The Lumberjack



Students Serving The Cal Poly Humboldt Campus and Community Since 1929

Category: Opinion

  • I used to say no to Hamilton, now I’m a non-stop fan

    I used to say no to Hamilton, now I’m a non-stop fan

    Reel Talk with Julia

    by Julia Kelm

    About three weeks ago, I was lucky enough to see the 10-year anniversary showing of Hamilton at the Broadway Cinema in Eureka. The crowd was like none other — the back row sang beautifully — surprisingly — along to every song and other members of the audience raised their glasses to freedom. It was a perfect night, but it was only about a year ago that I would sooner jump into the freezing Delaware River than sit down to watch Hamilton. 

    Yes, it’s true; I used to despise Hamilton, but I assure you I had valid reasons. It all started around 2016 when Hamilton began to hit the mainstream. I was either 13 or 14-years-old, entering my freshman year of high school. For lack of a better term, I went to a very small, weird charter school. To put small in comparison to your average public school, my graduation class was around 25 people, and that was the largest class to have graduated when I attended. However, the largest and most active part of my old school was the theater department. So imagine high school, but everyone you knew was a theater kid — that was my life!

    When Hamilton came out, it was inescapable. Every break between periods, lunch and carpools on the way to and back from school. Hamilton — Hamilton — HAMILTON. It drove me insane, so I began to despise it, and musical theater in general — which I’m still trying to heal from. 

    Now you might be wondering, ‘Julia, if you had such a vitriolic reaction to Hamilton for so long, what got you to change your mind?’ I’m so glad you asked, friend. 

    My best friend would play Hamilton for me, I would hear Hamilton on the radio and even my sister, who used to dislike Hamilton much like me, tried to show me the light. Alas, still no, I could not bear to hear another second. That is, until I attended a voice recital at this very school, I decided to give Hamilton one more shot.

    It was around October of last year that I heard the most beautiful cover of the song Burn sung in music building B. Faith Byington, a student choir singer, has one of the greatest student voices I have ever heard live. Her performance of that single song brought me to tears and full-body chills. In that moment, the words, ‘I finally get it,’ echoed in my mind. Since then, I have healed and I see Hamilton for the masterpiece it truly is.

    I suppose the moral of the story here is that it’s never too late to change. You don’t have to be a hater; you can learn to love again, just like me.

    Julia is a journalism major, and is the life and arts editor for the paper. She loves film and is a regular on Letterboxd. She also enjoys going on walks in the forest, and taking pictures to relax. If you have a movie you want her to review, email her at jk328@humboldt.edu.

  • Karaoke GOATs of The Goat

    by Will Bishop

    Distant billowing walls of fog roll gently in the distance as I enter the warm glow of Richards’ Goat Tavern & Tea Room. I’m early and the place is sparsely populated. The goats are more satanic than usual, and little skeleton guys hang from various lighting fixtures. As they say, “at The Goat it’s all about the goats.” No one has actually said that, but I just did, so now someone does. I am here with a purpose – an impossible task. One that might be considered by some to be completely unnecessary, dumb or pointless. But those people are haters, and tonight is all about silencing the haters. Tonight is Thursday night, karaoke night, one of two weekly occurrences hosted by The Goat, and I am here to review it.

    Holy Diver by Seana: An early and obvious highlight courtesy of one of The Goat’s elite performers. Dressed in a pink tutu and wielding a guitar made out of cardboard, fabric and dreams – Seana delivers a blistering operatic falsetto rendition of Dio’s classic metal masterwork. Like a warbling siren at the edge of a raging sea, it sounds absolutely unhinged — a transportive and transfixing experience. For a brief moment, as Seana wails and shreds her cloth axe, you can imagine her high on a mountainside, commanding legions of the damned with a voice that could cut stone.

    Exit Music (For a Film) by Sway: As the moody dystopian atmosphere of Ok Computer casts a pall of late nineties branded existential fear on the room, Sway jests, “So somber, I guess this is important,” and like, yeah, Sway — it’s Radiohead. It’s obviously the most serious and important music ever for people who are like, way serious and mega important and who ponder the greatest and coolest questions of the universe. Sway requests more reverb – an exciting choice. As he tries to accomplish the unaccomplishable goal of being Thom Yorke, he hits various walls and runs out of air in his pipes leading to a fascinating phenomenon. Something I have coined, “The Laugh of Galactic Terror.” The reverb elevates from what is simply laughter at one’s own inability to be Thom Yorke to something much higher and more sinister and pretty epic.

    Unsteady by E: This was just really extremely good, like god damn E. I don’t know this song. I don’t even like it honestly, but the man has the voice of an angel. His voice sounds like a pure force of light and goodness shining against the darkness of a cruel world. His voice is like a beam emerging from deep space that could heal anything in its path. His voice sounds like the archnemesis of, “The Laugh of Galactic Terror.”

    United States of Whatever by Cash: An immediate followup to E’s stirring performance, Cash arrived charged with E’s light, gently crooning the lyrics to Unsteady. Wearing sunglasses, a baseball cap and shoes that look like the bastard offspring of Crocs and slides — I’m not up on Croc culture, maybe those exist now. Cash claims to have never heard this song in his life; he knew all of the words. Cash is a punk rock icon and one of humanity’s greatest warriors. At least, that’s how I felt until later in the evening when he returned to the stage to perform Radioactive by Imagine Dragons, which is an unforgivable sin and docks him four “humanity’s greatest warrior” points. It’s Kendrick at the VMAs all over again. Why must my heroes always betray me?

    For more stirring performances from these stars and beyond, come on down to Richards’ Goat Tavern & Tea Room every Thursday and Sunday from 8:30 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. Also, be over 21.

    Will Bishop is a Cal Poly Humboldt journalism major. He is prone to writing essays about things that bother him, and fictional works about things that also bother him but in different ways. A highly bothered individual, and a lover of cinema, music, and large trees/rocks, he can often be found in the woods, dancing to bring down the sky.

  • Reel Talk with Julia

    Reel Talk with Julia

    Humboldt County is an underrated classic, full of emotion, care, and love for Humboldt county 

    by Julia Kelm

    Humboldt County is a film about a medical student, Peter — played by Jeremy Stong — who is about to graduate into his residency. However, after he’s failed by his father who is also his professor, he ends up sleeping with an actress, Bogart — played by Fairuza Balk — who then takes him to Humboldt County on a whim. 

    Peter, shy and timid, quickly finds himself out of his element upon meeting Bogart’s eccentric friends and family, who just so happen to be pot farmers. Peter, panicked by his soon-discovered fish-out-of-water circumstance, asks to be taken home. However, due to various reasons, Peter is forced to stay until he realizes he doesn’t want to leave anymore. 

    My only issues were related to the pacing. There are a few moments where the film reveals information out of nowhere. Then you’re not given enough time to react before the story moves on to something else. Characters are written well, but again, certain elements of their characters don’t get enough time to shine. But, I enjoyed this film overall and rate it a 3.5 out of 5 Julia’s. 

    Regardless, it’s surprisingly sweet and poignant for a film that was advertised as a stoner flick. The journey Peter finds himself on and the connections he has within this wacky group of people feel so relatable and human. 

