Month: May 2021

TV That Sucks You In

Welcome to the Trash Vortex, the entertainment black holes that never fail to suck you in and won’t let go until the trashy, so-bad-it’s-good end. 

Glee: Oh Glee. If you haven’t seen it, you’ve heard of it. And if you’re interested in seeing it, here’s my glowing recommendation: Glee is awful. It’s another show that centers around over dramatic high schoolers and their shenanigans, where the Glee Club is the main focus of the show. Creepy Spanish teacher, who doesn’t even know Spanish, Will Schuester (Matthew Morrison) leads the Glee Club to their competitions, and shows way too much interest in his students’ personal lives. Cheerleader coach Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch) is constantly trying to tear down the success of the Glee Club as they prepare for whichever competition is next. The dialogue is so outlandish, filled with insults generated by run-on sentences, that I find myself laughing at nearly every scene. They discuss many issues out in the world such as eating disorders, depression, poverty, school shootings, and discrimination against race, ethnicity, the LGBTQ+ community, and women in the workplace—yet somehow, they are all handled poorly. The best way to describe it is the show’s creator, Ryan Murphy, came close to winning the relay but gave up right before the finish line. But hey! They cover some really good songs, and the drama is hilariously addicting.  Available on Netflix.

Episode Recommendations:

• “Vitamin D” (S1E6): The students get lazy preparing for Sectionals, so the boys are put against the girls in a glee competition. Whoever wins gets to pick the song they use to compete. Both teams compete while jumped up on pseudoephedrine, which leads to extremely energetic performances. 
• “Britney/Brittany” (S2E2): Glee does many episodes dedicated to musical artists, and some of their most successful are their two Britney Spears episodes. I prefer Season 2’s dedication. The students get their confidence back as they embody Britney Spears’ performing persona, featuring guest star appearances by John Stamos and Britney Spears herself.
• “Michael” (S3E11): The students fight for the right to perform a Michael Jackson song for Regionals against their rival glee club for that season, The Warblers. “Michael” is an episode packed with Michael Jackson songs, including a version of “Smooth Criminal” that I always find myself going back to.

—Kira Doman, Entertainment Editor 

Julie and the Phantoms: After losing her mother, ultra-talented Los Angeles high schooler Julie Molina also loses her passion for singing. All of a sudden, Julie’s world is turned upside-down once she accidentally summons the spirits of three super cute teenage ghosts named Luke, Alex, and Reggie—all of whom were members of an up-and-coming rock band called Sunset Curve before they died in 1995. Now they’re back to “life”… kinda. While no one except Julie can see the boys, they quickly discover they become visible to crowds whenever they perform with her; bonded by their shared love for music, the quartet decides to form their own group. Unfortunately, love triangles, mean girls, a sinister ghost with evil superpowers, and the *tiny* problem that ¾ of their band is deceased all create issues for Julie and her phantoms in their quest for stardom. Sounds kind of stupid, right? But despite this show being slightly ridiculous, cringey at times, and wholly unrealistic, it’s also funny and wholesome and full of characters you can’t help but fall in love with. Bonus: the soundtrack is totally amazing! Available on Netflix.

Episode Recommendations: There are nine half-hour episodes with one major story arc, so  the show won’t make sense unless you watch from beginning to end

—Mallory Allen

Ted Lasso: Former Saturday Night Live star Jason Sudeikis stars as the title character of Apple TV’s Ted Lasso, a preternaturally positive American football coach lured to England to helm the AFC Richmond soccer (or “football” to the rest of the world) team. Little does he know that owner Rebecca Welton has set him up for failure. Her cheating husband recently left her, she got the ownership stake in AFC Richmond in the divorce settlement, and she’s determined to burn the team he loves to the ground to exact her well-deserved revenge.

But she didn’t count on Ted Lasso. With a Ned Flanders mustache and a Spongebob Squarepants outlook on life, Ted absorbs all of the slings and arrows hurled his way with wide-eyed smiles and convoluted Texan metaphors about kindess and self-belief. He slowly worms his way into the hearts of his boss, the foul-mouthed fans at his local pub, and even the most bitter and self-centered members of his team. Mini-spoiler alert: Turns out, he’s pretty darn good at bringing out the best in people, especially his players.

I’m sure a more high-brow TV critic would have a field day with Ted Lasso‘s often-earnest themes, which is the only reason this show is a Trash Vortex pick for me. But after all of the political divisiveness we’ve been witnessing on the news for a socially distanced eternity, I found Ted Lasso was just what I needed. This sweet little comedy made me laugh and caused my jaded heart to grow at least three sizes as my family and I binged it in a weekend. Okay, I commandeered our big TV and forced them to watch it with me. I have zero regrets. And in true Trash Vortex form, I’m sure I’ll do it again. Available on Apple TV+.

