heard this song because of how iconic and important it became in this year. I've seen so many people of different political, religious, and social ideals come together for this song. That's how much power a song can have. I'm glad that the Hot 100 was able to bring that unity into more fruition, if only for a moment.

So, there it is, my top 10 for the year! Keep a lookout for more reviews coming soon, as well as some more countdowns! What were your favorite hit songs of the year?

"Widows" Movie Review

By: James Southworth
Rating: 4/5 Stars

It has been a year of unpredictability as to what will be going into the awards season this year. Part of this reason is because a lot of movies that have come out this year aren't necessarily under the conventions of what an Oscar contender is generally associated with. This isn't completely the case for director Steve McQueen's "Widows." McQueen is a very successful and talented director, having made such hits as "12 Years a Slave" and "Shame". He's generally known for making pretty intense movies that make one uncomfortable. However, with "Widows", McQueen has decided to go a more mainstream blockbuster route with a heist film. It has a star-studded cast and big action scenes. But in-between the stuff that will make it loved by general audience there's also quite a bit of thought provoking content thrown in. The jaw-dropping performances and the constant plot twists only serve to make this film all the more interesting, one that you can sink your teeth easily into.

At the core of this film is actually a pretty simple premise: four women must band together to get what they have lost after their criminal husbands are all killed on the run from the police. McQueen takes this premise and makes it incredibly interesting to watch. This film is surprisingly complex and twisty with how he presents it. There are a lot of character arcs that McQueen has to balance, many plot arcs that have to be addressed, and many plot twists that need to be discussed. This is a lot to do in a movie that's only a little over two hours. But I have to commend him: he does this very well. The movie stays unpredictable, but not to the point where it's ridiculous or over the top. There are a lot of twists that you won't see coming, but unlike some heist movies, these twists don't reach into the point of unintentional parody. In fact, the twists often do a good job at serving the main thematic arcs of the film. Speaking of the themes, McQueen tackles quite a few complex ideas here. At its core, though, this movie is about oppressed, trapped people who are trying to do the best with what they have been given. Every character here is under immense pressure, which makes this film quite literally a life-or-death situation. This movie isn't what you'd necessarily call a "fun" heist movie. Instead, it's one that leaves you on the edge of your seat, wondering exactly what's going to happen next. The reason you care so much is that all the characters are very compelling on both sides of the spectrum. You understand each character's motivations to a tee and exactly what they want. I thought it was really awesome on McQueen's part to make every character's motivation go back to the main theme that they're trying to get out of a cycle they've been trapped in for years. With both the protagonists and antagonists, you can understand and even somewhat sympathize with what they're trying to go through (for the most part- there are a couple of weaker characters we'll get to later). Character's motivations don't change, but the way they go about pursuing their goals can be surprising in many, many instances.

What really pushes this film forward more than anything is all the stellar performances that are given throughout. Unsurprisingly, Viola Davis is superb as the lead widow Veronica. So often, you can understand her emotions just by her expressions. She doesn't have to say anything and you know exactly what she is thinking. She commands the screen every time she's there, being a volatile and powerful presence who just can't be ignored. Davis is perhaps my favorite actress as of right now, and this film is further proof as to why she is so good at her craft. She owns the character of Veronica, becoming the role. When she is on screen, you can't turn away, and why would you want to? Even though Liam Neeson as Veronica's husband Harry isn't in the film that much, it's still incredible that I went away thinking he was one of the best parts of it. He has a minimal amount of lines. I think it was a smart idea to put him and Davis together, as the two of them are actually pretty even matches for one another. They create an intriguing chemistry between their characters, and the payoff to their relationship is surprising but effective. I also really enjoyed Elizabeth Debicki as Alice. Her character had some of the most interesting developments of any in the movie. I appreciated that McQueen gave Debicki a role that is not necessarily just her typecast. She got to take a lot of risks in this film, and because of that, I feel she should be in talks for an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Colin Farrell totally owns the role of the multi-faceted politician Jack Mulligan. This character was the one that kept me guessing the most; I wasn't really sure what side he stood on. It was interesting to see what happened with him, and that was mainly due to how dynamic Farrell's turn was. But easily the best performance in the film was Daniel Kaluuya as Jatemee. Kaluuya proves once again that he is a newer actor everyone should have their eye on. In this film he gets to play an absolutely sadistic villain, and man does Kaluuya own this role. The way he portrays this character is bone-chilling and frightening; you can just feel the unrelenting brutality the character has. The scene with him in a bowling ally (not going to spoil anymore than that) is one of the best acted scenes I've watched all year. Other great performances include Robert Duvall and Brian Tyree Henry.

