Ah, Harry Potter, the literary masterpiece that has captured the hearts of millions of nerds around the world. Among many other fantasy films and books, why that? Let’s see why Harry Potter is, without a doubt, one of the laziest fantasy story settings ever.

To begin with, who needs a compelling plot when you can have a magic school, right? The concept of a young wizard attending a magical school and saving the world is such an original concept. It’s not like we’ve seen anything remotely similar in countless other books and movies. An applause for J.K. Rowling for rehashing cliched themes and presenting them as phenomenal.

Oh, and let’s not forget about the characters. Harry, Hermione, and Ron are the trio that represents mediocrity. A chosen one, a brainiac, and a comic relief sidekick – where have we not heard about this before? It’s almost like these archetypes haven’t been done to death in every other story. And the villains? The main bad guy is a freak without a nose who wants to kill the chosen boy. And his followers’ dress code is all black robes. How colourful.

The magical world of Harry Potter is so awesome, with its spells and rules of magic that make absolutely no sense. Latin-based incantations for spells? Because nothing can be as magical as a dead language. And the weapons? WANDS. A ruler-sized twig has all the power you can channel. How uncool is that. And imagine screaming in Latin for it, too.

Let’s talk about the institution, Hogwarts. First off, ugly name. Secondly, I would hate to go to that school where everybody, including the rip-off Gandalf principal, is glorifying the guy who survived a murder as a baby. Barely any points for other houses other than the survivor’s house. Unfair plus dangerous? Get me outta there.

Not to mention the fans. They tend to talk about it a lot. Most of them think Harry Potter books and movies are the only cool things in the world. They even dress up like the characters and wave wands around. Touch grass, people.

In conclusion, Harry Potter is a literary spectacle that has managed to fascinate readers with its originality, groundbreaking characters, and a world so unique it can only be described as, well, completely unoriginal. But hey, who am I to critique a series that has spawned countless books, movies, theme parks, and a devoted fanbase? Clearly, I’m missing out on the exceptional genius of Harry Potter.

“If I go back
Where should I go back, go back, go back?” [from Go Back (2019)]

That was part of the lyrics sung by the SE SO NEON during their ‘Hello, World! 2023’ Tour. And I would definitely go back to the time when they first stepped onto the stage at Rickshaw Theatre on Wednesday, September 13.

In 2016, SE SO NEON began as a Korean indie rock band created by the charismatic lead singer and guitarist So Yoon. Joined with her is the bassist Hyunjin Park, and while there were others, they all left due to mandatory military service in South Korea. In 2018, the band received Rookie of the Year and Best Rock Song at the Korean Music Awards. They are basically the face of K-indie at the moment.

My sister introduced me to SE SO NEON’s music two years ago, and their unique music style fascinated me. The genre of the music was labelled as “psychedelic rock.” Not only did the style intrigue me, but also the vocal. The singer sounded masculine when singing low and feminine when she had to hit higher notes, almost like a whisper.

I nervously attended my first-ever concert with my sister as her birthday gift, hearing stories from friends about the weird atmosphere filled with the scent of weed, flashing lights, and creepy men. Fortunately, the concert venue had a strict no-smoking policy and no flashy lights, aligning with the band’s preferences (and no creeps!) We managed to stand only two rows away from So Yoon.

How can I describe the show? It was absolute BANGERS. So Yoon’s amazing vocals were expected, but her performance was crazy. She was playing her guitar with rockstar energy, and she even threw her glasses on the floor and bent backwards while shredding her electric guitar. The bassist and hired drummer were passionate, but the leader foreshadowed them. But when they had to talk after songs, they would get all shy, which was cute and funny (especially the drummer.) They all had exceptional showmanship.

One of the biggest highlights for me was when So Yoon threw the merch bandana she had on her mic stand, and I CAUGHT IT.

The concert by SE SO NEON was phenomenal, delivering an electrifying performance that left me anticipating their return to the Vancouver stage (just as they had promised). The vibes, the music, and the showmanship were all on point, making it an unforgettable experience that I hope to go back to.

Batman is undoubtedly the most beloved superhero from DC comics of all time, which is also weird because he doesn’t have superpowers. Or parents. But he’s a billionaire and has an IQ of around 192. Many actors have donned the iconic cape and cowl, but which one played him the best?

Starting with the third spot, we have Christian Bale. The Dark Knight, a film released 15 years ago, is often hailed as one of the best Batman movies ever made, according to IMDb and Metacritic (9.0 out of a scale of 10 and 84 out of 100, respectively). Bale’s portrayal shines due to the captivating narrative and realistic Gotham setting. The setting of Gotham is too close to home, and the villains have realistic and reasonable motivations. Bale’s villains are what elevated this rendition of the hero, especially the likes of Joker, Two-Face, and the Scarecrow. But it also has some flaws, such as his Batmobile being a tank (when he’s supposed to be discreet) and Bale’s annoying Batman voice. It sounds like a growl and hardest to understand.

Securing the second position is Robert Pattinson, whose Batman in “The Batman” is praised for its realism and accuracy. Despite initial backlash about his casting, Pattinson’s performance won hearts when the film hit theatres in March 2022. His portrayal reflects a younger, less experienced Batman, with a surprisingly good physique and detective skills. The movie emphasizes Batman’s fallibility and human nature, making it stand out.

However, my personal favourite is Lego Batman, brought to life through the voice of Will Arnett. This version of Batman is far from the serious and brooding character we are used to. Instead, Lego Batman is hilariously cute, incredibly immature, and an absolute delight as a Lego minifigure. Despite the comedic elements, this representation retains the essence of Batman, the billionaire playboy who fights crime, and adds a unique charm with brick batarangs.

Christian Bale and Robert Pattinson are undoubtedly outstanding actors, portraying Batman in powerful and dramatic ways that have left a memorable impact on cinema. Bale’s dark and intense movies, along with Pattinson’s more practical and grounded portrayal, have their own appeal. However, the adorable and quirky Lego Batman, with his childish yet charming personality, steals the spotlight for its unique approach. In the end, the best Batman portrayal remains a matter of personal preference, reflecting the diverse and fascinating interpretations of this beloved superhero.