Category: Opinion

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. 

Let’s face it: not all drink shops are built the same. Many serve strong, rich coffees with creative twists and specialty flavors. Others offer flavor packed and perfectly balanced teas. But some wouldn’t know a London fog from an Earl Grey.

As a lover of all things coffee and tea, I’ve been on the hunt for the best drink places in St. George. The criteria for this ranking were based on taste, variety, price and location (convenience, parking, vibes), and you’ll find it hard to argue with the winner.

4. Perks! Coffee, Espressos, & Smoothies

At No. 4, Perks! Coffee, Espressos, & Smoothies just missed the mark. For this ranking, I visited their shop located on St. George Blvd., which is open from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends, and decided to try their iced German chocolate with oat milk — a coffee with chocolate, coconut and caramel.

• Taste: 3/5. This drink was complex, flavorful and overall very enjoyable. However, it has an unmistakable syrup aftertaste that I don’t enjoy. As a lover of anything German chocolate, I did still like the drink, but I won’t be ordering it again.
• Variety: 3/5. Although arguably decent, I wasn’t impressed. There are no food or snack options (a must-have for any drink place), and their drinks felt basic. Sure, there were a few specialty drinks, like the one I tried, but nothing I haven’t seen elsewhere.
• Price: 4/5. Ranging anywhere from $2 to $6.75 for the smallest sizes, this place is inexpensive, but there are better places to spend your money.
• Location: 4/5. Though this location doesn’t have indoor or outdoor seating, the drive-thru location is easy to find. At least there’s no parking to worry about.

3. FS Coffee Company

FS Coffee Company is located on Tabernacle St. and open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. every day. I tried their iced dirty chai with oat milk and a classic croissant.

• Taste: 3/5. Although definitely a chai and still enjoyable, this drink was lacking spices and felt very one-note. The coffee definitely came through, almost too much for me, but I did enjoy the flavor. The croissant, though, was absolutely magical. It was buttery, flaky and perfectly constructed; the perfect partner for any caffeinated drink.
• Variety: 4/5. They serve coffees, teas, smoothies, refreshers and offer tons of customization to each order, including cold foams and syrups. However, they lack the food and snack options to earn a full 5/5.
• Price: 4/5. At the smallest size, these drinks can cost anywhere from $3 to $9; their snacks are in the same price range. They’re pretty reasonable given the location, and their other drinks are worth that price.
• Location: 4/5. This shop is very close to the Utah Tech University campus, which makes it easy to visit, but the parking in that area can be a challenge. The vibes inside and outside are nice and would make a perfect spot to study or work on your next screenplay.

2. Gaia’s Garden Cafe

Gaia’s Garden Cafe is an adorable plant-based cafe located at 695 100 W. St., open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekends. I decided to try their iced venus ruled — a mocha, hazelnut and coconut latte — with oat milk and a breakfast sammy.

• Taste: 5/5. The drink was complex, rich, flavorful and extremely well-thought out. Every component fit together perfectly. The sandwich was also amazing and left nothing to be desired. If you’ve never had vegan cuisine, this is just the place to start. I will absolutely be ordering these items again.
• Variety: 4/5. Although their menu is smaller, their drinks were more creative than other places. They also offer a variety of baked goods and dishes in-house that I don’t often see vegan recreations of, so they earn extra points.
• Price: 4/5. Their smallest drinks range from $2 to $7, while meals and snacks range from $4 to $15. Although the price of a meal can definitely add up here, there’s no shortage of combinations that will have you spending less than $10 per meal.
• Location: 4/5. The place is gorgeous, under 10 minutes from the Utah Tech campus and has great views, but parking is a bit strange. There’s a good amount of street parking in the neighborhood, but not much for on-property parking. However, the outside seating makes up for the odd parking situation; it’s like a secret garden in the middle of the city.

1. Cafe Feellove

Coming in at No. 1, the Cafe Feellove located on St. George Blvd. takes the cake. I’ve been here a number of times and can confidently say there’s something here for everyone. This visit, I had their iced chai latte with oat milk and a vegan cowboy bowl.

