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Serving Montgomery County Community College and the Surrounding Community
October 2022
Issue 91
Burnout within the
college community,
Page 3.
Don Shump answers questions as honeybees
swarm his face to fashion a bee beard. Page 15.
(Photo / Josie Racz)
Backyard beekeeping:
Benecial or blameworthy?
Page 7.
Should Indiana Jones
return in 2023?
Page 12.
Page 2 October 2022
THE MONTGAZETTE
A tsunami-sized wave of
bad luck has hit my lifeboat
recently. It is something we have
all experienced, and we know the
tides will eventually turn back in
our favor. Yet, when riding out
the violent waves in the midst
of a dark ocean, it can seem like
forever waiting for rescue.
Bad luck manifests itself in
different ways. Some are mild
annoyances and others are life-
changing events. When I was
participating in virtual class,
every smoke detector in my
house went off for no reason. An
organization I am apart of lost its
leader after a decade of service. I
lost progress on a major project,
and a product I am not proud of
was turned in. This misfortune
builds up into a giant Goliath that
must be faced in order to keep
going forward. Yet, it is too often
that we see people turn away from
a challenge and put their attention
towards unhealthy distractions.
Modern society has made
it easier for these distractions
to manifest. Instead of facing
Goliath head on, devices are
shoved in our face to hide us
from his horrors. Social media
and video games are an easier
occupation of the mind than
real-world problem-solving.
I have fallen victim to
distractions as well. I can spend
countless hours streaming
“Friends” and “That ‘70s Show,”
yet, these are only short-term
distractions. When I close my
computer, I may have laughed a
bit, but I still have problems to
address that everyone’s favorite
friend, Joey Tribbiani, cannot
help with in real life.
It is overwhelming to
face Goliath alone. While it is
possible, the ght will be long
and there will be deep scars.
Instead, I nd it much more
helpful to face him with a team
of Davids. To know a group of
friends or family have my back is
the biggest relief in the world.
During my rst semester,
I learned of the many
opportunities that the college has
to offer, including writing for
The Montgazette. We have clubs
that focus on different interests
and industries. There are chances
to meet new people, if only we
all look up from our screens. No
matter what, human connection
will remain the ultimate cure for
a rough patch of life. Even when
we seem to be adrift in an ocean
of bad luck, friends and family
can offer the best rescue.
To all Montgomery County
Community College students and
staff, welcome back to another
year. I hope you make the best of
it. To do so, I recommend putting
your phone away and meeting
someone new, either in class
or out in the courtyard. Build
your family of Davids and help
destroy each other’s Goliaths.
Good of luck to everyone and
keep an eye out for the next issue
of The Montgazette!
Steven Wicher Jr.
Editor-in-Chief
Malaika Ashanti
Gabriel Gibboni
Anne Kastelein
Sophia Liberato
William Norris
Rose Padva
Kimberly Pessoa
Josie Racz
Marc Regen
Dalaya Richardson
Gavriel Yehezkel
October Contributors
Yaniv Aronson
Robin Bonner
Advisors
Joshua Woodroffe
Design & Layout
Th
e Staff
Steven Wicher Jr.
The Montgazette Editor-in-Chief
About The Montgazette
The Montgazette is published twice a semester from
October to May by the students and advisory staff of
Montgomery County Community College.
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Face your Goliath this semester
Page 3October 2022
Burnout within the college community
Rose Padva
MSP 111 The Montgazette Contributor
Michelle Nguyen, a former student at
Montgomery County Community College, said,
“I felt burned out all the time, even while I was in
school.” Nguyen studied Life Sciences for a couple
of semesters before dropping out because of mental
health and nancial issues. Nguyen is not the only
student who struggles with burn out.
What is burn out? Burn out is the feeling of
stress and anxiety in daily life. According to the
University of Virgina Department of Economics,
students can begin feeling so helpless and
depressed that they retreat into their shell, away
the people who care about them the most. They
become frustrated, confused, and lonely, and do
not know what to do. Eventually, with everything
piling on top, one after the other, they snap. The
article lists three reasons why students are burned
out in college: social issues, academic pressures,
and mental health.
Tommy Kelly, a current student at the College,
studying Business Administration, has also had
issues with burn out. He explained, “Last year
during school I struggled with family health issues,
[and] I got burned out.”
Many other students nd it difcult how to
tell their loved ones they are dealing with burn out.
How can students recover? Kelly said, “Make sure
to do things that pick you up, and not just things
that are daily tasks. Let someone know how you
are mentally.”
Nguyen suggested that “Hot showers after a
long day have helped me.” Both of these students
had a common solution: self-care.
Many resources are available to assist with
burn out. If students need mental health help,
timelycare.com is a telehealth service that can
provide professional help for free. Students can
either use their app or go to their website to start their
self-help journey. Other resources available include
Montgomery County Mental and Behavioral Health
and Montgomery County Adult Mental Health
Services Guide.