There are just a couple of issues I have with the film. I mentioned earlier how I thought that McQueen did a pretty good balancing act with all of his plot threads. I still agree with this statement; however, some of the plot threads are just not that compelling. This is especially true of Belle's (played by Cynthia Erivo) plot line. This not really because Erivo's performance is bad; it's more just because her story and her character feel a little inconsequential to the story. I feel like if she wasn't in the movie at all, nothing would have changed. This is also unfortunately the case for Carrie Coon's character Amanda. I felt like Coon was vastly underutilized in this movie, as she is a talented actress who is way too often overlooked. While I understood why her plot arc was needed, it still felt like the movie passed over the revelation of her character's performance much too quickly. I also didn't like the fact that the movie gave Jon Bernthal literally only one scene, when he is also a very dynamic actor. It's just weird to me that McQueen wouldn't use two talented performers like Bernthal and Coon to his advantage. There was one performance for me that just didn't work: Michelle Rodriguez  as Linda. It seems to me that Rodriguez is always playing the same type of role. That is the case in this film, too. I felt like she didn't seem that invested in what she was doing, and when she was on screen with Davis and Debicki, you could tell that she paled in comparison. It wasn't like I hated her performance, but it was just so significantly weaker when compared to all the dynamic stuff going on around her.

Overall, "Widows" is a really great, even excellent movie. It's certainly one of the best movies of its genre. That is due to direction by someone who is clearly confident in what they are doing, as well as some of the best performances I've seen all year. Even if there are some plot points that feel inconsequential or underused, I still felt that didn't hinder this film by any significant. This is definitely a film that's recommended if you enjoy movies that make you think, while still having a blockbuster edge to them!

The 1975 "A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships" Album Review

By: James Southworth
Rating: 3.5/5 Stars

Perhaps one of the more polarizing bands of the 2010's is The 1975. There are a lot of people who love them, but there are just as many out there who think they are overrated and overexposed. As for me, I lean a little more towards generally liking the band, though I am not head over heels in love. There's no denying they have some excellent songs on both their first two albums. Some of my favorites by them include "Heart Out", "Chocolate", "She's American", and "The Sound". I generally thought the album "I Like It When You Sleep..." was a pretty solid venture with a lot of creativity and a distinct, unique soundscape. It wasn't perfect, but it had some great gems. So, I was excited to see what The 1975 would do now that lead singer Matty Healy is sober from some really crippling drug addictions. What we get in this third outing is a rather diverse mixture of songs, which makes this album feel like a confusing (but still overall solid) listening experience.

The album starts off like every other 1975 release: with the intro track that has the same name as the band. I like how with every album they manipulate the formula of what they do with the intro. In this case, Matty interestingly includes multiple versions of his voice on top of one another. It makes it sound like there's several clones of him in one room. It's admittedly a bit of a bizarre listen, but I still find it intriguingly likeable. After this we get the lead single "Give Yourself a Try". While I find the static, loudly produced guitar riff a little irritating in how repetitive it is, I still think this song benefits from some solid lyricism. In fact, the lyrics are usually where this album excels more than anything else. This album has a common theme running through it: that the only way we can find hope and positivity in this world is through loving each other and ourselves. This lead single definitely leans into the idea that we should try loving ourselves as we are instead of living up to everyone else's standards. "How to Draw/Petrichor" is one of the most creative songs I've heard all year. It has two distinctive movements, both of which work in their own way. The first half of the song is simply gorgeous, having some sweeping electronic work. Matty's slightly autotuned vocals actually work against this soundscape rather than coming across as irritating. The second half of the song turns into a straight up jam, with booming synths dominating your ears. Matty sounds nearly unrecognizable in this part of this song, using an unsettling but cool lower vocal register. But nothing on this album can compare to "Love It If We Made It", not only the best song on the album but one of my favorite songs of the year. This song sees The 1975 going political, but at the same time not being divisive. The band talks about all sorts of relevant, pressing issues going on in the world. You can feel Healy's despair at all the hatred around the world, as he gives a pretty raw vocal performance here. I love that the chorus exudes hope though, as it plaintively repeats the title of the song over and over. That seems to be this album's cry out, that if we can just come together then we will be able to make it as a society. The guitar work, drumming, and of course the 80's inspired synths all make this song feel like something that could be on "I Like It When You Sleep". Even if you don't hear any other song on this album, at least listen to this one.

