Cheap nostalgia: Disney live-action renditions lack fresh interpretations

Within the past decade, there has been an increase in the production of live-action remakes of many beloved animated films. Disney is by far the largest contributor in this phenomenon, as they appear to be working through their collection of classic animations, most recently debuting the live action “Snow White,” released last month.

Disney has the ability to revamp stories because the company is not the creator of the tales they showcase, many of which are based in folklore. While we understand the immersive appeal of live-action movies, there seems to be a level of halfhearted handiwork on Disney’s part. Many of these live-action remakes include changes that aren’t really significant enough to bring a fresh or interesting take to the source material. Rather than watching a well-coordinated adaptation of animated films or an experimental take, viewers are left with recycled remakes that don’t respect their source material.

In our view, Disney doesn’t seem able to consistently churn out films that are either innovative or thoughtful in their retellings. This dilemma results in remakes that feel like a cheap attempt to appeal to nostalgia rather than create renditions or expand on beloved fairy tales. It’s our view that Disney should be more intentional with their remakes instead of throwing in unnecessary additives. We believe Disney should honor original films with quality shot-for-shot remakes or clearly offer consistent, fresh renditions in an effort to not muddle people’s perceptions of beloved tales.

To read more of the Lanthorn staff’s editorial, click here.

Political polarization leads Kendrick Lamar halftime critiques

Shortly after sweeping the Grammys with the diss track “Not Like Us,” Kendrick Lamar took the stage at the Caesar’s Superdome in New Orleans for the most-viewed Super Bowl Halftime Show in history. This wasn’t Lamar’s first time performing at the Super Bowl— he appeared alongside Dr. Dre, Mary J. Blige, Snoop Dogg, and Eminem during the 2022 Super Bowl, which marked the first halftime show to focus entirely on hip-hop. With guests including SZA, Mustard, Samuel L. Jackson and Serena Williams, Lamar used his performance to make a statement; against Drake, of course, but also about greater themes of patriotism and political division.

Jackson, who served as a narrator through the performance, was decked out in a patriotic suit, and personified Uncle Sam. As the Root reported, “Uncle Sam was supposed to represent the ‘sanitized’ America. The America that makes most of the Super Bowl viewers comfortable.”

The show was filled with symbolism, with dancers on the main stage dressed head-to-toe in red, white and blue. During the opening notes of Lamar’s 2017 hit “HUMBLE,” the dancers arranged to form an American flag. The choreography continued, and the flag formation split down the middle, which we see as symbolizing the division within our current political system.

To read more of the Lanthorn staff’s editorial, click here.

Brat or not brat: “We’re bumpin’ that”

Ranking No. 3 on the Billboard music charts, the album “brat” by Charli xcx is more than the soundtrack to our summer. After “brat” released on June 7, the chaotic, high energy album became a viral sensation, and has transformed into an aesthetic and lifestyle trend called “brat summer. Brat summer has swarmed social media and truly took on a life of its own. We are certainly “bumpin’ that.”

One of the trends associated with “Brat” is its lime green album cover– the new color of the summer. The color has had an impact similar to the aesthetic trends of last summer’s blockbuster movie release, “Barbie.”

The singer has defined brat summer as an aesthetic for messy and rebellious party girls to embrace a lifestyle of being your perfectly imperfect self. The trend has been deemed by the general public as an opposite of the “clean girl” aesthetic of 2022, which popularized a groomed and filtered version of femininity. Here at the Lanthorn, we think this acceptance of a real and sometimes messy lifestyle is “so Julia.”

To read more of the Lanthorn staff’s editorial, click here.

Columns

Ranking every Michigan record store I’ve visited

Since starting my music collection in 2018, visiting record stores has become one of my favorite activities– whether that be shopping with friends or my dad, who’s also restarted his own collection. I’ve made a habit of stopping at shops while on mini-vacations or driving through new towns. That being said, I’ve taken the time to rank all of the 13 stores in Michigan that have had me flipping through vinyl. A majority of the shops I’ve ranked are located in West Michigan, however there are a couple exceptions. My list is, in-part, determined by both my preferred selection and the type of shopping experience I enjoy most.

To read more of Hailey Hentz’s column, click here.

Written rivalry: What the Anchor-Bone Classic means to our newspapers

When talking about rivalries in sports, there are plenty of options. Michigan and Michigan State or Michigan and Ohio State are easy answers for Michiganders. Those aren’t the rivalries the Torch and the Lanthorn have the honor of covering.

Our small, midwestern newspapers get to say that we cover the Anchor Bone Classic. It’s built into the DNA of Bulldogs and Lakers to have the date of the Grand Valley and Ferris game circled, either mentally or physically.

Every fall, the Lanthorn releases an article about the Grand Valley versus Ferris game– an article that encapsulates the antagonism and excitement that repeats with unfaltering intensity. With a corresponding photo on the newspaper’s cover, the yearly edition arguably represents school spirit and what it means to “be a Laker” better than any of our editions.