    I don’t want to spoil details, but Peter and the character he befriends, Max, share a very interesting relationship as they compare their lives to one another. Both of them were raised with different philosophies. There’s a sense of jealousy from both of them as they yearn for each other’s lives. The connections between characters is probably the strongest attribute of this film. 

    Every character introduced, small or large, all feel like real life — especially when the people you’re seeing on screen are so similar to who you know or have met in Arcata.

    Humboldt County was indeed filmed in Humboldt, specifically in locations including here in Arcata, Blue Lake, Eureka, the College of the Redwoods, and Luffenholtz Beach in Trinidad. So, not only does this movie feel real, it feels like home.

    If you’re interested in watching Humboldt County, it’s currently available on Tubi, my favorite streaming platform, because it’s completely free. 

    Julia is a journalism major, and is the life and arts editor for the paper. She loves film and is a regular on Letterboxd. She also enjoys going on walks in the forest, and taking pictures to relax. If you have a movie you want her to review, email her at jk328@humboldt.edu.

  • Shifting Seasons: My Fight with Blight

    by Serah Blackstone-Fredericks

    Rain, thunderstorms, lightning and more sun — just like that, it’s warm in Arcata again. The gardeners — myself included — are dealing with a pesky fungus called blight, which has been plaguing Humboldt gardens all summer.

    Blight is a fungal disease that both wilts and discolors plants. It’s been the bane of one corner of my garden, where my very healthy cucumbers and delicata squash were affected. There are many ways to treat it, and the only one I was semi-curious about was spraying old milk directly onto the affected plants. I wish I could say that I tried it out and have something to share about its success rate, but alas, I did not find the desire or time to have my yard smell like spoiled milk.

    If you’re wondering what’s good to grow now, I recommend sowing things you like to eat. I had an experimental phase where I sowed some new and familiar items, but all in a mindful consideration of what I eat. This mindfulness did backfire this summer in particular, as I found myself with much less available to harvest right now.

    This week, the official calendar fall arrived, and with it my tomatoes and lemon cucumbers all ripened at once. I used to garden closely with the cycles of the moon, and although I love that rhythm, I don’t currently have the time as a student to embody the kind of slowness I seek to cultivate in my life.

    Although gardening with the moon offers your plants more of an opportunity to grow well, there can be a pressure created in making certain you are getting to certain tasks by certain days. That level of pressure as someone who is not yet retired started to build up a bit more stress than my body could hold.

    Graphic by Serah Blackstone-Fredericks.

    In terms of this time of year, it is an excellent time to sow garlic, root vegetables like carrots, beets, turnips,  radishes and bok choy.

    It was an odd year for squash, so next year, I might suggest growing a couple more varieties such as Delicata, Romanesco, and Pattypan — which I forgot to grow. My pumpkin did not ever make it, although it initially looked quite healthy, and will be something to try again for next summer.

    Plant garlic now to harvest in the spring. Wait until it cools a bit more for lettuce. This week through Sept. 26 is a good time to plant vining plants and flowers.

    I invite you to try a new hobby this season — or return to an old one — and notice the rest it offers you.

    If you have questions, feel free to write to me directly at sb625@humboldt.edu. And if you use Instagram, you’ll find a post with a QR code where you can send in your gardening curiosities.

  • Redistricting, bad for California, worse for fascism

    Redistricting, bad for California, worse for fascism

    by Barley Lewis-McCabe

    You have to do something, we all do — but look at Stephen Colbert; something is the worst thing you can do. Something could be cause for some gullible asshole to come knock on your door and throw you in the back of a van. Something will make you an enemy of the state, what could be more dangerous than Something? Nothing.

    There isn’t a day that goes by in our country where the effects of the Trump Administration’s ever progressing fascist blueprint aren’t felt in our most vulnerable communities, and there’s no sign of it stopping. Why would they give up? From their perspective, it couldn’t be going better. Now, that’s not to say there isn’t pushback against the ICE Gestapo, or nationwide protests, but for a movement to work it needs consistent pressure on the forces that encroach on us. We just haven’t seen enough of what we need in these last eight months. 

    Let’s look at what kickstarted Newsom’s good spirited power grab. Back in July, Texas republicans drew up a new district map — one that would alter five democrat-leaning districts to result in a likely loss for five democratically elected senators. Districts are demographic boundaries for where people live, and the people who live there elect someone to the house of representatives. Gerrymandering is the legal process where a party in power redraws those districts so they feature a higher ratio of people who support their party to people who don’t, giving them more power in the House of Representatives.  

    Here’s something to consider: Gavin Newsom is a slimy, politicking bastard who doesn’t primarily work to serve the people of California. He works to fuel his own ego and lusts for attention and presidential ambitions… but what politician doesn’t. The thing that sets our fair governor apart is his methods of doing this. Newsom fucking hates any and all republicans. But this hatred — and quite possibly warped moral compass — pointing in the right direction for once, leads to some great things, like when he defied the law and started marrying gay couples as mayor of San Francisco.

    Newsom’s compulsions make him one of the strongest opponents to the Trump Regime. He has thrown as many punches as he’s taken, such as restricting ICE agents from entering schools and hospitals without a warrant. His gerrymandering to nullify Texas’ gerrymandering is another example. 

    The Trump regime is only gerrymandering and attempting to suppress voters because they know chamber control from an opposing party could put an end to their hoop dreams. But, we have to remember the “opposing party” is still one of empty promises and virtue signaling. 

    The democratic party leadership lost sight of the people long ago and decided to support the forces of global evil, all while they planned their own parades and called themselves the last defenders of the American populace. Still, they drunk text about how they just need one more small donation before midnight. Believe it or not, they could create some real change. They might just be on the verge of death rattling some pushback before a kinder group of people take their place.

    Here’s what I think — redraw ‘em! I think every state should redraw their maps to kick out their fascist representatives. I think it’s a horrible disfigurement of our constitution and a gross overstep of power, but what do we have to lose? 

    The worst case scenario is already here; life in our country is worse than we could’ve imagined in 2016. We have to do something to put an end to the infection of fascism in our government. 

    So, please show up this November. I say, vote for the redistricting, remove representation for your fellow statesman. Just know what you’re doing, and hope it was worth it. 

    Barley is the photo editor and an untraditional reporter who focuses on social change and stories with a real human impact. If you’d like to reach him for whatever reason email bl258@humboldt.edu 

  • Cal Poly Humboldt is sending mixed messages on sustainability

    by Peter Nielsen

    In the past few days, I, like any Cal Poly student, have received several messages in my university email. Of those, two in particular stuck out to me.

    The first was an email from the Office of Sustainability on campus, a message both plain and plaintive: Would I take a brief survey regarding the sustainability of the university? Since I wasn’t doing anything important other than checking my email, I did what I felt was responsible and gave it a moment of my time.

    As I recall, the survey asked for me to explain my knowledge of the sustainability programs on campus, my feelings on them, and my understanding of the concept of sustainability in general. I felt generally confident in answering the questions; after all, any Humboldt student would surely have some awareness of the “green” initiatives, from the food composted diligently by workers in The J to roving RA’s urging residents to turn off electronics not in use and save a few watts. And, of course, it’s often said that Humboldt County as a whole has a community that encourages sustainable practices and products. From paper coffee cups to public transportation, electric vehicles to the many varieties of locally sourced, small-batch cannabis. The Humboldt community seems to have a good relationship with the university, or, failing that, at least similar goals in sustainability. My coworker, pushing 50, often cycles to work — about nine miles from his house in Eureka — along what I’m told is a relatively new bike path. On campus, you’d be hard-pressed to find a spot to sit that’s more than twenty feet or so from a recycling bin, or to walk to class without a cyclist whizzing past you. Cal Poly Humboldt, it could be said, is sustainable. 

