Category: Opinion

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s upcoming film has created great expectations with its trailers, but his lack of ‘real’ acting experience could make him fall short.

“The Smashing Machine” is a biopic about mixed martial arts fighter Mark Kerr. The film is produced by A24, is directed by Benny Safdie and stars Johnson and Emily Blunt.

The movie looks promising, and critics are on its good side. Even the main star gives us hope of commitment to the role with the body transformation he had to go through. But is this all true, or is it just a marketing stunt and smoke and mirrors?

Johnson has been characterized for playing the unbeatable and super strong action heroes for most of his acting career. This has gotten stale for me as I, and most of the audience at this point, can predict how the movie will turn out since producers always have the same vision for his characters. However, from what the trailers have shown us, ‘The Rock’ seems to have chosen a more grounded and serious role this time around.

He is not the first one to make this career decision before, though. There have been a few cases where actors got stuck in roles in Hollywood and smoothly transitioned into more dramatic or demanding characters in order to get out of that routine.

Johnson himself has admitted in an interview that, although he enjoyed making those blockbusters, he has a “burning desire” to discover more of his acting potential and participate in movies where his character has more to offer the audience than just looking cool and saving the day.

“Sometimes it’s hard to know what you’re capable of when you’ve been pigeon-holed into something,” Johnson said.

Even though ‘The Rock’ is mostly blaming Hollywood producers for putting him in the superhero or ‘action guy’ category, he also has the power, money, influence and connections to stray away from this path and choose more creative projects. Johnson seems to have realized that with portraying Kerr, which can lead him to expand his acting repertoire in the future if he does well.

His plan seems to be going in the right direction as critics have supported this film saying that Johnson could be a contender for an Oscar at the Academy Awards in the Best Actor category.

When the screening at the Venice International Film Festival ended, the crowd gave the film a 15-minute standing ovation. This got Johnson emotional to the point where he teared up while accompanied by the director, co-stars and the real-life Mark Kerr. This can lead us to believe that the casting A24 did was very accurate and was complemented by an emotional story.

We have to stop and ask: how often do these typecast actors have success beyond their established role in the film industry?

Matthew McConaughey used to be the rom-com guy, but started to shift toward projects that showed his artistry in acting. Some of the amazing performances he delivered can be found in “True Detective,” “Interstellar” and “Dallas Buyers Club.” This has led him to many awards and to be regarded as one of the best actors, and one of my favorites, too.

Robert Pattinson has also reinvented his image over the years, going from the handsome vampire in “Twilight” to portraying harsh and psychologically twisted characters in “The Lighthouse” and “Good Time.”

Dave Bautista is an interesting case since he has had a similar career trajectory to Johnson. Both rose to fame as pro wrestlers in WWE but shifted their goals toward acting. Bautista started as a very action-centered actor, breaking out as Drax in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but he was ambitious about his acting capabilities. This led to stellar performances in films like the “Dune” saga, his small but impactful role in “Blade Runner 2049” and “Knock at the Cabin.”

Yet, there are also many others that fail. Actors like Arnold Schwarzenegger or Sylvester Stallone tried going a different route than their usual Terminators and Rambos, but did not end up making a fit, and eventually, went back to what they do best.

With this being said, The Rock’ can pull it off in this movie, as one of the main topics of the movie is dealing with life as a professional fighter. He can sympathize more with the character than other actors because that lifestyle is somewhat relatable to him, with his full-time career he had in WWE.

The choice to have such a big role in a film with delicate subjects is surprising, coming from the man who has shown a big ego before, and to be adamant to change any part of his lifestyle in order to prepare for the shooting of a project.

Johnson is up against the ropes in this situation, given his lack of experience, but the director and team behind it are also responsible for pushing Pattinson’s career with the aforementioned “Good Time,” so Johnson is in good hands.

If the movie has good results in the box office, this could be a new step toward the film industry with producers and actors trying out different flavors of cinema to experiment with, which would bring us more content to enjoy in the future.