In pages divided up between the latest news, club features and individual Lakers’ columns, pride for Grand Valley normally takes many forms. But when it comes to the edition highlighting the rivalry game, devotion to school spirit is in one substantial place, taking the form of a two-page blue, black, and white compilation.

To read more of Hailey Hentz and Dylan Rider’s column, click here.

Beyond ceasefire: Advocating against apartheid is a continued fight

More than 471 days since Oct. 7, 2023, the day so many of us have been asking for, praying for and demanding, has finally come to pass. A ceasefire has successfully been brokered between Israel and Hamas, ending the former’s genocidal slaughter of the Gaza Strip. For many, and certainly myself, this is cause for celebration. We’ve witnessed war crimes unlike anything our generation has ever seen broadcast daily on our devices. After over a year, we can finally look forward to an imminent ending of the terror and a relative return to “normal.” However, I must urge you to look at what this “normal” entails. While the bombing may stop, we still must continue to advocate for the Palestinian people.

To read more of Jace Perroud’s column, click here.

GV administration should protect students from Trump’s agenda

Like other students at Grand Valley State University, I have become increasingly anxious about the state of America following the inauguration of President Donald J. Trump on Monday, Jan. 20. The inauguration was notably attended by wealthy tech executives and several high-ranking politicians from both parties. The occasion was also filled with much of the hyper-nationalistic rhetoric we have come to expect from Trump, who declared that America would “pursue (its) manifest destiny into the stars.” While the speech captured many people’s attention, it was Trump’s actions soon after that became the main cause of alarm.

Within hours of entering office, Trump began a wave of executive orders and plans, including, but not limited to, the pardoning of all involved in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, a requirement that all federal employees stop working remotely and even a rename of the Gulf Of Mexico to the “Gulf Of America.” Most concerning, however, are Trump’s attacks on immigration and diversity.

To read more of Jace Perroud’s column, click here.

Reducing financial burdens could improve the college experience

Being broke is a common stereotype for us college students. In most cases, this stereotype reigns true with many of us living paycheck to paycheck and feeling the constant stress of finances. I believe that without the extremely high cost of course materials, housing and tuition we wouldn’t be in such a bad situation. I feel that almost all things related to college should be more affordable.

High costs of university expenses cause major stress and anxiety. Nearly every four-year student has some kind of debt stacked up before the end of their college experience. If the cost of college and materials were cheaper, I think the number of students with debt would be drastically decreased. I can attest to the anxiety that having future debt gives students.

I personally worry about my future and the financial burden my student debt might cause me. Students worry not only about debt, but also semester bills they don’t take out loans for. I’ve had friends cry over expenses and wonder how they’re going to pay. Not every student has the benefit of financial aid– they have to pay their bills immediately. While many students do barely manage to pay, there’s still a large number of students who end up dropping out because they cannot afford the cost of college.

To read more of Gabrielle Ray’s column, click here.

This year, the Kansas City Chiefs have the opportunity to become the first team in history to win three Super Bowls in a row, competing against the Eagles, who appeared in the Super Bowl only two years ago when they lost to the Chiefs. This matchup seems simply predictable in the eyes of NFL fans like myself.

In addition to this, the Chiefs have become one of the most hated teams in the NFL, due to factors such as their overpowering success, as well as, what I find to be excessive, anger over the constant coverage of Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce’s girlfriend, at their games. 

Admittedly, this does not exactly paint a picture of a Super Bowl game that people are clamoring to see. This lack of excitement is felt among plenty of football fans across America, and there’s a good chance this would likely have been one of the least-watched Super Bowls in history if it weren’t for Kendrick Lamar’s upcoming halftime show. 

Throughout his career, I believe Lamar has etched out his place as one of the greatest artists to ever grace the rap and hip-hop genres. “good kid, m.A.A.d city,” “Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers,” “Section.80” and the Pulitzer Prize-winning “DAMN” have all cemented his place at the top of rap’s landscape. 

However, one album that stands out above the rest is his 2015 album, “To Pimp A Butterfly.” This album is regarded, not only as one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time, but as one of the greatest albums, and I couldn’t agree more.

Lamar is, unquestionably, one of the most electrifying artists of the current era. The last Super Bowl Halftime Show that had this much anticipation was when Lamar performed alongside Dr. Dre, Snoop Dog and Eminem in Super Bowl 56. 

However, this year even more eyes are on Lamar due to his 2024 feud with fellow rapper, Drake. When shots were being fired by both rappers for what felt like most of the year, Lamar was able to cement his victory with the devastating track, “Not Like Us.” In the track, Kendrick made many insinuating remarks about Drake that, to be honest, are better received if you read the lyrics yourself.

The feud, along with the surprise release of his latest album “GNX,” have given Lamar a plethora of new songs to electrify the Super Bowl’s New Orleans crowd. I also predict he will gain plenty of fans when he performs, potentially upstaging the competing teams– a quintessential Lamar thing to do.