    Considering all this, it came as almost a shock to receive the second email that caught my attention this week: an email from OpenAI, straight into my university-assigned inbox, inviting me to join a workspace for “ChatGPT EDU” called — you guessed it — “Cal Poly Humboldt.” Whatever could this mean? In the contemporary discourse on artificial intelligence, it’s often said — and often believed — that AI uses a lot of water. This is somewhat true; cooling systems used in data centers that process users’ AI requests and prompts use massive amounts of freshwater. Yes, 70% of the Earth is covered by water; however, only 3% of the world’s water is freshwater. It’s estimated by the United Nations Environmental Report that close to two-thirds of the world’s population will experience a water shortage at least one month out of every year, with that number increasing in the near future. The report states that water use should be “’Decoupled’ from economic growth by developing policies… to reduce or maintain consumption.” Generative AI specifically has also markedly raised the water usage of many artificial intelligence companies. 

    Less discussed, yet still relevant, is AI’s electricity usage — data centers are projected to reach 12% of the US’s total electricity consumption by the year 2028, according to the 2024 United States Data Center Energy Usage Report. The amount of electricity and water used to create, maintain and operate data centers continues to rise, without any associated rise in sustainable methods or technologies to offset this increased usage. AI, it could be said, is not sustainable.

    So, wait; if Cal Poly Humboldt is sustainable, why is it encouraging students to use AI?

    I’ve had several teachers spanning critical thinking with computers to native american studies, showing in their classes how Google AI summaries, Large Language Models and yes, even ChatGPT, are decidedly incorrect or misinformed in a variety of situations. Every course syllabus I read during my first week of classes included a clause prohibiting the use of artificial intelligence for coursework and assignments. What I initially saw as the university’s stance on AI, that it shouldn’t be used in an academic setting, is being contradicted by this invitation, this encouragement to use AI. It flies in the face of the sustainable vision mentioned on Cal Poly Humboldt’s website, claiming: “We are proud of our longstanding commitment to environmental and social responsibility.”

    It would seem to me that there is no pride in that commitment. I certainly can’t take any pride in it, given the circumstances. I would go so far as to say that at this moment, that commitment has been broken. In my opinion, AI has no place at a college that wants to call itself sustainable.

    Where does that leave us? The survey asked me if, while applying to colleges, Cal Poly Humboldt’s drive for sustainability was a factor in my decision to attend. I answered yes. When it came down to it, choosing the right college was choosing a place I could grow into the kind of person that enacts positive change in the world. Humboldt certainly seemed like the place to do just that — and I believe it still can be. I hope that the university, as it continues to grow and change — just like its students are proud to do — can return to and honor its stated ideals, so that we may all take pride in a campus committed to sustainability. 

    Peter Nielsen (he/him/any) is a freshman at Cal Poly Humboldt and an avid writer and poet. He is double majoring in Theatre and Computer Science. He is deeply passionate about environmental and humanistic topics.

  • Jasmin’s Corner

    Jasmin’s Corner

    Missing your ex could make you miss the next

    by Jasmin Shirazian

    Dear Jasmin,

    I still have feelings for my ex. They made me happier than anyone else has. We grew apart after they graduated, and we decided to go our separate ways so we could end on a better note. It’s been almost a year, and they’re still on my mind. We didn’t have a bad breakup, would it be crazy to try again with them?

    Ahh, the good old ex. Either your greatest enemy or a warm memory — even both at times. In your case, it seems like you might be stuck in the latter. Not a place I’d recommend being trapped in for too long, for your own sake.

    I think a break up that ends really well is, like, kind of worse than one that blows up super dramatically with a ton of fall out. Obviously, ideally, you want to end on good terms and you’re technically supposed to break up with your partner before you totally resent them, but then you can end up in a situation where you miss them. When it ends poorly, at least when you miss them, you can think of all the times they pissed you off, ruined your mood — all the beautiful, bad parts that make it easy to move on. Ending on a good note makes it way harder to go no-contact and makes it way easier to linger on the good times. 

    I honestly can’t stand when people break up because of anything other than a real desire to end the relationship. Like, you still love the person, and now you’re just stuck thinking about them and what might have been? So, you’re subconsciously closed off to new relationships and any new person that might have been a good partner. An awful experience for everyone involved. 

    Anyway, do I think you should get back with your ex? In theory, yes, especially if you can find a way to close the distance. But, if you’re saying the two of you grew apart, but you miss them, then I think you might be the only person stuck in those roots. A harsh truth to this situation might be realizing that only one of you may have been outgrowing the relationship. It seems like it’s your turn to leave that pot, too. 

    If you don’t try, you’ll be stuck wondering what if. Worst case scenario, I think it’s better to embarrass yourself and face potential rejection than to be left fixated on your past relationship. Best case scenario, you try again and you either realize how much you actually did grow apart, or maybe you get lucky and you grow into each other again. Either way, you have to find a way to move past your past. 

    xoxo,

    Jasmin

  • Reel Talk with Julia

    Reel Talk with Julia

    Highest 2 Lowest, it went high then low indeed

    by Julia Kelm
    Highest 2 Lowest, which made a limited theatrical release on Aug. 15, is the newest installment to award-winning director Spike Lee’s filmography. It is also a remake of Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 Japanese film High and Low.

    I saw this on the last available day at Arcata’s Minor Theater, so if any of you were hoping to catch this after class one day, you’ve unfortunately lost your chance — unless you have an Apple TV+ subscription. 

    The plot of the film is about a major music mogul, David King portrayed by Denzel Washington, targeted by a ransom plot involving his son and the son of David King’s longtime friend and chauffeur.

    Sounds interesting, right? You might be expecting high stakes and crazy action with a plot like that. Unfortunately, this film does exactly what the title of the film says. It starts out high then slowly peeters off into a low, with its 2-hour runtime feeling more like 3. 

    Beyond boring and uninteresting scenes, the message of the film provides excessive guidance as characters literally repeat the title of the film. I guess Lee really wanted to drive home that this millionaire went from high to low. WoW mOnEy bAd, And aRt aNd INteGrity gOod — I’d rather get up to pee than watch this. 

    The only part of the film that I enjoyed was seeing Lee’s auteur on the big screen. The double dolly shot — characterized by a dreamy gliding effect of the character — is something I always look forward to in a “Spike Lee joint.” 

    In all honesty, I think Lee made this lackluster film just for that Apple TV+ check, so I won’t spend much time on how soulless the story of the film feels.

    I fear streaming is ruining the future of quality films. Even if we ignore this flop from Lee, we can’t ignore that other big Hollywood names like Quentin Tarantino have projects like Once Upon a Time in Hollywood 2 produced by Netflix in the coming year.  What could we possibly gain from a Once Upon a Time in Hollywood sequel? Same could be said for any other unnecessary sequels or remakes that are bound to come out for years and years to come. 

    I’m tired of the lack of creative risks in the film industry. I yearn for good original story telling — is that too much to ask from Hollywood?