When it comes to communication with your professors, advisers or employers, students need to know how to interact professionally so they can build and maintain healthy relationships.

Some students, especially freshmen, avoid conversations with professors because of the fear of doing something wrong. For example, they are scared of saying the wrong definition or expressing an opinion opposite to anyone else’s.

To develop professional communication, it is necessary to dive into common fears students have when communicating with their professors.

Overthinking

One of the most common concerns is the horrifying thought that you are rejected because of a lack of knowledge and being misunderstood. Sometimes, our fears take the power over our confidence, and we start to overthink the outcome of the situation in several ways.

The main key to overcoming this fear is to focus on your goals and show your ambition and strong sides in class. Instead of scaring yourself with negative thoughts and worrying, you can be active during class discussion. Listen to important things your professor says and ask additional questions to expand your knowledge in the subject.

I try to be active during the class to show my commitment to success in the course. The professor always notices a student’s desire to be successful in class, and it helps a lot in managing professional relationships. 

Another useful tool is regulation of your thoughts in advance when communicating professionally. It is helpful to create a draft of what you want to tell or write to your professor.

Before hitting the send button when I write my email, I prefer to check my message one more time, as professional communication has its own requirements and style of writing.

Social anxiety 

Talking to professors can be tough at the beginning. You have never met this person before and do not know how to start a conversation and communicate correctly with someone who will lead you through the semester. When trying to speak with the professor, you feel unwanted discomfort and nervousness, the signs of social anxiety, one common fear students have.

However, there is a way to manage social anxiety. The solution is simple: just be yourself. Showing your true personality is valued in the educational environment. The more openly and sincerely you communicate, the more people will be connected to you.

I had a huge fear of communication with my professors during my freshman year. I did not know how I was expected to behave and what the consequences would be if I behaved wrongly. However, after having multiple conversations with my professors, I understood that everyone will accept me the way I present myself. People always appreciate my openness and honesty.

Not meeting expectations

This can be expectations toward an assignment requirement, meeting the expectations of activity during class or even personal competence.

The thing is, students often are very critical of themselves without even noticing it. For example, as an international student, I always expected more from myself as I do need to study more to understand all details in a foreign language. I worried about what people will think about my ability to pronounce words and communicate effectively.

The same was true with my behavior in the class. I was scared to ask questions and thought that I would seem as someone who doesn’t know anything. After some time, I started to see other students ask questions and tell the professor things that they do not know.

Instead of thinking about your lack of knowledge, simply ask questions. You cannot know everything, and that is normal.

Professional relationships are essential for your future jobs, and if you follow my advice, you will notice the improvement in your communication experiences.

For the past decade, I’ve sat down to watch every season of “Dancing with the Stars” with one goal in mind: predicting who will walk away with the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy.

I am a “Dancing with the Stars” connoisseur, and my predictions have never been wrong. I may sound a little cocky, but my eyes see the potential.

Mirrorball champion

From the 14 contestants on this new season, my prediction is that Robert Irwin will walk away with the Mirrorball trophy. His sister, Bindi Irwin, won 10 years ago, and he came out on that stage and blew everyone away. It intrigues viewers more when someone who has never danced comes out and shows off. 

For example, Joey Graziadei won last season with absolutely no dance experience. He brought fun and motivation to the dance floor, which makes these dancers so interesting to watch. 

Irwin has grown a huge fanbase over the last couple of years, which is another reason I can see him making it to the end. Generation Z is also very passionate when it comes to pushing their idols to the very end. 

Not only did Irwin score a 15/20 in the first week, but he and his partner were the last couple to dance at the premiere. Could you imagine the nerves he felt while waiting to go? Well, he went right on that stage and showed everyone who is boss.

Irwin shocked many because he didn’t have any dance experience, but came out on the dance floor and moved effortlessly. I was so intrigued by the way he was able to move his body despite it being his first time professionally dancing.

