“Survey Says”: Overrated Edition

April 24, 2024 by szachik@pvs.org 5 Comments

By Freshman Louisa Richardson

If I have learned anything as a “professional” surveyor, it is that the kids at Palm Valley have strong opinions. Most opinions are very original and unique, often controversial as well. What better way to get the kids talking than to ask them, “What, in your opinion, is overrated?”

*Disclaimer: Yes, I know that Taylor Swift is overrated; this is NOT original, and since everyone had that as an answer, it will not be included in the following responses.

8th-grader Tony Ratner states, “TikTok is overrated. No one really thinks it’s good; it’s just an addiction.”

Freshman Rylie Conway says, “6th grade girls are too loud, specifically in Sephora’s. If they were a bird, it would be an angry seagull.”

6th-grader Morgan Richardson says, “Bacon is too hard to cook just right and is therefore overrated; I’d rather have a sausage.”

Freshman Brooklyn Hatrak states, “Mr. Satterfield deserves the same hype as Mr. Killeen; he is really underrated.”

Ms. Melissa Patino (the kind woman at the front desk in the high school–our Administrative Assistant) says, “Crocs are overrated; they were never stylish to begin with. I doubt anyone has ever liked them; they just liked the little fidgets.”

When I asked Freshman Pip Watson what’s overrated, he answered, “Drake’s music videos.”

Freshman Zander Eaton says Kanye West is overrated “because everyone glazes him, and he hasn’t made a good album since 2014.”

Junior Rachel De La O states (in a sarcastic tone), “Women’s rights are overrated. I want to go back to the kitchen. All this education is confusing, but I know how to cook! Take me back.”

8th-grader Alex Kirov says, “Dinosaurs are overrated. I mean ‘rawr rawr’; stop writing movies that aren’t even correct, and cry about it.”

Freshman Leah Ferreira says “Human rights” are overrated. “I don’t know why; I just want to go to sleep and never wake up.” I think she was having an existential crisis. Note: I talk to Leah quite a bit, no need for concern; she is okay.

Though this article turned out to be a bit more depressing than I had hoped, I can confidently say that I agree with ALMOST all of these opinions (especially the dinosaur one). Do you have any overrated opinions?

Fashion Trends Louisa Says We Should Bring Back

April 17, 2024 by szachik@pvs.org 2 Comments

By Louisa Richardson, Freshman

I have always loved fashion. It might not show in the way that I dress, but I have always been fascinated by the clothing of others–especially women’s clothing of nearly a century ago.

These are some fashion trends that I think we need to bring back.

Bias-Cut Gowns

The bias-cut gowns were sort of an old Hollywood trend throughout the 1900s. A bias cut often drapes in the front and sometimes in the back. These gowns must include a neckline cut at a 45-degree angle. These have always been the most beautiful gowns–effortless, timeless, possibly formal, possibly not. Bias-cut gowns give that old Hollywood look that I love so much. They seem to be the one thing I simply need in life–other than corsets that is. Everytime I see these dresses, I always think about how good a wedding dress they would make.

The draped bias cut dress features an angled neckline. Photo Credit: Alumni

1940s Swimwear

Swimwear pre-WWII was cute, colorful, and modest (for those of you who like that). It also wasn’t too restricting, but rather comfortable. I personally prefer those little swim shorts to our current stringy bottoms that we have in 2024. Not only that, but the ruffles, polkadots, and buttons are so much cuter than the all-exciting color BEIGE that everything seems to be right now. Though beige may be timeless, it is also colorless and boring. I would rather have some incredibly gaudy fashion trend be in style than have this gross beige color.

The V neck makes these swimsuits wildly flattering on multiple body types!
Photo Credit: Rare Vintage

Long Dresses from the 70s

I love specifically the single-colored ball gowns. This bit is more of a rant, but I have literally searched the entire internet for a single-colored long dress, and it is IMPOSSIBLE to find any that are flowy, long, and somewhat cheap (by that I mean less than a typical prom dress).

We should also bring back disco dancing dresses.

The Button Up makes these dresses flowy yet sculpting, a balance that I find wildly difficult to achieve using modern fashion. Photo Credit: fashion image

Corsets

One of the many reasons why I hate Bridgerton is that it is the furthest thing from historically accurate. When watching the opening scene alone, there is already a huge misconception of a popular item from the turn of the century (and centuries before): corsets. We see a young woman being squeezed into a corset with a matron saying, “We need to get you down to the width of an orange and a half.” Corsets are often thought of as being restricting, unbreathable, and organ crushing. Back then, the hourglass figure may have been in, but you can CHOOSE how tight your corset goes. If it is really that tight and unbreathable you can JUST LOOSEN IT! Second, the corsets you see in movies and TV shows are on very rich, wealthy people who wore those whalebone corsets. They were pretty expensive, and, because of that, the more middle class or working-class people wore quilted corsets. Essentially, it was just a stiff undergarment, which (although sewn to be tight) was breathable and stretchy (according to The history of corsets). If you ask anyone in the theater or drag biz, they will tell you that wearing a corset is only as miserable as you make it. So, I really think that we should bring corsets back, as they are merely wired bras that enhance that hourglass figure that most people get plastic surgery to achieve. Even our own local actor Jackie Padgett states, “They are pretty comfortable, but I don’t tie it to the tightest capacity. . . . I always look forward to doing old plays because I get to wear a corset for free!”

