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Ash Merritt
Staff Writer On December 16th of 2022, the long-awaited sequel to Avatar was released, titled Avatar: The Way of Water. This film was made roughly 13 years after the first movie. Although the film was pushed back multiple times, the movie is still wonderful and well made, especially with all the ties back to the first movie and the add-ons in the second. Avatar: The Way of Water was fun and exciting, although it had many similarities to the first Avatar film. There is still a war between the “sky people” and the Na'vi, as well as similar learning experiences for the main characters. While there were new types of animals and a change of scenery, the film had the same plot structure. The main characters were learning the way of a clan, getting comfortable, making a few friends, sky people causing some ruin, and then war between the sky people and the Na'vi. The Metkayina clan is opposed to accepting the Sully family because they were “alien.” Alien was the name of the Na’vi that had sky people blood and only had five fingers. This caused a few problems, although Jake and Neytiri were used to this behavior. The children were not so happy with the rejection the clan gave. Later on, it becomes a major conflict; however, it is seen that the people are accepting when they have to go to war. Everyone wanted the sky people dead, and they teamed up with the Sully family. This unity made the Sully family fully a part of the clan and the Metkayina people respected the family. The Avatar franchise seems to enjoy male characters dying in the most dramatic ways. First Eytukan, the leader of the Omaticaya Clan, dies mid film just before the Na’vi accept Jake Sully and fight the sky people. Then in the sequel the Avatar franchise kills off another key character, when the war takes place; this is one tragedy that caused a few tears to be shed. Both die because of the sky people and both were significant characters with a tragic death. Bringing the films to an upsetting end; although, the death does bring a significant uprising attitude to the films. Overall, the film is an hour longer than the first and has a beautiful plot. A three hour movie that is relatively similar to the first film. The film is time consuming and slightly pointless but is fairly enjoyable to watch.
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Grace Wiklund
Staff Writer December marks the very well known celebration known as Christmas. The holiday is celebrated by most families around the world, and they get together to celebrate the end of the year, along with their religions and traditions. However, not everyone knows that some of the classic winter traditions are borrowed from Germanic, or more commonly known as Pagan, religions. Christmas as a whole can be tied to Yule; a Pagan holiday that marks the winter solstice (Dec. 20-23) and came before Christmas was a holiday. The exact origins of Yule are unknown, but there are a couple of different theories. A common theory of its origin can be traced back to the ancient Norse festival Jul; a winter festival that involved traditions similar to that of classic Christmas traditions. There are also origins in Scandinavia that were celebrated by Germanic tribes; however, when Christianity spread throughout Europe, Christians incorporated some of these traditions into their own practices to appeal to the idea of converting to their religion. The yule log is an example of a borrowed Christmas tradition. It is a simple holiday tradition of burning a log of wood during wintertime, thus giving houses the classic warm and cozy feel. Sometimes people also write their wishes down before feeding it to the fire. The yule log might also be regarded as the dessert “Bȗche de Noel,” which is a log-shaped chocolate cake, but it’s more related to the modern day yule log itself. The original purpose of the fire was to welcome the sun back as the days got longer. The druids–high-caste people of Celtic cultures– believed that the burning of the yule log would encourage the sun to return faster. The Pagans burned their yule logs by pouring alcohol over the log before relighting it with last year’s log remains. The main goal was to try to keep the fire alive for twelve days. If the log were to burn out, it’s considered bad luck in the coming year. Christmas gets some of its icons from Pagan beliefs as well. It is believed that Odin, the Norse god regarded as the All-Father, also holds the title of the first Father Christmas. Odin is described to be white bearded and a wanderer, and sounds quite similar to Old Saint Nice with his own snow white beard and his trait of “wandering” from town to town spreading joy. It is also to be noted that Odin owned an eight-legged horse named Sleipnir. In honor of this mythical creature, some children would leave out hay and sugar for Sleipnir the eve of the winter solstice. So there is a possibility that Odin’s horse was translated and adapted into Santa’s eight reindeer. Today, Yule is mostly celebrated by Neo-pagans, or modern day Pagans. Yes the holiday is not commonly celebrated in America, and may be lost to time as the years go by. However, Yule will remain a key component in the shaping of the holly and jolly winter holiday that people have grown to love and cherish over the years. Ed Perez
Assistant Editor A superhero with unimaginable power finally gets a movie. As of the 21st of October, the new Black Adam movie aired across America. The DC character has had his fair share of glory in the comics and cartoon spin-offs, and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson portraying Black Adam might just give the character more recognition. A film production company, New Line Cinema is giving life to Black Adam with his own movie instead of just a side character or villain. The comic books of Black Adam's origins portray him as more of the villain counterpart to the superhero Shazam. Black Adam did save the world in the comics from Thanos alongside the Avengers and Shazam. Shazam is also known as Billy Batson, a kid who can magically turn into a grown man with amazing powers. Black Adam comes from the same origin as Shazam. The ancients gave Shazam his powers; when they did, another power-hungry ancient created the crown of Sabbac, a crown that holds magical