Irwin obviously has talent, but his pro partner Witney Carson always blows me away with her choreography. She pushes her partners to their fullest potential, and she almost always makes it to the final five. This combo is dangerous, and you can tell they did not come to play. 

Crowd favorites

This is what makes it so hard to pick between these celebrities. They all have talent, and bring different experiences to the table. Now here’s the thing, I have a favorite top three, but I don’t think they will be the final three.

My favorites this season are Robert Irwin, Elaine Hendrix and Jordan Chiles. They were so fun to watch and surprised me in the end. Chiles has potential to grow, especially with her partner Ezra Sosa.

Can we talk about Hendrix? She did not come to play. For being 54 years old, she really showed that her competitors should be worried, especially since she’s partnered with Alan Bersten, who took second place with Ilona Maher last season. 

Final three

Irwin has the potential to take it all the way. Whitney Leavitt will definitely be in the final three. The third finalist will be Alix Earle. 

Leavitt came into the show with some dance experience and also scored a 15/20 on Premiere Night. Can we also talk about how she is partnered with THE Mark Ballas? He has won the show three times and was nominated for an Emmy in 2011 for his choreography. She also has a huge fanbase, which I can see taking her all the way.

When it comes to Earle, I had a hard time picking her as the final three. You can see she has extreme potential, but to me, I see her fanbase pulling her through. She has approximately 4.5 million followers on Instagram and around 7.5 million followers on TikTok.

Fanbases the last few years have really pulled through for people. Harry Jowsey was awful two seasons ago, but because everyone loved Rylee Arnold and the pair’s chemistry, they got pretty far.

That is what the show has come to, which I don’t agree with it. Fanbases are doing too much. I liked it when the judges chose who went home out of the bottom two at eliminations. Fanbases don’t care if who they’re rooting for is bad; they just want to see them win, which takes away the fun from the show. We want to see people improve, but if they aren’t, send them home. 

I’m not afraid to admit that the favorite celebrities deserve to go home if you aren’t seeing any improvement from them, especially later on in the show. A celebrity who will create a fanbase this season is Lauren Jauregui, who is partnered with Brandon Armstrong. Their TikToks are hilarious, and she’s also a really good dancer. She was one of my potential choices for the final three.

The first elimination is tonight, and the two who are going home are Corey Feldman and Andy Richter. I’m confident that I’m right. These two are older, and in typical seasons, the older people go home first. Especially when their dancing isn’t amazing. 

I love predicting this show, especially when the themes come out. Irwin and Carson will be doing “Dancing Through Life” on “Wicked” Night. Dylan Efron’s performance on Disney Night has got to be something “High School Musical” related.

I’m pumped to see these celebrities kill it. I am also eager to see if I eat my words in the long run.

The comforting fall season is just around the corner, but in St. George, we have a different way to live it compared to social media.

Most of us know the feeling of drinking a warm coffee while watching a movie on a rainy, foggy day around this time of year. But why is it that we tend to get excited about it?

A group of scientists from Germany has researched the reason why the lively colors of the coming season are so heartwarming and beautiful to people. They found out that the less saturated colors, like the faded oranges we can see on the leaves, can make people feel calmer. This explains why I find the colors of the leaves so beautiful.

Another study shows that the weather getting chilly also has an effect on us. When the temperature decreases, it is a common trait for people to start feeling lonely or sad. So, in order to feel better, taking hot baths, drinking hot drinks and getting under a blanket are actions that create comfort and improve our mood in this situation.

It is a common decision for all of us to do anything to keep us warm once the cold starts kicking in. I certainly feel better after a hot shower when my room starts getting as cold as a fridge and covering myself under my sheets doesn’t work.

The social media trends that follow the fall are commonly associated with a cheerful, nostalgic feeling: staying at home in the warmth of our couch or bed, drinking hot chocolate with people, or preparing for Halloween, among other memories.