• Taste: 5/5. I’m a sucker for a good chai, and this one surpassed every expectation. It was warm and inviting, spiced like a good simmer pot and tasted like autumn. The vegan cowboy bowl was also amazing. Paired with a house-made salsa and avocado, this meal was flavorful, filling and satisfying. I strongly recommend trying both.
• Variety: 5/5. This location has one of the most extensive menus I’ve ever seen at a cafe, including everything from teas to coffees, to protein shakes and lemonades. You can even request a tea party, which I have been dying to try. They also serve plenty of baked goods, pre-packed snacks and meals; anyone would be able to find something worth trying.
• Price: 4/5. The smallest drinks at this location can range from $4.90 to $5.90, not including some specialty items, while snacks and meals can range from $2.95 to $15.90. These prices can quickly add up, but there are several combinations possible to stay under $10, and this place is worth the price.
• Location: 4/5. The only reason this location doesn’t have 5/5 is because of the parking situation. Admittedly, the parking is better than some other locations on this list, but at some hours, finding reasonable parking is a challenge. As of recently, the parking lot has started charging people for parking longer than three hours during the day, which can put a wrench in plans to hang out at the cafe all day to cram for a test. Despite this, the cafe itself is gorgeous and offers so many places to sit, varying from couches to barstools. This is easily one of my favorite places in the area.

Every location on this list was a pleasure to visit and I would suggest you try them for yourself, but if you can only stop at one place, make it Cafe Feellove. Incredible drinks, fantastic food and the homeliest location in the area; that’s what makes Cafe Feellove the best drink shop in St. George.

You know what makes me happy? Reading a cutesy romance book where the two leads flirt, hold hands, kiss and do other cute couple things has me kicking my feet and giggling.

You know what DOESN’T make me happy? Reading a romance book where the two leads stumble into a bedroom, lustfully ripping off each other’s clothes, whispering dirty phrases to each other as they tumble into bed and… yeah. You get the picture.

Do you want to know how many times I’ve been innocently reading, and the next thing I know, I’m thrust in the middle of a scene with grotesque words and descriptions that make my eyes bleed? Do you know how much time I’ve spent Googling, “Is [insert book here] smutty?” and wading through the minefield of sexually explicit literature that’s floating around?

It makes my stomach churn.

Call me a prudish pearl clutcher all you want, but I HATE smutty content in books. Smut is the term used for sexual content within fiction, and sometimes readers refer to this literature as “spicy” or “steamy.” These words have become a euphemism to describe books with long, intimately detailed sex scenes. 

My biggest gripe with it is how, in the vast majority of cases, it does nothing to progress the plot or develop the characters, and it exists purely for vanity. These scenes show icky depictions of things that should be intimate and sacred between two people, and there’s no need to put it under the spotlight.

“Fifty Shades of Grey” by E.L. James is one of the most iconic smutty romances of the last 15 years, but there has been a recent spike in popularity within the “romantasy” genre. Books like “Fourth Wing” by Rebecca Yarros and “A Court of Thorns and Roses” by Sarah J. Maas have dominated BookTok, the reading niche of TikTok that is the greatest supporter of smut.

“#smut” has over 600,000 tags alone on the site, and I had to scrub my eyes, clear my search history and reevaluate my life choices after scrolling through that page because of the vulgar audio and screenshots of book pages with sex scenes.

Most casual readers know of Yarros and Maas’ books because of the smut they contain, which is very disheartening. I can personally attest that “Fourth Wing” is not a spectacular beacon of literature, but the book being known mostly for its spicy romantic elements is still wild to me.  

Forget Yarros’s fantastical world-building and funny character banter; the sex has the internet in a chokehold.

I hate scrolling social media and seeing readers recommending books based solely on the “spice level.” What happened to talking about intriguing characters and intricate plots? Why has smut become the key thing some people watch for when looking for things to read?

Can you honestly look at me with a straight face and say that a graphic, explicit sex scene that’s five pages long is absolutely 100% necessary to the plot of any book? No. You can’t.

For most people, I think the indulgence factor is why it’s so popular. There’s no judgement from the outside world when you’re reading alone in bed late at night, and fulfilling that obsession is gratifying to lots of readers who have never experienced true romance, let alone sex. 

While I can empathize with that to an extent (to be frank, I would love attention from a tall, dark-haired man), smutty books cross far into lustful territory. The content seems inescapable.

This Goodreads chat thread contains various comments of people saying how they stumbled across smut at a young age, and regardless of your views on sex, a person’s first encounter with it should not be in a pornographic manner like this. The solution, whether it’s using an explicit warning sticker or some other indicator on the cover, can be a step toward protecting people from being exposed to this. 

Even so, that won’t change how the graphic depictions and vulgarity tarnish the value of the book. These scenes exist only for shock value. It isn’t good writing. It isn’t good storytelling. It’s a shallow hook meant to grab the audience by the throat when there’s nothing of value to offer. 

The love stories I remember the most are the ones where each lead truly loved and cared for the other person while growing and learning themselves, just like Katniss and Peeta did in “The Hunger Games.”

I want to watch more fictional relationships unfold without smut. I want to watch them learn to rely on each other and grow. I want to yearn with them. I want to cry with them. I DON’T want to know every excruciating detail about sex and lust and have it be masqueraded as love when it clearly isn’t that.

