The Courier | Volume 56 Issue 9

From Sound to Image: Diving into Apple TV’s Prominent Music Documentaries Plus: • Staff Picks: Halloween 2021 Playlist • Oswego East High School Impacted By Student’s Death

VOLUME

ISSUE NO.

56 09

IN THIS ISSUE

MUSIC

MUSIC

MUSIC

OPINION

OPINION

Staff Picks: Halloween 2021 View our Spotify playlist of Halloween tunes

From Sound to Image: “The Velvet Underground” Uncover the true story behind one of rock’s most influential and experimental acts

From Sound to Image: “Beastie Boys Story” Explore the lifelong journey of three friends who inspired themselves, music and the world

“Hocus Pocus” is the Must Watch Halloween Movie “Hocus Pocus” is the ideal Halloween movie and this is the hill I will die on

Dear Hollywood, Please Stop Putting Tom Holland in Movies The startling lack of diversity in Hollywood is starting to show

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THE TEAM EDITOR-IN-CHIEF·············································· Brenton Russo MANAGING EDITOR········································· Aurora Troncoso CREATIVE DIRECTOR······································ Danny Olivares STAFF WRITER···················································· Haley Battle STAFF WRITER···················································· Bee Bishop STAFF WRITER···················································· Isaac Delgado STAFF WRITER···················································· Eva Koureta STAFF WRITER···················································· Joseph Krebaum STAFF WRITER···················································· Devin Oommen STAFF WRITER···················································· Katie Toolan STAFF WRITER···················································· Cody Wagner GRAPHICS EDITOR··········································· Zainab Imam PHOTO EDITOR·················································· Alexia Lukose SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR·································· John Chirayil ADVISER································································· Jim Fuller

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FEATURES

FEATURES

OPINION

Oswego East High School Impacted

By Student’s Death Missing student found dead Friday, students pay tribute

Halloween Fun at COD & Glen Ellyn Scarecrow Winners Photo Galleries Pumpkin painting and a Monster MASH, with music, food and games

All The Gifts Ideas Pre-Wrapped to Avoid The December Chaos A gift list to get you prepared for the most wonderful time of the year

COFFEE MUSIC BREAK

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Trusting our Journalism It is crucial for all journalists to approach every story with integrity and a desire for the truth, and it's no different here.

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MUSIC

STAFF PICKS

Halloween 2021 Listen to the full playlist on Spotify.

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MUSIC FROM SOUND TO IMAGE: “THE VELVET UNDERGROUND” Cody Wagner, Staff Writer

“The Velvet Underground,” Apple TV’s newest documentary directed by Todd Haynes, touches upon the honest and invigorating story of the New York rock band highlighting its origin, impact, dissolution and ultimate redemption. The film presents an honest and colorful presentation of the underground culture that grew from the band’s rebellious image while creating a unique sound essential throughout the time of their debut.

The two-hour documentary highlights a rise to stardom through capturing rising sentiments of rebellion that became the hallmark of 60’s society. The band’s music reflected a darkness that highlighted tragic and dire truths Americans needed to connect to in a time of fear, war, panic and loss. The film combines raw, archived footage displaying the band’s impactful and influential career as well as their deceased original frontman and rock rebel “Lou

Reed.” Interviews with founding members. violinist John Cale, drummer Moe Tucker, later frontman Jonathan Richman, and many others who had various associations with the band provided deep insight into the band’s successful and impactful musical journey. This is followed by real footage of recording sessions, interviews and behind-the-scenes segments of the band both on and offstage presenting an intimate and collective presentation that tells the story in itself.

The film itself is both about music as an influential force in relation to the world of art and vivid creativity. Famous artists and creative visionist Andy Warhol also plays a major role.

He not only made an image for the band’s debut album, “The Velvet Underground and Nico” but Warhol was also considered to be a valuable member who fueled the band’s ultimate triumph and success through

obscurity and innovation that was prevalent in much of his works throughout his era of artistic influence and creativity.

Warhol transformed the band’s image into a colorful kaleidoscopic landscape that never deferred from their appeal to wickedness and umbrage. His art not only met the band’s creative desires but allowed beauty to be shown within this fascination to darkness, that many bands who edged toward the norm of “the hippie era” with flowers, peace, love, and LSD wouldn’t even dare to explore.

