2023: The year of divisive video game movies
Ryan Humphrey, Contributing Writer You would have to be living under a rock to not have heard about either of the two biggest video game film adaptations of 2023. “Five Nights at Freddy’s” and “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” were alike not only in their financial success but in their controversy, with each franchise’s fans […]
Swiping away freedom: VCU Dine’s new meal plan rules
Jessica Holgado, Contributing Writer When I first arrived at Virginia Commonwealth University as a freshman, I was excited about the freedom that came with my meal plan. I could swipe my card and enjoy a variety of food options including steak, scallops, calamari and crab cake. The dining plan was my ticket to freedom, a […]
‘She’d do anything for attention’: The beautiful shortcomings of ‘Saltburn’
Dylan Hostetter, Opinions Editor Coming off her Academy Award win for Best Original Screenplay for 2020’s “Promising Young Woman,” all eyes were on director and writer Emerald Fennell’s sophomore effort, “Saltburn.” The film stars several breakout young actors, including the likes of Barry Keoghan (“Eternals”), Jacob Elordi (“Priscilla”) and Alison Oliver (“Conversations With Friends”), along […]
A brand new FAFSA: The good, the bad, the ugly
Nati Feliciano-Soto, Contributing Writer Since the devastating pandemic of 2020, an economic crisis has taken over the United States and caused many hard-working Americans and eligible non-citizens to express concern over the affordability of college. In response, FAFSA has created a new system that hopes to change the way Americans and eligible non-citizens can pursue […]
New year! New me?
Dylan Hostetter, Opinions Editor It’s not only the beginning of a new year but also a new semester. Many students are returning bright-eyed and bushy-tailed from their time at home, ready to tackle their new schedules, while others may find themselves dreading the return to campus. For those who do find themselves in a less-than-positive […]
CT seniors say farewell
Gabriela de Camargo Gonçalves, Executive editor “Today I used my new ‘press pass,’ and it was so cool. I’m going to give this newspaper thing my all. I have my work cut out for me,” I wrote in my journal in October 2021 after working on one of my first articles for The Commonwealth Times. […]
IRL with Arielle: It’s impractical to love your way out of loneliness
Arielle Andrews, Staff Writer I will let you in on a little secret — I am lonely. When I was four years old and asking God for a best friend for Christmas, I was lonely. When I was in high school, and I used to sit alone on the bleachers, book in hand, I was […]
Beyoncé proves she is just getting started three decades into her career
Breyana Stewart, Contributing Writer Taylor Swift broke the internet on Oct. 12 with just one Instagram post. “I’m so glad I’ll never know what my life would’ve been like without @beyonce’s influence,” the global pop star captioned a video of the two of them at the premiere of her concert film. She reminded us of […]
Weaponizing self-care is yet another tool of American individualism
Kofi Mframa, Opinions Editor Popular news TikTok account @underthedesknews posted a video on Oct. 12 urging users to “stay off social media for the weekend” after conflict in the Middle East had spurred the week prior. This post represents an increasingly popular sentiment where people, specifically those in the Western hemisphere, use the preservation of […]
Young Americans are forced to sign their souls away to the military draft
Nati Feliciano-Soto, Contributing Writer The American dream is simple. You are born into the most prosperous country in the world that promises its citizens a democracy. You receive 12 years of education and have the opportunity to pursue higher education to secure a career. As a reward, you are promised a big house with a […]