Staff and Student Recommendations!
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Ready Player One
by Hailey Smith
I went to see Ready Player One, expecting a lot of CGI fight scenes, battles between all kinds of classic and new game characters, and a fast-paced tale of the future of gaming. I was not disappointed. The movie began with an unusual image of the future Ohio, a busy, polluted landscape, as the viewer is introduced to the normality of people’s lives on the virtual reality platform, the OASIS. We are introduced to the main character, Wade, also known online as Parzival, fairly quickly. The plot revolves around the death of the creator of the OASIS, and what he left behind. After lifelong work on the development of this phenomenal project, Professor Halliday leaves one last challenge to the players of his virtual world. He leaves three gaming easter eggs throughout the colourful and unique landscapes of the OASIS, in the form of keys, all leading to the grand prize; full ownership and control of the OASIS. Soon after his death, millions of OASIS players try to find the hidden keys, but the powerful game manufacturers of the OASIS are not far behind. As Wade spends his online time battling for the possession of the eggs, he teams up with other players, and goes against the dangerous IOI, in order to protect the OASIS from collapse.
I absolutely loved this film as the thrilling plot was so fast and exciting, and the “High Five” were a brilliant team of heroes. I loved Art3mis, the feisty online superhero, an expert in the OASIS, as well as her real-world self, the dorky, rebellious teenager on a mission to stop IOI. The team consisted of a great range of characters, particularly H, the scary-looking but warm-hearted gunter. These characters were voiced and played by by some brilliant names, such as Tye Sheridan (as Wade Watts) and Olivia Cooke (as Art3mis).
The existing plot was expertly illustrated with amazing computer graphics to form crazy environments and OASIS characters, from aliens and fairies to cyborgs and ninjas. The graphics really made a nice difference between the harsh real-world, and the pixelated wonderland of the OASIS.
As well as the great characters and the mystical virtual reality, the film was full of game and movie references, including 1980’s Evil Dead, the infamous TRON movies, The Gremlins, and even Batman. These undercover figments from various films and games created a wonderful nostalgic effect alongside the 2040’s obsession with Pop Culture.
This is definitely one of my top 10 sci-fi films of the year, and i recommend it to gaming fans as well as those into dystopian adventure and thrilling action.
by Hailey Smith
I went to see Ready Player One, expecting a lot of CGI fight scenes, battles between all kinds of classic and new game characters, and a fast-paced tale of the future of gaming. I was not disappointed. The movie began with an unusual image of the future Ohio, a busy, polluted landscape, as the viewer is introduced to the normality of people’s lives on the virtual reality platform, the OASIS. We are introduced to the main character, Wade, also known online as Parzival, fairly quickly. The plot revolves around the death of the creator of the OASIS, and what he left behind. After lifelong work on the development of this phenomenal project, Professor Halliday leaves one last challenge to the players of his virtual world. He leaves three gaming easter eggs throughout the colourful and unique landscapes of the OASIS, in the form of keys, all leading to the grand prize; full ownership and control of the OASIS. Soon after his death, millions of OASIS players try to find the hidden keys, but the powerful game manufacturers of the OASIS are not far behind. As Wade spends his online time battling for the possession of the eggs, he teams up with other players, and goes against the dangerous IOI, in order to protect the OASIS from collapse.
I absolutely loved this film as the thrilling plot was so fast and exciting, and the “High Five” were a brilliant team of heroes. I loved Art3mis, the feisty online superhero, an expert in the OASIS, as well as her real-world self, the dorky, rebellious teenager on a mission to stop IOI. The team consisted of a great range of characters, particularly H, the scary-looking but warm-hearted gunter. These characters were voiced and played by by some brilliant names, such as Tye Sheridan (as Wade Watts) and Olivia Cooke (as Art3mis).
The existing plot was expertly illustrated with amazing computer graphics to form crazy environments and OASIS characters, from aliens and fairies to cyborgs and ninjas. The graphics really made a nice difference between the harsh real-world, and the pixelated wonderland of the OASIS.
As well as the great characters and the mystical virtual reality, the film was full of game and movie references, including 1980’s Evil Dead, the infamous TRON movies, The Gremlins, and even Batman. These undercover figments from various films and games created a wonderful nostalgic effect alongside the 2040’s obsession with Pop Culture.