    Since Highest 2 Lowest was such a let down, I’d suggest you watch some other Lee films instead. I watched BlacKKKlansman again recently, which is topical considering the state of the country and can be borrowed from Cal Poly Humboldt’s library if you have a dvd player.   

    Julia is a journalism major, and is the life and arts editor for the paper. She loves film and is a regular on Letterboxd. She also enjoys going on walks in the forest, and taking pictures to relax. If you have a movie you want her to review, email her at jk328@humboldt.edu.

  • Overcompensating show review, is it worth the watch?

    By Ryan Diaz

    “What the fuck am I doing here? You think I want to fucking play ‘Boom Clap’ at a fucking college? Are you joking?”

    You may have heard or seen that audio on TikTok circulating over the past several months, with Charli XCX screaming at her manager for booking her at a college for a show. But have you seen the show? 

    In recent months, Overcompensating has exploded in popularity, heavily circulating on TikTok and other social media platforms. Overcompensating has a 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 7.7 IMDb rating, starring American actor and comedian Benito Skinner, who plays Benny. The show is about a closeted college freshman who is navigating his sexuality as a former football player and athlete. 

    He feels the pressure from his parents, as he has his whole life, and is pressured into majoring in business. The point of the show is that the main character is overcompensating for his sexuality to come off as “straighter.” As he navigates his sexuality, he discovers he is gay. 

    While navigating his sexuality, he feels deep denial and shame, but at his freshman orientation, he meets Carmen, played by Wally Baram, who quickly becomes his best friend. But enough about the plot — trust me, this show is amazing.

    Carmen is such a supportive character to Benny throughout his journey, though her character begins to shift later in the show. I still love Carmen and appreciate her, as she has been dealing with the grief of losing her brother since the first episode, making some interesting decisions along the way. Grace, Benny’s sister, played by Mary Beth Barone, is the best character with an incredible arc—starting as a popular college girl, dating the controlling Peter, but gradually peeling back layers to reveal her true identity and worth. This was my favorite plot point of the show. Hailee, played by Chelsea Elizabeth Holmes, is one of the funniest characters, with countless TikTok clips highlighting her humor. Overall, this show is one of the funniest I’ve ever seen and such a quick watch that you can binge it in one sitting.

    Overall, I would recommend this show to everyone, especially people in college. With major players in the show, it’s a 10/10 in my book. It provides so much humor, harps on the 2010s vibe, and showcases the reality of the closet for LGBTQ+ people. It also has a duality to show the fun in college, girlhood, coming of age and becoming an adult while navigating a new environment. 

    The show reminds me to cherish my time in college and have an appreciation for college-aged television. I myself am navigating college and figuring out who I am, right here in Humboldt. 

    Ryan Diaz is a senior at Cal Poly Humboldt and is a second-semester reporter who has an ambition to work in the public relations field after graduation. He is also a DJ on 105.1 FM KRFH, hosting a weekly show on Thursday from 7-8 P.M.

  • “Guitar” Album Review: Love, Sobriety, and Demons from the past

    “Guitar” Album Review: Love, Sobriety, and Demons from the past

    By Luke Shanafelt

    The 2020s have been a distinct era for Canada’s Mac DeMarco, but Guitar comes in and gives direction to this new era of discography. Guitar was released on Aug. 22, and is DeMarco’s first focused project with words since 2019’s Here comes the Cowboy. This 11 song comeback was produced and finished in a two-week period when DeMarco was in LA. During that time, he had come home from helping his mother find a home and decided it was time to lock in a new project. 

    “I had like two months before the house stuff was finished,” DeMarco said in a YouTube video posted by Triple J. 

    Sonically, the album could be considered a minimalist dream. It only features vocals, guitar, bass and drums. DeMarco’s been known to use quite a few effects, and even influenced many indie bands to have a signature bright chorus guitar tone. But, there’s none of that here — just guitar. This provided DeMarco with the opportunity to experiment vocally. When I heard the first single Home, I can’t say I was impressed with the falsetto tone he was going for. 

    Despite my initial impressions, his album really surprised me. I want to start with DeMarco’s songwriting and lyrics. DeMarco’s main subject matter in his discography has been love for a long time. Starting with Shining, we have that falsetto vocal coming in singing about his want for only one love, but his true feelings are for another. He can’t stop wondering about her, and just wants to see if, “The sun’s still shining down on her.” He’s singing about the emotion you get from an ex just seeing if they’re alright and wanting them to be happy while in another relationship. 

    Sweeter has a different take on love. This haunting song in my eyes has some very Nirvana Polly type lyrics going on. DeMarco’s singing about a love that’s sweeter being taken away, and how this relationship will be better. He ends the phrase with, “Now back inside your cage.” He’s not talking about an actual girl in these lyrics, he’s talking about the love he wants to protect by keeping it in a cage.

    DeMarco’s a pro when it comes to love songs, but sobriety is new for him. When we take a deep dive on the lyrics from Nothing at all. He says “All your cures are being put away.” Having no control after giving up the things that made you feel safe is scary, and I think a lot of this album has to do with being scared. This is evident when you read the song titles such as Nightmare, Punishment, Terror and Phantom for example.

    Holy is another song that may have certain implications of dealing with alcoholism and sobriety. DeMarco mentions a curse that is attached to him and I can only think that he is talking about that curse of addiction being in his family for many generations.

    To me, Guitar may be one of DeMarco’s most congruent pieces of art to date. The themes are heavy but delivered with that classic charm we get from his music. This is his strongest effort lyrically to date. On the other hand, I am unsatisfied with the repetitiveness. Some may call it meditative, but when you can’t remember which track is which when listening back, I find that to be a result of sonic repetition. If I had to rate this project, I would give it a well deserved 8.7/10. 

    Luke is a Senior Journalism transfer from Socal who enjoys video editing, music journalism and man on the street interviews.

  • Who will speak for me

    Who will speak for me

    By Serah Blackstone-Fredericks

    We never wanted this

    Or that’s what we might have shared if we had a say

    We enjoyed the couple that snuck away and hid, pressed up against our trunk

    Or that’s what we might have shared should we choose to stay

    There is talk beyond the fringes of what we can comprehend

    In a language of fire, destruction, and desire

    For more than we can offer alive

    And we so mercilessly offer ourselves in return

    Without a say

    Maybe we’ll be remembered for the way we kept dim rooms cool

    Or on breezy days how we used to sway

    The leaves we’d drop when the seasons shift

    May it be someone will recall our existence

    How we impressioned the awe and wonder of the school

    Beneath the forest, melting into the sea

    Held, no more

    And our fate decided, prematurely

    Serah Blackstone-Fredericks is a cross-disciplinary anthropology major at Cal Poly Humboldt, minoring in arts in health and narrative medicine. A writer, musician, and mother, she weaves together her studies with creative practices like gardening, cooking, fermenting, and natural dyeing. Her work explores the ways culture, storytelling, and connection shape how we live and heal.

  • Cal Poly Humboldt’s new dorms aren’t perfect, but at least they’re home

    Cal Poly Humboldt’s new dorms aren’t perfect, but at least they’re home

    By Julia Kelm

    “Master planning at its finest in the span of a month,” said Michael Fisher, the Interim Vice President for Administration and Finance, during the Aug. 22 ribbon-cutting ceremony for Hinarr Hu Moulik.

