By: Malcolm Rambert

It can be very interesting seeing anticipation for an adaption of a famed book series depending on where you interact. During the start of the pandemic last year, I started using Discord for the 1st time to chat with the fellow listeners of a podcast I listen to. Over time, I joined more and more servers and a number of them happen to be populated by fans of SFF (science-fiction and fantasy) literature, some of which are writers themselves! I give all this background because going in, I was reminded by how critically-acclaimed and influential the book series this film is an adaptation of thanks to these online communities. 

For those who are new to this series of books (like I am), I’ll do my best to summarize: Dune is a series of novels by renowned SFF writer Frank Herbert and contains many themes on the ideas of destiny, fate, and belonging in a very cruel world. David Lynch first adapted the 1st novel into a film that was released in 1986, but the director of this new film, Denis Villeneuve, plans on adapting the whole 1st novel without any need for condensation, specifically in the form of a trilogy. 

Going into this film, I had skimmed through some analysis of the books and film, so I was familiar with how steeped these stories were in Muslim culture and language. The film can be pretty hard to follow if you’re not paying attention or even just someone who gets bored easily. In the runtime of 2 hours and 30 minutes, there is more show than tell. The cinematography is the best part of the film, thanks to the brilliant work of cinematographer Greig Fraser.

As for the story, like previously stated, this film requires your full interest. It’s almost as if someone looked at Star Wars, and really wanted to make it more grandiose and technical. The cast is pretty star-studded, and Sharon Duncan-Brewster (pictured above) appears to be a breakout role.

If this all seems pretty vague, it’s difficult to criticize something that is just the 1st half of a story (the film even opens with a subtitle that says “PART ONE”). This film stops dead in its tracks without any resolution to the main conflict at hand, but it definitely looks like they’re building to something.

The film can be watched on HBO MAX with a subscription and is currently nominated for this year’s Academy Awards in 10 categories, including Best Picture.

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By: Abigail Richards

Unique and renowned television shows don’t appear on television every day. Everyone has opinions, and some may find one show fantastic, while others may not enjoy the material the same way. However, since the start of its highly anticipated second season on HBO, Euphoria has truly captivated audiences worldwide.

 The series surrounds Rue’s relationships with friends and family, meanwhile bouncing around each character and their ongoing situations or problems. While the second season is still premiering, the series was renewed for a third season. 

While portraying teenagers in high school, the show deals with drug use, sex, friendships, and the content has been referred to by fans as trauma-filled; this series handles these intense issues with care while also engaging the material by leaving cliffhangers at the end of each episode. While simultaneously releasing the promo for the next episode.

 With ratings that have jumped one hundred percent since the previous season, what is not astounding? Give this show a watch if you can. Despite the mature content warnings, its ratings speak for themselves and suggest this might be the show to watch this year! Director, Writer, and the show’s creator, Sam Levinson, created a series that leaves audiences speechless and excited for what is next. 

With the stellar cast of young actors, the show’s potential for greatness is only rising every week a new episode premieres. Zendaya, the show’s protagonist, stars as Rue Bennett battling a severe addiction to multiple drugs. The show also features her friendships, romantic relationships, and events taken from her friend’s point of view. However, the series has a unique setup. 

One of the characters is the set featured character for that particular episode; This sets the show apart from other shows because of this aspect and the depiction of rough teenage life. The series has gotten critical acclaim for its cast performances, cinematography, and a surprising approach to mature content, like sex and nudity. 

The first season, which premiered in the summer of 2019, featured Zendaya, an already known actress from Disney Channel and the Spider-man films, becoming the show’s breakout star, which won her a Primetime Emmy Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series. 

This season’s breakout star is Sydney Sweeney, who portrays Cassie Howard, Rue’s childhood best friend Lexi’s (Maude Apatow) sister. The second season revolves around Rue’s relapse, meanwhile dealing with her strained relationships with her friends and family. 

Her relapse was emphasized in the fifth episode of season two, “Stand Still Like A Hummingbird,” where Jules and Elliot (Dominic Fike) tell Rue’s mother about her relapse by Rue’s on-again-off-again girlfriend, Jules (portrayed by Hunter Schafer). 

Another massive storyline in the second season is the new romantic relationship between Cassie and Nate (Jacob Elordi), who had previously dated Cassie’s best friend Maddy (Alexa Demie). However, this second season poses some serious questions about the characters themselves. 

Critics praise Euphoria for many reasons, like its character development, story, and cinematography. However, fans have questions on social media about how teenagers are portrayed. 

The severe exposure of nudity and sex has been noticeable this season compared to the previous ones. Some viewers have been questioning whether or not it is appropriate to be showing teenagers this way.

 Zendaya, star and executive producer released a statement after the D.A.R.E. drug campaign criticized the drug portrayal on the show. She then stated that their performance was not glorifying teenage drug use or addiction whatsoever. However, showing the same pain to others dealing with addiction is that they are not alone with their feelings. 

The actors on the show are all over the age of eighteen. Yet it begs the question, why are we oversexualizing the portrayal of teenagers. We’ve seen the main antagonist, Nate Jacobs, drinking alcohol and driving multiple times this past season. We’ve seen Rue become a pawn for a new drug dealer named Laurie because she cannot pay for drugs. 

Finally, we’ve witnessed fan-favorite drug dealers Fezco and Ashtray severely assault people multiple times. Premiering on HBO means Levinson created the series for mature audiences. Due to the content HBO has produced, Viewers already knew an adult warning to viewers. However, there is a fine line between an accurate portrayal and dramatization of real life.

HBO surprised audiences with this show and has gained a significant following from young viewers. It leaves audiences on their heels, waiting for more content and great cliffhangers. With questions like “Will Lexi and Fez ever become an item?” “Will Rue get clean?” “What will happen with the Maddy, Nate, and Cassie relationship mess?” And finally, “What is going on with everyone’s least favorite dad, Cal Jacobs (Eric Dane)?” Despite the show’s hostile rhetoric, fans still feel Euphoria is worth waiting for episodes and fulfills our Sunday nights. 

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