Sharks’ Games:

Hustle while you still can to the ticket website of the San Jose (SJ) Sharks, and scoop up local hockey tickets for as low as 30 dollars! These relatively low prices are bluntly due to the fact that our beloved Bay Area team may be one of the worst teams in the Pacific Division of the National Hockey League. However, the players and spectator atmosphere of the spelled out (SAP) Center consistently stay extremely positive and high-energy. In the past weekend alone, I got to experience the excitement and adrenaline of watching favorite SJ Sharks players, such as Tomas Hertl and Timo Meier tussle against New Jersey Devils’ heartthrob Jack Hughes. The SAP Center is known for its delectable options for food, without a doubt, you will be able to find something tasty after the game. Attendees are bound to find something new to try, while enjoying classic peanut shells and hot dogs. Filled to the brim with tradition, those who watch a singular game are bound to remember the entrance at every home game, which is through a 17-foot dropped shark, or the immediate response to a player receiving a penalty. Even for those who know nothing about hockey, grab your friends and take advantage of these prices for a guaranteed evening full of glove-dropping fights and easy entertainment.

— Saya Alvares, Sports Editor

The Last of Us:

HBO Max’s first episode release of The Last of Us — an end-of-days, apocalyptic TV show based on the popular action-adventure video game — garnered excitement from its dedicated fanbase and new watchers alike. The adaptation is, for lack of a better descriptor, perfect. While The Last of Us stayed true to its source material with word-for-word dialogue recreations and near-identical scenes from the game, it also added new and creative elements for viewers who have only watched the show. Pedro Pascal as Joel and Bella Ramsey as Ellie performed their roles faultlessly, acting with such passion and vigor that it was impossible to look away. The Last of Us will have you crying, yelling, and laughing all in a short hour as you follow along and learn the characters’ incredible stories.

— Ella Marrufo, Sports Editor

Banshees of Inisherin:

With eight nominations and three wins (Best Screenplay, Best Picture – Musical or Comedy, and Best Actor – Musical or Comedy) at the Golden Globes on Jan 10, Director Martin McDonagh’s The Banshees of Inisherin is a hit among critics and likely to be a frontrunner at the Oscars. Set on a remote Irish island, the film follows lifelong friends Pádraic (Colin Farell) and Colm (Brendan Gleeson), who find themselves at an impasse when Colm unexpectedly ends their friendship. Pádraic attempts to repair their relationship, but his repeated efforts enrage Colm, who issues a brutal ultimatum as events escalate. Banshees is deeply moving, darkly humorous, and brimming with authenticity and poignant cinematography, leaving viewers feeling wistful and profoundly human. Banshees is now available for streaming on HBO Max.

— Nadia Liu, Public Relations Managers

Matilda the Musical:

Typically, when books are made into movies, the result is immensely disappointing. Luckily for Roald Dahl fans, Matilda the Musical translates Matilda’s life perfectly to the screen. From the viral dance numbers to Trunchbull’s Chokey, each and every magical aspect of the book comes alive under the direction of Danny Devito. Alisha Weir captures the essence of Matilda beautifully and portrays the progressive journey behind her powers. With a star-studded cast and Emma Thompson playing the menacing Miss Trunchbull, this remarkable film is available to stream now on Netflix.

— Esha Bagora, Public Relations Manager

Zoolander:

Despite its mediocre box office performance, Ben Stiller’s Zoolander has cemented itself as a classic in American comedy. Now, 22 years after its release, the movie’s iconic scenes are trending on TikTok. Zoolander follows Ben Stiller as dumb-witted Derek Zoolander, a male model at the end of his career. After losing the title of Male Model of the Year to his rival Hansel (Owen Wilson), Zoolander becomes easy prey for the evil fashion designer Mugatu, who brainwashes him into killing the Prime Minister of Malaysia. The movie is absolutely hilarious, flat-out bizarre, filled with crazy cameos (including Donald Trump and David Bowie), and the epitome of a good time. Zoolander is now streaming on Amazon Prime, and it’s just as funny today as it was over two decades ago. 

— Nadia Liu, Public Relations Manager

Lookism:

Based on the webtoon of the same name by Tae-joon Park, the Netflix adaptation Lookism was released December 8, 2022, blowing away eager fans. The main protagonist, Daniel Park, finds himself in a new tall, athletic, and attractive body after being horrendously bullied for his weight and stature his entire life. Full of action and drama, Lookism leaves the audience questioning their judgment of others’ appearances and the extent that bullying goes under the radar. It’s easy to root for Daniel as he learns which friends he can trust, develops his self worth in both appearances, and finds appreciation for his loved ones.

— Linda Wang, Humor Editor

“Touching Grass”:

Are you feeling sad? Go touch some grass. A recent CNN study recommends spending time in nature as it reaps great benefits for your mental health. In fact, visiting nature three to four times a week can result in 33 percent lower odds of needing to use mental health medication. Additionally, a separate 2016 study researching 100,000 women found that having access to green space reduced the women’s death rate by 12 percent and improved their mental health. So, the next time you find yourself feeling down, El Gato recommends touching grass (or any sort of nature).

(Sources: CNN)

— Kate Gruetter, National/World Editor

Asian Representation at the Golden Globes:

During the Golden Globes, I was ecstatic to see Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan win awards for their performances in Everything Everywhere All At Once, one of my favorite movies from 2022. Their acceptance speeches evoked pride and emotion in members of the Asian community. Yeoh specifically called attention to stereotyping and racism in Hollywood, which causes unequal access to acting opportunities for women of color. When her exit music began to play, she responded, “Shut up, please.” This moment was incredible, as Yeoh reaffirmed that Asian women deserve better treatment in the acting industry and should take up space unapologetically.

(Source: Golden Globes)

— Jordan Chan, Editor-in-Chief

Where do we go now?:

If you’re on a quest for new music, look no further than 23-year-old singer-songwriter Gracie Abrams’ brand new single “Where do we go now?” The track is one of 12 featured on Abrams’ upcoming album, “Good Riddance,” set to come out on Feb. 24. By mixing nostalgia, melancholy, wondering, and longing into the single, Abrams creates a beautifully tragic love ballad with impressive vocals and instrumentals. “Where do we go now?” is the perfect tune for anyone who finds themselves at a crossroads in love, friendship, or life and sets an impressive precedent for Abrams’ future work.

— Kate Gruetter, National/World Editor

Puss in Boots 2:

Puss In Boots: The Last Wish, directed by Joel Crawford, is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a long time. It has an amazing soundtrack with a spine-chilling theme for the wolf. The song Fearless Hero has been an ear worm for me since I watched the movie in theaters. To be honest, my mouth got dry from the sheer number of times my jaw dropped. Despite the animation change, shifts in frame rate, character design, and color palette are all perfect stylistic choices for this movie. The film conveys messages about living a meaningful life and finding joy in the people in your life incredibly well. Following its release in theaters, the film will be available to stream on Peacock, Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video.

— Dell Dumont, Graphics Editor