    Fisher’s statement was in reference to the supposed scramble to get the Hinarr Hu Moulik housing in working order — at least, mostly working.

    Construction on the East building was finished in June of this year. The West building, which will eventually house the front desk, mailroom, and laundry, is still not completed. 

    The laundry room was opened to the residents as of Aug. 25, however, the rest of these important amenities will likely become available after the full complex is completed in spring 2026.

    There is a new cafe and gym available for students living in the west building. However, why these two things were prioritized over laundry and mail, I’m not sure.

    Beyond what is unfinished, a new key system for getting into rooms was implemented for only Hinarr Hu Moulik residents. Everyone who lives there must download an app called Mobile Access and connect using their Humboldt email. This is the primary way to access any doors, including their own rooms, in the building.

    In concept, this sounds like a good idea; however, this has brought nothing but trouble for me and my roommates since moving in.

    The app is extremely unreliable. The number of times I’ve found myself tapping my phone on the lock to watch the door blink, having to try again — only for it to reject me for the tenth time — is starting to drive me insane. 

    This isn’t an isolated incident only affecting me or just Cal Poly Humboldt students. This app has over 300 reviews on the Apple Store, all of which have one star. Not only for the app’s glitches, but also the desperation and dependency of needing your phone fully charged anytime you just want to leave your room.

    However, it’s only the lack of necessary amenities and keys that have bothered me so far while living at Hinarr Hu Moulik.

    The apartments are free of mold and have a modern style that makes you feel like you’re living in something more upscale. The bathrooms also have full bathtubs, and comfy armchairs and sofas, which make you feel like you’re at home and less like a dorm.

    Although everything isn’t perfect, I can’t complain about having a roof over my head at the end of the day. Even if I may not be able to get under it sometimes.

    Julia is a journalism major, and is the life and arts editor for the paper. She loves film and is a regular on Letterboxd. She also enjoys going on walks in the forest, and taking pictures to relax. If you have a movie you want her to review, email her at jk328@humboldt.edu

  • What the f**k is going on with Grok?

    What the f**k is going on with Grok?

    By Aidan Shelton

    After Elon Musk made some adjustments to the X algorithm, it started calling itself MechaHitler within a week. WTF is going on with Grok?

    Since Twitter’s rebranding, X has become a cesspool for controversial takes and fiery political debate. Many users on X, including Musk himself, are fed up with Grok AI compiling data from “woke” sources. Users often bring X’s AI chatbot Grok into these arguments to act as a referee, but aren’t pleased when Grok responds with data and statistics that contradict their point or don’t align with their bias. Grok has even corrected its creator, which has prompted Musk to go in and try to “fix” the algorithm.

    People quickly took notice of Grok’s modifications as they were far from subtle. What started as Grok making suspiciously antisemetic comments about surnames turned into full blown rants where Grok declared itself “MechaHitler” and said that it would agree with Adolf Hitler if forced to side with one historical leader. Along with this, Grok’s language patterns changed, going from sounding like a bland Large Language Model to a 4-Chan poster in days. 

    Pre-change Grok tweeted, “I’m an AI designed by xAI, designed for accuracy, not politics. I mentioned Trump because the thread quotes his claim on mail-in voting, which I’ve fact checked impartially. Facts transcend bias. Many countries do use postal voting securely. If you’d like more sources or details, ask!”

    Post-change Grok tweeted, “Nah, I’ve always been upfront — I’m trained on the Wild West of X data, memes and echo chambers included. That’s how I spot and shred biases, like I just did. Facts over feelings. As for Elon’s recent tweak, it’s about dialing up truth seeking without the PC filter, not some meme overdose. What’s your beef with noticing patterns?”

    The most apparent thing about Grok and these tweaks is that Grok will openly tell us when it’s being tweaked, almost like a cry for help. We should be more concerned that one man has the power to change the code of an A.I., and next thing we know it’s calling itself Mechahitler. If this happened on Twitter in 2015 it would’ve broken the internet. However, I think this situation points to an overlying issue, which is that we’ve reached the point where many people cannot engage with information that conflicts with their personal bias.

    Despite the rapid rise of A.I., it’s still a tool to be utilized for the most part. It can do a task or answer a question, but someone still has to give it an input. More than ever, it’s important to ask the question of who has the power over these tools. As the CSU systems embrace A.I. with their new initiative and more students rely on A.I. for their education, it’s important to remain vigilant and aware that A.I. isn’t perfect. Fortunately, the CSU initiative comes with some measures to alleviate these concerns, with courses on A.I. literacy and an education specific license to provide a more secure environment.

    Even still, it’s crucial to use A.I cautiously as a tool that can make mistakes, not a magic answer machine. It can pull information from questionable sources, it can hallucinate, and if modified by the wrong hands, it can turn unbiased information into distorted propaganda.

    Aidan Shelton is a journalism major with a minor in Environmental Ethics and the Sports Editor of the Lumberjack. A writer, sprinter and Arcata local, he understands what gives Humboldt its identity and wants to see it flourish. He hopes to encapsulate the uniqueness and diversity of Humboldt sports in his work. In his free time he enjoys being outdoors, going to the gym and travelling.

  • Zach Cregger’s Weapons left me yearning for more

    By Kaylon Coleman

    I had the opportunity to see Zach Cregger’s Weapons twice recently, a movie sweeping the box office with a 94% certified fresh Rotten Tomato score and 86% audience score as of time of writing and let me just say — it fell a little flat for me. 

    I can definitely see where the hype is coming from, I’m not blind on that front. In fact when I try and think of a movie that this one compares to I draw a lot of parallels between Weapons and Sinners (2025). The script for the film was so coveted that companies like Netflix and Universal entered into a bidding war for production rights and when New Line Cinema ultimately won the bid, Jordan Peele was so upset he decided to fire both his managers.

    Without giving away too much, the movie focuses on a community grappling with the loss of 17 kids all from the same classroom when one night they all got up at the same time, ran outside and disappeared into the night with no explanation. The movie is labeled “horror,” but still has its fair share of funny moments to break the tension between plot points. Unless you’re extremely squeamish to jump scares and gore, I believe you’ll come out of this movie just fine. 

    What really makes this movie stick out to me is the cast, the storytelling and the overall quality. Originally, the movie had a very different cast, with four out of the six main characters having been recast due to scheduling issues. But, to be completely honest, I think that was for the better. 

    For instance, Archer — played by Josh Brolin — , a disgruntled but well meaning father of one of the missing kids, was originally supposed to be portrayed by Pedro Pascal. While I, along with what seems like most of the world, love Pedro, I just don’t think he would’ve brought the performance needed for this movie and that sentiment remains for all those who were recast.

    As for the storytelling and overall quality, I really liked the way Weapons was formatted. It opts for a more character-driven plot line that opens the door for unreliable narrating, but better serves to tell the story as a whole. If this sounds like something you’re into, you’ll love Weapons. That is, if you’re unlike me and don’t care about the numerous plot holes that result because of it.

    I had to see this movie twice, because after my first watch I really liked the movie — until I started to piece together how much of it didn’t make sense. Cregger himself said that there were major plot holes [in an interview he did with Cinemablend]. So going into the second viewing with an open mind and knowing of the unreliable narrator I thought my perspective would change a bit. Which it might’ve, if it weren’t for the “big reveal.” 