If students feel that they want to change a
situation, or need more specic resources for
food, housing, education, and even LGBTQIA+
resources, information can also be found on the
College’s website. Students can go to the health
and wellness page at mc3.edu and click on any of
the resources listed. Some additional resources that
are available are Montgomery County LGBTQ+
Health and Support at montcopa.org and the PA
Housing Finance Agency at phfa.org. Students
should not hesitate to get help from friends, family,
and through college resources.
A MCCC Student’s Desk.
(Photo / Rose Padva)
Page 4 October 2022
THE MONTGAZETTE
Everyone seems to have a love/hate
relationship with the fall season. The weather
starts to get cooler, schools welcome back
students, and everything’s changing.
Diving deep into the topic of the seasonal
change, Pennsylvania residents had plenty to
say. “It’s not my favorite,” former college
student Lily Dibble says. “I like the summer
more. You get good tans and go on vacations,
and it’s peaceful.”
Dibble attended Mount Aloysius
College, in central Pennsylvania. She says,
“What I like more is that here, in Pennsburg,
it’s not totally cold yet. Sure, we have days
where it’s really windy and you might need
a sweatshirt. But at Aloysius? I wouldn’t be
surprised if it already started snowing.”
Taylor Augustin, a contributor to Sweety
High.com, says, “If we had to chose one season
to live in year-round, it would be summer.”
Augustin continues, “Days at the beach,
summer fashion, family vacays, reading
books, local fairs, and more, to take up most
of our time, and we have no complaints.”
Take the “Frozen” character Olaf, the friendly
snowman, for example. He is a snowman, yet
summer is his favorite season.
Of course, some people are still looking
forward to the fall season kicking off. “Are
you kidding?” high school senior Kyle Knause
says, “Fall is perfect. The food, the clothing,
the holidays, the build-up to Christmas. How
could you not like the season?”
It is said that fall brings in a very cozy
atmosphere, and the changing weather makes
it a solid candidate for best season. Knause
agrees: “What I love most about fall is
honestly the temperature dies down and its
developmental change from summer.”
Much like Knause, it appears that others
support this opinion. Dara Mathis, contributor
to Romper.com, says, “Autumn is a time to
fully embrace cozy clothes, colorful leaves,
and basically everything else that’s great
about living in a place with four seasons.”
Growing up in Florida, Mathis has had
a personal experience living with a never-
ending summer season. Since moving to
Maryland, she says she’s “kicking summer
lovin’ to the curb.”
So, yes, fall inspires a never-ending
love/hate relationship for those who live for
the summer life. Some may love the endless
beach days and summer playlists. Others will
stick to warm coffee and fuzzy socks by a
re. It is all a matter of personal preference.
LOCAL
The Outdoors.
(Photo / Anne Kastelein)
Opinion:
The debate over summer vs. fall
Anne Kastelein
The Montgazette Contributor
Page 5October 2022
THE MONTGAZETTE
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Page 6 October 2022
THE MONTGAZETTE
Opinion:
Fast fashion is bad for a sustainable society
Sophia Liberato
MSP 111 The Montgazette Contributor
“Fast fashion” is a term for new clothes that
are made with cheap material from companies that
outsource to developing countries. These companies
pay workers less than minimum wage for the mass
amount of clothing they produce. Unfortunately, this
trend has grown in popularity. These fast fashion
clothes are easier to tear or will fall out of style as
soon as a new line comes out, forcing consumers to
then buy newer disposable clothes.
How can consumers combat this and shop more
sustainably? One way is to shop at a thrift store,
for several reasons: First, fast fashion companies
use unsustainable production methods. In addition,
fast fashion has been known to dry up and pollute
water sources, while 85% of these clothes end up
in landlls. Washing these clothes alone releases
500,000 tons of microbers into the ocean each year.
Bella Maldonado, a young adult who attempts
to shop sustainably, said, “Thrift stores and recycled
clothing” are examples of how she has tried to
reduce the carbon footprint that fast fashion creates.
Maldonado also stated that these companies have
a responsibility to “reuse waste in the factories …
[and] use fabric that is organic.”
Fast fashion uses synthetic fabrics for a reason.
This fabric is cheaper and can be quickly mass
produced. For many people, it is difcult to stop
buying a product they enjoy for the sole reason that
it came from a fast fashion brand.
Grace Liberato works in retail and understands
the effect some companies have on their target
audience. Liberato says, “People should start
buying from local stores.”
Shopping at small businesses is another method
that consumers have used to slow down the negative
effects of big brands. Small businesses also have
more unique pieces that can be tailored to the buyer,
unlike chain companies that mass produce the same
article of clothing.
These local shops sell clothes made to last
longer, not just a single season. A common practice
these businesses have is producing and creating
clothes themselves. They may even work with other
local businesses to obtain materials that will ensure
a more sustainable production experience.