This is different compared to summer, where we see people going out to the beach, traveling and shopping. We can consider this the time of the year when we spend the most, except for when we pay our college tuition.

Comparing this to autumn, our plans revolve around doing activities around town or at home. We don’t have the need to pay for a hotel, takeout food (hopefully), flights or expensive restaurants.

One thing that is hard to get excited for, though, is fall in St. George, mainly if you expect to see what you find in the videos that pop up on Instagram or TikTok.

Here, it feels like the only change is the decrease in temperature. The ethereal, cloudy and foggy vibe that we see all over social media is not present in this town.

Why do we make a fuss about it then? To stay in favor of the great season that is autumn, the weather change allows us to go out more and enjoy the places we have around campus like Snow Canyon State Park and Red Hills Desert Garden, or other parks that Utah has to offer.

With almost a year of living here, St. George has a certain way for one to experience autumn. Fall here is not the same as fall in other places. What we see on our feed doesn’t compare to what we get in this time of the year, but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad quality.

The fall weather in southern Utah allows us to go out more since the unbearable heat that we usually have drops down to a nicer temperature, which makes me like this season more than the summer here.

Fall is not overrated; it’s just that for us, Utah Tech University students, this next season is different compared to outside people.

This fall should be full of adventure, discovery and beautiful landscapes, not spent staying in our room watching TV shows or movies.

St. George invites us to bring our adventurous outside to have fun, explore its surroundings and trying new activities.

Not only we can go on hikes or camping, we also have bowling, laser tag, arcades or even go-karts outside campus. So, if the weather is not right, then a fun time with your friends at one of these places will sure be.

Dutch Bros Coffee’s new food sparked plenty of excitement, but after trying it, I would tell them to stick to the drinks.

Dutch Bros is a well-known chain that offers a variety of customizable drinks from coffee to energy drinks. The food menu originally had muffin tops. 

The food menu has recently expanded. Some of the new items include muffins, bread, breakfast sandwiches and wraps. Overall, the quality of the food was good. The food had good flavors and textures, but it was lacking in portion size, ultimately not making it worth the money.

If I had to compromise, I would pick a bakery item over hot food. The hot food was good, but the bakery items felt like better value due to the flavors, textures and portion size. 

I tried the sausage slider, maple waffle and banana bread. The slider reminded me of a McDonald’s Egg McMuffin and cost $3.25 (or 2 for $6). The size of it was not worth the price. The slider is roughly the size of a Post-it note, the only part that tasted good was the sausage. The sausage had a hint of spice to it, which was really good. The rest of the slider was bland and lukewarm. I’d rather go to McDonald’s. The maple waffle was nothing extraordinary. The flavor of the waffle wasn’t cohesive, and some bites were extremely sweet while other bites were bland.

Out of the three items I tried, I would get the banana bread again. While it was the most expensive item I tried, it was worth it. The bread was $3.75, but it was the best item even though it was pricey. I wanted more afterwards because it was so good. The quality of it topped the other two items. It was the perfect flavor. The banana wasn’t too overpowering and it had a crumb coating on the crust that added some sweetness to the bread. The bread was served cold but was still soft and moist.

I saw the potential in the items. They had the variety, but the quality was lacking. I was most excited for the sliders, and they need the most improvement before I would be willing to spend $3.25 again.  

The menu feels like Dutch Bros is slowly turning into Starbucks. The food items are almost identical to what Starbucks has been offering for years, and at the same price point. If I can get the same food for the same price elsewhere, why would I choose Dutch Bros, where the portions are smaller? What makes their food so special?  

The food menu feels thrown together like a last-minute thought. It doesn’t match the brand. Drinks at Dutch Bros are creative and fun, while the food is the forgotten middle child. It makes the company feel like they are becoming more focused on competing with Starbucks than on customer satisfaction. 

As much as I enjoy Dutch Bros, the food is not worth it. Unless it’s banana bread, skip it.

Charlie Kirk’s death was not the first of its kind, and it will not be the last if we do not work together to stop gun violence in America. 