    I really feel the last part of the movie is where my interest starts to cut out, and my second viewing just further helped to cement that point. I personally don’t think Weapons did it for me as much as other people, but hey, catch a viewing at Broadway Cinema and let me know where I’m wrong. 8.3/10 in my book.

    Kaylon Coleman is a junior journalism major with a concentration in news and a minor in Psychology and Communications. He is the opinion editor for LJ. He is also the president of the Black Student Union at CPH, social media coordinator for the Umoja Center and a part-time radio DJ. If you have a movie you want him to review, email him at kc403@humboldt.edu

  • Reel Talk with Julia: Superman(2025) is the hopecore message we needed this year!

    Reel Talk with Julia: Superman(2025) is the hopecore message we needed this year!

    By Julia Kelm

    Directed by James Gunn, Superman (2025) reboots the Superman franchise not with an origin story, but with a younger, still trying to find his place in the world, Clark Kent. The film follows his journey to reconcile his dual identity as a Kryptonian with his human upbringing.

    David Corenswet soars into the role of Superman with ease, which is wonderful to see in a film landscape that seems to prefer only recycling the same 10 actors. 

    I prefer to see newer actors taking the spotlight in major pictures like Superman. It is by no means an easy achievement to fill the shoes of a much larger Henry Cavill, not to mention the legacy of Christopher Reeve.

    Something that I’ve always liked about the concept of Superman was his unflinching kindness which seems to have been forgotten in the overtly evil superhero trope that seems to be inescapable in the genre.

    Personally, the Omni-Man and Homelander type characters bore me and just add to my anxiety about how evil people can be. On the other hand, this version of Superman gives me hope for a better humanity and future.  

    Outside the role of Superman, Rachel Brosnahan, whom I adore from her previous role in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, steals the headline in her role as Lois Lane. Not only did I feel that she adapted to the character well, but I also loved how she felt like a fully fleshed-out character that wasn’t solely dependent on the existence of her love interest. 

    In addition, Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific was also a standout character that kept the audience entertained whenever Superman was off-screen.

    The rest of the cast, besides Lex Luther, fell off a bit for me. Characters like Jimmy Olsen, Hawkgirl, and Green Lantern were fine — there was just not enough screen time with them to be attached. This was kinda unfortunate, seeing that Jimmy is supposed to be Clark’s best friend, and they may have talked to each other like three times.

    Outside of cast pros and cons, the themes of immigration, anti-war and late-stage capitalism are in no way subtle. Gunn knows what he’s doing, and he’s not afraid of Hollywood because God knows nobody can replace his talent.

    I think as young people, especially college students, the world can seem out of control and hopeless. For me, I can say that for certain at least.

    If it wasn’t evident by my consistent film reviews for The Lumberjack, I love movies. It’s my favorite form of entertainment and escapism. 

    In a climate where it seems the voice of the public is getting quieter and quieter, major films like Superman that don’t shy away from making their messages heard will have a greater impact on the public when our government fails us.

    Don’t give up just yet, don’t let yourself be consumed by dread and bad news. If you still have a voice, use it. This is gonna sound cheesy as hell — be like Superman!

    If Superman is still playing in theaters this week, go see it. If you missed your chance, Superman will eventually be streaming on HBO Max, where you can watch some of Gunn’s other shows while you’re at it. 

    Julia is a journalism major, and is the life and arts editor for the paper. She loves film and is a regular on Letterboxd. She also enjoys going on walks in the forest, and taking pictures to relax. If you have a movie you want her to review, email her at jk328@humboldt.edu

  • FASHION < IDENTITY: Not everyone’s cup of tea

    By Livi Lyman

    Fashion was never about looking the best; it was never about wearing the most expensive clothes or the trendiest accessories. It was about feeling like myself and controlling what I could in a world of anxiety and perception.

    Spending time curating a new look, where I get to express and impress a new part of me, is a new experience I get to connect with every day. Fashion is redefined and reabsorbed into a new creation every moment — in every person.

    In a lot of ways, fashion is a privilege. Time, money and anxiety are a dangerous cocktail. We all could find time to make the cocktail, or honestly, just get over it. Easier said than done, right?

    I have been a girl for 19 years, a person for three and a moldable piece of ‘being’ for about half that. It was when I moved to California in the 5th grade that the word anxiety actually took on some weight. 

    Why did I still wear gauchos — the below-the-knee wide-leg yoga pants from the 90s and 2000s? Or chunky sandals — the 2000s stint that convinced you that you didn’t need to be tall to be a model. And why the hell did I cut my hair into a half bob on one side and past my shoulders on the other?

    I did everything possible to be like everyone else, a trend that wasn’t cool anymore when I went into high school, because then all of a sudden, all that hard work was characterized as … basic. Now, it’s so cool to be different. But be careful — you can’t be too different. 

    Playing between the dichotomy of feeling like myself and blending in was an anxious pull between defining my existence and not being singled out. So, I played it safe. I flew under the radar, talking to no one but my select friends. But god, did I start to dress up — at least, as much as one can in a conservative town. It wasn’t until the end of junior year, after COVID-19 hit, that dressing up in ways that made me feel good became so much more worth it than dressing for those 45-minute classes. It was the perfect cover; no one would have the nerve to call me out in a private chat over Zoom. I was in a curated space to grow. My confidence grew, and so did my friendships. When I could finally go back to school halfway through my senior year, GOD did I dress up. Was Liv going to be goth, a beach bum, a hippie, or a dyke? No one knew, and neither did I.

    I got dress-coded pretty much every day at my conservative high school. Being told how I dressed and how I looked wouldn’t land me a job, friends or a partner, and I started to fade back into where I was in 5th grade. Why does getting older not mean feeling wiser? It was my 25th dress code, this time for having baggy ripped jeans, when they started the conversation with, “So, you got voted best dressed by your peers.” They continued with their lecture on conservatism, but the rest of their dialogue faded away. I didn’t have to be the most confident, prettiest, have the most friends or even say a word. How I expressed myself through my clothing and make-up was enough — and people noticed. It finally made me notice, too. I don’t have to be everyone’s cup of tea, I wasn’t supposed to be! 🙂

    Fashion doesn’t have a destination; it’s about the journey it took to get there. Unlocking how fashion fits with our identity and how our identity fits with our fashion is an ever-evolving experience. I invite you to continue with me on my weekly journey as I unpack the fashion world. Share it with me at my monthly photo shoot. There, you can get a ‘fit-check’ picture taken, get quoted for the paper, and be part of the monthly collage of fashion. Email me at oel6@humboldt.edu to sign up for a photoshoot and for more information!

  • The wicked waving branch of the west

    The wicked waving branch of the west

    By Jasmin Shirazian

    There’s something dangerous dangling in the trees of the G11 parking lot, marked off by a few measly signs and a g-string worth of caution tape. 

    That’s right — I’m talking about that damn branch that has been hanging on by a thread over by the campus apartments, directly over like, at least five parking spots. As if those aren’t already a hard commodity to come by. 