Shopping sustainably, while potentially
inconvenient and more expensive, is possible to
achieve. It can help slow the rise of fast fashion brands
and in turn help reduce waste and the negative effects
these brands have on the environment.
Local thrift store, Liberty Thrift.
(Photo / Sophia Liberato)
Page 7October 2022
THE MONTGAZETTE
Backyard beekeeping:
Benecial or blameworthy?
Gavriel Yehezkel
MSP 111 The Montgazette Contributor
At a time when environmental concern for
pollinators has spiked, and support for local businesses
has grown, local beekeepers have been making the best
of a complicated situation.
Over the past few years, many have heard about
the “Save the Bees” campaign. This campaign is based
on the statistics that show that several bee species have
become endangered. It caught the attention of many
newfound beekeepers worldwide, who have begun
efforts to increase the amount of ora and fauna in their
area to attract more bees.
Five years ago, Ofer and Rachel Yehezkel noticed
a severe lack of pollinators on a walk during what
used to be the busiest time of year for bees in their
area. The married couple both dreamed of owning a
farm one day, so they decided to take their rst step by
backyard beekeeping.
“We’d always wanted to try beekeeping but didn’t
think it’d be for a long while. Later on, we looked into
the environmental benets, as well as the nancial
benets, and decided it’d be a great idea to try our hand
at the beekeeping business,” said Rachel Yehezkel.
Soon after, business was booming as the two set up
stands in various local farmer’s markets. From Horsham
to Abington to Glenside, they quickly became one of the
biggest bee product businesses in the Philadelphia area.
“The bees do a lot for us,” Ofer Yehezkel says,
“not just with making honey and beeswax but also with
pollination. Having bees in your backyard makes it easy
to grow fruit trees and vegetable gardens.”
Even though it seems like there is no bigger
benet than cultivating a pollination powerhouse, could
honeybees be over-pollinating? Although many types of
bees are under threat of endangerment, honeybees are
not one. In fact, there are more honeybees today than
ever. It begs the question, are honeybees pushing out
other pollinators?
The answer: It depends. Beekeeping, as a hobby,
usually does not require enough hives to effect pollinator
competition. However, large food corporations often
hire beekeepers to move beehives into their orchards for
a more fruitful blossom. This usually ends up pushing
natural pollinators out of their native environment.
There are remedies. Growing a garden or planting
simple lawn owers can encourage the growth of native
pollinators, such as bumblebees or butteries, which can
thrive in these local areas.
Overall, supporting local honey businesses is not
a disservice, but an incentive to appreciate nature’s
lasting bounty.
A bee pollinating a tree blossom.
(Photo / Rachel Yehezkel)
Page 8 October 2022
THE MONTGAZETTE
ENTERTAINMENT
There is a very
unfortunate trend within
the war genre in cinema.
Oftentimes, viewers
follow one main character
throughout a period of
war. They watch as the
main character struggles
in his endeavors but
faithfully comes out
victorious in the end. This
depiction turns war from
the greatest of human
tragedies into the classic
“hero’s journey” tale.
“Come and See” is
a 1985 lm by Soviet
director Elem Klimov. Set
in 1943 Belarus, it follows
a young boy named Floya
returning home from
a camp of resistance
ghters, only to nd his
family and other villagers
slaughtered. From here,
he wanders around his
native country attempting
to survive numerous Nazi
atrocities. These horrors
peak when a village that
Florya is hiding in comes
under Nazi siege. The
Germans burn down every
structure and, along with
it, its inhabitants. The few
who physically survive
are forever scarred.
In the nal scene,
Florya rejoins the
resistance ghters and
marches on to defend
everything he knows.
While the audience
could view this as
another survivor living
on, the lm paints this
ending in a different
light: The combatants
are not heroes marching,
but a group of human
shells walking toward
their impending doom.
In his review of
“Come and See,” critic
Roger Ebert writes, “It’s
said that you can’t make
an effective anti-war lm
because war by its nature
is exciting, and the end
of the lm belongs to the
survivors.” This is why
movies like “Hacksaw
Ridge” and “American
Sniper” fail in their
messaging. The end is
about heroes who live on,
not those who have fallen.
Granted, some
viewers may completely
disagree about the impact
of “American Sniper.”
However, a review by
Richard Brody of the New
Yorker stated, “Its story
of war contains valor and
horror—the destructive
and self-destructive
conicts that are intrinsic
to a person endowed with
a warrior’s noble nature.”
The valor within can be
a good thing and dealing
with the regret of killing in
war is certainly a needed
message for society.
While there is a
repulsive horror in the
number of lives taken in
these lms, there is no
value in the glorication
of the main character’s
killings.
Some say these lms
may be a ploy to draw
more young people into
a violent mindset. As a
result, they view joining
the military as a way to
release pent up aggression
in exchange for a shot at
heroism.
