The 2023 summer movie smash, ranked

By Quay Skankey

The summer of 2023 saw a multitude of smash-hit blockbuster films and somber, slow burn dramas, all worthy of praise. From Barbie to Blue Beetle, Mission Impossible to Elemental, here they are, ranked:

11. ”Blue Beetle”

With Zack Snyder’s DC Cinematic Universe in the rearview mirror, “Blue Beetle” is a cold drink of water. This movie’s presentation and tone does not break any new ground, but the proud Latinx representation presents a fresh take on the oversaturated superhero genre. Due to issues with originality and a villain who feels like they came straight out of the 2000s, “Blue Beetle” finds itself at the bottom of the list.

10. ”Elemental”

Pixar’s “Elemental” received a disappointing and lukewarm response from audiences when it first came out, but that doesn’t change this fact: it’s still worth a watch. It’s a heartwarming romance that shows great creativity in its concepts and mastery over 3D animation. The problems come with its lackluster pacing, underdeveloped motivations and a plot that frustratingly leaves so much emotional potential on the shelf in place for an action-based climax in our emotional drama.

9. ”Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One”

“Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One” is an example of fantastic filmmaking with little impact. Despite having some of the best action in the entire genre, A-list talent and a theoretically exciting plot, this movie fails to make any impression. In fact, it comes off as self-serving and pretentious. It’s packed with action set pieces that are reminiscent of earlier films in the franchise. Ethan Hunt, played by Tom Cruise, is about as interesting as your grandmother’s knitting tutorials. The plot centers mostly around how Hunt is just such a cool guy and everyone in the world — including a godlike A.I. villain — is obsessed with hurting him through his love life.

8. ”Asteroid City”

By Ari Frey

Since Olivia Rodrigo’s debut album “SOUR” took off in May 2021, the 20-year-old has grown from a Disney Channel regular to a household name in the world of pop music. Her rise to fame started with the release of “Driver’s License,” and she has only grown in popularity since.

Now, over two years later, Rodrigo has released her highlyanticipated sophomore album titled “GUTS.” The angsty and pop-like sounds and relatable topics like heartbreak, growing pains and jealousy are similar to “SOUR,” but it is elevated in basically every way.

While this new album certainly comes with some gutwrenching ballads, “GUTS” stands apart from “SOUR” by mixing devastating lyrics with an upbeat tempo and melodies that stick in your head no matter how hard you try to get

A prime example of this is the transition from track five, “ballad of a homeschool girl,” to track six, “making the bed.” The first is a sardonic track that perfectly captures the experience of trying to fit in and failing miserably. The self-deprecating lyrics about the “social suicide” of attempting to flirt or appear cool to your peers when you’ve never learned how to are wellbalanced with the increasingly fast verses, the catchy chorus and the dissonant bridge. Even if you painfully relate, it’s easy to sing (or scream) along in the car. After all, it’s fun when a celebrity is honest about being self critical. We’ve all been Olivia Rodrigo in this situation, cringing at something you said and beating yourself up about it later.

“making the bed” pulls the rug out from under listeners and are given no time to adjust as the upbeat sound turns to a low, slow, true ballad about self-hatred and taking responsibility, maybe too much, for the way she’s feeling. Rodrigo is able to take specific feelings about playing the victim and recurring dreams and turn them into something that anyone could relate to. And while these two songs give emotional whiplash while moving from one to the other, they’re not so different thematically–that’s why this album works so well. The genre blending makes it so every song sounds different, but in the end the album perfectly captures the experience of being a teenage girl.

Even with this new overall theme, “GUTS” isn’t lacking in breakup songs. While the songs on “SOUR” seemed to chronicle that fresh pain of a breakup, this new album brings a fresh perspective to the healing process. Olivia Rodrigo might be at the acceptance stage, having gone through those motions of grief in “SOUR,” but three songs in the album bring light to those ever-relatable feelings of not being able to let go.

“Vampire,” “logical” and “the grudge” all call back to this heartbreak and are perhaps the most reminiscent of the main theme of “SOUR,” but her discussion of heartbreak hasn’t grown old. The songs are far more contemplative and reflective, addressing the wrongdoings of both her partner at the time and her own part in the heartbreak.

From start to finish, “GUTS” takes you on that unforgettable journey of growing up. From her fast-paced opener “allamerican b—h” acting as both an affirmation of her femininity and a criticism of how young women are expected to behave, to her closer “teenage dream,” slowing it down and describing the fears that you’ve already hit your peak at the edge of adulthood, Olivia Rodrigo proves that she’s here to stay. And as her lyrics continue to mature and her sound continues to diversify, she’s sure to prove that she will get better the more she grows, despite her fears.

