roberto soto

Editor in Chief

Instagram | Personal Site Articles

The Prequels Turn Twenty-Five–Star Wars’ Sleeper Hit

Kyle A. McLaughlin, Elizabethtown College

The Phantom Menace turns 25 this year, but how did the public perception of the prequels take a massive about-face in the last decade?…

May 4, 2024

A Retrospective Review of R.F. Kuang’s ‘Babel’

Vera Pavlovich, Loyola University Maryland

Two years ago, R.F. Kuang’s New York Times Best Seller Babel sparked a controversy that is still worth talking about.…

April 17, 2024

House of The Dragon–Ascending From The Ashes of Game of Thrones

Kyle A. McLaughlin, Elizabethtown College

How does House of The Dragon redeem the fall of Game of Thrones?…

April 2, 2024

Jinx Monsoon’s Casting Enriches The Role of Audrey in ‘Little Shop of Horrors’

Archie Wagner, University of Iowa

How Jinx Monsoon’s casting as Audrey presents a fresh view of the character through alternative, non-cis lenses.…

March 21, 2024

Spanish Rock Band Airú Sparkles On Their First U.S. Tour

Roberto Soto

The Spanish rock band, Airú, transcends with a hopeful energy and quiet optimism on their first U.S. Tour. …

March 18, 2024

Animation vs Cartoons: A Love Letter To An Unjustifiably Underappreciated Artform

Santiago Rivera, Washington University in St. Louis

Here's why we should appreciate the diversity and magic of animated storytelling medium more than we currently do.…

March 15, 2024

Machismo, Marianismo and Misogyny in Mexican Telenovelas

Mariana Vaca, Lake Forest College

“Lo que la vida me robó” is the quintessential telenovela to observe and dissect what life has taken from women and men in Mexican communities.…

March 10, 2024

Wolverine—The Return of An Icon In Deadpool 3

Kyle A. McLaughlin, Elizabethtown College

The legacy and importance of Hugh Jackman’s portrayal of Wolverine ahead of his return in 'Deadpool' & 'Wolverine'…

March 1, 2024

For an article on the impact of the Garfield comic, an up close illustration of the iconic orange cat's low hanging eyes and iconic smirk.

Why We Love Garfield

Amelie Allen, University of Arizona

Dogs may be man’s best friend, but this lazy orange cat has been pop culture’s constant companion.…

February 22, 2024

‘Ramy’ vs. ‘Sense 8’ — Racially Conscious Response to Neoplatoon TV

Hamad Naroze, Hunter College

Exploring how shows utilize different forms of storytelling to represent and teach about various cultures.…

February 19, 2024

The Latin Lover Is Back and He Has A “Mustache Goatee Combo”

Roberto Soto

Your crush is a dud with a good barber and colonizer genes and your interest in him is based on a hollow perception of Latinidad. Oops! …

February 9, 2024

Album Review: P1Harmony’s Debut ‘Killin’ It’ Strikes a Chord in K-Pop Evolution

Emma Troise, Manhattan College

From Seoul to Global Stages: P1Harmony's Debut Album Showcases Their Capabilities and Opens Doors for K-Pop…

February 5, 2024

Survivors Are People Too: The Reality Behind Reality TV’s Biggest Show

Havilah Sciabbarrasi, Florida State University

The way the long-standing program has dealt with sexuality, gender and racial issues reminds us that our primetime television is someone else’s reality. …

February 3, 2024

Irish Band ‘The Cranberries’ Continues To Linger In Our Hearts

Ally Najera, California State University, Northridge

The iconic '90s Irish band continues to impact, generations later.…

February 2, 2024

Who Are P1Harmony?

Emma Troise, Manhattan College

K-Pop Group P1Harmony Enters the Music Scene With Their Single "Fall In Love Again…

January 29, 2024

“We Were Good, We Were Gold”: 66th Annual Grammy Awards Predictions

Avery Heeringa, Columbia College Chicago

Predictions for music’s biggest night across 10 categories. …

January 28, 2024

‘Masters Of The Air’ Takes Flight and Lands Safely In Viewers’ Hearts

Ally Najera, California State University, Northridge

The Tom Hanks and Stephen Speilberg project has finally taken off to new heights in this World War II-inspired miniseries.…

January 26, 2024

Evolution or Devolution? The Changing Structure of Songs

Avery Heeringa, Columbia College Chicago

Over time, music has varied in length and structure. In the current digital age, where does music clock in? …

January 24, 2024

In this article about the similarities between "The Talented Mr. Ripley" and "Saltburn," for men with dark hair, stare brooding at the camera in a black and white grayscale. In the background, a pink monochromatic printing of a large, old home.

The Parallels Between ‘The Talented Mr. Ripley’ and ‘Saltburn’

Ally Najera, California State University, Northridge

Though years apart in the making, the films have noticeable similarities. …

January 20, 2024

I’m Trying to Decipher the Target Audience of 2023 ‘Wonka’

Sophie Serage, University of Massachusetts, Boston

If it's not for the kids, teenagers or the parents? Who wants to "Discover how Willy became Wonka?"…

January 18, 2024

The Brilliance of Amy Sherman-Palladino’s Leading Ladies in Television

Noah Hernandez, University of Texas at San Antonio

Insights into two of TV’s most beloved female leads, Lorelai Gilmore and Miriam Maisel.…

January 17, 2024

REVIEW: Ariana Grande’s ‘yes, and?’ Flips the Bird and the Narrative

Roberto Soto

The lead single for Ariana Grande’s seventh album honors, thumps, and sashays while making us wondering “what’s next?”…

January 12, 2024

The Genius of ‘Trolls Band Together’

Julia Ray, Northern Arizona University

Is the latest 'Trolls' sequel really just another typical kid’s movie, or does it have more to offer?…

January 12, 2024

BBC’s Merlin Was a Great Unconventional Hero

Sydney Chastain, Florida State University

The 2008 fantasy series owes its charm to a clumsy, expressive protagonist.…

January 10, 2024

The Impact of Everchanging Health Culture on New Year’s Resolutions

Christine Bardos, Santa Clara University

Don’t let the fancy and flawed fad diets sway your resolution. …

January 10, 2024

The Pressure Surrounding Female Writers and Romance

Palmer Strubhar, Emory University

Authors Defy Social and Historical Pressure as they Navigate a New-Age Romance Plot or Avoid It Entirely…

January 9, 2024

‘The Iron Claw’ Deserves All The Awards And So Much More Hype

Ally Najera, California State University, Northridge

The tragic true story of a wrestling family as seen through a spectacular cast. …

January 8, 2024

TikTok’s Domestic Dream: Stay-at-Home Moms

Karla D. Galvan, The University of Texas at San Antonio

TikTok stay-at-home moms construct a narrative of domestic bliss, perfect parenting, and enviable lifestyles that shapes perceptions of modern motherhood.…

January 6, 2024