Spring break has come and passed, and the innocence can never last. Although Green Day said, “Wake Me Up When September Ends,” I want to be woken up at the end of May when finals are over. During the time off from school, the distractions duo was enjoying rest, relaxation and new entertainment. With a brand new game from Pokémon and a new Pixar movie, our features editor can’t stop talking about, let’s dive into what we got into last week.
Build a Pokémon paradise in ‘Pokopia’
If you’ve ever wished Pokémon had its own cozy life sim, “Pokopia” might be your new obsession. Nintendo released “Pokopia” on Wednesday, bringing the classic franchise to a new format: life simulation.
In this Nintendo Switch 2 title, players take control of Ditto, the shape-shifting Pokémon, as it builds a thriving habitat for the species, learning new abilities from other Pokémon along the way. Instead of focusing on battling, “Pokopia” shifts to farming, crafting and building as players reconstruct a post-apocalyptic world inhabited by both familiar Pokémon and new additions.
As Ditto befriends other Pokémon, players gain abilities like watering plants with Squirtle or destroying terrain with Hitmonchan. The gameplay resembles other life sims, like “Animal Crossing” or “Harvest Moon,” offering familiar mechanics while refreshing the genre.
With its relaxing pace and creative gameplay, “Pokopia” blends the charm of Pokémon with the satisfying rhythms of classic life sims, making it a perfect way to pass time over spring break. Jesse Jones
‘Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally.’ livens up a boring car ride
Harry Styles is dancing into the New Year with his new album “Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally.” released on March 6. Each track consists of funky beats, creative lyricism and nostalgic sound.
Coming from someone whose main musical genre is 80s pop-rock, this album has been on repeat in the car. Listeners can expect instrumentals similar to Cher, David Bowie and the Arctic Monkeys. However, one track that really stands out is “Coming Up Roses,” which includes a symphony orchestra.
Styles is no stranger to thinking outside the box, and this album is no exception. The artist is making waves in the industry with instrumentals reminiscent of past favorites, as well as through different marketing techniques, including his appearance on Brittany Broski’s “Royal Court” and his Netflix special “Harry Styles: One Night in Manchester.” Tucker Young
Rachel Weisz stuns audiences in ‘Vladimir’
This show is like a train wreck; you don’t want to look directly at it, but you just can’t look away.
Based on the book of the same name, the limited series “Vladimir” dropped on Netflix March 5, with eight episodes of desire, obsession and delusion. The drama follows a woman in desperate need of some meditation as her husband is accused of several Title IX violations. His career is on the line, she’s being judged by everyone and two young professors have stepped onto the scene. One of these professors is Vladimir Valenski, a handsome young writer with striking blue eyes and a kind personality.
As the show moves from one episode to the next, our main character’s endearment for Valenski quickly turns into obsession, and what follows is chaos. With hallucinations of what could be, sharp dialogue and an unreliable narrator, this series is keeping audiences on the edge of their seats. Tucker Young
Steve Carell takes on new roll as the ‘Rooster’
HBO is putting Steve Carell in the spotlight in the new series, “Rooster,” released March 8. The show follows Carell’s character as a struggling author and a dad trying to reconnect with his daughter.
The first episode follows Carell’s character, Greg Russo, as he navigates guest-lecturing a college class, supporting his daughter through her crumbling marriage and figuring out his own life. With excellent comedic timing and an intriguing cast lineup, the show has become an instant hit on the streaming platform, attracting 2.4 million streamers in its first three days.
The show is perfect for college students and older adults, as it is set on a college campus and primarily focuses on Russo and his daughter, a professor at the university.
Episodes drop every Sunday night at nine p.m. on HBO and HBO Max. Tucker Young
‘Hoppers’ brings cute animals and heart to the big screen
Disney-Pixar’s new film “Hoppers” is bringing environmental awareness to audiences in a heartwarming and creative way. The animated movie follows Mabel, a college student dead-set on saving the glade she finds solace in after the mayor prepares to build a bridge over it. In an intriguing turn of events, the student is transported into the body of a beaver, and the story unravels from there. This new film pulls at the audience’s heartstrings through the love of a grandmother for her granddaughter, a scientist’s love for her work and a girl’s love for the environment. Even at twenty-two, this was not a movie I would miss. Tucker Young
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