"Sincerity Is Scary" sees The 1975 going in a completely different stylistic direction: jazz. It sounds like that shouldn't fit in this album, but it does. The band doing this style isn't super surprising to me, as you've seen certain songs of theirs such as "She's So American" and "If You Believe Me" have jazz influences to them. I adore the trumpet in this song, and the relaxed piano that plays in the background. This song has some of the most compelling lyrics on the album: "And irony is okay, I suppose, culture is to blame/You try and mask your pain in the most postmodern way/You lack substance when you say/Something like, 'Oh, what a shame'". This song directly relates to the title of the album: we often use our online persona to mask who we are so we don't have to legitimately connect with others. This may be a really common theme nowadays, but I think this band addresses it in an interesting way. "The Man Who Married a Robot" brings the weirdness up to a whole new notch, as a British male Siri voice narrates an unsettling story that feels like it came right out of the TV show "Black Mirror". And I love every second of it. I think this song is integral to the album, as it is a metaphorical story about how the Internet can destroy human connection when it's taken to an extreme. Things stay unsettling with "Inside Your Mind", a beautifully creepy ballad about Matty wanting to know every inner thought of a girl he likes. The song is blackly comedic, as Matty as a sort of self-realization that this level of obsession is unhealthy. The theme of obsession that permeates this middle part of the album continues with "It's Not Living (If It's Not With You)", which is the most 1975-sounding track here. It is deceptively upbeat, even though it depicts in heart-breaking detail how Healy used to be obsessed with heroin. It's a criminally catchy track that is also thought provoking. The album ends off great with the wonderful power ballad "I Couldn't Be More In Love" and the poignantly hopeful "I Always Wanna Die (Sometimes)".

For all the great stuff that appears on this album (with some of the songs being among The 1975's best work to date), there is unfortunately a good amount of weak material as well. Like I mentioned earlier, generally this album feels a little bit disjointed. Even with songs I like, the transitions between them can feel jarring. This is especially the case for something like "How to Draw" going into "Love It If We Made It". There are many songs here that just don't really work. I hate the track "TOOTIMETOOTIMETOOTIME". The song is just as idiotic as its title. It has Matty in a droning autotuned voice the whole time. It sounds disconnected, and also like every other throwaway pop track that appears on the Billboard Hot 100. The lyrics aren't very compelling either, detailing a hookup in the most cliched way possible. It's probably one of the worst songs of the year. I also really can't stand "I Like America & America Likes Me", which is apparently the band celebrating Soundcloud rap. Why such an awful subset of music deserves praise is beyond me. I'll give the song credit: it does sound like every other cheaply produced Soundcloud track out there. That's a real shame coming from a band who's always sounded clean and interesting in the production department. There are some ballads on this album, like "Be My Mistake" and "Surrounded By Heads and Bodies". They aren't necessarily horrible, but they do feel a bit too generic for my taste. They especially don't fit in an album that is overall very experimental. They break the pace of the album and are honestly tracks I'll probably skip over in the future.

Overall, "A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships" is about the same in quality to me as The 1975's other albums. Like their other two albums, this release has some excellent songs that deserve recognition. But also like their other albums, this one has some songs that are either forgettable or make you wonder what exactly the band was thinking when in the process of making them. Still, at the end of the day, this release does see the band continuing to expand their craft and becoming more creative. Though it's not as good as "I Like It When You Sleep...", I would say it's better than their debut. I'm very interested to see where The 1975 go from here. They have another album coming out next year. Like this one, I'd be willing to bet one should go in expecting the unexpected. Check this release out if you haven't. There are many tracks worthy of your time, and the listening experience is certainly an interesting one.

Favorite Songs: "Love It If We Made It", "It's Not Living (If It's Not With You)", "Sincerity Is Scary", "Inside Your Mind", "How to Draw/Petrichor"
Least Favorite Songs: "TOOTIMETOOTIMETOOTIME", "I Love America & America Loves Me", "Be My Mistake"