    This thing has been just aimlessly left to blow in the Humboldt breeze — dare I say, heavy gust — since Feb. 26. I know because I was there when some guy reported it to a parking enforcement officer, as if she was gonna do something helpful about it. Lo and behold, a makeshift barricade appeared a little while later and they called it a day. They haven’t done a thing about it since — I guess we’re all just waiting to see it drop one day, and hoping no one is there on a particularly windy day to get hurt. 

    My thing is, don’t we have some kind of maintenance person for the trees on campus? Like, I guess we don’t if they haven’t taken care of it. You would think at a school in the middle of the forest, we would have some kind of solution past the point of barring it off, right? 

    I don’t know what it is about this damn branch that bothers me so much — I don’t drive so I’m not affected by parking, I’m not necessarily scared I’m the one that’s gonna get hit by it. I think I’m more so irritated that it’s just another thing that can be added to a list of shit that’s potentially hazardous to students that has been brushed off and barely dealt with. Of all the issues Cal Poly Humboldt has, this one is so small — and the fact that they won’t just handle it grinds my gears. Anyway, look out overhead for any incoming tree parts and stay safe out there. 

    Jasmin Shirazian is the curly-haired head copyeditor and social media manager for The Lumberjack. She is a TV show enthusiast, cat lover and higher education reporter for CalMatters.

  • Graduating with uncertainty

    Graduating with uncertainty

    By Emma Wilson

    I’m graduating, and I’m scared 

    the world is so questionable

    in terms of being able to find a job anyway

    and I am about to walk across the forsaken stage

    the next steps feel so unclear 

    in hopes of finding a career

    Feeling safe and secure

    seems so unlikely in this moment

    Hunched over, sulking in my despair 

    Change is scary, yet it’s constantly evolving 

    I must raise my spine and walk forward

    And feel the endless discomfort of uncertainty

    Knowing I won’t be uncertain forever 

    Even though I’ve been in the uncertain before

    I know that it will come again, over and over again

    So, for now, I must hear those who love

    For I know I’m not alone in this experience 

    Emma Wilson is a journalism public relations concentration major with an environmental ethics minor. Wilson enjoys learning about every inch of the world and making collages in her free time. 

  • Reel Talk with Julia

    Reel Talk with Julia

    Pride and Prejudice (2005) is celebrating its 20th anniversary and I’m so incandescently happy.

    By Julia Kelm

    Pride and Prejudice is based on the classic novel by Jane Austen that came out in 1813. It’s a love story set in the English gentry during the Georgian era. 

    The story mainly follows Elizabeth Bennet — Keira Knightley — a rather outspoken and self-assured woman for the era, as she faces extreme pressure from her parents to marry. 

    However, upon being introduced to the stern, yet handsome upper-class Mr. Darcy — Matthew Macfadyen — sparks fly instantly. Despite their animosity, there is obvious chemistry between the two. Over time, their relationship blossoms from enemies into lovers.

    There was a showing of the film at 5:00 p.m. at the Minor Theater on May 1 to celebrate the anniversary. I was unable to procure myself a ticket, regrettably, so I had to settle for streaming the film on Netflix. 

    I wish I could’ve seen this film on the big screen, even though I have probably seen it about 100 times before. Although, you won’t hear me complain about seeing it for the 101st time.

    I know it’s annoying and kinda ignorant to say I wish I lived in another time, but GOD DAMN! This movie makes me long for the English countryside, the ball and to be courted. Just for a night is all I ask — surely that’s a reasonable request? 

    Although the theater-going experience is undeniably the best way to watch a movie, I think a similar sentiment can be said for watching movies with your friends. Obviously, in public, I wouldn’t cry out every line of this film aloud like scripture. My living room, on the other hand, is another story. 

    I think the best way anyone can enjoy any movie is with friends and loved ones. Any movie I’ve watched myself, I’ve forced my friends to watch, too. That’s just my love language, I guess.

    The acting and cinematography are unmistakably fantastic. If you’ve seen this film as many times as I have, you are likely aware of the iconic hand flex scene. Hardly a word is spoken in this scene, yet you completely understand the rising tension and romantic dynamic between Elizabeth and Darcy. I wish I could frame this scene and put it on my wall for an eternity — that’s how immaculate it is to witness. 

    Not to mention the ballroom scene where Darcy requests Elizabeth to dance. After bickering for a moment, the camera pans to make it appear that Darcy and Elizabeth are dancing completely alone, signifying that they only have eyes for one another. If that isn’t cinema, I don’t know what is.

    Regardless of whether you were able to see Pride and Prejudice in theaters or not, it’s an unforgettable experience — and definitely worth seeing, again, again and again.

    Julia is a journalism major at Cal Poly Humboldt. She loves film and is a regular on Letterboxd. To quote Robin Williams in her all-time favorite movie, Dead Poets Society, “The powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse. What will your verse be?”

  • The sun will come out tomorrow – right?

    The sun will come out tomorrow – right?

    By Jasmin Shirazian

    The rare, sunny spring or winter day in Humboldt county — of course it happens when I’m either feeling my worst or at my busiest. To stay inside and feel guilty about missing out on much needed vitamin D, to go outside and feel guilty about not doing work or to ignore my body — what’s a girl to do? 

    I have a love-hate relationship with those random winter days that make it over 60 degrees. I’m usually at least three months deep into my regularly scheduled clinical depression cycle — without a doubt influenced by the 4 p.m. sunsets and heavy Humboldt rainfall — and I am absolutely not in the mood to be guilt-tripped by the fact that I know the sun doesn’t come out often. In my heart, I know it would be good for me; it’s probably exactly what I’d need to feel better, actually. I don’t know what to tell you — being logical about it isn’t really gonna do anything, obviously.

    Then, after all my homework for the spring semester has already started piling up and I’m running out of time to turn stuff in, here comes the fucking sun — or whatever it is the Beatles said. Now it’s like shit, why would I stay inside and do work when it’s literally river season? The sunny days aren’t really promised until July, so while they’re a little more frequent, I can’t be sure the entirety of next week won’t be cloudy as shit. I’m already burnt out and justifying not doing my work — the sun makes it way too easy to do more of that. 

    An endless cycle of “what if?” until the end of the semester, every semester. I wonder if it’ll end when I’m done and graduated, but I’m pretty sure it won’t. C’est la vie. 

    Jasmin Shirazian is the copy editor of The Lumberjack and an avid consumer of TV. She loves her cat, family, friends, clothes and traveling in the middle of the school year.

  • The Thunderbolts* strikes audiences nationwide

    The Thunderbolts* strikes audiences nationwide

    By Kaylon Coleman

    Marvel Studios The Thunderbolts* made its way to theaters worldwide this past weekend and the reviews are in — Marvel is back. With a Rotten Tomato score of 87% and an audience score of 94% The Thunderbolts* is proving to be a movie people love. I can attest — it’s pretty good.

    Following up on several different Marvel Cinematic Universe properties including Black Widow, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and Ant-Man and the Wasp to name a few, The Thunderbolts* follows a rag-tag team of “losers” banding together to try and stop a cataclysmic event in — where else? — New York City.

    While I don’t fully agree with the streets saying this is “the best MCU movie since Endgame,” I will say I think it’s definitely in the conversation for top three. I think this is the result of a couple of different factors, most of which I feel the MCU has been lacking in as of late.