“Come and See”
paints a clear picture of
all the death, pain, and
destruction that occurs in
war. It offers a glimpse of
the real atrocities many
ghters face. Although
Florya is one of the few
survivors, he is just
another human shell
moving along. He will
never truly live again.
How “Come and
See” tackles this idea of
“surviving” war is unique.
The amazing acting,
harrowing score, and
nightmarish depiction of
events makes the viewer
pray that something so
atrocious never occurs
again. Hopefully, future
lms will show war for
the grim reality it is,
rather than exploiting
nationalism and
glorifying violence.
The poster for “Come and See”
(Credit / netixmovies.com)
Opinion:
“Come and See”
is the most anti-war war movie
Gabriel Gibboni
MSP 111 The Montgazette Contributor
Page 9October 2022
THE MONTGAZETTE
There will always be a bright-eyed rising
star who will stop at nothing to be the next face
of Hollywood. In that tough town, it is rare to get
any recognition if one is not an A-list celebrity.
Therefore, every issue of The Montgazette this
year will present a rising star who has earned the
spotlight, raking in millions at the box ofce,
putting out a new album or single, releasing the
hottest clothing collection, and so on.
This issue’s spotlight shines on 29-year-old
Australian actress and singer Aisha Dee. Her career
began in 2008 on the short-lived television show,
“The Saddle Club.” Following its cancellation,
she earned starring roles in “I Hate My Teenage
Daughter” and “Chasing Life.” As a musician, she
released an EP in 2015 with her band, Dee Dee &
the Beagles. Five years later, she released a solo EP
right before the pandemic.
Aisha Dee recently co-starred alongside Lili
Reinhart in Netix’s “Look Both Ways.” The lm
follows Reinhart’s character, Natalie, whose life is
shown diverging on two potential paths. In one life,
she learns the joys of being a mom. In the other life,
she’s childless and moves to Los Angeles to pursue
her dream job. In the lm, Dee plays Natalie’s best
friend, Cara.
According to Elite Daily, Dee feels the lm
resonates on a spiritual level. Dee said, “Maybe
I’m a bit of a hippie, but I really believe in this
idea that we’re living multiple lives at once,” Dee
says. “Sometimes things happen that are so out of
our control that we have to take a different path —
that’s a pretty universal feeling of looking back and
wondering what could have been if just one thing
had been different.”
For Dee, the friendship she developed with
Reinhart is especially inspiring. “She’s producing
her own stuff and has gone on to create such a
wonderful career for herself, not just in terms of
what she’s doing alone, but also in advocating for
other people and other lms.”
Representation in Hollywood is very important
to Dee. In 2020, she took to Instagram to speak out
about the lack of diversity behind the scenes and
shared her experiences as a biracial woman in the
industry. She was apprehensive at rst, fearing she
would lose her role as Kat Edison on Freeform’s
“The Bold Type.” After she spoke out, however, the
show took the character of Kat in many directions
and gave her representation that Dee felt was
lacking both on and off screen.
In “The Bold Type,” Dee was able to portray
an empowering character in Kat Edison. She is the
youngest manager in Scarlet Magazine’s social
media department, where she works with her best
friends. Kat has gotten to this point in her career
by being current and aware of who she is. Kat is
bold in every sense of the word. She is not afraid to
speak her mind in this position of power.
Today, many television shows are including
characters that represent the LGBTQ+ community.
These shows include storylines where characters
become aware of their identity. “The Bold Type”
did this in a big way by having Kat explore her
bisexuality, which she never tapped into nor knew
existed. Up until this point, she had spent her entire
life attracted to men.
In the show, Kat meets lesbian artist Adena
El-Amin, played to perfection by Nikohl Boosheri.
Sparks ew from the moment they met, and Kat
became confused by her feelings. The next few
episodes built up Kat’s confusion, yet the other
characters continued to support her. In the episode
titled “If You Can’t Do It with Feeling,” Kat nally
got to explore her feelings with a kiss from Adena.
This character arc is so important because
it shows viewers that it is okay not to have their
sexuality gured out early in life. The show
encourages viewers, who may have struggles like
Kat’s, to be just as supportive as Kat’s friends. Most
importantly, Dee got to use her acting talents to
change people’s minds about how to handle these
difcult decisions.
With all these accomplishments, it is no wonder
why viewers should keep their eyes open for Aisha
Dee. Be sure to check out “Look Both Ways,”
currently streaming on Netix.
Opinion:
Keep your eyes open for rising star Aisha Dee
Marc Regen
The Montgazette Contributor
Page 10 October 2022
THE MONTGAZETTE
Over the summer, among the high-ying jets
of “Top Gun: Maverick” and yellow simple-minded
servants in “Minions: The Rise of Gru,” the King of
Rock and Roll made his triumphant return to the big
screen. In “Elvis,” Baz Luhrmann delivers a high-
energy, well-acted rollercoaster of emotions paired
beautifully with the powerful beats of Presley’s
greatest hits.
