THE DRUM @WOODFORD
Issue 05, May 19 2023
Netflix: worthwhile or worthless?
By: Tumuteku Rore
Netflix is a streaming service that has revolutionised the way we watch television and films. It offers a vast library of content, including original programming, at an affordable price. However, the question remains: is Netflix really worth it?
On one hand, Netflix provides access to a wide range of content that can be
Woodford International School Counting Down the Days!
Hello, hello, hello, and welcome to Week 5! How exciting is it that we are already halfway through term 2? We for one are excited and cannot wait to give you more exciting news before we say goodbye (again) and all have a well-deserved break. But until then please enjoy this issue we have put together for you, filled with all sorts of different topics.
watched anytime and anywhere. Its original programming has received critical acclaim and has become a phenomenon. Additionally, it allows users to create multiple profiles and share accounts with family members or friends. It is available in many countries and it is very easy to use, which explains its large number of users.
On the other hand, however, some argue that the quality of content on Netflix is not consistent and that it lacks new releases. Furthermore, its subscription fees have increased over time. This causes people to use other sites to watch the latest movies and TV shows Netflix does not offer. But this comes with risks. You risk being exposed to dangerous malware and or/ the risk
of fraud and data theft. This risk increases significantly when you exchange credit or debit card information to view content on unregulated and pirate-run websites.
Ultimately, whether or not Netflix is worth it depends on individual preferences. Netflix may be a worthwhile investment, but for those who prefer current releases or do not watch television frequently enough to justify the cost, other options may be more suitable. So, is Netflix really worth it?
Student News
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Disney Classics vs Live-action Remakes
By: Keilana Biukoto
Disney’s new Little Mermaid liveaction film has just hit cinemas. Let’s take a look at whether live-action remakes of Disney Classics are all they’re cracked up to be.
So, you are probably wondering – what exactly qualifies a Disney movie as a classic? Well, anything that was released between the time of Steamboat Willie (1928), Disney’s first distributed cartoon, to around the start of the new millennium, could be considered a Disney Classic. In recent years, Disney has added a number of live-action remakes into its catalogue, including Alice in Wonderland (2010) and Beauty and the Beast (2017). The former delivered an estimated $1 billion dollars revenue from a budget of $200 million, and that led to the cash cow that is Disney live action remakes.
All live action remakes released so far have received mixed reviews. Many people, who grew up with the original versions, have particularly strong opinions on these remakes. Most of these opinions are built on the initial reaction of the viewer to the original movie and whether Disney has met their expectations for recreating the original movie magic. With this in mind, please understand that it hard for both the public, and me, to decide whether they are worth the hype or not.
According to Rotten Tomatoes, the self-proclaimed most trustworthy film critiquing website online, a number of remakes have earned the title of ‘critically acclaimed’. Notable mentions include the Jungle Book (2016) directed by Jon Favreau, which won the Oscar for Best Visual Effects in 2017 and had a Tomato
Meter score of 94% (making it a critics’ favourite amongst the remakes), and Cruella (2021), which won 2 Academy Awards and is the highest Audience rated Disney Liveaction remake, with a score of 97%. Based on the websites data, it is also seen that Disney’s standalone liveaction remakes that use the classic animation movies as source material, seem to do better with the audience than the direct retellings.
Personally, I think that the liveaction remakes are ok. However, I do think that Disney is definitely milking the cash cow that is the liveaction remakes,
Exam tip #4
With the clock ticking down to our last two weeks before exams, here is another tip that you might find useful.
We are all so used to reading our notes, reading our textbooks etc... But sometimes it just doesn’t stick. What I have found helpful is reading g aloud. This way you are both reading and hearing the information and receive it twice! This has really helped me cement topics into my brain.
And yes, you do feel a little silly, but who cares it if gives you great results?
Student News
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Chaos at the Met Gala: this Year’s Weird and Wonderful
By: Tafadzwa Machiridza
Originally known as the Met Ball, or the Costume Institute Gala/Benefit, the Met Gala was founded in 1948by fashion publicist Eleanor Lambert. Its purpose is the same today: it is a fundraising even for the Costume Institute of Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Met Gala is mainly put together by two people, Anna Wintour who organises the gala event and Andrew Bolton who creates the exhibition. It is regarded as the world's most prestigious and glamorous fashion event and social gathering. Personalities who are perceived to be culturally relevant to the society among various professionals including fashion, film, television, music, business, sport, social media, and politics are invited to the Met Gala. It also has a number of rules, for example there is a strict no selfie rule and a no bad breath, so they do not serve any onion or garlic during the event to avoid this.