There is so much more to relationships than sex, just like there is so much more to reading than lustful indulgences. There are bold stories to be told and emotions to be felt that don’t need to revolve around smut. Period.

The only two things I knew about “Caught Stealing” was that the movie poster had a cat, and the catchphrase was “2 Russians, 2 Jews and a Puerto Rican walk into a bar.”

Boy, was I surprised when I watched the film and found out it was about Hank Thompson (Austin Butler), whose punk rock neighbor asks him to babysit his cat. Then, Butler’s character gets caught in the middle of dangerous criminal rivalries he wants no part of — the criminals being the two Russians, two Jews and the Puerto Rican.

It’s safe to say maybe I wasn’t the demographic for this film because I didn’t like how unfunny it was and how much of the plot dragged through repetitive, back-and-forth deaths.

What I liked 

I don’t think Butler is an exceptionally great actor, but I did like the underdog storyline he had going. Of course I want the person least likely to survive and outsmart criminals to be the ONLY person that comes out alive. 

His character Hank spends most of the film running from his past, but ultimately, it’s confronting that trauma head-on (literally, head-on) that saves his life.

What I enjoy most are the ironic twists like that. Whenever the unexpected happens, my interest goes up instead of drifting into boredom.

And as someone who adores cats, Bud (played by Tonic the cat) was the true star of the film. Without his presence, the story would lack empathy and playfulness, leaving it painfully dull.

Tonic’s looks and presence in intensely violent scenes and his relationship with Hank are the only touches of compassion in the entire film.

What I didn’t like

I found myself drifting off because I would get bored with the plot. Yes, this is a crime/comedy/thriller, but when the entire plot is moving from one death to the next, I couldn’t help but think, “What’s the bigger picture?”

Nothing much happened outside of the many deaths, and while comedy is supposed to be part of this film, I hardly laughed. I desperately wished there were more funny moments with the characters themselves being humorous instead of strictly serious.

For example, each character could’ve had a quirk or something that makes them feel human. But because the plot went from one death to the next, you never had time to get to know any of the characters.

I get this is also a crime/thriller movie, but I’ll be honest, some of these deaths didn’t make sense. With one of the criminal characters, we saw him on screen for about three minutes before his death. Why was he even a character in the film? From a budget point, why waste the money to pay someone for three minutes of screen time when the character could be eliminated? 

Despite famous names like Regina King, Vincent D’Onofrio and Liev Schreiber, I wasn’t impressed with anyone’s performance. No one stood out to me because I didn’t get to know their characters outside of them being criminals. There were no driving factors and no why or reason. Just crime. 

Additionally, Zoë Kravitz is in practically all the film’s promo, yet she’s on screen for a short amount of time.

And I’ve never been Butler’s biggest fan, but even with the audience getting to see his trauma, I still didn’t feel connected to him. 

The verdict 

I’m kind of speechless with this film because for the first time in my Big Screen Verdict career, I don’t have that much to say — nothing stood out.

So, I’m rating “Caught Stealing” two out of five stars because it’s the type of movie you’d go see if you’re looking for something that doesn’t require any thought, or if it’s a $5 Tuesday at Megaplex and there’s nothing else to see.

Hey, I’m just glad the cat is one of two characters that survived all the crime and lived to see the end of the movie. 

When you think of St. George, what comes to mind? Is it the Mars-like red rocks? The rock climbing or running scenes? Perhaps the “never-ending” summers? If so, you’re far from alone.

When I first moved here in 2021, I was pulled in by the undeniable promise of adventure sold on every advertisement. I pictured stargazing at parks with loved ones, scaling red rock trails to find secret sanctuaries and visiting well known spots, such as Feellove Coffee and Tuacahn Ampitheatre. St. George felt like the perfect place for new students to discover what fuels them and embrace a community so full of opportunities.

Not long after, I found myself hit with the harsh reality: most third spaces (places outside of work and home where people connect) are expensive to visit, closed before I’m off class, or appeal to a different, more outdoorsy audience. Even the parks close before you’d spot a full constellation. There isn’t anywhere to go once the day is done, and I rarely have the time to spend a full day out in nature.

So, where are students like me meant to be building lasting communities outside of campus?

While the Utah Tech campus offers many opportunities for students to connect, the community just doesn’t. St. George is ranked as the best city in Utah for small businesses, as well as being among the fastest growing cities in the country, but the community orients itself in a way that welcomes the elderly and families, not the university student. And to put it bluntly, it doesn’t need or want to.