“The Velvet Underground” maintains its focus while detailing the band’s relation to art and within the world of sound. This is surely one documentary highly recommended for not only fans of the band themselves but those with a passion for the arts and creativity.

Have you seen "The Velvet Underground?" Let us know your thoughts of the film in the comments.

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MUSIC FROM SOUND TO IMAGE: “BEASTIE BOYS STORY” Cody Wagner, Staff Writer

Apple TV’s “Beastie Boys Story” follows an inspiring, amusing and emotional tale of three friends who shared an intimate friendship with the world for the past 40 years.

Directed by Spike Jonze, the film captured the real-life story of one music’s most influential acts, “The Beastie Boys,” whose songs captivated and shook the world to its core while reminding everyone the true impact that friendship can hold once you find the right people.

The motion picture was filmed at “The Kings Theater” in Brooklyn, NY with founding and remaining members Michael Diamond (Mike D) and Adam Horovitz (Ad-Rock). The two hosted a three-night event at the theater highlighting their career as musicians, rappers, rockstars and friends while also giving honor to their third companion Adam Yauch(MCA) who tragically passed away on May 4, 2012 at the age of 47 from salivary cancer. The film was filled with humor, excitement, tragedy and tenderness as the story of one of the biggest and most impactful friendships was told.

We learn so much more about the band than what was expressed within their music. What some perceived as the hard-partying 80s frat bros exemplified from the tune “Fight For Your Right” is rebutted as a clever and deeper image of the band, analyzed along with tales of the struggles the three boys endured throughout their pathway of success and its saddened and eventual downfall due to the death of Yauch. At one point later on throughout the film there was a truly touching moment where the spotlight shined on Yauch as details of his death were being explained in its relation to the band’s timeline. As Horovitz was speaking about Yauch and his death, sadness and remorse instantly impacted the artist as he was forced to pass the mic to Diamond because the moment was too heartbreaking and troubled.

This immediately showed that the three had a powerful and sustaining bond that they thought could never be broken. This was alongside the fact that both members didn’t even realize that their last show with Yauch came at the 2009

Bonnaroo festival as both individuals shared their grief and remembrance of that fateful day that marked the end of “The Beastie Boys.”

Nevertheless, the film doesn’t aim to depress the audience with Yauch’s tragic demise. Rather, it paints an endearing and hopeful image of the individual band members rather than just their musical offensiveness that resulted in much of their appreciation back in their earlier years.

A more intimate and heartfelt Beastie Boys are presented within this film, providing a deeper personal and emotional image than what was presented in their music. Whether you’re a fan of the boys themselves with reminiscent tunes like “Fight For Your Right”, “Intergalactic” or “Sabotage,” or just looking for a great story about three friends who impacted not only each other but the world, this is the story for you. It’s one that everyone can learn a valuable lesson from with the idea of honoring and understanding those who truly care for your well-being and existence.

Have you seen "Beastie Boys Story?" Let us know your thoughts of the film in the comments.

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OPINION “HOCUS POCUS” IS THE MUST WATCH HALLOWEEN MOVIE Bee Bishop, Staff Writer

Halloween time. The spookiest scariest time of the year. Sitting right on the edge of a great part of fall, the airy chill as the leaves begin to turn, and the bad part of fall, before all the gross, cold rain comes. One of the best ways to celebrate Halloween is by watching the many Halloween movies out there. But if you want the best slice of Halloween vibes, then “Hocus Pocus,” directed by Kenny Ortega in 1993, is the movie for you. Not only is this movie a cult classic, it is the ideal Halloween movie.

The plot follows a teenage boy, Max, played

by Omri Katz; his younger sister, Dani, played

by Thora Birch; and his crush, Allison, played

by Vinessa Shaw, as they run around Salem, Mass. trying to stop the plot of three witches, the Sanderson sisters, to eat children’s souls.

Assisted by a boy who was cursed to be a cat for all eternity, the ragtag group of kids face a zombie, irritating high school bullies and the crushing reality that the adults in their life won’t believe them when they say three witches are trying to kill them. Sounds like a blast.

The plot is packed full of wacky, high school

hijinks and creepy Halloween implications.

Though the pacing can be a little wobbly, the movie does manage to keep a relatively even pace. The story does manage to balance the struggles of fitting in as a kid or teenager and the struggle of having three witches hunt you down so they can eat you.