Spearheading this lm is the phenomenal
performance of Austin Butler as Elvis Presley.
According to Deadline, when casting rst began,
some of the young actors ghting for the role
included Miles Teller and Harry Styles (a bafing
option thankfully avoided). Butler landed the
spot after submitting a recording of him singing
“Unchained Melody.” This recording even earned
him a recommendation from Denzel Washington.
Luhrmann made the right decision. From the
rst frame, Butler ceases to exist, as he disappears
under the bedazzled jumpsuit and sideburns. One
of the lm’s best aspects is how the director chose
to mix real footage of the King with Butler’s
recreated scenes. By the end, the two men become
indistinguishable from each other. It is not too early
to predict that Butler will take home the Oscar for
Best Actor. At the very least, he has earned himself
more than a nomination, securing the respect of
Elvis fans across generations.
Just as Butler was perfect to star, Baz Luhrmann
was perfect for the director’s chair. Although his
peculiar, amboyant directorial style does not work
every time, it really enhances the story here. A
Presley biopic needs to be just as big as Presley’s
commanding personality, and Luhrmann delivers.
Every edit and transition is a grand gesture that
demands the viewer’s attention. Every action and
line of dialogue was chosen to enhance how the
audience reacts during a scene. Luhrmann has
complete control over how the audience feels, using
it to tell this tragic tale.
Alongside Butler is Tom Hanks, who is both
a positive and negative addition to the lm. On the
one hand, Hanks elevates the material in bringing
the despicable Colonel Tom Parker, Presley’s
manager, to life in a rare villainous role. Perhaps
audiences were not prepared for this Hanks, since
he typically portrays the good guy or hero with a
heart of gold. None of those positive traits seep
through in his twisted performance, however. Not
once does he phone in his performance here (the
same cannot be said about his version of Geppetto
in Disney’s recent “Pinocchio” remake).
However, the weakest part of Hanks’
performance comes from his attempt to replicate
the Colonel’s Eastern European accent. It would not
be such a distraction, except he provides the lm’s
overall narration, so every scene is accompanied
with this strange sound. The lm could have
benetted from using multiple narrations to tell the
story. Characters like Presley’s wife, Priscilla, or
his father, Vernon, could have provided alternative
versions to counter the Colonel’s narcissistic view
of history.
Beside Hanks’ narration, the lm falls victim
to the same mistake of many biopics. Luhrmann
explores what impact Presley had on American
culture. At times the audience is overtaken by
feelings of nostalgia as Butler magically replicates
Elvis’ voice and moves to the music. However, the
lm could have increased the emotional stakes by
exploring how this new fame and image impacted
Elvis himself.
Continued on Page 12.
Opinion:
The world loves the legend
of Elvis Presley, not the man
Original Elvis Presley outt
displayed in Atlantic City.
(Photo / Steven Wicher Jr.)
Steven Wicher Jr.
The Montgazette Editor-in-Chief
Page 11October 2022
THE MONTGAZETTE
It is hard to fathom how much
American culture has changed in the
past 10 years. In 2012, voters were
deciding whether to elect Barack
Obama for a second term. In pop
culture, the Nintendo Wii was the
dominant gaming system, and the
“Twilight” franchise was ending.
However, a new movie
franchise would ll that void on
March 23, 2012: a lm franchise,
based on a young adult book series,
that produced four movies and a new
prequel that comes to theaters next
year. That franchise is “The Hunger
Games,” and although it is already a
decade old, it remains relevant today.
The lm is based on the 2008
Suzanne Collins novel of the same
name. It showcases a future of
what society could become if the
government has complete power —
a future where only the elite have
access to advanced technology and
all the food they can eat. Meanwhile,
the government threatens and
manipulates its lower-class citizens.
Sound familiar?
In the story, every year 12
young men and women from
different districts of the country
are randomly chosen to ght to
the death. Should they survive, the
winners are rewarded with a life of
riches and food for their district.
Portrayed by Jennifer Lawrence,
16-year-old Katniss Everdeen, from
District 12, volunteers to enter the
74th Hunger Games to take her little
sister’s place. Throughout the lm,
Everdeen uses her archery skills
to survive and better the life of her
mother and sister.
Portrayed by Josh Hutcherson,
16-year-old Peeta Mellark also gets
drawn at random to ght beside
Everdeen. From the start of the
games, Everdeen, Mellark, and
their competitors begin to lose their
humanity as they battle for riches.
The main antagonist, President Snow,
is played by Donald Sutherland.
He oversees the vicious games and
brutality toward his lower-class
citizens.
The ending leaves the winners
of the Hunger Games pondering
their options. Do they embrace the
winners they have become? Or do
they bring the ght back to the capital
and encourage citizens to challenge
Snow’s authority? The lm not only
reects on current American society,
but it also demands that the audience
answers these essential questions.