Braided Hairstyles & Hats

Another thing we should bring back are braided hairstyles paired with floral, colorful, comically large hats. These hairstyles were worn throughout history (and even now) though I am specifically talking about the Gilded Age hairstyles (late 1800s). The way that people braided hair back then was very elaborate but also didn’t take up all of the head. Usually, it was worn up in a braided high bun (100 years of women’s hairstyles). This was often accompanied by a very colorful hat, predominantly a pastel color with a big flower (or assortment of flowers) (Hat exhibit). Color has faded quite a bit in both fashion, cars, and hats (according to trailblazer); it is just a trend of course, but with all this beige madness and brown color craziness, the world is far more bland. Hats will make the world a more colorful place! For men, we should bring back tall Frosty-the-Snowman hats!

Though they may seem intricate, these hairstyles always add the extra flair and class you SHOULD look for in an outfit. Photo Credit The Frick Pittsburg

1930s Nightgowns

We should also bring back nightgowns–I mean those gorgeous silky nightgowns for ladies that are sort of bowed and long. According to 100 years of nightgowns, nightgowns were originally considered useless and not necessary; then they became a sense of social class (only being for the rich). The nightgowns in the 30s abandoned the hideous style of no figure and boxiness and went for a little bit of a prettier option with some ruffles and decor. From the 30s to the 60s, the nightgowns always opted for the more elegant option but were still silky, soft, and comfortable. This is a trend I can get with.

Light, airy, perfect for sneaking out of your castle in the middle of the night!
Photo Credit: Ladies Home Journal

Gadgets and Gizmos Aplenty

The final fashion trend I think we should bring back are those nice little decorations all over a dress. Whether it’s buttons, the big bows on the back, or random bits of tulle, these small knick knacks made those dresses; they brought the multiple layers together, and they added color and pizzazz (two things we are seriously lacking). Though these gizmos may seem simple, they can put your outfit over the top in a classy-chic way.

Once again adding the customizable flair to your Victorian dresses!
Photo Credit: www.alamy.com

I highly recommend anyone with a lot of guts (and some extra cash) try and make these fashion moves come back–not just come back, but historically accurately come back. This is one of the best ways of honoring our ancestors.

The Best Cars of the Past

March 22, 2024 by szachik@pvs.org Leave a Comment

By Jack Edelstein

A common thing that people do to bond is think about the past. Whether it’s about sports or places, it is still comforting to think about a time we remember as nice. When I talk about nostalgic times, even though I was not born, I like to talk about cars. Here are the cars I like to bring up when the topic of nostalgia is brought up.

1965 Shelby AC Cobra 427 S/C

Powered by a 427 V8 iron block pushing 485 horsepower and 480 ft-lb of torque with a 4-speed manual (caranddriver.com), Shelby really put it all into this car. The car’s iconic blue body and white lines, exposed roll cage, open grill, and shiny loud side exhausts really sets it apart from other cars from its era, and, trust me, Shelby did not have easy competition. Cars that were also made in this era were the Chevrolet Camaro and the Ford Mustang. This is definitely a nostalgic and memory bringing vehicle.

1974-1990 Lamborghini Countach

Lead character Jordan Belfort (played by Leonardo DiCaprio) crawls to his Countach in *The Wolf of Wall Street.* Photo Credit: *esquire.com*

The Countach is a sought-after car by all car collectors. It is a staple of Italian car-making. Its distinct air vents poking out the top sides of the car, sharp retro edges, big wing, and pop-up headlights make it easily recognizable to any car person. You may also recognize the Countach from the movie The Wolf of Wall Street. Although there are multiple models, the most common Countach model, the 25th Anniversary, is pushed by a 5-liter Naturally Aspirated V12 revving to a stellar 7,000 rpm and making 455 horsepower and 370 ft-lbs of torque (supercars.net). The Countach is considered by many a sort of poster car of the 80s, and I can definitely see why.