Wes Anderson’s newest entry, “Asteroid City”, is a visual flex that contains masterful cinematography by Robert Yeoman and Anderson’s signature dry humor. The story is his most mature and self-referential yet. It has a meta-contextual discussion on art and what it means to be a star. However, despite having thoughtprovoking writing and one of the best interpretations of an alien in recent times, the repetitive tone and music make this experience monotonous. In the end, it’s just another Wes Anderson movie, even though it’s not an inherently bad thing.

7. ”Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem”

This list leaps in quality from good to great with “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.” The movie takes its time to develop a new interpretation of the turtles, with an engaging and emotional conflict.The plot is only made better by a talented voice cast with fantastic chemistry. With a gorgeous new art style, exhilarating action and great comedy, this movie shines. The only problem is that it ended so soon.

6. ”Talk to Me”

“Talk to Me” was the surprise hit of the summer — it’s an original horror movie directed by two YouTuber brothers. While the movie feels familiar in its plot progression, it distinguishes itself by being a heartbreaking drama disguised as a ghost film. With characters you want to survive entangled in a tragic setting where everyone’s decisions are well-motivated but still lead to more suffering, this movie will glue you to your seat for this depressing and horrific ride.

5. ”Guardians of the Galaxy: Volume 3”

The third entry in the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise is not only close to being the best in the trilogy, but it is also close to being the best movie in the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe. James Gunn proves that despite being three movies in, he can pull off an emotionally powerful and thrilling experience with characters who are so loveable. Though it can be overly cheesy at times, the film makes me excited to see what Gunn has planned for his forthcoming DC universe slate.

4. ”Oppenheimer”

This summer had one of the most fascinating phenomena with the “Barbenheimer” face-off. Between the two movies, it would not be “Oppenheimer,” but that does not mean it wasn’t also amazing. This movie has fantastic cinematography, acting, writing and pacing. It also fosters a conversation around the life and morality of J. Robert Oppenheimer. It makes me so hopeful for the future of filmmaking that a movie, like “Oppenheimer,” can render men talking in boardrooms compelling enough to make an impact on the cultural zeitgeist. That, and a spellbinding score, is why “Oppenheimer” earns its place as the fourth best movie of the summer.

Nevada downed by Idaho 33-6, start 0-2 for first time since 2017

By Derek Raridon

The Wolf Pack took on University of Idaho in their home opener on Sept. 9, losing to the Vandals 33-6 — starting the season 0-2 for the first time in six years.

Nevada quickly fell into a deficit in the first quarter. In the first play of the game, the Pack defense let Turon Ivy Jr., Idaho running back, run for a 75-yard touchdown. While Nevada tried to answer back with a touchdown of their own in their first drive, they were stopped in the red zone, settling for a field goal.

For the rest of the quarter, aside from the last play of the game, neither team would score. Both Nevada and Idaho committed a turnover and had one 3-and-out each: Nevada’s interception by Idaho linebacker from AJ Bianco, Nevada quarterback, and Idaho’s fumble by Anthony Woods which was recovered by Drue Watts. The silence was broken by the Vandals, as with the time expiring, Nick Romano, Idaho running back, ran for a 15-yard touchdown. After one, Nevada trailed 14-3.

The second quarter was much more inactive compared to the first. In the longest drive of the game with 15 plays, Nevada would score their second field goal to open the quarter. Both teams wouldn’t see the other side of the field until the Vandals’ last drive of the half, where the Wolf Pack stopped Idaho at the Nevada nine yard line, only allowing a field goal as the time expired. With one half in the books, the Pack was down 17-6.

Nevada stumbled coming back from halftime. After the offense went three-and-out in their first drive, the Wolf Pack defense was quickly picked apart, as the Vandals marched down the field for a touchdown in two minutes, 20 seconds. Nevada would allow one more field goal while turning the ball over on downs and throwing another interception, this time from Brendon Lewis, quarterback. As the game went into the final quarter, Nevada trailed 27-6.

The fourth quarter was the nail in the coffin for the Pack. Although the Vandals were still able to get two more scores before time expired, Nevada’s defense was able to keep Ida- ho from getting past the Nevada 12 yard line, holding them to field goals for the rest of the game. Meanwhile, the Pack offense was still silent. Even when it seemed like they were mounting a push, Nevada was stopped in their tracks, turning the ball over on downs again while fumbling the ball and turning it over in their last drive of the game. When the dust settled, the Wolf Pack would be on the losing side 33-6.

With this loss, the Nevada football team stands at 0-2 for the season, marking the first time the program has started their season with two losses since 2017. Their next game is on Saturday, Sept. 16, where the team will take on Big 12 conference powerhouse Kansas University in Mackay Stadium at 7:30 pm.