This is definitely one of my top 10 sci-fi films of the year, and i recommend it to gaming fans as well as those into dystopian adventure and thrilling action.
Rex
by Hailey Smith
2017 film Rex, starring Kate Mara, tells the story of US marine corps German Shepard, Rex, and his handler, Megan Leavey. This autobiographical drama depicts the true story of the young soldier and her work alongside her life-saving dog during tour in Iraq. An incredible bond forms between the two, and Rex becomes known as one of the best US sniffer dogs. When both are injured in an explosion, Megan must return home, and struggles to cope with the symptoms of PTSD without her canine friend.
This is the heartwarming true story of a US soldier and her partner, and the relationship between Rex and Megan will make you smile. This movie really shows the work of these animals in wartorn countries, and the effects of working on the front line. I recommend this movie to animal lovers, as the story is told with a brilliant cast and a wonderful dog.
by Hailey Smith
2017 film Rex, starring Kate Mara, tells the story of US marine corps German Shepard, Rex, and his handler, Megan Leavey. This autobiographical drama depicts the true story of the young soldier and her work alongside her life-saving dog during tour in Iraq. An incredible bond forms between the two, and Rex becomes known as one of the best US sniffer dogs. When both are injured in an explosion, Megan must return home, and struggles to cope with the symptoms of PTSD without her canine friend.
This is the heartwarming true story of a US soldier and her partner, and the relationship between Rex and Megan will make you smile. This movie really shows the work of these animals in wartorn countries, and the effects of working on the front line. I recommend this movie to animal lovers, as the story is told with a brilliant cast and a wonderful dog.
Everything, Everything
by Hailey Smith
Last year, Nicola Yoon’s young adult novel, Everything, Everything, received its film-adaptation, starring Amandla Stenberg as young Maddy, a girl locked away due to her severe case of SCID. Her allergy to the outside world has kept her inside the same house for the eighteen years of her life, with only her Mother and nurse, but when a mysterious boy moves in next door, she only wants more freedom. As their relationship begins to develop, Maddy wants more and more to get out of her prison, reconsidering her entire life. All it takes is the boy next door for Maddy to want everything.
Everything, Everything was very well done, as it stuck closely to the original book. Amandla Stenberg played Maddy Whittier so well, portraying a young, curious girl, trapped in her own little world. The architecture in the film was one of the most interesting aspects, as well as the quirky character of Olly, the boy next door. I really think that the movie achieved a good reproduction of the book, as the characters were perfectly played and the atmosphere of someone living in a sterile world was shown through Maddy’s attempts to live beyond the glass.
Everything, Everything will you make you smile, then laugh, at the sweet relationship between Maddy and Olly. Its excellent cast and soundtrack illustrates a teen’s decision to potentially risk her life, for a taste of freedom.
As most movies go, there were some slight differences between the book and the film, but I feel that this movie deserves 9/10 stars. This movie is targeted at young adults, which I recommend you watch after reading the original book by Nicola Yoon.
by Hailey Smith
Last year, Nicola Yoon’s young adult novel, Everything, Everything, received its film-adaptation, starring Amandla Stenberg as young Maddy, a girl locked away due to her severe case of SCID. Her allergy to the outside world has kept her inside the same house for the eighteen years of her life, with only her Mother and nurse, but when a mysterious boy moves in next door, she only wants more freedom. As their relationship begins to develop, Maddy wants more and more to get out of her prison, reconsidering her entire life. All it takes is the boy next door for Maddy to want everything.
Everything, Everything was very well done, as it stuck closely to the original book. Amandla Stenberg played Maddy Whittier so well, portraying a young, curious girl, trapped in her own little world. The architecture in the film was one of the most interesting aspects, as well as the quirky character of Olly, the boy next door. I really think that the movie achieved a good reproduction of the book, as the characters were perfectly played and the atmosphere of someone living in a sterile world was shown through Maddy’s attempts to live beyond the glass.
Everything, Everything will you make you smile, then laugh, at the sweet relationship between Maddy and Olly. Its excellent cast and soundtrack illustrates a teen’s decision to potentially risk her life, for a taste of freedom.
As most movies go, there were some slight differences between the book and the film, but I feel that this movie deserves 9/10 stars. This movie is targeted at young adults, which I recommend you watch after reading the original book by Nicola Yoon.