However, the strongest point of the movie are the characters. In particular, the relationships between characters stand out. Max and Dani have a large age gap between them, with Max being a teenager and Dani being 8. Despite that, they maintain a fairly close relationship. Katz and Birch have a great sibling chemistry with one another. The pair of them look after each other and tease each other mercilessly. There is hardly any moment throughout the film that makes me question whether or not something is out of character for the siblings.

And this sibling bond is not singularly found in the relationship between Max and Dani.

Compared to the protagonistic siblings, the Sanderson sisters carry the same chaotic love-hate energy. Despite the craziness of the characters, they still present a fairly threatening antagonistic force throughout the movie. The sisters are determined, and though they are dramatic, ridiculous and wacky characters, they are a devious force to be reckoned with.

They have a book bound in human skin, and their main goal is to eat the life forces of children to remain young forever. That certainly lands somewhere on the evil scale. The saying you can’t have a good story without a good villain absolutely applies to this movie. The Sanderson sisters are truly the one thing that makes this movie the cult classic that it is.

I wouldn’t call “Hocus Pocus” a perfect movie, because it’s not. The pacing fluctuates a little too suddenly, and the effects are corny. But it is the ideal Halloween movie, with its content and tone. That symbiosis of zany antics and careful deviousness truly make this movie the ideal Halloween watch. Halloween is a day of scares and fun, sour apples and sweet candy, tricks and treats, if you will. “Hocus Pocus” captures that duality of the holiday brilliantly, and it takes you along for the ride.

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OPINION DEAR HOLLYWOOD, PLEASE STOP PUTTING TOM HOLLAND IN MOVIES Bee Bishop, Staff Writer

"Hollywood Sign" by Chang'r is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0

Last week, Sony Pictures released the first trailer for “Uncharted,” a movie based off of the well-known video game series. As a fan of the game, I was pumped! I don’t necessarily have high hopes for the film, but it looks to be a pretty fun time at the movies - except for one thing.

As I was watching the trailer, Tom Holland comes on screen, clearly playing the main character. As soon as I saw him, I said out loud in my room by myself, “Oh no, not Tom Holland.”

Not because I hate Tom Holland. Quite the contrary; I’m a big fan. I think he’s a phenomenal actor and a cool dude. It just feels like he’s everywhere. Most recently, he just had two movies “Cherry” and “Chaos Walking” released earlier this year, two days apart. Any time I want to see what movies are out or coming out soon, boom! There he is, staring dramatically off into the distance on some movie poster or thumbnail of another action movie trailer.

So I have to ask; Hollywood, can we please stop casting Holland in leading roles? Not because I

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don’t want to watch him work wonders with his craft, but because I strain to be ensnared by the movie I’m supposed to be watching. It’s hard to create that degree of separation and suspend my disbelief if I can only see Holland prancing about in front of a camera doing backflips.

Maybe this is a singular issue, and I’m just too into Holland to fully interact with the movie, but it happens with other actors as well. George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Michael Keaton are just a few I can name off the top of my head. For me, it happens when an actor is overused in too many roles that are too similar. And I think this stems from an issue larger than just using the same actor over and over too many times.

This stems from the blatant lack of diversity in Hollywood.

Sure, it’s an issue that’s been getting better over the past few years, but just because it’s better doesn’t mean it’s solved. Hollywood still struggles to hire actors of color and queer actors, and it still struggles to put women in leadership roles behind the camera. According to a study published in Sept. 2020 by the University of Southern California Annenberg School for

Communication and Journalism, out of the 100 top grossing films of 2019, 34.3% of all speaking characters were actors of color, 1.4% were LGBTQ+ and 2.3% were depicted with a disability. And out of 112 directors in 2019, 12 were women.

Sure, Holland is a great actor, but is there anything he can do that Elliot Fletcher can’t?

How about Keiynan Lonsdale or Rhenzy Feliz? Hollywood has the means to equalize the playing field, and yet we are hardly seeing anything come of it.

So I ask again: Hollywood, can we please stop casting Holland in leading roles? Can we use those means to actually make an impact and expand the list of triple A actors to include actors of color and queer actors? Can we start putting women in leadership roles behind the camera? Yes, we can. Now we’re just waiting for you to actually follow through.