Each year, more than 48,000 people in the United States die from gun violence. This means, on average, over 100 people are killed by firearms in the U.S. every day. We cannot stand idly by while fellow citizens of our country continue to lose their lives.

While I may not have agreed with many of Kirk’s statements, his death is not something to be celebrated. It is a moment where democracy at its very core is being threatened. To be killed for sharing your political beliefs, no matter how controversial, will never be right. 

As someone whose political beliefs lean toward the left, I cannot advocate for a decrease in gun violence and then cheer when someone I disagree with dies from it. The division in our country and its political parties is devastating and continues to bring us further away from freedom.

When I was in fifth grade, I participated in a music program called “Hope of America.” There, I sang the lyrics “United we stand / Divided we fall / This is our country / She needs us all.” This was the moment I understood the importance of a country united in purpose, plan and focus.

The continued division of political parties and their different views in our country allows for gun violence to blaze through the nation. School shootings are happening at an alarming rate. Melissa Hortman, a democratic politician, and her husband were murdered in June.

And yet, there was no outcry, no call for change. How can we as a nation cherry-pick who matters? Decide who gets empathy and who doesn’t? No child should have to hide under a desk, praying they don’t die, while politicians debate whether their life is more important than our Second Amendment rights.

Bills regarding gun control continue to be introduced in Congress and are either denied or voted against. The House of Representatives proposed a bill in 2023 that would require obtaining a license to own a gun. To gain a license, various tests, training and a background checks would be required. If you really believe in the Second Amendment, if you truly believe you should own a gun, then you should be willing to get a license. The bill died without a vote.

There are people on social media who claim that this is not a gun problem; it is a mental health and hate problem. If that is truly the case, then let’s do something about it.

Let’s stop accusing the left or right party for everything going wrong in our country. Let’s stop demonizing those who disagree with us. Let’s stop defunding programs that will help those who suffer from mental illness. 

While working to solve those problems may help, it is merely the beginning of the solution. We live in a world where hate never seems to end. We can’t put a Band-Aid on this problem. We need real laws that get violence under control. 

Instead of taking action, President Donald Trump has pinned Kirk’s assassination on the “radical left,” creating even more division in our country. If we really want to solve this problem, if we truly want to make a change, we have to stop blaming our enemies. We cannot silence one side and expect peace. We cannot throw around threats and expect change.

When tragedies have previously occurred in our country, leaders of our nation didn’t accuse the other party of violence. They didn’t place blame on the right or the left. Instead, they emphasized having empathy for those who were affected and coming together to prevent violence.

After several acts of violence involving guns during former President Barack Obama’s presidency, he said, “If there is even one step we can take to save another child, or another parent, or another town, from grief… then surely we have an obligation to try.”

He didn’t place blame on an entire political party; he chose to take action. He created a plan to reduce gun violence, though to no avail. The plan failed in Congress.

Right now is our time to take action. It is time to be better than our current president and choose to love our neighbors, despite their beliefs. It is time to have empathy for those who suffer from gun violence. It is time to advocate for mandated background checks, training and licenses to obtain guns.

Take time to understand why laws implementing gun control are important. Take time to write to your representatives, to petition for new laws about gun control. Take time to share your experiences. It is too late to say, “I’m not sure how I feel about guns,” or “It doesn’t really matter to me.”

In a press conference after the assassination, Utah Governor Spencer Cox shared that this is our “opportunity to build a culture that is very different than what we are suffering through right now.” 

Right now is our chance to come together as a nation and change our future — to decide that we will not let violence reign any longer. Now is the time to end gun violence. 

Have you ever struggled to concentrate while studying because of distracting thoughts or feelings that something is not right around you? The reason may be hidden in your study environment.

When a person sits down to study, the location is an important factor. It influences not only productivity and motivation to study, but it also affects the mental health of the student.

I’ve learned that the secret of academic success often lies in finding a suitable place for studying and including several key factors.