Episode Recommendations: Season 1 has only ten half-hour episodes that create one major story arc, so I suggest watching them all from beginning to end. Apple is set to release Season 2 some time this summer.

—Tracy Fernandez Rysavy, Driftwood Advisor

February 25, 2021

Gaming Spotlights

House Flipper
Editor’s Verdict: Chill Game

Ever wondered what it would be like to remake a house like those couples on HGTV shows? Well, get your hammers, paint, and tool belts ready because you’re going to need them for when you play ​House Flipper​. This game allows you to flip houses: rework the layouts, move fixtures, and furnish to your heart’s content. And not only does the game test your creativity by creating something aesthetically pleasing (or not, your choice), you also can resell your newly renovated house once you think it’s completed! House Flipper is relaxing to play, which earns it the “Chill Game” verdict for this week. Available from PlayWay S.A. on Steam, as well as PS4, Xbox One, Switch, and other platforms.

Dead by Daylight
Editor’s Verdict: COVID-Approved! 

If you were in a scary movie, would you choose to be the victim or the terrorizer itself? In this multiplayer horror game, you and your friends could be escaping the clutches of an evil being. Or you could be chasing after them as the evil being! This game is a great way to spend time with fellow humans without having to be in the same room! This game features multiple monsters and characters to choose from while also having good graphics! Don’t worry about social distancing as you track down victims in this horror game! Although if you’re a human, social distancing might seem like a dream! Have fun playing with your friends in this “COVID Approved” game! Available from Behavior Interactive Inc. on Steam, as well as Xbox One, PS4, Switch, and other platforms.

Dream Daddy: A Dad-Dating Simulator
Editor’s Verdict: Bad But Good

Do you need a game to spice up your lonely, socially distanced life? How about finding your dream daddy in this dating simulator? While it might seem bad due to its cringy title and awkward premise, but I promise you it’s a laugh to play. This game goes beyond most with its inclusive character designs and options. It also has loveable characters, cute quests, and multiple “daddies” to choose from! I simply had gotten the game to laugh at and show my friends, but eventually it grew on me. I hope it grows on you as well!. Available from Game Grumps on Steam, as well as other platforms.

February 25, 2021

Emotion-Driven Books

Looking for a page-turner while you’re social distancing? Our Driftwood staff provides some of our favorite light reading picks to pass the time while cooped up at home.

Fiction:
Small Great Things
by Jodi Picoult

Ruth Jefferson is an African American labor and delivery nurse who works with newborns. When she is assigned to care for a baby whose parents are white supremacists, the parents tell the hospital that Ruth is not to touch their baby. The child unexpectedly dies in Ruth’s care, and she is charged with murder and taken to court. What follows is a frustrating trial that struggles to find justice for the child and deal with the racial inequality in our nation. Told through the points of view of Ruth, her lawyer, and the baby’s father, this is Picoult’s most challenging book so far. I first read it in 2016, and it has stuck with me ever since.

February 25, 2021

Childhood Favorites

Looking for some nostalgia? These childhood favorite albums are sure to bring a blast from the past! 

Sorry for Party Rocking
by LMFAO

LMFAO’s Sorry for Party Rocking is the first album that comes to my mind when I think childhood music. This electric and silly album lit up the charts in 2011, with tracks like “Sexy and I Know It” and “Party Rock Anthem” (which stayed #1 on the charts for six consecutive weeks!). This album as a whole is so stupid, but stupid in a fun way! It does feel very dated as of now but still keeps its silly charm, and I totally recommend a blast from the past with this album!

Favorite childhood track: “Party Rock Anthem”
Favorite track now: “Sorry for Party Rocking”

Fearless

by Taylor Swift

Midnight Memories
by One DirectionReleased in 2013, One Direction’s third studio album was one of the fastest-selling albums in Amazon UK’s history. It was with this project that the boy band turned away from fun bubblegum pop and went with a more mature sound, featuring a lot of heavy guitar consistent with rock music. Of course, tracks like “Best Song Ever” still have some of that poppy feel that listeners expect, but others like “Little Black Dress” and “Diana” make this album stand out in comparison to the first two. Midnight Memories is also the first album that the band had more creative control over, having written most of the songs themselves. This makes it feel more personal when you listen to it. This was my favorite album in middle school, and seven years later, I still find myself listening over and over.Favorite childhood track: “Story of My Life”
Favorite track now: “Through the Dark”

February 25, 2021

Ever wondered what kinds of ghosts and ghouls are hiding in our fair state? Our Driftwood staff profiles some of the most haunted locations in Wisconsin. 

The Rave

The Rave is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It’s known for its inexpensive tickets for A-List shows including Mac Miller, Pearl Jam, and Nirvana. Not only is it notorious for being one of the best music venues in Wisconsin, but it’s known to be very haunted. I’m going to focus on The Pool Room, because there’s just so much to cover. 