The theme for this year was, ‘Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty’, in honour of Karl Lagerfeld who passed away. Karl Lagerfeld has worked at prominent fashion houses such as Balmain, Chloe, Fendi and Chanel. With that, let’s talk about the events of the 2023 Met Gala.
First question, what did they do to the original carpet? This year’s carpet was white, with blue and red stripes, and people had a lot of comments regarding this, with The Dartmouth saying it looked more like something to be out on your toothbrush than to walk on. Nevertheless, Ice Spice and Doja Cat made their first ever Met Gala appearances, with a bold outfit choice
Cyclone Mocha Sets Its Sights on Myanmar
from Doja, who transformed into Karl’s beloved cat choupette, while dressed in a glamorous Oscar de la Renta dress. Jared Leto also embodied choupette who came in a full cat costume.
Despite having a great relationship with Karl, Nicki Minaj did not attend the Met, which shocked a lot of people especially her fans who, on the day, kept asking her why on Twitter. The Biebers, Zendaya, Lady Gaga and Katy Perry also did not attend. Though amazingly dressed, there were a lot of mixed feelings regarding the Kardashians, with people saying their outfits missed and lacked the class and style that Karl had, while others put them in the top 10.
Vogue awarded some of the best beauty looks of this year’s Met to Michaela Cole, Paloma Elsesser, Cara Delevingne, Quinta Brunson, and Jordan Roth. Furthermore, there were a few outfits that people can't stop talking about, Rihanna with Asap Rocky in Valentino, Cardi B in Chen-Pen, Yara Shahidi in Cartier, Dua Lipa in Vintage Chanel, Anne Hathaway in Versace, and Anok Yai in Prabal Gurung. The final guest to crawl the Met carpet this year was a cockroach (lol), which shockingly people have already made TikTok accounts and hashtags about (metgalacockroach_official). All in all, this was an interesting Met Gala, with adequately impressive looks and a good number of showstoppers, don’t you think?
A powerful cyclone has hit the coast of Bangladesh and Myanmar after intensifying into the equivalent of a category-five storm. Cyclone Mocha brought with it, heavy rain and strong winds, leaving residents in lowlying coastal areas, fearful they may lose their homes. More than 1,300 bamboo shelters in Cox’s Bazar, the world’s largest refugee ca p, have been destroyed. At least five people have been reported dead in Myanmar. Landslides and floods are also hitting the area. As the storm approached, police patrolled the coastline in the town of Cox’s Bazar carrying loudspeakers, urging people to stay indoors.
Fast X
Vin Diesel and family are back for the beginning of the final ride. This summer sees the release of Fast X, the tenth film in The Fast Saga, and the eleventh in the Fast and Furious universe, that also includes 2018’s spin-off, Hobbs & Shaw. Initially focused on street racing, the series has evolved into an action-crime saga that has grossed over $6.6 billion in the box office since the first film arrived in 2001. Be sure to check it out!
Student News
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Did you know?
By: Keilana Biukoto
Furthermore, it has been used by the British Army since 1816 and it is thought to derive from Eastern-style dressing, worn by off-duty officers in the early 19th century. So why do we celebrate mufti? It symbolises the differences between males and females, and how those differences should be celebrated.
Competitions, products and updates!
Editor’s note
1. The 18th of May is ’No Dirty Dishes Day’? In my household, this is a special day and celebrated by my mother J.
2. Today 19th May is Endangered Species Day.
3. The 19th of May is the 139th day of the year.
4. Marshmello, Jojo Siwa, Carlos Guzman and Sam Smith were born on this day.
Nowadays, Mufti Day, also known as Casual Friday, Colour Day, or FreeDress Day, is celebrated in schools. Students attend school in casual clothing instead of school uniform, and on Friday19 May is Woodford’s very own Mufti Day. The theme is ‘Movie characters and celebrity lookalike’, and we look forward to seeing everyone’s amazing outfits.
I hope everyone had a happy Week 5 and are getting ready before exams come around in week 7 L. Just before we let you go; we have a bit to tell you.
Firstly, this term we are excited to announce a writing competition that will be held from This week, until the end of Week 8 (and extended if necessary) we are hoping to receive plenty of articles, stories (and so much more) from students from Year 6 to 12, with prizes available. Take a look at the office or high school notice board for more info or contact us with the email address below.
Secondly, we are also now selling our official t-shirts. Contact us to order or for more information.
Lastly, as you all should know, for students in Middle and Highschool, in two weeks time are our mid-year exams. Thus, we will be suspending our release until the following fortnight, to give our writers a chance to prepare. Look for our next issue due in Week 9. Thanks for all your support, see you soon!