powers. This crown, similar to Shazam’s powers, also makes Black Adam incredibly strong and gives him the power of flight and invincibility. He has no child form, unlike Shazam, but still has a much smaller form without his powers, known as Teth Adam. Although he has some character flaws, he makes an interesting Anti-Hero in the movie. There is always the big controversy of what Black Adam is: Is he truly a villain, or is he just a misunderstood hero? The highly rated and growing film might just give the people their answers. On the day the movie came out in America, The Buzz assistant editor Eric Perez noticed that theaters were packed and not one showing of the movie was empty. Many people were very excited for the character to finally hit the big screen after so many years of asking for a movie. Lo and behold the fans were answered, because Shazam was released, and many people thought that Black Adam was the best part of the movie. Dwayne Johnson has been very attached to this character since Shazam, and planned on making a movie some time ago. Although Black Adam was supposed to come out earlier, the COVID-19 pandemic took a big toll on the movie industry and stopped the filming of Black Adam. Now that it has died down and Black Adam is finally being shown, the fans are happy. The movie has action and drama just as a superhero movie should. With a big Hollywood actor and a well developed character arc, Black Adam might just be the comeback for DC to hit the top charts right alongside Marvel. Griffin Moeller
Co-Editor The Caped Crusader has had a vast cinematic history. Following the character’s introduction within the pages of Detective Comics #27 in 1939, Batman’s first onscreen manifestation debuted in 1943. Since then, he has become one of the most popular characters in fiction, appearing in Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight Trilogy and television shows like Batman: The Animated Series. After Ben Affleck’s departure from the role, fans could barely wait for the return of the World’s Greatest Detective in Matt Reeves’s 2022 film The Batman. The story of this new film follows billionaire recluse Bruce Wayne, portrayed by Twilight and Harry Potter star Robert Pattinson, while he moonlights as the masked vigilante known as Vengeance, or Batman, in his second year of crime fighting. Wayne’s morals and patience are put to the test when a serial killer known as the Riddler, played by Paul Dano, threatens to “unmask the truth” about the corrupt nature of Gotham City. This gripping and terrifying psychological thriller also stars Zoë Kravitz as Catwoman, Jeffrey Wright as Lieutenant James Gordon, Andy Serkis as Alfred Pennyworth, John Turturro as Carmine Falcone, and Colin Farrell as the Penguin. Pattinson spends the majority of the film in his Batman costume and becomes a daunting presence in all of his scenes. In an age with so many versions of the Dark Knight, the one presented in The Batman emits a dominating presence that will stand the test of time as arguably one of the best interpretations of the character. One of the most refreshing aspects of the film is that of the detective case at the forefront, differing from the usual action plot of most superhero movies. While investigative elements of the character have been sprinkled throughout past movies, Batman’s moniker of the World’s Greatest Detective is finally able to come to fruition with the help of Matt Reeves’s understanding of the character and its history. With such a complicated case to solve, the film has minimal action sequences, favoring a more focused, emotionally-driven story woven throughout a chaotic adventure. However, that is not to say that the film has no action, as some of the most exciting scenes involve car chases and fist fights. The balance is a true testament to the filmmakers’ abilities to tell a story on several different levels, whether in the form of a detective case, visual aesthetic, or musical score. The Batman is an exceptional cinematic entry in the DC Universe. It is a surprisingly emotional and moving story about a man who dresses as a bat to create fear in the hearts of criminals and hope in the souls of the citizens in his city. On paper, that type of film should never work due to its ridiculous-sounding nature. In a strange turn of events; however, the messages of the story are much more impactful than the average Hollywood blockbuster. Griffin Moeller
Co-Editor Despite the Earth’s completion of its colossal rotation around the sun, the new year will always bear the burdens of the previous year. This is why, during the season of change, people have a tendency to renew themselves for the better. New year resolutions have been a staple of world culture for thousands of years; the traditions dating back to the ancient Babylonians and the 17th century. Although the practices are known worldwide, not everyone implements them. While still popular, new year resolutions can be difficult to maintain, especially in the cold, dull month of January. Even though motivation is a rare commodity in times of minimal positivity, some students at Bonneville High School are trying their hardest to achieve their goals and may find themselves debating on whether or not to come out on top. One junior who is slightly uncertain about his future in 2022 is Teagen Law. When he was asked if he had a new year resolution, he hastily replied, “No, not really. In general, I just want to be a better person than I was last year.” Law plans to attend the gym more often and wants to meet new people. He admits to having struggled in completing the same resolution in the past, as he was injured in football and was unable to fulfill his goals. Now, in 2022, he hopes to resolve his task efficiently. Even with the proper motivation at hand, it is challenging for some to uphold goals in the low light of winter. Law was queried on whether his or anyone else’s resolutions were affected by the frosty aura of January, in which he answered, “Oh yeah, for sure.” He added, “Everyone just kind of wants to sit at home and do nothing.” Law’s observations on the darkness of winter ring true for many attempting to preserve their own resolutions. With mixed results in the game of new year resolutions, there is bound to be bad blood between those who settle their aspirations, and those who do not. Despite this, Law is unfazed when others around him succeed this time of year. He said, “You can do what you want. Everyone has their freedom to do what they want.” Law has respect for those around him to understand that everyone goes at different paces, and he plans on helping his friends accomplish their own goals, thus removing some of the negativity associated with the practice. No matter how simple or complicated they may be, new year resolutions are what drive many people to success each year. The Bonneville Buzz wishes the best of luck to those working on resolutions this year. Kayla Black