1987-1992 Ferrari F40

The Ferrari F40 was made to celebrate the 40 years of Ferrari, hence the name, and was Enzo Ferrari’s last car before he died a year later, in 1988. The Ferrari F40 was made mostly of composite materials (carbon, Kevlar, and steel), meaning it was made of two or more materials with different properties intended to do a specific job–in this case making the car lighter (ferrari.com). This car was made to be a track car because of its very minimal interior appliances (there wasn’t even an A/C unit in the car until it came to the US), uncomfortable lightweight racing seats, and it doesn’t have door handles, just pull cords (exoticcartrader.com). Now, you’re thinking, “Well, Jack, what’s so special about this car? It doesn’t even have door handles!” What’s special about this car is that this car was not made for the ordinary. It was made for the bold and spectacular. It was made for those who wanted to experience the thrill of a Ferrari. Those who wanted to feel the raw 478 horsepower and 424 ft-lb torque twin-turbocharged V8 yelling at 7,000 rpm, and feel the smooth shifts of the 5-speed manual transmission. The F40 is the pinnacle of Ferrari engineering and holds its place at the top of Italian car-making, rightfully so.

Conclusion

Those are the three cars that I bring up when I talk about the past and cars. I will definitely write one of these blogs again. I really enjoyed learning new things about these cars, especially the F40. If there are any other cars that you like, let us know in the comments!

My Visit to the 2024 Rancho Mirage Writers Festival

March 15, 2024 by szachik@pvs.org Leave a Comment

By Senior Indiana Behr

A couple weeks ago, I attended the Rancho Mirage Writers Festival for the third time. I always love this event, and I met some very interesting people and saw some very cool programs, so I decided to write a blog article about it. Here are my top favorite sessions.

Day 1

On the first day, I started off with a session where Valerie Biden Owens, President Biden’s sister, was interviewed by Leslie Stahl of 60 Minutes. This was a really interesting start to the festival, and it was very enlightening to see what Owen’s experience has been as the sibling of a politician who first ran for office (and won) 54 years ago. Apparently, she has been involved in every one of his campaigns as a senior staffer. She also told a very interesting story about seeing someone on the flight to Palm Springs wearing an “FJB” hat, which stands for F*** Joe Biden. She talked about how it’s difficult for her to reconcile that people don’t see her own brother as a person because of the power he holds, and she also told some funny stories about her childhood with the now-President.

I also saw a very interesting and funny session with famous author and filmmaker John Waters. One of my favorite movies, Hairspray (1988), was directed and written by Waters. It almost felt like a stand-up comedy routine, which is really rare for the often serious Rancho Mirage Writers Festival. Waters’ delivery was pretty vulgar and a little stomach churning at times, to the point where I can’t really repeat what he said on the blog, like when he talked about having sexual relations in a voting booth. He actually apologized for this talk being scheduled right before lunch…. Overall, it was one of the most entertaining sessions and was really hilarious.

Day 2

I started off this day by seeing the host of MSNBC’s The Beat, Ari Melber, interview former Trump administration staffer Cassidy Hutchinson. Hutchinson is notable for testifying against the former President and his associates to the “January 6 Select Committee” in 2022. I was familiar with her because of her testimony, but it was really interesting to hear more about the experiences of her time in the White House that weren’t disclosed during her Congressional testimony. I also have always liked Ari Melber’s interviews on MSNBC, so seeing one in real life was a fun opportunity.

Assistant to former President Trump’s Chief of Staff, Cassidy Hutchinson, penned the book *Enough*. Indy got a signed copy.

I also saw a fascinating discussion between 2022’s Pulitzer Prize in History winner Ada Ferrer and Dr. Elizabeth Cobbs regarding Cuba and its historical relationship with the United States. This event had a really low turnout which was surprising to me since it was such a good topic. Cuba is the only country that the United States has a full trade embargo with, and many people on all sides of the political spectrum have noted that the embargo really does not do much other than harm ordinary Cubans who have already suffered under a repressive dictatorship. There are also further sanctions because Cuba, under the Trump administration, was recognized as a State Sponsor of Terrorism alongside the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea), Syria, and Iran. There is really no basis for this, especially compared to the other three, which Ferrer and Dr. Cobbs discussed. They also discussed how President Obama began a “thaw” of the icy US-Cuba relationship. Obama removed Cuba from the State Sponsor of Terrorism list, normalized relations, and stepped towards the shuttering of the Guantanamo Bay detention camp. Nearly all of the thawing process was rolled back from the first day to the last week of the Trump administration, and President Biden has done little to return relations to Obama administration “thawing.”

I also saw a discussion with Donna Brazile. Brazile served as the acting Chair of the Democratic National Committee from July 2016 to February 2017. She took over after former Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz resigned when leaked emails showed she was secretly favoring former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton over Sen. Bernie Sanders in the Democratic Party’s 2016 nominating process, when party officials are required to remain neutral. Brazile took over in the interim, and also was simultaneously serving as a CNN contributor. Once again, DNC emails got leaked, and it was found that she used her position as a contributor to secretly give Clinton questions prior to a debate the news channel hosted. Overall, I kind of expected to be annoyed hearing from someone who had been involved in a shady situation, one who oversaw Clinton’s unexpected defeat. Nevertheless, she was astoundingly funny and had a lot of relevant things to say that I really appreciated.