FEATURES OSWEGO EAST HIGH SCHOOL IMPACTED BY STUDENT’S DEATH Jona Padua, Staff Writer

Missing student reports circulated this past week regarding Oswego East Football Player Mark Chapas. Within the student body, it began with social media reports from fellow peers about his disappearance, desiring to spread the word in an attempt to find him. First, his face was posted on Snapchat and Instagram stories, asking if anyone has seen him. Gradually, more students throughout the school reuploaded and screenshotted any posts they saw on him, hoping he’d be found.

News soon surfaced from the Chapas family on Facebook, announcing his death on Friday, Oct. 22.

The news left everyone searching for any way they could help with the grieving family.

Soon, fundraisers were emerging from other family members, as well as friends spreading the link amongst one another until the entire school had the opportunity to help the late senior’s family. The student body contributed to help pay for funeral costs for the unexpected passing, the Chapas’ family opening the invitation of Mark’s Visitation to any student.

It was requested that Oswego East Spirit Wear be worn to the visitation Friday, Oct 29. Many students expressed their grievances for the senior under the “oeclassof22” Instagram page that also paid tribute to his death.

The page posted a picture of him, captioned, “Not only was he one of our seniors, but he was a brother, a son, a teammate, a friend and a wolf.”

Contribution from the students was not only over social media but at the school as well. Once hearing about Chapas’ passing, it was judged that the cause was suicide. The following Monday after the announcement of his death, students all wore yellow to school to raise awareness for suicide prevention. They also wrote his football jersey number, #71, on their wrists, raising their fists up at 7:10 a.m.

They chose 7:10 a.m. to pay tribute as his number was #71.

Chapas left a lasting impact on the school and the students. He greatly touched the hearts of many people whom he knew, as one of his peers on instagram, under the user “jonahwade_”

MARK CHAPAS 2004 - 2021

Image Provided by Sylvia Balice

wrote under the “oeclassof22” post of Chapas, “Mark was a person full of heart and compassion, (he) and would do anything for anybody. Let’s rejoice in the memories of Mark and live on his legacy.”

Another peer of his, “hannahchval,” also commented on the same post, “You meant so much to all of us Mark even if you didn’t know.

Being your partner everyday last year made my year.”

His burial was scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 30, and the family continued to leave the invitation open to any of his fellow students to attend.

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FEATURES HALLOWEEN FUN AT COD Alexia Lukose, Photo Editor

Pumpkin painting and a Monster MASH, with music, food and games, were hosted

by COD clubs for students to kickoff their Halloween weekend!

View the full galleries on out website.

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FEATURES GLEN ELLYN SCARECROW WINNERS AND HONORABLE MENTIONS Alexia Lukose, Photo Editor

Glen Ellyn Hosted a scarecrow competition from October 16-31, with many contenders placed throughout downtown Glen Ellyn for everyone to see. Out of the many came three winners and some honorable mentions.

Alexia Lukose

Alexia Lukose

Alexia Lukose

Alexia Lukose

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OPINION ALL THE GIFTS IDEAS PRE-WRAPPED TO AVOID THE DECEMBER CHAOS Eva Kourtea, Staff Writer

The most wonderful time of the year is almost here as the holidays are just around the corner. People are already starting to get their Christmas gift list checked. Don’t wait until the last minute to get presents for your loved ones.

In this list you will find affordable, adorable and memorable gifting ideas for your family, friends or even yourself.

Keurig K-mini-Coffee Maker Living in Illinois, Christmas can sometimes be a very cold and chilly time of the year. What’s a better way than having a hot cup of coffee or chocolate in your hands when waking up to freezing winter days? Undoubtedly, a coffee or a hot chocolate machine would make every one’s day better. In this year’s list you can safely add the Keurig K-mini–Coffee Maker. It is a single-serve cup pod coffee brewer with 6 to 12 oz brew sizes and plenty of vibrant colors to choose from. For hot chocolate lovers, you can have your favorite drink made by the Keurig machine with the purchase of hot chocolate cup pods. Along with the coffee maker, a cute mug with funny quotes would be a great addition.

Custom Made Blanket When we think of coffee, our minds usually go to those movie scenes where the actors are holding a hot cup of coffee and curling up on their sofa with a warm and cozy blanket. A great gift idea for the cold days of December is a warm, snuggly, and cozy blanket that reminds the gift receivers of you. This year, Walmart provides people with the ability to turn their favorite picture into a custom blanket that will keep your loved ones warm all year long. The Photo Blankets can be purchased online with a variety of blanket material options. Plus, an easy and smart addition to the custom blanket is a set of pajamas. Who would not love a warm blanket and some cozy pajamas?

