By Aqil K. Legopranowo
Hocus Pocus 1 & 2 Franchise Review
Ever feel like you are missing the Disney nostalgia of the 90s? Well, think again because Hocus Pocus is the movie for you!
When the first movie came out in 1993, it was a cultural phenomenon for witches in the United States to be associated with Halloween and horrifying creatures of the night and magic as spooky and creepy.
The movie has a lot of whacky and silly moments that make you laugh and reminisce about the 90s, with the Sanderson sisters being the iconic figures in the film.
The first film starts off with a teenager named Max Dennison, played by Omri Katz, after moving from California, LA, to Salem, Massachusetts, exploring an abandoned house with his sister, Dani, played by Thora Birch, and their new friend, Allison, played by Vinessa Shaw. After Max dismisses a superstitious story Allison tells, he accidentally frees a coven of evil witches, namely Winifred, Sarah, and Mary Sanderson, into the world. The movie has a lot of whacky and silly moments that make you laugh and reminisce about the 90s, with the Sanderson sisters being the iconic figures in the film.
The movie’s 2022 sequel introduces us to three new young women who accidentally brought back the return of the Sanderson Sisters to modern-day Salem and must figure out how to stop the child-hungry witches from wreaking havoc on the world. This time around, a new cast and story were created with a whole new motive: to be the most powerful witches by asking Gilbert to collect the ingredients for “Magica Maxima.” Story-wise, it is not explained what certain characters’ roles are and why they do it is as little as explained. Sadly, the returning ones who played the main characters from the first film, Allison, Max, and Dani, are out of the picture. There are parts in the movie that try to connect to the nostalgic feeling audiences had back in the 90s and connect to new audiences coming into the film. Nonetheless, the movie was underwhelming as new plot holes emerged. There are questionable moments where there are not as it seems.
Either way, both movies gave some fun laughs and adventure for all families to enjoy!
The Well Coffee House
1-1A State Street, 212 Washington St, Boston, MA 02109
Monday through Friday 7 AM to 5 PM
A 5-min walk from our lovely 73 Tremont St near One Court Residence Hall, you’ll find this coffee house on the corner! They have one of the best cold brew coffees in Boston, many options of Latte, and not to mention they are a Non-Profit Organization! Many times, this place is packed with people from students doing their assignments or just people hanging around. It is on the corner giving lots of advantages for natural sunlight, and you could also look at people strolling around the street while you are sipping your coffee. My favorites are their Iced The Well Mocha, Cold Brew, and Iced Americano! Have you tried it before? Tell us what you think in the comments below!
By Madeline Buman
By Kanchawit Pholnikorn
Race Against Time in Plymouth
Earlier this month was a trip to Plymouth, MA supported by INTO Suffolk. In the suburban town, we took a break from Boston and a breath of fresh air.
From Boston to Plymouth, we went on the commuter rail in which we bought a weekend pass. If you have never been on a commuter rail before, there are many types of seats to choose from. All of them are quite comfortable and perfect for sleeping which we all did. After we arrived at the station, we had to take a shuttle bus to the downtown area which took around 30 minutes.
When we arrived downtown, the scenery was breathtaking. We could not believe the sight. It was as if we were on a vacation. We went to a local restaurant for lunch, The CabbyShack, 30 Town Wharf, Plymouth. We highly recommend the salmon dish on their menu. We also went to a couple of historical places such as the Mayflower II ship and Plymouth Rock. Although it was great to be surrounded by historical artifacts, we all think that Plymouth rock was just a rock.
Immediately right after, we had to leave, or otherwise, we wouldn’t be home until 9 pm, which would have been 3 hours from the time we were walking to the bus. Fortunately, INTO staff were able to convince the driver to put his foot on the gas and take us to the commuter rail as soon as he could. Thankfully, we were there in time!
If you are thinking about taking a break from downtown Boston, I encourage you to go to Plymouth and walk around the area. You will not regret it!
By Kanchawit Pholnikorn
Restaurant Review:
Hei La Moon Restaurant
83 Essex Street, Chinatown, Boston
10am to 9pm , Dine-in and Takeout
(617) 338-8813
Hei La Moon has one of the finest dim sums in Boston’s Chinatown neighborhood. It’s a perfect spot to eat with your international peers.
The Peer Leadership Council and I went to this restaurant after our event. The ambiance of the restaurant was a surprise. The atmosphere was immediately warm and welcoming, allowing customers to relax as soon as they step inside. It also helps that the inside looks like a hotel of some sort. Together with the furniture, you feel like you are at a wedding.
This restaurant does not just serve dim sum. They also have boba and other side dishes on the menu. Our orders consisted of many dim sums, which cost around 6-8 dollars per item. We ordered many items, including chicken feet and red pork buns. It was like we were back in Asia. The taste of every dish was quite authentic and wholesome. The softness of the chicken feet combined with the juice from the shumai created a heavenly sanctuary in our mouths. Every element of this dish worked so well together.
I was impressed with this restaurant and the total price of our dinner. If you are looking for a place to eat and relax, come to Hei La Moon with your friends. You will not regret it. You will definitely be fulfilled.