To start this story, we have to go back to about 1927. When The Rave was first built, it was meant to be a men’s shelter similar to the YMCA. It’s said by ghost-hunting enthusiasts that the original owner was an abusive man, and that he now lives his afterlife in the Rave. Ghost hunters have heard him talking and giving them haunting warnings to leave the venue.

Within The Rave is a room called the Pool Room. It’s called the Pool Room because it holds a giant pool. During The Rave’s time in operation as a shelter between 1927 and 1977, there were several cases of children drowning in the pool. Their spirits are supposedly still there, laughing, running around, and touching the hands of individuals who make it thereto visit them.

Rapper and singer Mac Miller loved playing at The Rave. The last time he played there was 2011, before his accidental overdose in 2018. He signed the pool wall with, “I am Mac Miller. I once lived, but now I am dead. My soul remains here. Enjoy. P.S. I sold this place out 3 times.” It’s an eerie message from the late Mac Miller that’s definitely noteworthy.

If you’re feeling daring, maybe take a trip to The Rave when it opens back up post-COVID. Who knows who you might run into?

—Aleida Toebe, Haunted WI Editor

February 25, 2021

Zombies, Run! 

If you’ve read the last “Health & Fitness” article in The Driftwood, then you’ll have a little more context. But if you’re new and just reading for the first time, welcome! In the last Driftwood issue, I talked about the health benefits that running can have on your body. But today, we’ll spice things up a bit and add a supplement that will make your running adventures more fun.

If you have a smartphone, then you’ll be able to download apps. If you know how to download apps, then you have a key understanding of what those apps do, and if you know what apps do—you’re set. Zombies, Run! Is an ultra-immersive running game and audio adventure created to make people do one thing: run.

If you’re serious about running, then I highly suggest installing this app onto your phone and giving it a try! It features a multitude of story-based missions, one of which includes you using yourself as bait to draw the zombies away and bring safety to your home base. Here’s the challenge though: the mission doesn’t end until you’ve successfully reached a certain mile point—so be prepared for the longest run of your life.

The app also includes an unlimited-time zombie horde chase, where you can track your distance, set up your own running timer, and increase your stamina. Did I mention that it’s FREE to install?

If you enjoy playing games on your phone, why not get healthy while doing it? This intense and action-packed game will take you on the run of a lifetime.

P.S: There’s also a second app from the Zombies, Run! creators, and it’s called Zombies, Run! 5k Training. It guides you through an 8-week training program for beginners that will improve your fitness so you can successfully run a 5k. If you liked the first app, then you’ll be sure to like this one, too.

February 25, 2021

Two to Get Started

My Hero Academia
Editor’s Verdict: All-Time Star

Qurks (a.k.a. superpowers). A protective protagonist. Heroes vs Villains.
Mix those all together, and you get ​My Hero Academia.​​ MHA​ follows Izuku Midoriya as he tries to stay on his path of becoming a hero without a quirk (and then with one). A childhood friend turned bully, the need to work with a new quirk that keeps breaking his bones, and even a villain group won’t stop Izuku from becoming a hero to save everyone with a smile. Not only is the art style appealing, but the plot, easy enough to understand for even rookie anime watchers, will leave you on the edge of your seat and wanting to watch more; all of which makes MHA the “All Time Star” for thisweek.​​ Produced by Bones, found on ​Funimation​ and other streaming platforms.

Sk8: The Infinity
Editor’s Verdict: Hot New Release

Kick up some Ollies, do a few kickflips, or just skateboard around in this recently released anime called ​Sk8: The Infinity. ​Follow Reki, skateboard maker and rider enthusiast, as he teaches Langa, skilled snowboarder and new student at Reki’s high school, the arts of skateboarding and how to traipse through the world of “S.” Known to only a few, “S” is a highly prestigious, high-risk skateboard racecourse through mines, which include sharp turns, a lack of rules, and some high-tech boards and skills. This anime features unique characters, a compelling plot, and a striking animation style that will surely get you pumped up. And, as it was released just in January, more is to come and it will definitely become an enjoyable anime to watch, which makes it achieve the “Hot New Release” verdict for this week. ​Produced by Bones, found on ​Funimation​ and other streaming platforms. 

Kyo Kara Maoh
Editor’s Verdict: Old But GoldTake a trip with Yuri, a 15-year-old boy, as he navigates a world that has demons. Not only that, but he’s the demon king! While adventuring and “ruling” this demon tribe, Yuri deals with many different obstacles. He even accidentally proposes to a boy his age who majorly dislikes him. This show manages to be funny, entertaining, and serious when it needs to be without losing the audience. This show was released 14 years ago but still holds a place in my heart; it’s truly gold. Even with an older style of anime graphics, this show has a truly amazing plot line that will captivate you till the end. Produced by NHK, found on Crunchyroll and other streaming platforms

February 25, 2021

Challenge Yourself to Exercise