VCU vs. TikTok: Navigating the potential ban’s impact on student life
Jessica Holgado, Contributing Writer When I first heard about the potential TikTok ban during my senior year of high school in 2020, I was skeptical. The app had recently rebranded from Musical.ly and was surging in popularity. I assumed it was just another rumor and continued to enjoy the platform without giving it much thought […]
VCU waves goodbye to Chili’s 16-year legacy: What now?
Jessica Holgado, Contributing Writer After 16 years of serving up sizzling flavors and good times, it is hard to believe that Chili’s Bar & Grill at VCU is closing for good on May 10. Chili’s was the first full-service restaurant on campus, from the fresh mex creations to the baby back ribs and sirloin steaks […]
‘Dune’: Moving beyond the page
Ryan Humphrey, Contributing Writer Acclaimed director Denis Villeneuve recently revealed that he views imagery in film to be more important than dialogue, which should not come as much of a surprise to anyone familiar with his work. Though not everyone agrees with his artistic approach, it has genuine merit — after all, visuals and sound […]
Adulting 101: Time and stress management
Nati Feliciano-Soto, Contributing Writer Stress and time management is a very underestimated aspect of life. Many jobs offer orientation materials designed to tell their employees how to manage their time and stress factors — all while throwing unlivable wages and piles of tasks for them to do in just an eight-hour shift. That’s not very […]
‘Animation is cinema’: Ghibli vs. Spider-Man
Ryan Humphrey, Contributing Writer “Animation is cinema.” It’s a mantra that has become increasingly popular online, especially after Guillermo del Toro used it when his stop motion adaptation of “Pinocchio” won Best Animated Feature at the 2023 Oscars. The phrase speaks to an important truth that often goes overlooked in Hollywood: Animation isn’t just a […]
Automation invasion: Why dining robots don’t belong at VCU
Jessica Holgado, Contributing Writer Walking through the open spaces of George Mason University, I encountered something that seemed straight out of a sci-fi flick — a dining robot humming along the sidewalks. It was the first time I ever laid eyes on one. I found myself charmed by the idea of having my food delivered […]
Oscar picks
Dylan Hostetter, Opinions and Humor Editor It seems the 2024 Oscars have a lot more eyes watching than previous years, and I imagine that is due to the extreme popularity of some of the films featured — from the tight race for Animated Feature Film between “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” and “The Boy and the […]
The rom-com renaissance
Lauren Prattis, Contributing Writer A good romantic comedy needs to have three things to work: an amazing soundtrack, an easy-to-follow storyline and a semi-cliche plot. If there is one thing the 1990s and early 2000s did right, it was fantastic romcoms. “10 Things I Hate About You,” “When Harry Met Sally” and “How to Lose […]
The surreal experience of a commuting student
Nati Feliciano-Soto, Contributing Writer Stepping onto the grounds of VCU is an extraordinary achievement, a milestone attained in a variety of students’ lives. Each student carries a unique narrative, navigating challenges to secure this educational milestone, often entwined with the aspirations of their families. While some embrace their newfound independence in Richmond, others, like myself, […]
‘Here we go again’: VCU students normalize the excessive campus alerts
Jessica Holgado, Contributing Writer When I first set foot on Virginia Commonwealth University’s campus as a freshman, my mind was swirling with stereotypes that seemed to define Richmond: crime, danger and homelessness. Clutching my pink pepper spray and safety alarm, I walked through the city streets with a heightened sense of alertness, prepared for the […]