Silence in the location

The silence in the study space helps eliminate distractions and focus our brains on the information it needs to remember. When the study environment is quiet, the brain does not need to pay attention to the extraneous sounds. It puts all its forces into the material we think about. 

I prefer to study at places where I can feel myself as focused as possible. One of my favorite places to study is the private study room at the library. The Jeffrey R. Holland Centennial Commons & Library has many study spaces for students who want to study alone. The building has five floors, and each floor has unique study spaces for every taste. Also, the building has many spaces in the study hall on the third floor with comfortable chairs and a beautiful view from the window.

The reason why my favorite study spot is a private room is that I like to study alone and take as much time as I need for studying. One more advantage that the study room has for me is the board, which I use for writing down terms and rules when I prepare for my exams. It is the best method that I use to remember a large amount of information during the week of finals.

Studying in the library gives me more concentration on a subject that I need to learn and helps me not to get distracted by the phone or background noise.

Comfort

It is a fact that a comfortable place to study is always beneficial. However, not many people understand the importance of comfort for the study process. 

When we study, a great part of our concentration depends on our body position. According to scientists, when a person studies in a comfortable position, their brain absorbs more information and they stay focused for a longer period.

There certainly is a difference between the person studying on the floor with a bent back and the person studying in a cozy chair at a table. I always choose the second variant. Not only is it more comfortable to study in a space that has all the necessary equipment, but I also memorize more information when I have the correct body position and the freedom of movement.

There are some differences in my studying process whether I sit on the floor or at the chair and table. When I study sitting on the floor, I need to move my body from time to time, as I do not have a stable position, and my body starts to feel tired after a short time. This influences my level of distraction and causes disadvantage. However, I always have a relatively good body position when I sit on a chair because my legs are positioned comfortably.

I prefer to study at a big table where I can put all my study belongings and just be comfortable writing. The soft chair is also a must-have for me, as I spend much of my time studying and need a restful place for the hours that I spend in the library. 

The place that has the most comfortable spaces for study is the General Classroom Building, especially the third floor. I usually choose soft ottomans near a window so I have both comfort and daylight.

Lighting 

Students who study with daylight have 25% higher grades than students who study with artificial light.

Additionally, natural light decreases feelings of fear and keeps the person in a good mood.

Studying near the window with daylight helps me to be more focused on my assignment and gives me more energy when compared to studying in the classroom with artificial light. I noticed that my eyes stop straining that much when there is daylight in my room. It is an essential advantage for me, as I want to keep my eyes as relaxed as possible when I study with my laptop, which impacts my vision quality as well.

Rotating between study spaces

No matter how much I used to study in the library’s private room, I switch study spots sometimes, as studying in the same location can become a routine and reduce my focus and interest in the learning process. Even though academic success does not depend solely on the study space location, the new environment can definitely reset my mind and help me mentally.

If you think you don’t have enough places to switch to, it does not necessarily need to be another classroom or home location. You can study outside and at the same time investigate how much new colors, lights and sounds influence your success.

This semester, I decided to switch my study location to the study place outside of the Browning Learning Resource Center. A few minutes after I started to do my assignment, I already noticed that the sunshine, green colors around me, and the different sounds made me feel calmer and more engaged with my task. While studying outside, I especially like the natural light, which is not comparable to the light inside the building for me. I noticed that my productivity grows noticeably, and I relax more, even with the hard assignment.

The best advice I can give is to try writing the essay or research paper outside in a comfortable location. I can say that you will get more inspiration for your paper and the process will be easier, as you feel less tense than in a classroom. There’s something aesthetically pleasing about studying outside. Switching to the new location helped me a lot in my studying routine, and every student needs to try this method.

“Kpop Demon Hunters” was the No.1 movie in the world for 65 days and has scored 3 billion global streamers.

The movie is about a three-member girl K-pop group called Huntrix, who are demon hunters. Their end goal is to turn the honmoon gold so the demons won’t be able to come into their world anymore, but they need to defeat a demon boy band called the Saja Boys. What makes this movie a hit is the killer music.