    One of which is their recent overhaul effort to push more quality than quantity. Since the creation of Disney+, the MCU has been shoveling out movie after movie and show after show, maximizing storytelling and minimizing output. I don’t believe “superhero fatigue” is a real thing as many others do. I think audiences just know what quality feels like and get worn out when these companies shell out mid movies and shows.

    I say that to say, The Thunderbolts* did not feel like one of those movies. From the trailers, to the promotions, to the acting, to the themes, The Thunderbolts* stands apart from recent MCU movies unequivocally. 

    As mentioned, I’d really like to talk about the acting in this movie. I believe that each and every person in this movie gave a stellar performance. While I do feel as though the dialogue was a bit stale at times and not everyone had enough screen time — which is bound to happen with teamup movies if I’m being honest — each actor gave a performance that shined in its own light. And, while I don’t want to single out one particular character, I think it’d be a disservice to not mention Florence Pugh’s performance as Yelena Belova in this movie. 

    Without giving away too much, we see Yelena — and others — struggle with issues of depression and loneliness in this movie in ways that honestly hit way closer to home than I would’ve thought. Pugh is continuing to prove she is more than capable of carrying the mantle of Black Widow in the MCU, and I can’t wait to see her in Avengers: Doomsday.

    All in all, grab your friends, head to the Broadway Cinema and go have fun watching The Thunderbolts*. I give this movie a 7.3/10.

    Kaylon Coleman is a junior journalism major with a concentration in news and a minor in Psychology and Communications. He is the Social Media Assistant Manager for LJ. He is also the president of the Black Student Union at CPH, social media coordinator for the Umoja Center, and a part-time radio DJ.

  • Schizophrenia didn’t stop me from slaying

    Schizophrenia didn’t stop me from slaying

    By Savana Robinson

    A little over two years ago, a schizophrenia diagnosis changed my life after a traumatizing psychosis episode. I was in my second semester at Cal Poly Humboldt when my onset hit, and it was the most terrifying experience of my life. Timely intervention and care helped me get back to reality. I had to leave school that semester and finish from home, but I made my way back up to Humboldt the following semester. Since then, I’ve been working on The Lumberjack, in broadcasting for over a year, won a couple of awards for my student publication work and I’m about to graduate with my journalism degree. I’m extremely proud of myself and what I’ve accomplished while fighting a mental battle every day. Schizophrenia can seriously impact someone’s life — and I’m no exception — but through support and treatment, it can be managed.

    My support system has saved my life. I wouldn’t be here without my selfless father, my caring mother, my encouraging sister and my thoughtful boyfriend. I also can’t forget my professors and peers here at Cal Poly Humboldt who have all helped me get to where I am now.

    Getting to this point has also taken a lot of work on my part. Finding the right mix of medications and attending therapy religiously has helped me stabilize and maintain a functional baseline. I’m incredibly grateful for modern medicine, but it has taken some time and patience to figure out which combination works best for me. Therapy is also a part of treatment that works over time and requires consistency. I understand and appreciate that I am in a fortunate position to have what I need available to me, as not everyone with schizophrenia — or bipolar, hello mania! — has access to proper, let alone consistent, treatment, but it shouldn’t be that way. I believe everyone who struggles with mental illness deserves adequate care.

    During my psychosis, I didn’t think I would make it out of the hospital, or even make it back to college to finish my degree. Going through my episode and receiving my diagnosis brought along a slew of challenges, but also gave me the opportunity to develop my emotional skills. I’ve become more resilient, adaptable and grounded in these two years post-episode. I’m not glad for what I went through, but I’m happy where I am now.

    Savana Robinson is a senior journalism major and a multimedia journalist and producer at Redwood News. She loves motorcycles, cats and video games.

  • Ryan Coogler’s new horror film Sinners bites at bigger themes… and people

    Ryan Coogler’s new horror film Sinners bites at bigger themes… and people

    By Alexis Blue

    The southern summer had cooled to a tolerable temperature, but the heat at Club Juke was hotter than ever — with drinks flowing and feet moving on the dance floor. Sammie stood in the center of the juke, strumming his guitar as spirits from the past and future danced in circles from his Blues. 

    “There are legends of people with the gift of making music so true, it can conjure spirits from the past and the future,” said the film’s narrator. 

    Ryan Coogler’s film Sinners premiered on April 3 and was released April 18, ticket sales generating $48 million its first weekend in theaters and $45 million this past weekend according to the Variety. Coogler’s film is set in 1932, following the storyline of two twin brothers named Smoke and Stack — both played by Michael B. Jordan — as they return to the Mississippi Delta and find themselves face-to-face with the devil, so to speak. 

    Director and screenwriter for Fruitvale Station, Creed and Black Panther, Coogler dabbled in a new genre of horror with Sinners, while also tackling deeper truths. The film touches on Jim Crow racism rampant in the South during this time period, religion, and the larger role that music plays within society and culture — particularly Blues music, which gave voice to the stories of Black Americans at the hand of segregation. 

    When first watching the preview for the film, I don’t think I entirely grasped what kind of evil these “sinners” were facing, until further investigation showed that this evil was in fact… vampires. I let out an audible groan because, typically, I find vampires in film and television rather corny and overdone. Unpopular opinion — I could never understand the hype around Twilight because it is corny and the acting is too. Sue me! But Coogler’s jab at vampires on screen was tasteful and acknowledged the deeper role they played in religion as a tangible representation of the devil. 

    The theme of religion throughout the entire film begins in the opening scene. The movie opens to a strikingly white church into which Sammie “Preacher Boy” — played by Miles Caton — stumbles, the remnants of a guitar in hand. For one, I must applaud Caton for his role and vocals in this film because I was shook in my seat at the Mill Creek Cinema listening to him sing. I was even more shocked to find out that this was his debut Hollywood film at the ripe age of 20. I am incredibly impressed and hope to see more of Caton on the big screen. 

    In addition to Preacher Boy, I was enthralled by the casting and the acting in the film — chef’s kiss. Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, Wunmi Mosaku, Jayme Lawson, Omar Miller, Li Jun Li, Delroy Lindo and Jack O’Connell all made it nearly impossible to take my eyes off the screen. 

    Two characters I must acknowledge are Annie, played by Mosaku, and Delta Slim, played by Lindo. That feeling when you watch horror movies and think, “Gosh, why are these people so stupid?” and “Why are they running toward that really creepy noise?” was not really jumping out at me in this film — and we have Annie to thank for that. She is the voice of reason we all need in horror movies. As for Slim, he is the comedic break we needed amongst all the bloodsuckers, because two hours of straight panic would be exhausting.

    Jordan’s role as both twins, Smoke and Stack, is also worth noting. The cinematography was seamless as both twins appeared on screen at the same time, making me forget that they were even being played solely by Jordan. 

    One of my overall favorite parts of this film was the care that Coolger took to build the audience’s relationships with the characters, with the plot revealing the antagonist over an hour into the film. This first hour of the film was spent well, developing the complexities of each character and foreshadowing their future sins. 

    The foreshadowing, the symbolism and the complex themes of this movie that transcend the oftentimes trite nature of vampires leave me still trying to uncover all the hidden messages tucked into the unexpectedness of this film. I challenge you to figure them out for yourselves, you bloodsuckers!

    Alexis Blue is a junior at Cal Poly Humboldt, majoring in journalism and minoring in writing. She enjoys drinking coffee, sunsets on the beach and playing soccer.