Solymar Estrella

I am by no means a player of Dungeons and Dragons or DnD for short. My knowledge of the game is more peripheral - my brother and best friend are avid players, my roommate listens to DnD podcasts all the time, and I’ve made a character sheet or two for fun. But I am a Pine Nut (aka a Chris Pine stan) and a lover of a fun fantasy movie, so as soon as I saw the trailer for Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, I knew I was in for a treat. And I’m happy to say the movie did not disappoint.

In the age of swiping left and right and awkward first dates, sometimes a need for something new arises. If you are tired of aimlessly swiping, ignoring red flags, or getting caught up in sexually awkward conversations, I invite you on a date: you, me, some other strangers, a screen barrier, and a set of questions. A night of blind dates, try to name a better way to spend your Monday night. Of course, you could stay home and continue swiping on the frat bro who keeps calling your body parts snacks or the girl who, in her bio, labels herself unvaccinated. Or, in a desperate attempt to escape the online dating world, you could come out and meet some really cool people at the ASLC.

The White Lotus Resort returns to television, perched above the Sicilian water in the lush, mountainous commune of Taormina. The hotel brims with opulence and Italian art, boasting a panoramic view of Mount Etna. As vacationers trickle in by boat, dirty secrets and gendered angst proliferate through The White Lotus Resort. Each inhabited room becomes a breeding ground for grand debauchery and scheming. Once the Ionian Sea can no longer carry the mysterious, dead body, the show begins.

The loudest sound I have ever heard was the emphatic screams of 80,000 strong as the opening kickoff was returned for a touchdown. Seconds into the game against Boston College, Trey Benson ran the entire length of the football field for our first score. The closer he got, the louder the stadium grew until I could hardly stay upright from the mass chaos that ensued. Beer rained down from above, fans screamed until their voices grew hoarse, and my hand throbbed from so many high-fives. In many ways, this moment encapsulates what it was to experience Florida State football this season. Our passionate student section and unpredictably talented players gave FSU its best season in recent memory and gave me some of the wildest experiences I have had yet since arriving on campus.

Glee first aired in 2009 and had its final episode in 2015, but it still remains a pop culture fixture. There is something about the show, as well as its characters and cast, that continues to resonate with audiences even today. Sure, Glee is not perfect. There are simply too many lines of dialogue, plot points, and song choices that would not fly in 2022. But it was, and remains, a cultural reset. No TV show at the time was anything like Glee, and there hasn’t been anything like it since. Something about a show choir full of high school misfits dealing with serious issues (and some not-so-serious teenage drama), all while singing musical hits from decades ago to now, really speaks to viewers of all ages and backgrounds.

The tight grip that the ‘80s has on our generation is gnarly, as they used to say. A time of hairspray, phones that resembled cement blocks, and the uprise of what we recognize today as a modern society. For those not born anywhere close to the ‘80s, we have probably all seen sprinkles of it throughout our lives, more than any other decade. For those born closer to such an unforgettable decade, the revival of its trends and music brings nostalgia and life to your inner child. This experience is partly due to fashion and the recurrent nature of trends; however, the most significant influence on our generations’ love for the ‘80s lies within the Wheeler’s basement, where a session of Dungeons & Dragons is taking place.

Ever since the heat has returned to the streets of Tallahassee, Florida, I have been dreaming of returning home, where the beach is right around the corner and school is five hours away. However, to go back home, I must pass all my classes; to relax and lie down under the sun, we must first get through finals week intact. April 25th to April 29th: A week of tears, betrayal, and finals. Even from my experiences in high school, finals season has been bittersweet. Exams, papers, and projects create a cloud of stress weeks in advance; however, when everything is done and turned in, a feeling of happiness creeps over my body. Knowing that the worst is behind me brings tears of joy. Here is my guide to surviving and taking over finals week!

Since 2013, I have forgotten that this depiction of Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax existed in the same world I live in. Ever since the work of gravity from the pockets of actor Zac Efron occurred, The Lorax has been kept out of my mind and far from my screens. Recently, I found out the Askew Student Life Center on campus will be having a showing of The Lorax on April 14th at 7 PM. Hearing this not only brought back memories of the year 2012, a year filled with the challenges of being nine years old, but brought the memory of the movie that is The Lorax. To be completely honest, I have mixed feelings about this movie; it is excellent, informative, colorful, and memorable. Zac Efron and Taylor Swift were mostly what 9-year-old me thought about, apart from One Direction. However, Dr. Seuss has invaded most of my childhood memories, beginning when in preschool, I watched The Cat in the Hat, a movie that scarred me without repair. Mike Myers as The Cat in the Hat is forever imprinted within my brain.

To go back to the days of 101 Dalmatians on VCR: my beaten-up The Little Mermaid backpack happily sits on my back while I dance to the Beauty and the Beast Soundtrack and his light-up Lion King Sketchers glow as we play kickball during recess. I always catch my mind wandering back to those times, the times of seven dwarfs running around and Cinderella running back home when the clock strikes midnight. Disney never ceases to remind me of my childhood. The Walt Disney Company started in Los Angeles, California, on October 16th, 1923. Since that day, childhoods all over North America have been filled with Mickey’s heartfelt laugh and the image of Tinkerbell flying over Cinderella’s castle. We all understand the shared experience of Disney films being present in our youths. These films are reminders of the child we all have within.

It is not every day that you find a movie that encapsulates everything you would ever want in a rom-com. To be both heartwarming and heart-wrenching, witty and beautiful, full of romance and humor. This is exactly what you’ll find in 10 Things I Hate About You, the best movie to watch during Valentine’s weekend. Released in 1999, 10 Things I Hate About You stars Julia Stiles as Kat and Heath Ledger as Patrick as they create the ideal rom-com through a timeless story of love, friendship, and music. 10 Things I Hate About You is my go-to till the world ends. Imagine this: Valentine's Day, on that sweet Monday night, snuggled up with your significant other or snuggled up with warm blankets and hot chocolate. 10 Things I Hate About You’s opening scene is playing, and everything is good. For me, in a long-distance relationship, Valentine's Day will be comprised of looking forward to watching 10 Things I Hate About You via Disney+ Group watch. It is EVERYTHING one could ever want in a rom-com. Here are 10 Things I Love about 10 Things I Hate About You.