When I first heard about this movie coming out, I was a little nervous of how this movie was going to be perceived. As a K-pop lover, I was excited that there was going to be a movie about the music I listen to on the daily.

But, no worry needed, because this movie gave me everything I wanted with the music, storyline and even the animation. It gave the world a chance to actually hear what K-pop sounds like instead of placing it in a stereotype.

This ranking will include spoilers if you have not watched the movie.

As a member of a K-pop dance group called Her’d and the president of the K-pop dance club here at Utah Tech University, I have a lot of experience in listening to songs that are catchy. Plus, I know what makes a good K-pop song. So, without further ado, here is my ranking of the songs from worst to best according to the likability of the song.

7. “Free”

“Free” is the song the characters Jinu and Rumi sing together as their love song. This is my least favorite song because I am not the biggest fan of slow songs, and it really isn’t giving what I need it to give. In this song, I wanted more passion in their voice. It is very slow and keeps the same beat throughout the song.

6. “What It Sounds Like“

“What It Sounds Like” is the last song in the movie, and Huntrix sings it all together as they are trying to defeat Gwi-Ma, who is the main villain in the movie. I love a good girl power song, and the lyrics in this song are very powerful. “Why did I cover up the colors stuck inside my head? I should’ve let the jagged edges meet the light instead.”

They are telling people all around the world to be themselves and not to hide who they truly are. I do love the message and the power behind the sound, but it repeats a lot. The lyrics are the same throughout the whole song, and it gets boring to listen to after a while.

5. “Takedown“

“Takedown” is the song Huntrix writes to try and offend the Saja Boys at the International Idol Awards. This song is a diss track, and that is exactly what this movie needed. The rhyming in the lyrics is excellent, and the intonation in their voices makes the song even more powerful. “So sweet, so easy on the eyes, but hideous on the inside. Whole life spreading lies, but you can’t hide, baby, nice try.”

I relate to this song because there have been multiple times when I could have written a diss track about someone. The reason it is ranked lower for me is that the other songs have more depth to them. Also, I love singing, but I can’t rap. Also, this song is a little harder to get into, so that lowers it.

4. “Soda Pop“

“Soda Pop” is the Saja Boys’ debut song that got them all of their fans in the movie. This song is everywhere on social media. Everyone is learning the dance and posting about it all over TikTok. It reminds me a lot of 2018 K-pop, and that is the good stuff. When people talk about K-pop, they always talk about 2018 being the prime. It was when the songs were the best and actually sounded like K-pop.

K-pop has gotten very mainstream over the past couple of years, and that’s why it is so nostalgic to a lot of K-pop listeners. The dance is also very addicting to do. Also, come on. Jinu makes his entrance in the song and he is so hot and sexy. Jinu looks exactly like Jungkook from BTS, who is a very attractive man. That is what I like to see on my TV screen, although the song can become a little annoying to listen to. It is the most overplayed song and heard every single time I open TikTok.

3. “How It’s Done“

“How It’s Done” is the first song of the movie sung by Huntrix. This was the perfect song to open the movie with. The instrument in the beginning is very interesting and grabs your attention. They use that same instrumental chord throughout the song, just set at different pitches. The creativity they had with this song is unmatched.

During this song, they are battling the demons and jumping off a plane to land at their concert to start the show. It is very action-packed and it tells a story through the lyrics. There is also singing and rapping throughout the entire song, which is very impressive and keeps your interest. The harmonies in the song are insane, and it’s music to my ears.

2. “Your Idol“

“Your Idol” is sung by the Saja Boys as they are trying to get the people of Korea into to Gwi-Ma’s hands. This song is so cool in the movie. The song starts off by saying, “Pray for me now,” which is then chanting throughout the rest of the beginning. The animation of the demons and how they look is so thrilling and makes the song even more engaging. The song is wanting the fans to follow them no matter what. And “Feel the way my voice gets underneath your skin” is such a good use of lyricism.