At the time of the lm’s release,
America was dealing with the
death of Trayvon Martin. He was a
17-year-old African American, shot
due to a disagreement with George
Zimmerman while walking home
from the store. The incident sparked
outrage not only on how Zimmerman
handled the situation, but also on
how the state of Florida handled
Martin’s death, with the police and
media saying it was justied self-
defense. They would not discuss
Martin’s side of the story.
How the U.S. media and
authorities portrayed the incident
is the same way the government
treats lower-class citizens in “The
Hunger Games.” It was later
revealed that Zimmerman had
called the police before, about other
African Americans walking in the
neighborhood. The lm connects
with America’s harsh reality by
showing how the elite harm and
perceive the lower class. When
people have had enough of the
manipulation and trauma, they push
back against the powers that cause it.
Continued on Page 15.
Opinion:
“The Hunger Games” is still relevant 10 years later
Dalaya Richardson
The Montgazette Contributor
Page 12 October 2022
THE MONTGAZETTE
Opinion:
Indiana Jones set to return in 2023,
but should he?
Harrison Ford rst donned his signature brown
fedora and leather jacket 40 years ago in “Raiders
of the Lost Ark.” For the rst time since 2008’s op,
“Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,” Ford will once
again play Indiana Jones, the iconic archaeologist
afraid of snakes. The new lm is set to release in
July 2023 and follows an older Jones in his nal
chapters. A surprise trailer was shown exclusively
at Disney’s D23 Expo in September, but it has yet
to be publicly released.
The “Indiana Jones” movies were
groundbreaking achievements in the art of cinema.
They remain popular due to the lovable heroes, heart-
stopping action, and treacherous villains. The movies
were also a collaboration between two legendary
lmmakers, Steven Spielberg and George Lucas.
While many fans await the fth, and supposedly
nal, installment with excitement, some worry.
When “Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” was
released, audiences left theaters disappointed. It was
the rst lm since 1989’s “The Last Crusade,” but
they felt it failed to capture the tone of the original
trilogy. Other complaints focused on a bland villain
and the excessive use of CGI.
One cause of concern for the new movie is that
Steven Spielberg will not be sitting in the director’s
chair. He will instead act as an executive producer
and creative consultant. Helming the fth lm is
director James Mangold. He rose to fame for his
R-rated X-men swansong “Logan,” as well as
Johnny Cash’s biopic, “Walk the Line,” both critical
hits and well received by audiences.
While it is understandable that fans may be
nervous, it is important to remember that Spielberg is
still involved in the process. He brought moviegoers
some of the biggest lms ever to play in theaters,
like “Jaws” and “Poltergeist.” He understands what
makes “Indiana Jones” great.
Also, according to producer Frank Marshall,
Mangold loves the franchise, and was the best
person to take over for Spielberg. His directing
style, along with Spielberg’s insight, could bring
fans an exciting lm that captures the essence of the
original “Indiana Jones.”
For those who may be wary of the new movie,
it should be noted that Ford seems to be excited to
return. He has always put forth a great performance.
Ford even became teary-eyed while announcing
the lm at the D23 Expo, explaining that, “Indiana
Jones movies are about mystery and adventure,
but they’re also about heart, and I’m really, really
happy that we have a really human story to tell, as
well as a movie that will kick your ass.”
If a lm has enough heart to make Ford
emotional, then it should not be immediately
cast aside. No matter how it turns out in the end,
hopefully fans will go out to support Ford as Indy
one last time. If nothing else, audiences should
recognize all that Ford and Spielberg have given
them through the years.
William Norris
MSP 111 The Montgazette Contributor
Elvis
Continued from Page 10.
Luhrmann begins to develop this
idea at multiple points but never deep
enough to be satisfying. Presley feels
like a puppet for everyone else and
fears all his triumphs will amount to
nothing, but these scenes just barely
scratch the surface before moving
onto the next major life event.
Unfortunately, in real life,
Presley was seen as nothing but a
money-printing machine by those
around him. According to Priscilla
in her autobiography “Elvis & Me,”
this was the same man required by his
managers to hold a press conference
after his wedding ceremony. She
also states that upon Presley’s death,
Parker ew to Manhattan to discuss
merchandising opportunities.
Elvis Presley was an individual
bullied by his friends, family, and
management. The same people, who
did not care about the repercussions,
killed their cash cow at the age of 42.
Yet, this image is not portrayed to the
public. Instead, society remembers
him as the bright-eyed small-town star
with the voice of an angel who starred
in more than 30 movies. Elvis is a
cautionary tale of fame and fortune,
but the truth is hard to see through the
loud music and ashy lights.
Thanks to the lm’s success,
Luhrmann has kicked off another
Presley comeback tour. Soon after
its release, production company
A24 announced they are working
on a Priscilla Presley biopic. It will
be directed by Soa Coppola and
star Cailee Spaeny. Taking over the
bedazzled jumpsuit from Austin
Butler will be Jacob Elordi from
HBO’s “Euphoria.” As of now, this
lm has no release date.