Day 3

On the final day, I started off by seeing Cassidy Hutchinson again, but this time interviewed by conservative pundit Margaret Hoover. Hoover did a great job at making sure that this wasn’t just a rehashing of Hutchinson’s previous session. Instead, she chose to focus much more on her personal life and childhood. Hutchinson also discussed how she entered public service, and how she grapples with still having conservative leanings while feeling disconnected from the Republican Party, and even facing regular death threats and harassment from Republicans. She even told a very funny story about her finding teetotaler and then-White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, who she served as an assistant to, intoxicated after he consumed multiple White Claw cans thinking it was simply sparkling water.

I also saw a very good talk between author Anand Giridharadas and journalist Ezra Klein. I have been a fan of Klein for several years, even back when he starred in YouTube videos for Vox, of which he is a co-founder. The Rancho Mirage Writers Festival features people from across the political spectrum, but Klein had a much more progressive perspective than many of the liberal speakers. He discussed why people are so much more polarized now than in much of American history. He also got into a rarely discussed subject of Presidential nominating conventions, saying they have been essentially symbolic over the last several decades. For example, Ronald Reagan actually won the popular vote during the 1968 Republican primaries, whereas, in that election, Richard Nixon was selected at the convention. I also got to speak with Klein, along with fellow PVS seniors Gil Maruvada and Landon Elder, which was fun.

Overall, I am really glad I got to go to the Writers Festival for the third consecutive year, and I got to learn a lot of new things and see some very interesting perspectives.

The Mere Concept of the Sports City Edition Jersey

March 7, 2024 by szachik@pvs.org Leave a Comment

By Sophomore Oliver Martinez

In one of my most recent posts, I talked about the best sports jerseys. And, in doing so, I mentioned City Edition jerseys and had them in my list. But what do “City Jerseys” even mean? And, what’s so special about them?

What is a sports City Edition jersey?

In the NBA, a City Edition jersey is a jersey made to express a feeling or remember something memorable about the city in which they are located. In other words, their purpose is “to represent the stories, history and heritage that make each franchise unique” (NBA) .

When were they introduced?

City Edition jerseys have been in production since 2017 when Nike took control of the NBA jerseys. So for the past seven years, every team has had its own City Edition jersey–updated yearly.

Examples of City Edition jerseys—

So, for example, look at this 2022 Atlanta Hawks City Edition jersey:

The meaning for this one is easy to figure out; the letters stand for Martin Luther King, Jr., and since Atlanta is the city where he was born, it makes sense this City Edition jersey commemorates him. It perfectly represents what a City Edition jersey should be. By having a jersey like this, the Hawks make tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and also to Atlanta.

However, there are other jerseys that make it hard to understand what the meaning is.

For example, look at this season’s Grizzlies City Edition jersey:

Can you guess what it’s supposed to represent?

Me neither. I had to look it up. According to NBA.com, “The Memphis Grizzlies 2023-24 City Edition uniform represents the joy growing up playing basketball.” I have no idea how nine lines that look like strips of bacon represent joy and basketball, but apparently that’s what it means.

What’s next for City Edition jerseys?

Typically, people enjoy the City Edition jerseys; however, this season people are really having mixed feelings about them.

2023-24’s City Edition jerseys. Photo Credit: NBA

I’d say a little over half of this season’s jerseys are terrible.

As an example of a bad jersey, look at this season’s Miami Heat City Edition jersey:

The problem I have with this is that “CULTURE” is bigger than “HEAT.” It doesn’t make any sense, the team is called Miami “Heat” not Miami “Culture.” It’s a shame because there is potential with the whole Heat/Culture thing. It’s also super plain and boring; it has the same color as their base jersey. It’s just generally a bad jersey.

One more example of a bad jersey this season is the Washington Wizards City Edition; just look at it:

This is single-handedly ruining NBA basketball for me. It’s an extremely ugly jersey. The gradient on the shoulder part is super ugly. Is that supposed to be rust color with turquoise? This jersey has managed to become one of the worst jerseys of all time. It does nothing right. The colors don’t go well at all, and the font is ugly as can be. I don’t even want to know what the meaning of it is.

Due to jerseys like this, I’ve heard some people say we should take a break from City Edition jerseys for a year so that Nike can reflect on the monstrosities they have created. But, one bad year of jerseys doesn’t mean they are terrible. I would say that to have a good City Edition jersey it has to first of all look good (obviously) but also have a deep meaning behind it that isn’t impossible to figure out.

A good example of a meaningful City Edition jersey came out in 2018-19. We had this Chinese New Year Warriors jersey:

This is a stunning jersey with great meaning, representing San Francisco and its Bay while also paying tribute to the Chinese New Year and the local population that celebrates it.

