Movie

‘Scream’ (2022)

For a franchise that began in 1996, it’s hard to believe the fifth installment could bring something new and exciting to the table, and yet, it does. A new Ghostface killer has come to town hell-bent on teaching that history repeats itself. Scream brings in a new cast of characters that don’t feel like rip-offs of the old ones but are instead dynamic and engaging. Legacy characters return, and the stakes are raised much higher as the present dangerously intertwines with the past. Scream manages to be nostalgic while staying fresh, and for audiences who usually avoid horror, humor is mixed in with this fast-paced movie that will keep viewers on their toes until the last frame.

Book

‘I Killed Zoe Spanos’ by Kit Frick (2020)

Zoe Spanos has been missing since New Year’s Eve. Anna Cicconi is looking for a fresh start with a nanny position in Herron Mills. Unfortunately for Anna, the two girls share a striking resemblance. As Anna’s curiosity grows about Zoe’s case, she becomes convinced they are connected– and that she knows what happened on New Year’s Eve. But Anna’s confession and new manslaughter charge aren’t adding up, and local podcast creator Martina Green is determined to uncover what really happened. This book plays perfectly with an unreliable narrator and invites the reader to join in both Anna’s and Martina’s confusion. Everyone’s a suspect in a story where a simple confession should have closed the case, and no stone is left unturned.

Television

‘Community’ (2009-2015)

Community begins when Jeff Winger, a lawyer who can talk himself out of any situation, must return to school at Greendale Community College after being exposed for having a fake degree. In his Spanish class, he begrudgingly befriends a group of misfits including an anarchist activist, a film student who connects with others through movie references instead of emotions, a divorced Christian mother, a sharp and relentless overachiever, a former high school quarterback, and an arrogant millionaire. Despite their differences, the group still forms a deep bond, mostly through making fun of each other and trying to avoid the wrath of their unstable Spanish teacher. Community is a sharp comedy that truly displays how weird college can be.

Music

‘Home Video’ by Lucy Dacus (2021)

Home Video is a coming-of-age story told with vivid nostalgia by the soft voice of Lucy Dacus. Dacus shares her childhood, high school and young adult memories with songs questioning, challenging and accepting childish romances, spirituality and friendship. In the highly reviewed song “Thumbs,” Dacus recalls wanting to kill her friend’s estranged father after coming with them to meet him. Other songs such as “VBS” showcase the long-term effect growing up with religion had on Dacus. All the songs are deeply personal and beg for their listeners to find comfort in knowing they aren’t alone. The majority of the songs are quick with meaningful lyrics, and some take a more upbeat approach while others take a gentler tone.