Page 13October 2022
THE MONTGAZETTE
The Philly emo band rising
through the underground
At Philadelphia’s of house
shows, where new bands are being
formed and found every weekend.
Among these new bands taking
over the city’s underground scene is
Bubblewrap Princess.
Bubblewrap Princess comprises
three members: drummer Shalen Farahi,
bassist Josh Wurz and Jack Galardi,
who is both lead guitarist and singer.
After meeting at a program in
Boston’s Berklee College of Music
last summer, Wurz, Farahi and
Galardi decided the t between their
personalities and musicianship was so
strong that they would start a band when
they returned home to Philadelphia.
Regarding the band’s name,
Farahi said, “We were eating dinner
in the cafeteria, and Jack asked me,
‘What do you think about Bubblewrap
Princess?’ I said, ‘I haven’t heard of
them, are they any good?’ Jack said,
‘Oh no, for our band.’ So, it was the
rst try and it was just kind of lucky.”
While Galardi and Wurz are
from Doylestown and Perkasie,
respectively, Farahi is a Montgomery
County resident who lives in
Blue Bell. However, their musical
beginnings are in Philadelphia, where
they now regularly perform at various
venues.In September, they took a big
step forward, expanding to concerts in
both New York and New Jersey.
The band is fresh from their
rst release, an extended-play record
titled “Life of the Party.” This EP
skyrocketed the band’s listenership.
Wurz said, “Honestly, I was proud
of how well received it was. It’s very
niche music, and I’m surprised it
reached such a broad audience.”
Speaking of niche music,
Wurz and Farahi would consider
themselves to be a part of the emo
genre, with tones of math rock as
well. This is reected through some
of their musical inspirations, as math
rock is typically thought of as highly
technical. Farahi said, “In the context
of the music and the drum parts, I
take the most inspiration from bands
like Brave Little Abacus and Black
MIDI, because for both of those
projects I think their sound is chaotic
in the way that Bubblewrap Princess
is chaotic.”
Wurz’s garage is where most
of the recording is done, which is
in the true style and spirit of the
underground music scene. Building
on this energy, and the group’s
inspirations and abilities, Farahi said,
“The heart of Bubblewrap Princess
kind of comes down to rhythm, and
being drummers ourselves, we try
to incorporate neat rhythms and
rhythm changes in our songs. It’s that
combination of rhythm, explosive
passages, and ridiculous twinkling
guitars that always blow my mind.”
With thousands of new followers,
upcoming shows on the horizon, and
a new song in the works, Bubblewrap
Princess is set up to be a musical force
in the local area for a long while.
Readers can nd the band’s
music on most mainstream streaming
services. Updates on Bubblewrap
Princess appear on Instragram under
the handle @bwp_phi.
Rex Royal acoustic guitar.
(Photo / Gabe Gibboni)
Gabriel Gibboni and Malaika Ashanti
MSP 111 The Montgazette Contributors
Page 14 October 2022
THE MONTGAZETTE
Opinion:
R&B never will be dead
Kimberly Pessoa
MSP 111 The Montgazette Contributor
In August 2022, renowned music
mogul Diddy made the statement
“R&B is dead.” His declaration
bothered R&B fans all around the
world because they have sustained
the genre for decades. While his
comment may be from a desire to
see a mainstream resurgence, it is
more a marketing master plan for his
upcoming R&B album.
With each era, R&B has
undergone many transformations,
but its relevance remained. Take
The Whispers as an example. They
are a group that had chart-topping
hits throughout the ’70s, ’80s, and
’90s. Now, they are still touring
and performing for crowds of up to
10,000 people.
Later, American Music Award
winner Keith Sweat dominated
the ’90s. He was among many
artists bringing New Jack Swing, a
contemporary blend of R&B and hip-
hop, to the masses. This was an R&B
sub-genre pushing the music forward
and keeping it relevant.
As the 2010s ended, fans
noticed an increase in classic R&B
songs being sampled in hip-hop
songs. In 2019, producer London
On Da Track was responsible for
the Top 50 Billboard hit “Come
Thru.” This is signicant because
the song samples Usher’s “Make Me
Wanna…,” which was a number two
Billboard hit from 1997.
Although modern R&B listeners
notice a decline in mainstream
promotion, its impact is undeniable.
For instance, Kehlani recently sold
out the Oakland Arena, which boasts a
20,000-person capacity. According to
Billboard, the singer has never had a
top-10 hit, nor does she have a single
currently on radio rotation. To sell out
a major arena is an accomplishment.
Popular act Silk Sonic took ’70s
funk style and aesthetic to make their
2021 album, “An Evening with Silk
Sonic.” Funk music is dance music
deeply rooted in R&B, jazz and gospel.
The album debuted at the number two
spot on the Billboard charts.