Major League Baseball City Connect Jerseys

The MLB also has these City Connect jerseys. Baseball isn’t really my thing, but I still appreciate their meaning and looks. According to MLB, “The MLB launched the Nike City Connect program during the 2021 season to celebrate the bond between teams and their home city. This year’s City Connect uniforms explore ‘the personality, values and customs that make each community and their residents unique.’”

A quick example of a City Connect jersey is this Washington Nationals jersey:

According to CBS, “Nationals managing principal owner Mark D. Lerner explained the meaning behind the uniforms, saying: ‘Washington, D.C.’s cherry blossoms represent hope and new beginnings, making them the perfect symbol of this Nationals team.’”

In conclusion, I think City Edition jerseys are a great staple of sports. They’re very memorable and help us celebrate and cherish different cultures from different areas in the US. They are something I look forward to every year.

Now do you understand the concept of City Edition and City Connect jerseys? Did I miss a sport that also does City Edition jerseys? If I did, let me know in the comments.

The Concept of the Quentin Tarantino Movie

March 6, 2024 by szachik@pvs.org 2 Comments

By 8th-Grader Jack Edelstein

If you were to ask me what my favorite movie genre is, I would say action. If you were to then ask me who’s my favorite director in the action genre, I would say Quentin Tarantino. Quentin Tarantino or Quentin Jerome Tarantino is an American film director. Quentin Tarantino is known for his “stylized neo-noir violence, razor-sharp dialogue, and fascination with film and pop culture” (Britannica.com). Here are the movies that I think represent the Tarantino directing style.

Reservoir Dogs

Tarantino has been in show business since his debut in 1992 with his blockbuster Reservoir Dogs. Reservoir Dogs is about a gang of crooks committing a jewelry store heist, and it goes terribly wrong. In my opinion, I do not think it is his best, but it is definitely worth watching. It was a great way to start a career of becoming a topnotch director.

Pulp Fiction

Then, two years later, 1994, Tarantino released an absolute classic, Pulp Fiction. Some argue it’s his best movie–it isn’t, but it’s definitely close. Pulp Fiction is, to sum it up shortly, “The lives of two mob hitmen, a boxer, a gangster and his wife, and a pair of diner bandits intertwine[d] in four tales of violence and redemption” (IMDb.com). Pulp Fiction is in my top 10 favorite movies of all time, and it is a great example of the distinct and famed Tarantino directing method described by Britannica–neo-noir violent scenes and quick get-to-the-point dialogue.

Inglourious Basterds

Then in 2009, Tarantino made my second favorite of his films, Inglourious Basterds. Inglourious Basterds is about, according to IMDb.com, “Nazi-occupied France during World War II, a plan to assassinate Nazi leaders by a group of Jewish U.S. soldiers” and “a theatre owner’s vengeful plans for the same.” This movie is really great. It shows the noir of Tarantino’s films. We see Aldo Raine and his crew sneaking into a Nazi Theatre; we get trademark Tarantino funny and interesting dialogue; and we witness the Tarantino brutal and famous violence. The stars of this movie are Brad Pitt as Lt. Aldo Raine, Daine Kruger as Bridget, and Christopher Waltz as Hans Landa, who is an exemplary villain. This is a perfect movie for historical fiction lovers.

Django Unchained

Then in 2012, Tarantino released an absolute masterpiece of cinema film making, Django Unchained. Django Unchained is summarized by IMDb.com as follows: “With the help of a German bounty-hunter, a freed slave sets out to rescue his wife from a brutal plantation owner in Mississippi.” In four words–This. Movie. Is. Amazing. What makes this movie so great is that it isn’t a slow and boring Western; Tarantino gives us fight scenes and battles that show the iconic “neo-noir” style of Tarantino, as well as its comical dialogue (especially between Django and Dr. King Schultz). And, its actors–Leonardo DiCapro (Calvin Candie), Samuel L. Jackson (Stephen), Jamie Foxx (Django), and the consistently amazing Christopher Waltz (Dr. King Schultz)–are exemplary. With fast brutal fights and humorous dialogue, this is the perfect example of a Tarantino movie.

Words from Mr. Griffin

I asked PVS Film Connoisseur, Mr. Griffin, about his thoughts on Quentin Tarantino and the concepts and elements of his films. He said…