When I listen to this song, I truly feel like they are trying to pull me to them. Jinu’s voice throughout this whole song is amazing. You can just tell how sexy he is through his voice. He sings the song so flawlessly, and it makes you wonder how he can sing like that. I also love Baby’s rap in the middle, and that is what makes the song even more interesting. Also, who doesn’t want to listen to hot men sing? I sure do.

1. “Golden“

“Golden” is the new song released by Huntrix in the film. It is one of the best songs I have heard in a while. The vocals in this song are unmatched. The high notes being belted throughout the whole song is music to my ears. As a singer myself, that is really hard to do and is really impressive. This song also feels very K-pop to me, so that earns more points in my book. I feel like this song encompasses the movie as a whole.

Go watch “KPop Demon Hunters” on Netflix and understand the craze behind this movie. Once you listen to the music, you won’t be able to go back.

Few films capture the feeling that we can achieve anything, but the summer blockbuster “Superman” did just that.

James Gunn, David Corenswet and Nicholas Hoult posted artwork to reveal “Man of Tomorrow” will be coming out July 9, 2027.

“Superman” left the audience with the sense that everything would work out. Personally, I have never felt that way about a DC Comics movie, and that proves that Gunn outdid himself.

Gunn is known for directing the popular franchise “Guardians of the Galaxy.” These movies all have excellent ratings and fall under the feel-good movie category. His directing choices have sparked discussion and kept audiences thinking about his work.

That is why it was brilliant to bring Gunn into the DC universe. Growing up, I never cared for the DC universe. It always felt dark and eerie, and I always walked away forgetting what I watched. None of the previous movies carries the same personality as the newest “Superman” movie.

That is what Gunn did right. He took a universe and started its redemption arc. He made people remember that Superman isn’t this serious superhero all the time. That he actually has feelings like everyone else. 

His casting choices for the movie are what also took this movie to a whole other level. Corenswet proved that he could portray a superhero who cares about the people of the world and showed that he is just as human as anyone else. 

My favorite casting choice was Lois Lane, played by Rachel Brosnahan. Gunn and Brosnahan embodied the strong, female character that was more than just a writer, but someone who wanted to change the world. They showed that a woman without superpowers was just as valuable. 

What this movie also did well was show that treating everyone with respect isn’t difficult. Immigrants and war have been a central topic in politics for years, and even in the past year, they’ve become even more prominent. The film was filled with many inspiring lines.

Superman said: “I’m as human as anyone. I love, I get scared. I wake up every morning, and despite not knowing what to do, I put one foot in front of the other and I try to make the best choices I can. I screw up all the time, but that is being human, and that’s my greatest strength.”

For future movies, I hope Gunn continues to show true emotions through superheroes. That is what makes a movie so brilliant. The moment when the characters are no longer perceived as actors in costume, but as fully realized individuals within the story.

Not only have we got teasers of artwork for the film, but we also heard about potential recasting for other superheroes in the universe. Grant Gustin, who played The Flash in the TV series “The Flash” for almost a decade, has teased that he could be reprising his role. He is the best Flash to ever do it, and seeing him liking comments about returning gives me hope. 

What I want to see for the future of this universe is not letting fame turn it into a money-grabbing opportunity. Not only are adults deeply moved by “Superman,” but children have also become fascinated with him. If a child reminisces about a movie, that is when you know you did something right.

That is what I see for the future; they are going to create more movies where people are moved by the story. That is exactly what a superhero movie needs to accomplish — that people leave the theater feeling inspired. 

I want this movie to be an example of what to do with a superhero movie. That other directors feel inspired to make superheroes fun again. That is where the industry forgot the whole purpose of how a superhero movie is supposed to make you feel. 

I’m excited to see where superhero movies take us again. With Gunn directing the next movie, I’m sure it will exceed my expectations.