Perhaps Diddy’s claim about
the state of R&B stems from his
frustration with an increase in toxic
love songs. A common theme among
new artists is to brag about using,
cheating, and misleading romantic
partners. However, this is just one
section of R&B love ballads. One
could say it is a rebuttal to the many
decades singing about unrequited
love. In the past, artists’ lyrics begged
for love, whereas newer music begged
to be left alone. Both messages have
their place.
Listeners can nd R&B music on
any streaming service, but Soundcloud
is a great platform because artists
have more freedom. They can upload
music in real time as opposed to a
major platform like Apple Music.
Another great resource for nding
artists is through small R&B blogs
on Instagram like RNBonly. These
accounts highlight lesser-known artists
who do not normally get the spotlight.
R&B has remained prevalent
in American music history over the
last 80 years. No matter the decade,
it inuences social media trends. The
genre is widespread in American culture
and even reaches worldwide audiences.
Music that impactful is hardly dead.
“Heart on My Sleeve” by R&B artist Ella Mai, album cover.
(Photo / Kimberly Pessoa)
Page 15October 2022
THE MONTGAZETTE
The Philadelphia Beekeeper’s Guild returns to
Bartram’s Garden with the 2022 Philadelphia Honey
Festival, known as Honey Fest, a weekend event
dedicated to educating, promoting, and entertaining
the public about bees.
Under the Eastwick Pavilion, vendors sell
their products: essential oils, soaps, jewelry, and, of
course, honey. Small children run around with bee
wings, while many attendees wear all yellow, some
with black stripes. Others wear t-shirts that have fun
sayings, like “bee different.”
The festival offers a variety of activities, such
as hive demonstrations, honey extractions, and
bicycling around the grounds. For the big nale, Don
Shump’s Bee Bearding takes the stage. Shump is a
local beekeeper and the owner of the Philadelphia
Bee Co. He has been performing with his bee beard
at Honey Fest for nine years.
He puts the queen of the colony into a clip and
ties it with string around his head. With the audience
merely six feet away, he releases between 5,000-
10,000 bees into the air. The honeybees detect the
queen and land all over Shump’s face, fashioning a
beard made of bees.
“I was a web developer in a former life,” Shump
says, “and I knew I was getting tired of it. But I didn’t
know what else to do, so I just started taking up weird
hobbies and told myself I’d gure it out.”
Shump’s Philadelphia Bee Co. puts on
educational programming in many different
locations, including the Academy of Natural
Sciences, classrooms, and synagogues during the
Jewish holidays.
Shump’s hope is that people come away from
his programming and bee beard knowing that
“bees aren’t scary.” He continues, “If you see a bee
on a ower, you can literally pet them, right on the
thorax between the wings, and the worst they’ll do
is y away.”
James Romanchek, a fellow beekeeper and
friend of Shump, is the treasurer for the Philadelphia
Beekeeper’s Guild. Romanchek has been involved
with Honey Fest for 13 years. He stands at a big
booth with three or four other beekeepers and has
people try a variety of honeys, all with different
tastes, attributable to the hives’ location. He gives
out little spoons with different honeys, knowing the
Fest-goers will eventually land on the one they wish
to purchase.
Honey Fest is a staple in this city’s culture, and
it seems that the Philadelphia Beekeeper’s Guild
intends to keep it that way. Shump says, “There
is literally no better opportunity to eat honey and
potentially get stung by hordes of bees than at
Honey Fest.” Students interested in attending
can do so every September. More information on
Facebook @phillybeeguild
The 2022 Philadelphia Honey Festival
Josie Racz
MSP 111 The Montgazette Contributor
Yet, 10 years after the lm’s release, the
message of “The Hunger Games” is still not clear
to the audience. Tragedies like Trayvon Martin’s
death continue to occur, and even more rapidly,
on urban streets. The most recent upheaval in
society followed the death of George Floyd
in 2020. While it sparked conversations and
protests across the nation, there are no signs that
the authorities or elite are listening to demands
for change.
A four-lm franchise prequel, titled “The
Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” is set to
release in theaters on November 17, 2023. Set 64
years before the 74th Hunger Games, it follows
Snow’s life before becoming President of his
twisted dystopia. The lm stars Tom Blyth as
Snow, with Viola Davis and Hunter Schafer in
supporting roles.
Even though Hollywood is producing the
lm to make money from the series’ established
fanbase, they failed to ask themselves a
very important question: With the January
6 capital riots in the United States, and the
former administration accused of spreading
disinformation and hate, does the country need
a franchise lm from the villain’s point of view?
Since the rst lm, the world has evolved, using
platforms like the #MeToo Movement to expose
real villains in our society.
Will this new prequel help spread the important
messages of our time? Or will it miss the mark and
ruin the legacy of “The Hunger Games”?
The audience will decide at the box ofce.
“The Hunger Games”
Continued from Page 11.
Page 16 October 2022
THE MONTGAZETTE