“I’m a great admirer of Quentin Tarantino. He has been extraordinarily influential on the craft of filmmaking: it’s hard to imagine movies (and television) today without the impact of his style, which at one time was considered controversial and revolutionary. Every major director nominated for an Oscar this year would surely admit to a Tarantino influence. Accelerated action sequences, non-linear and fractured narratives, startlingly brutal violence wedded to a romantic visual panache, deeply ironic and wryly humorous undertones, super-fast dialogue filled with pop-culture references conveyed through rapid-fire crosscutting – all of these are recognized hallmarks of the Tarantino style. He brought to his work an encyclopedic knowledge of world cinema and a glee in upsetting the Hollywood apple cart with stories challenging in their violence and brutality and innovative in their subjects as well as their technique. He took on some of the most iconic American movie making genres – crime thriller (Reservoir Dogs, Kill Bill), gumshoe detective movie (Pulp Fiction), Blaxploitation film (Jackie Brown), World War II Nazi drama (Inglourious Basterds), Western (The Hateful Eight) – and turned them on their heads, reinventing and revitalizing these old cinema styles in the process. He took the well-worn “solitary cowpoke in the Old West ”concept, combined its DNA with that of the chain-gang movies of the 40s and 50s, and produced one of the most powerfully anti-racist films of the 2000s, Django Unchained. He was deeply influenced by Korean and Chinese movie making long before the films of those countries became commonly known to American audiences. Tarantino is the Bad Boy of American cinema – his methods and techniques remain controversial, but he’s arguably had as much if not more impact on filmmakers and audiences alike as any other director of the last 40 years.” — Mr. Griffin

If you couldn’t tell, Tarantino is my favorite director. If you do watch a Tarantino movie, let us know in the comments.

Movies I’m Excited to See in 2024

February 8, 2024 by szachik@pvs.org 1 Comment

By 8th-Grader Jackie Padgett

I absolutely love movies–especially movies in movie theaters. It’s always been a “tradition” in my family to go to the theaters, get popcorn and pretzels, and sit in those black (sometimes slightly uncomfortable) cushioned seats. So I compiled a list of movies I’m excited to go see in theaters in 2024.

#7: Inside Out 2

The bottom of this can’t-wait-to-see list is Inside Out 2. Trust me I’m as shocked as you that it made it to the top seven. The reason for this is because I can’t even count the number of times I watched the original Inside Out when I was younger, so the franchise has a special place in my heart. Surprisingly, we don’t know too much about it other than there are four new emotions. Anxiety is orange and has this kind of high ponytail feather hair and is voiced by Maya Hawke. The other ones are Embarrassment, Ennui (“a feeling of listlessness and dissatisfaction arising from a lack of occupation or excitement.”– Oxford Dictionary), and Envy.

#6: Night Swim

I have a love-hate relationship with horror movies, and Night Swim is definitely on the love side of that. It’s my #6 because I don’t know if I’ll feel compelled to see it in theaters (‘cause I’m a little scared) or watch it at home. What stuck me in the trailers were the horror events. In one, you reach into the pool filter (the one by the side), and a monster grabs you and tries to pull you in. Terrifying, I know, but I’m sure we all thought this would happen to us when we were younger. I don’t know about you, but I feared the pool lights going out and a monster hanging around at the deep end of the pool ready to drown you. Some of the shots they show in the movie are really cool-looking–like blood floating in the chlorinated pool water. The reason I might not see this in theaters is because the monster they have looks terrifying, and it’s the same producers as M3GAN, so they definitely have the creepy doll monster thing under their belt.

#5: Wicked

Surprisingly for me, I put Wicked at #5. I really love the original musical, so you’d expect it to be higher on my list. I’m mostly worried that it isn’t going to be as “magical” as it was when I first watched it. (It was also the first musical I’d ever seen, and if you know me, you know I love musical theater.) I do really hope they keep the songs similar as movies tend to slow down some tempos, and most of the time the slow-down ruins the song.

#4: Mean Girls

Mean Girls is my #4 most-anticipated movie of 2024. As with most of these remakes, I loved the originals, so they automatically get bumped up on the list. I was also in a high-school production version of Mean Girls with Musical Theatre University at Palm Canyon Theater, so seeing the play I was in not too long ago become a movie is very exciting. Sadly, the movie had to cut a lot of songs as the musical had 21 (the movie version only has 13), and they cut one of my favorites, “Where Do You Belong,” as it doesn’t really move the plot along. Another thing they did was exactly what I didn’t want them to do–slow down a song. They ended up having, in my opinion, weird background music to “World Burn” (one of Regina’s big solos) that was slower compared to the one on Broadway. I’m seeing this movie really soon, and I can’t wait to hear how the actors sing and how different or similar it is to Broadway versions.

#3: One Love

#3 on my wish list is One Love. I love these types of movies. I think they are called dramamentaries…? They did this with Elvis, and I thought that movie was pretty good. I really liked the Priscilla one, too. Well, this one is about Bob Marley, and I like his songs, but I don’t know that much about him, so I’m excited to learn. They apparently already made a movie called One Love back in 2003, which references Marley’s music but is not about his life. It still seems worth watching to compare. I really have no expectations for this movie. It just sounds really cool, and I love the poster.

