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MINARI FILM REVIEW

By Priyanshi Panchal

Editor’s Note: Views expressed in this article are

solely from the author's opinions and beliefs.

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     Minari, available on Amazon Prime, is an award winning film that follows the journey of a Korean-American family moving to Arkansas in the 1980s. While trying to make a better life for themselves, the film focuses on issues that each family member faces, including Soonja (mother of Monica), Jacob (father), Monica (mother) and Jacob and Monica’s two children, Anne and David. Problems that each one of the characters face are discussed as more than just the American dream; Minari showcases the difficulties of living in two different worlds while in a society in which you are deemed “abnormal”.

     Many of the problems that the characters face throughout the film touch on issues and experiences that I have personally gone through. The eldest child of the family, Anne, is shown in the film as a serious and hardworking young woman whose mother often relies on taking for care of her younger brother and helping with chores around their farm. As an older sibling myself, I am often someone my parents lean on to help with chores and to take care of my younger brother. Unlike her younger brother, Anne is seen talking to her parents and grandmother in only Korean and she is portrayed as more understanding of her Korean background when compared to her younger brother. 

     Additionally, the film portrays how western ideals lay in the thoughts of others around the family as well as within the family themselves. One scene showcases David as he tells his grandmother that she isn’t a “real grandma” since she does not do “typical” things like bake cookies. This is an example of how western ideals affect what families should look like for most first-generation children growing up. When the family visits their local church, there are also scenes in which children around Anne and David spew racist comments.  A boy a bit older than David asks him, “Why is your face so flat?” Although these comments were not of intentional racism, they make people feel left out in a community and leave those affected by them with a feeling of exclusion. 

     Lastly, the film focuses on problems within Monica and Jacob’s relationship and how they struggle to make a living after coming to America. This was a problem that, even though I had not experienced it myself, I had sympathized with. In my opinion, Minari is a great film to watch that allows people to understand the experience of first-generation American families while following a heartwarming story. 

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FATE: THE WINX SAGA 

TV SHOW REVIEW

By Abrielis Mejia

Editor’s Note: Views expressed in this article are

solely from the author's opinions and beliefs.

​

     Fate: The Winx Saga is a live action remake of the Winx Club cartoon series that premiered on Netflix on January 22nd, 2021. The main character is portrayed as Bloom, a fairy raised by humans who believed that she was a human too, leaving Bloom completely unaware of her true origins. However, once Bloom is discovered to be a fairy, she begins to attend a school for fairies that causes Bloom to lie to her parents about her schooling since they cannot be told that fairies exist. 

     While unpacking in her dorm, Bloom meets her roommates Aisha, Terra, Musa and Stella, who decide to attend a party on campus as Bloom chooses to venture into the nearby forest with the hope to practice her magic. Quickly losing control of her powers, Bloom begins to damage the forest until Aisha arrives to save her and the forest by stopping her magic. This causes a rift between the two friends until a heart to heart discussion brings them together to only be pulled apart once again by a secret being discovered.

     Bayside High School junior Jasmine Chan stated, “I like how the show isn't only drama and has other genres in it.” This can be seen where action scenes are edited to portray realistic looking magic powers coming from many of the characters. 

     I also enjoyed the first season of the series as a combination of drama and mystery was brought together throughout many scenes.

     Bayside High School junior Ashley Torres said, “I thought the way they portrayed the characters with all these different personalities was interesting.” Personally, I agree with Torres’ comment as it feels that the cast was written to have such distinct personalities that none of the characters could be mixed up.

     However, Bayside High School junior Mackenzie Morales commented, “There is absolutely no plot, the outfits are all different from the cartoon it was based on, and all relationships were taken away from the original version of the show.” Compared to the cartoon from which Fate: The Winx Saga was based, the aesthetic appeal of the outfits has been changed to darker colors, creating a depressing mood while they were once colorful and made to suit each individual character and his/her personality.

     In addition, the lack of girl power from a series in which the cast is mainly girls was discussed in an article from The Beat: The Blog Of Comics Culture titled “There is Too Much Wrong with Fate: The Winx Saga” by Therese Lacson. “However, she [Bloom] never once demonstrates selflessness or asks about other people’s feelings. When her “friends” are bullied or suffering through their own problems, she will literally turn the topic back to talk about her issues instead.” Throughout the show, it can be seen that Bloom’s roommates rush to her side, especially Aisha, who helped Bloom control her magic, but it is not shown that Bloom takes into consideration her roommates’ feelings or actions.

     Another flaw seen by the lack of girl power are scenes in which the girls begin to turn against each other. Musa and Terra have a difficult time getting along because of magic issues, while Bloom and Aisha and Bloom and Stella constantly have drama with each other that turn into vocal disagreements.

     Lastly, the approach towards the family that raised Bloom compared to her biological family can be criticized as well. Lacson continues on to state, “Well, in my eyes, her real family is the mother and father who raised her for 16 years, who she almost killed with her uncontrolled rage-fire. In fact, when she finds out she’s a changeling, she starts ignoring her parents’ calls and is dogged in her pursuit of finding her ‘real family’.” Although it is understandable for someone to want to know their biological parents/family, it seems as if Bloom puts it ahead of any and all other family issues.

     Although people comment that Fate: The Winx Saga has many flaws, it does not mean the show can not be enjoyable, especially during the action scenes in which magical powers and true character traits are portrayed while adventure continues on throughout the plot.

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