Think about it. St. George is considered a college town, but it lacks all characteristics of that title besides the presence of the university itself. Where are the cozy hangouts? The late-night libraries? What about the student discounts, which seem to be getting rarer and rarer? How many places cater to the struggling student? If the university population really was important to this city, wouldn’t there be places to gather?

It seems I’m far from alone in this feeling. Kai Wight, a sophomore biology major who grew up in St. George, shared this sentiment: “There’s not really anywhere else [aside from campus] to hang out unless you want to be at a park all day, a store all day or home all day.”

If St. George really wanted to keep its graduates around, there would be more efforts made to connect students with the community; there would be more third spaces, more events to showcase the talents of students and graduates and more policies in place to protect students and future workers. By ignoring this section of the population, businesses are missing out on a very important market and the city misses out on qualified candidates to turn this city into something truly special.

If St. George ever hopes to become the version of itself it advertises to the world, a place open and inviting to the future college graduate, then it can no longer afford to ignore the university population. Bring back affordable and accessible third spaces, St. George, then maybe we’ll stick around.

When paying for streaming services, you expect them to be ad-free, as that’s their big appeal. Now they are just taking your money and turning into cable television.

Ads are cutting into the middle of important scenes, breaking the immersive experience of shows and movies. For some, it feels no different than using cable.

I love watching “Love Island USA,” and this season, I finally cracked and bought the ad-free tier on Peacock because when I was watching the challenges and drama, I kept being interrupted by multiple prescription drug ads. The ads were never-ending with how often they would come on. The ads not only annoyed me, but I was losing attention to the show.

“Imagine you are watching the juiciest scene, then immediately get interrupted by a Skyrizi ad,” said Kassy Rowe, a sophomore elementary education major from Lehi. “Ads are killing the mood that the directors and editors worked to create.” 

Directors and editors create specific designs in scenes to create a story. Editors will create transitions where they predict an ad may be placed to build up suspense and keep the storyline immersive.

When platforms add commercials in unexpected places or add too many, it ruins the flow of the story, causing me to immediately lose focus and get on my phone. I can never finish a show with all the ads because I just get on my phone, and once the show is back on, I don’t continue watching.

Originally, ad-free streaming was the reason platforms, like Netflix or Hulu, gained popularity. Now, many services are raising prices and adding ads. If you want ad-free streaming, you have to pay extra for an ad-free experience. Hulu’s ad-free subscription costs $18, twice the cost of its standard plan.

Streaming platforms started to use commercials to boost revenue, while keeping the cost of subscriptions more affordable for viewers. The ads allow viewers to watch content without having to pay a higher cost for the ad-free tiers.

Commercial revenue helps fund the cost of new original shows and movies. In addition to funding new movies, commercials help platforms compete in the streaming market. The platforms make me feel like my money is more important to them than how I am enjoying their services.

Student discounts sometimes apply, but with movies spread across multiple platforms and constantly being removed, one student says it isn’t worth it. The experience feels transactional, rather than an experience built on quality.

“I had to cancel some of my services because it just wasn’t worth it with the amount of ads in one episode, even with the student discount,” said Ashlee Phillips, a sophomore pre-engineering major from Henderson, Nevada.

Some platforms add pre-roll of ads, which are about five minutes long and would make the show “uninterrupted.” If the streaming services aren’t doing the pre-rolls, platforms are adding ads and increasing the amount of ads per show. A show that is an hour long will now have an ad almost every 20 minutes.

Student discounts used to be my go-to for saving money and finding good deals, but most student discounts aren’t even saving you money, especially if you have to have multiple services to watch the shows I enjoy. I would rather go on TikTok and find episode clips for free.

In a survey done by MNTN Research, Isabel Greenfield said how researchers found that viewers find five or fewer ads per show acceptable, and anything more drops their tolerance. If I am paying for a service, one to two ads is the acceptable amount — anything else is unnecessary. The survey also shows which platforms have the most and least amount of ads per show, Paramount being the most and Peacock having the least. 

“I don’t know why there’s ads on something I’m already paying for. I might as well go on TikTok,” said Sarah Cowdell, a sophomore general studies major from Sandy.

Ads are more disruptive on streaming platforms compared to social media platforms.

On TikTok and YouTube, viewers are able to scroll past or skip ads, giving them more control over the content they are watching. This has led to people posting episodes of popular shows like “Young Sheldon” and “The Rookie” for anyone to watch. I personally have watched many episodes of “Young Sheldon” on TikTok. Meanwhile, streaming ads are interrupting scenes and giving unskippable ads.

The ad-free era is coming to an end. It’s the sad truth. I am guilty of paying extra for no ads just to watch the shows that are one hour long. I also pay extra for the YouTube Premium version, with the student version being $7.99 compared to the normal $13.99.

Streaming services are emptying my wallets.