Staff Writer There are both positives and negatives on social media. Aside from distracting teens, exposing, and disturbing their sleep. It can also be a very positive platform. Teens are able to communicate and post pictures and videos. Social media also allows teens to meet new people from far away and keep in close contact with family members who may not live nearby. Some teens may feel less lonely because of some social media users. Snapchat and Instagram have a huge impact on teens' emotions. Bullying, spreading rumors, and harassment has been a big deal over the past years. This causes suicides and many early deaths to teens. According to some, social media has increased young suicides, isolation, cyber-bullying, and depression. The fear of missing out (FOMO) means other teens fearing that they are missing out, whether it is with parties or other social events. Other teens can be upset because of low self-esteem and body image. An excessive amount of time spent on social media can hurt teens emotionally, create harmful thoughts, and make individuals a danger to themselves. For example, “The Impact of Social Media on Society,” written by Jacob Amedie of Santa Clara University, states that teenagers develop anxiety and depression amidst their complex relationship with social media. In some people's lives, social media can cause harm to friendships and relationships. A study showed a couple that was together, ended up sharing more information than information that is useful. Once in a while, positive posts are appropriate. People should not share everything on social media because of jealousy or making negative comments on posts. Others might find some things offensive that means we have to watch what we post. Comparing their lives to others’ is mentally unhealthy for them. Those are many of the positives and negatives of social media and how it affects teens and their mental health. Bullying and harassment have negative effects. There are many positives about social media such as it gives people a way to communicate with friends and family from far away. Maycee Todd
Staff Writer “Mother Knows Best,” written by Serena Valentino, was published in the summer of 2019. She has published many other books about the Disney villains and loves to tell their stories in a way no one has heard before. Mother Gothel's story has been told in many different ways, but this one was uniquely done. The way Valentino wrote this story is an eccentric way a Disney villain’s past could have been written. Valentino did an amazing job at bringing the mystery and questioning to a halt; there are many parts of this beloved Disney movie that don't have an explanation and causes the viewers to wonder about Mother Gothel, such as what made her want to stay young forever or what made her think to to such a horrific thing to Repunzel.. This book wraps most conflicts up and explains many different reasons as to what made her become the villain. There is a difference between the way the author portrayed Mother Gothel and the way she is portrayed in the movie. Not many teens enjoy reading but they may be surprised. Some things stayed the same for both the movie as well as the book. There are some things others may be able to relate with Mother Gothel because she grew up similarly to a regular teen. She was born as a triplet, being the last of the three to be born. She grew up only knowing her sisters, not much else. Not many people grew up in the woods with only grey scenery around them, but others may be able to relate to Mother Gothel personally. She went through so much at such a young age, that most people would not expect. This book may surprise readers and Disney lovers, as well as bringing some intake on Tangled. Kayla Long
Staff Writer Hip Sip is one of the many soda shops in Idaho Falls. This soda shop is one of the newest ones in town at the moment, with a star rating of 5.0 on the Google web but there are only three reviews. Their staff is really easy to get along with and have small talk. They are also really respectful and kind to their customers and very focused on what they are doing. Like the one guy who takes your orders, not sure what his name is but he is super kind and respectful towards all the customers even the ones who are not so kind to him. Hip Sip has many drinks to choose from, although their drinks can be a little pricey compared to other places. For one large drink it is around 5 bucks. Customers choose the drink they want and then have them choose two mix-ins between a soda, energy drink, lemonade, or sparkling water. Then there are always some other extra flavors like pomegranate, vanilla, cherry, strawberry and many more that they add depending on the customers’ drink request. After the drink is made, they put a peach ring over the straw and serve it to their customer. Which is pretty unique and quite different from other places around town. One of the downfalls of this soda shop is they do not make any drinks that contain coffee but they can do any requested drinks. They have their menu but they also have a recipe book for custom made drinks, so if there is not a drink a customer wants on the menu, then they can request the drink that they want and the employees will custom make it. They have some quite unique names for their drinks but to some parents the names could be possibly offensive or inappropriate. Like for example New Mom, Stoner, or even the Butter Me Up drink. They are all still amazing drinks and taste fantastic. Hip Sip is definitely recommended to anyone who enjoys mixed sodas. Hip Sip is located by Subway on 17th street in Ammon. To anyone who passes by, feel free to stop by and try their amazing drinks. |
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