Books For most people, the holidays mean a few days of relaxation and rest. A thoughtful present could be the purchase of a book. A great novel is always a pleasant way to escape from work life and enjoy those few days of relaxation.

Some book suggestions are, “The Hunchback of Notre-Dame” by Victor Hugo, “The Man Who Laughs” by Victor Hugo, “The Phantom

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Eva Koureta

of The Opera” by Gaston Leroux and “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee. Special, collectible book editions would be another notable option.

Paintings by number For people who love to create art or have family members and friends who adore spending time by creating and crafting, paintings by number are an excellent gift idea. There are countless painting sets that include paint and paintbrushes, with a variety of painting options.

You can choose from landscaping and animals to abstract and minimalist pictures. This affordable present idea can entertain every age group, from young to old.

Video Games For the gamers, Christmas could be the time of the year when they have the most time to play their favorite video games. Free from work and

responsibilities, gamers will surely appreciate a present that includes a Playstation or Xbox game. Some of the most interesting games I enjoyed playing in 2020 were “The Last of Us Part II,” “Final Fantasy VII Remake,” “Assassin’s Creed Odyssey,” “Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales” and “Red Dead Redemption II.” Gifting a fantastic video game will surely be appreciated.

Those are just some of the top picks for gifts this year, so you can be the gifting master among your friends and family.

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Whether you agree or disagree with our reporting and opinions, we encourage you to submit feedback regarding our content at codcourier.org. Open, honest and respectful discourse is welcome, and helps us all grow as students, journalists and citizens.

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COFFEE BREAK Theme: Basketball

Finished? Stuck?

Check your answers on our website.

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ACROSS 1. Repeating word on South Pacific map 5. Bro's sibling 8. Dashboard abbr.

11. Fusses 12. *Basketball slam 13. Go "Boo!" 15. Boisterous play 16. Upper hand 17. Part of mortise joint 18. *Unopposed attempt to score (2 words) 20. "The Famous Five" children's writer Blyton 21. *Basketball player Bojan Bogdanovic or Drazen Petrovic 22. "Mares eat ____" or "does eat ____," sing.

23. One who covers in silver, e.g.

26. Figure 30. Be ill 31. Part of "panther" 34. Capital of Latvia 35. Like helium 37. Quilting party 38. Analyze 39. Dehydrated 40. Litter of piglets 42. Down Under bird 43. a.k.a. aardvark 45. Provincial governor in ancient Persia 47. Argo propeller 48. Subway in Paris 50. Conclusion starter 52. *Made basket (2 words) 56. Not a soul 57. Like animal near extinction 58. Greek sandwich 59. Bandages 60. Arabian bigwig 61. Answer to "Shall we?"

62. Bar offering 63. *It sends a basketball game to overtime 64. Highland tongue

DOWN 1. Vomit 2. Sensory input 3. It wasn't built in a day 4. Characteristic to consider 5. Traditional scarf/ headdress 6. Brick of precious metal 7. Place at an angle 8. Indian princess 9. Circus trainer's poker 10. '80s band "____ At Work" 12. Remove antlers 13. Titanic propeller 14. *Shaquille O'Neal and Wilt Chamberlain, e.g.

19. Halloween option 22. Not their 23. 1/100th of a rupee 24. Wrinkle-prone natural fabric 25. Warning 26. ____-do-well 27. Part of a stair 28. Old World lizard 29. *Fast-break ____ 32. Skier's aid 33. Part of H.M.S. 36. *Reward after missed shot 38. *Larry O'Brien NBA Championship Trophy, e.g.

40. Away's partner 41. Stable worker 44. Relieves 46. On/off type of switch 48. *____ Hurricanes 49. Creepy 50. Work very hard 51. Use a whetstone 52. Worry without necessity 53. Deed hearing 54. A in A&E Network 55. *The Phoenix Suns did it in the 2021 NBA Finals 56. *Professional basketball league

DOODLE AWAY

...or you can use it for your math homework

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I think it’s just vapor.

It won’t hurt my kid like cigarettes, right?

The vapor that’s inhaled from e-cigarettes contains harmful chemicals that can cause irreversible lung damage.

And e-cigarettes have nicotine, a toxin that’s addictive and can change your kid’s brain.

Those are the facts.

Talk to your kid about vaping.

Get the facts at

TalkAboutVaping.org