The Stargazer

The Glenaissance: On Glen Powell’s Rise to Stardom

””The release of Twisters (2024) this past summer sparked a cultural phenomenon, full of pop-country hits, cowboy hats, and an increase in interest in meteorology. All of these effects, though, pale in comparison to the whirlwind (some may say twister-like) rise of lead actor Glen Powell. Many claim that the rise of Glen Powell, or the Glenassaince, as I prefer to call it, has been a long time coming. To that I say they are 100% correct.

How Do You Live: Autobiography of the Artist

””“Create a world without malice, and full of beauty.”

Much has been said about the works of Hayo Miyazaki. In 1985, Miyazaki co-founded Studio Ghibli with Isao Takahata and Toshio Suzuki, establishing one of the most celebrated animation studios in the world. In 2002, Miyazaki won his first Academy Award for Spirited Away and was the first non-English film to win in the best animated feature category. He was nominated in the same category twice thereafter but did not win again till his fourth nomination for The Boy and the Heron in 2024.

The Devil Wears Prada as an Exploration of Cult Culture

””When you think about David Frankel’s The Devil Wears Prada, perhaps you think of the star-studded cast. Maybe it’s the iconic fashion that comes to mind. If you’re me, you’re already three quotes and half a laugh deep into the sharp humor. Beyond being a classic 2000s underdog girl boss story, the film poses the world of Runway as a cult and Miranda Priestly as its infallible leader. And the main character, Andy, is only its next unassuming victim.

Why Vampie Media Will Always Suck Us In

””Vampires have been sinking their (not so metaphorical) fangs into the human imagination for centuries and show no signs of stopping anytime soon. They’ve been a part of our narratives as everything from sinister revenants haunting village sewers to immortal heartthrobs trying to pass highschool chemistry. They’re the ultimate survivors, reinvented again and again to fit each generation's fears, fantasies, and curiosities. But, what is it about vampires that’s so appealing?

AstroBot: The Tiny Robot That's Stolen My Heart

””When AstroBot’s first trailer dropped, I debated whether or not to purchase the game. I rarely play Playstation games, so buying a game that seemed to be a glorified ad for the franchise just didn’t seem worth the sixty dollars. I bought it because the game’s reception on the internet was phenomenal with consistently high player reviews. After playing the game, I can confidently agree with these reviews and say to anyone who might have the same doubts that the game is 100% worth the price. The game pays homage to the Playstation franchise with a stunning level design, complementary controller haptics, and graphics that truly test the limits of the PS5.

My Short Personal History with Faye Webster

””I had never heard of who Faye Webster was until mid-2020 when a friend from high school recommended me her breakout album, Atlanta Millionaires Club. Admittedly, I was initially Indifferent with the album, with one exception, which I’ll get to, but for the following weeks, I’d notice I couldn’t get the album out of my mind. Faye’s soft-spoken quality as a singer is not whispering the melody into your ear but speaking it to you. . However, there’s always a sense of tune to how she delivers her lyrics, never at the expense of the intimacy of the track or the sense it's a conversation directed at you, but she’s the only one saying all that needs to be said. This, paired with her repetitive songwriting, creates an earworm effect. I’d come to realize that this repetition isn’t a slight against her, but the answer to why her songs work in the first place. There’s nothing more you need to understand a sense of longing, than using and repeating the phrase “The right side of my neck still smells like you” or one of my favorites, “How did I fall in love with someone I don’t know.”