Tag: Ameerah Gbadamosi

Review: ‘Coco’ teaches about the importance of family

by Ameerah Gbadamosi

“Seize your moment” is a quote from “Coco” that always stuck with me when I finished watching and re-watching the movie.

The movie “Coco” follows a young boy with love and passion for music, wanting to be a musician just like his idol, Ernesto De la Cruz, but his family’s generational ban on music makes it impossible. Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself in the colorful land of the dead in order to get Ernestro De la Cruz’s blessing. He meets a charming trickster named Hector, and the two friends embark on a journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel’s family history.

Directed by Adrian Molina and Lee Unkrich, the animation style of “Coco” has a very vibrant and colourful aesthetic with thorough details that are presented both in the living world and in the Land of the Dead, with every single character having unique designs, and with the designs being culturally important and respectful.

Other films by Molina and Unkrich include “Toy Story 3,” “Monsters, Inc.” and “Finding Nemo,” in which everything except “Monsters, Inc.” are my personal favorites because similar to “Coco,” the characters are relatable in their own way.

The songs of the movie were my favourite part of the whole movie, mainly “Remember Me.,” Thethe song was very heartfelt, beautiful and inspiring, especially knowing the backstory of why the song was written; it talks about Hector missing his family, wanting to be with them, but also wanting his daughter not to forget him when he left.

“Un Poco Loco” was my favorite song in “Coco,” sung by Miguel and Hector during a music contest in the Land of the Dead. The lyrics talk about a woman driving a man crazy, written by Hector for his love for Imelda, because of all the nonsense she responds to when he asks her questions about her life.

The voice casts for the characters in “Coco” were perfect, as each role fit how the character would act. The voice actor for Miguel, Anthony Gonzalez, really captured the characterization, from how he acted to how he portrayed his feelings about not being able to play music.

Other movies Gonzalez has starred in are “I Believe,” “Bogota,” “Call Me Luke,”  and “Dead Lion.” I haven’t watched any of those movies yet, but I’ve heard great reviews about him.  

The voice actress for Mana Imelda, Alanna Ubach, did an amazing job on portraying her character well. Other movies she has been in are “Legally Blonde 1, 2, 3”; “Venom: The Last Dance,” “Rango,” “Ted,” and “Scooby-doo and the Ghoul School” and many other famous movies.

In conclusion, Coco is a really good movie that teaches people about being cultural appropriation; the settings and the holidays were portrayed very well, though I wish they had gone more in depth in each of the characters background, especially Hector’s and Ernesto De la Cruz’s, because I really wanted to know more about their childhoods, how they became friends and why they became friends. 

TV Show Report Card

Movie Title: Coco (2017)

Acting: A-

Direction: A+

Writing: B

My Grade: A-

by jhshyphen

Culinary classes offer creative atmosphere to learn confidence, employment skills

by Ameerah Gbadamosi

The culinary class is not just a place of baking, it’s a place where students can feel free to fully express their creativity on the treats and desserts they make. 

 “Cooking makes me feel good, it puts me in a state of peace,” senior Coryon Cornet said.

Senior Jasmine McLeod scoops and bags Snickerdoodle cookies for the homecoming dance as part of her culinary class. Photo by Liliana Castellanos.

Some people choose culinary class in order to learn more about cooking and increase their culinary skills.

“I chose this pathway to learn more about cooking and the hospitality, I wanted to learn more about the backstory of cooking,” senior Liliana Castellanos said.

According to culinary teacher Amy Whitaker, the culinary class is also a place for her students to express their confidence through cooking.

“I really enjoy seeing the growth and confidence my students gain through cooking,” Whitaker said.

“I’m preparing students for a future in the hospitality industry while developing soft skills for employment.”

Culinary Arts Teacher Amy Whitaker

Whitaker makes sure that her students understand the process of cooking; she makes sure that she explains each step of cooking carefully and makes her class fun while also making sure that her students learn.

Castellanos said,  “My favorite part of this class is the teacher because she is always willing to help you if you need it.”

The culinary class is more of a hands-on learning experience; it allows students to know more about cooking by making the treats themselves, so students can learn from their mistakes.

Senior Timothy Brown makes 100 fruit sticks for the homecoming dance As part of the homecoming preparations, the Jeff chefs prepared over 800 treats for the dance. Photo by Liliana Castellanos.

“The class itself is fun and entertaining, and it’s very hands-on learning. The teacher is very understanding about getting your work and making mistakes,” senior Jasmine Mcleod said.

She ensures that she expands her students’ cooking knowledge in order to prepare for the outside world.

“I make sure to build upon and improve each student’s culinary skill,” Whitaker said.

She makes sure to teach and prepare her students about cooking and what they can do or who they can become once they fully know all about cooking.

“I’m preparing students for a future in the hospitality industry while developing soft skills for employment,”  Whitaker said.

by jhshyphen