#2: Dune Part 2

Dune Part 2 is #2 on my watch list. It took me a hilarious amount of time to fully watch through the first one with Timothée Chalamet. I watched the first 30 minutes of it then thought it was boring. Then I watched the last 30 minutes of it at a friend’s house. After that I got motivated to watch the full thing through but ran out of time as I rented the movie. Finally I re-rented it and watched the entire thing. During this saga of watching Dune, I really enjoyed the camera angles, so I’m excited to see more of that. I don’t remember loving the blue eyes in most shots, but maybe I’ll change my mind.

#1: Lisa Frankenstein

#1 I-can’t-wait-to-see is none other than Lisa Frankenstein. I think this movie just looks really cool. I really like the neon theme with the pinks and teals they have in the trailer and the poster. Though many people say romance movies are pretty cheesy, I still really like them. Lisa Frankenstein happens to have some romance, lots of comedy and a bit of horror. I think that makes a pretty rounded-out movie. Plus, it’s set in the 80s, so we get my personal favorite music style and really fun outfits and hair. The trailers do make Cole Sprouse’s makeup as Frankenstein’s monster a little bit weird looking, so I’ll be keeping an eye out for that.

Some of you may think I have “horrible movie taste” (Quote Louisa Richardson), but this is my opinion. If you are excited for any movies this year, tell me in the comments, I’d love to add them to my list.

PVS 2024 Resolutions

January 26, 2024 by szachik@pvs.org 2 Comments

We welcome 8th-grader Jack Edelstein to The Bird on Fire stable of writers. This is Jack’s debut post.

By Jack Edelstein, 8th Grade

A New Year’s tradition many celebrate, but don’t necessarily fulfill, involves making resolutions. Typical resolutions involve vowing to work out or manage stress. A little history on New Year’s resolutions – according to History.com, “The ancient Babylonians are said to have been the first people to make New Year’s resolutions some 4,000 years ago. They were also the first to hold recorded celebrations in honor of the new year…”

Although we aren’t ancient Babylonians, PVS staff and students make New Year’s resolutions. I went around the school and interviewed different people to see the resolutions they set for themselves.

7th Grader, Moses Gizaw

**“To be more athletic, I have got to get on the Middle School Basketball A team,” says Moses.**

I’ll see you there.

8th Grader, Jaden Ramer

**“Stop being mean because it does not benefit me.**”

Hard habit to break sometimes, I’ll admit.

Fellow Blogger and 8th Grader, Jackie Padgett

**“I guess I want to try new things this year because I don’t particularly like change.”**

And to be honest, who does?

Freshman, Evan Wang

**“Get Gold at my Jiu Jitsu tournament; I do not like losing.”**

True statement.

Sophomore, Matteo Lam

**“Work out more, be more disciplined; I’ve been trying to do it, and it’s nice to call it a New Year’s resolution.”**

Me too, me too.

Junior, Riley Jorgenson

**“Get better at baseball; I want to get a college scholarship.”**

I want a scholarship, too, Riley.

Senior, Arsh Rehman

**“Get better at baseball, so I can MAKE 30 million dollars a year.”**

I think the most relatable and greatest resolution by far.

Mr. Killeen, MUS Science

**“I usually plan on what I need to do, but I would say probably to keep my good grades at grad school. I am attending San Diego State.”**

I wish you good luck toward your studies.

Big Coach Erenberg, Athletic Director

**“I don’t have a New Year’s resolution. I always try to improve our programs and win.”**

Indubitably.

These are your PVS 2024 New Year’s Resolutions!

If you were wondering, my New Year’s resolution is to learn how to play guitar and walk my dog more. If you have any interesting or admirable resolutions let us know in the comments!

Still Afraid of the Dark? There’s More To Be Afraid Of – According to PVS Lower Schoolers

January 23, 2024 by szachik@pvs.org 2 Comments

By Freshman Louisa Richardson

If you’ve read my colleague Jackie Padgett’s post about phobias, some people are afraid of clowns, some of tight spaces, some of balloons. I was always afraid of heights. However, something I never feared was cheese–which appears a rampant fear on the Palm Valley campus. Believe it or not, there are Firebird Scholars afraid of cheese on their hamburgers. Fear depends on the person, and, in many cases, their stage of life. I thought that it might be nice to give the middle/upper schoolers a break from my interviewing persistence. So, I took my investigative journalism to the Lower School (with Ms. Spurlock’s permission, of course). Over the course of my surveying, I tried to get as much Lower-School representation as possible, and, in the end, it was revealed what the overall greatest fear in the Lower School is.

In first grade, ten kids stated that, yes, their greatest fear was cheese on their hamburger though they never really specified why; they were too busy screaming over cheese on their hamburger. They were all afraid of roller coasters (to some degree). And, a few of them were afraid of spiders and snakes.

Second grader Theo is NOT afraid of cheese on his hamburgers.

In the 2nd grade, almost every student was afraid of losing their parents. Others were afraid of losing their spine. However, there were still a few of them who were afraid of snakes and spiders.

In the 4th grade, the number one fear of students was meeting their exes and being depressed. One student, Sheldon Kirsh, is afraid of facing all 15 of his exes. The #2 fear was “a skibidi toilet” (stated by student Thomas Washington–then they all jumped in agreeing). I have no idea what that means, but I have been told I don’t want to know. . . .

The 4th-Grade: Can you guess which one has 15 exes?

In the 5th grade, there were many surprising fears, from “being decapitated” to “being unarmed and busted.” The most votes went for small holes, spiders, and snakes. One student shared the idea that she is scared of the holes in the beach. “I hate the little holes that the critters come out of,” said Lena Kakoussian.

Overall, there were around 30 Lower-School students afraid of spiders and snakes (it is a package deal apparently); ten kids afraid of cheese on their hamburger (all in first grade); and every single one of them (except the 1st graders) was afraid of losing their parents to some degree. In my opinion, this should be the greatest fear as many of the kids my age and older are also afraid of this.

Note: I will say that a lot of these kids were afraid of not being able to medal in their sport or were afraid of bad grades. I won’t name these kids, but parents please let your elementary-school children know that your whole life shouldn’t revolve around a sport or a grade.

*No Lower Schoolers were scared in the gathering of this “fearful” information. Louisa, however, was quite scared.

Why are the French Called Frogs?

January 4, 2024 by szachik@pvs.org 1 Comment

By Sophomore Oliver Martinez

Here at thebirdonfire.org, we thought we’d pursue “Chaos” for a while, as it’s so unlike our day-to-day lives–or so I thought. At the mention of “Chaos,” Oliver immediately went to English class.

While in English Class we were reading Art Spiegelman’s graphic novel Maus II, and on page 93, Vladek (Spiegelman’s father) is in a concentration camp when he encounters a French frog character who then proceeds to socialize with him and become his friend. You see, Vladek is the only character with whom the French frog can communicate, as they both speak English. In Spiegelman’s book, character groups are represented as different anthropomorphized animals. We were used to seeing human-like cats and mice and dogs. But, a frog? We started wondering why a frog is used to represent a French person. To be frank, my interest piqued, and after some research, I’ve compiled a list of circulated reasons as to why the French are called frogs.

Frog Legs

Well, there are many theories about why the French may be called frogs. For example, according to stackexchange, “Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable traces the use of the word ‘frogs’ for the French to eating frogs’ legs.” Apparently, the French have been eating frogs since the twelfth century. Since it technically wasn’t meat, the Catholic monks could eat it during Lent–when Catholics abstain from meat. So, yes, one of the reasons for the French being called frogs is their tendency to eat frog legs (tastefrance).

Revolution and England

A more reliable source, England’s The Guardian – its “Notes and Queries” section, includes a reason the French are referred to as Frogs: during the French Revolution, “the Aristocracy fled and made their way to England, where they disparagingly called the revolutionaries ‘les grenouilles’ – the Frogs.” This spread very quickly all around England. Everyone started calling the French “Frogs.” Still, other explanations pop up.

Fleur-De-Lys

The French adopted the Fleur-De-Lys as their national flag during the 14th century (study.com). The French are called Frogs because according to thingsiloveaboutfrance, “The English, unfamiliar with the fleur-de-lys (Lily Flower), mistook the flower for a frog, and had a right old laugh about a country that would put a gold frog on their flag, and thus began sarcastically calling their nemesis ‘frogs.’” This reason, I find one of the most hilarious; I mean, how could you confuse this shape with a Frog?

To me, it looks more like a skinny turtle. Either way, if I had to choose a reason as to why the French are called frogs, this would be my reason.

How they sound…?

I found one more reason as to why the French might be called Frogs, but I have a hard time believing it, and it sounds mostly satirical. According to a Fodor’s Travel user named Bob The Scholar, “The French were called Frogs a very long time ago because, as the story goes, they sounded like frogs to the people who encountered them (fodors). The French men were said to speak with very deep voices that reminded the strangers of frogs ribbiting!” This is probably the funniest reason I read while researching this topic. It made me chuckle when I first read it. I’ve been taking French since 7th grade, and I don’t really see the resemblance to ribbiting frogs. I know the French speak very fast, and they kind of gag or make a noise like gagging when pronouncing the R’s, but I personally don’t believe they sound like Frogs.

What Ms. Brady (the French teacher) thinks about this–

To end it, I asked Ms. Brady to tell us what she thinks of this term. “I think it’s meant to be derogatory, . . . and we need to stop doing stuff like that.”

Although this may be a new term to some, it’s still a derogatory, potentially harmful or offensive term that we shouldn’t use. Instead, we can hold a friendly conversation with our French peers.

That’s it; those are the best reasons as to why the French may be called Frogs, whether Spiegelman (author of Maus II) represented the French as frogs was motivated by the common nickname or not, I kind of am thankful he did because I got to learn an interesting, but chaotic origin of a common idea about the French.